Monday, January 18, 2010

Empire State of Mind

You know me. How often do I post video links? Next to never. I had to break my general rule and post this. Let me just say--maybe it's a New York thing-- 'cause "baby I'm from New York." But I love the kids and the song and the whole feeling. Got me all choked up. I love that I'm from here. I love that Hedgehog is growing up here, in the middle of the "concrete jungle where dreams are made." Just forgive me my moment of NYC pride...



Hail a gypsy cab with me and just be a New Yorker for a minute...you'll love it, I promise.

And thanks P.S. 22 chorus for giving me a bright moment in my day.



Updated, just because I'm absolutely loving loving loving the original Jay-Z/Alicia Keys version too--much darker, still wonderful. Two sides of a coin:

27 comments:

Tina said...

Hey there, you NY lover! I can't see the video at work but I'll look later. Just wanted to mention a blog to you that I thought you might like. Maybe you know it already. It's all about New York and its history, old maps, pictures, stories.
http://thevirtualdimemuseum.blogspot.com/

C.M. Jackson said...

Leah--the joy is contagious--loved this---breaking the rules can be incredibly fun--New York is one heck of a town!!

best-c

The Unbearable Banishment said...

This place isn't for everybody. I can understand the aversion to the noise, traffic, over crowding, etc., etc. But if you're one of the lucky ones who allow Gotham to get under your skin, then you are in for a hell of a ride. I haven't been bored for decades. Do you realize what a rare blessing that is?

Leah said...

Tina: thank you SO much for that link!

C: totally contagious, isn't it? They're so good. It's a Jay-Z song (the original is really good too, with Alicia Keyes, I'll try to post the link) but they cleaned up the lyrics a little bit...

UB: that is it exactly. You're never bored here. And neither are your kids. Worth a price absolutely beyond rubies.

Brian Miller said...

nice. enjoyed the vid. went to NY on an art tour years ago. i really need to make it back.

Anonymous said...

Hey Pop was born and raised in the Catskills ans Mom's Mom was from way upstate, so your kinda sorta in good company. Just thinkin' I've not been on the CBE in a while. You rock, leah :)

nick said...

Great stuff. I love the way they're so animated. If that was British kids, they'd probably be motionless, timidly singing along in a rather embarrassed fashion. New York certainly has plenty of energy, that's for sure.

Hunter said...

I sing and groove just like that while in my car at red lights!

I always love it when I'm able to visit NYC.

Pat said...

I love the way they don't just sing - they feel it!

Megan said...

You are forgiven. :)

Baino said...

Lovely. My friend's daughter is there at the moment and loving it!

Madame DeFarge said...

I loved NY when I've been there, just seemed so perfect in all its imperfection. Great vid. Wouldn't be quite the same done for London I suspect.

Ronda Laveen said...

They are so cute as well as good! No wonder you are wearing your NYC T-shirt and waving your flag.

I'd love to catch a gypsy cab with you any day.

mapstew said...

What wonderful kids! They are really 'in' that performance!

Have only been to NY once, back in the eighties, and even that was only a day trip or two during my visit to Succasunna NJ.

Both you and UB are tempting me back! :¬)

xxx

Leah said...

Brian: I need to take a NYC art tour! I know there's so much I'm missing.

Subby: ah, the CBE...and the LIE, the BQE, and all those other fun crowded roads...always a driving challenge, always exciting!

nick: NYC has a ton of energy! And lots of dramatic people in it! Makes for a lot of noise all the time.

Hunter: I totally do that alone in the car too. I had a post awhile ago about singing along loudly and animatedly to "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" while blazing down 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn...

Pat: they are really feeling that song, that's for sure.

Megan: thanks! and ask me how I feel about NYC later this week when I'm stuck in traffic on the FDR...

Leah said...

Baino: is your friend's daughter living here? I'm glad she's having fun!

Mme: "perfect in its imperfection" is a great way to describe it. Over the last decade things have cleaned up a lot, but there's still a roughness, an eccentricity, and an electricity that is unique to NYC. At least, I think so...

Ronda: we'll take the gypsy cab to Brooklyn Chinatown for some steamed buns and iced coffee...or anywhere else you like!

map: anytime you head NY-bound, you can be assured we'll greet you with open arms!

JGH said...

You know what I like about this? It's that the kids really seem to be feeling the music - not just singing stonefaced like so many do in student concerts. Can't wait to share this with my kids - they love that song!

Megan said...

This has actually brought together some scattered bits of my own ideas on L.A. into one whole post. Not done yet, but just wanted to say thanks for inspiration. :)

Unknown said...

So cool I actually had to comment. This makes me wonder what other cool stuff is out there that we're just waiting for someone to turn us on to.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic! Be proud, you have good reason. What an inspiring teacher and beautiful children. This brightened my day too! Thanks for posting it.

The Mistress said...

Mistress MJ needs no prodding to get into a New York state of mind.

Leah said...

J: that's the best thing, I agree! You might check out some of their other songs on Youtube--I especially loved their version of "Landslide" by Stevie Nicks.

Megan: I can't wait to read it! How very intriguing...

Alex: I'm always wondering about that--there must be so much more out there that would blow our minds. We just have to be on the lookout.

Cinnamon: the more videos of this chorus I watched, the more I realized what an incredibly special teacher that chorus director is. He is absolutely amazing with the kids, as well as being musically gifted in his own right! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

Leah said...

MJ: the funny thing is, living here in the middle of it, I sometimes do need prodding to fall in love all over again...

Karen ^..^ said...

Love it. Tears.

Leah said...

Karen: I've watched this maybe 20 times, and every time, tears. It's truly moving, isn't it?

Karen ^..^ said...

Tears and goosebumps. Oh, most definitely moving.

Irmhild said...

my 15 months old loves this song, we listen to the radio in the mornings and whenever it comes on she shrieks and starts to dance and sing. whenever i hear it i want to go back... there's such an energy!