New York City (The Armoury Show song)

Last updated
"New York City"
The Armoury Show New York City 1987 single cover.jpg
Single by The Armoury Show
from the album Monkey Cry
B-side "Whirlwind"
Released13 April 1987
Length3:35
Label Parlophone
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Howard Gray
The Armoury Show singles chronology
"Love in Anger"
(1987)		"New York City"
(1987)

"New York City" is a song by British new wave band The Armoury Show, released by Parlophone on 13 April 1987 as the second single from the band's unreleased second and final studio album, Monkey Cry. The song was written by band members Richard Jobson and Russell Webb and was produced by Howard Gray.

Contents

Background

After the release of their 1985 debut album Waiting for the Floods and a tour to promote it, the Armoury Show went on hiatus, and guitarist John McGeoch and drummer John Doyle left the band. In late 1986, the remaining two members, Richard Jobson (vocals) and Russell Webb (bass), reunited as a duo and began working on new material under the Armoury Show name, including "New York City". With their original contract with EMI America coming to an end, they signed a new deal with the UK division of EMI's Parlophone and, to replace their former bandmates, recruited guitarist Dave Lockwood and drummer Ray Weston in early 1987. [1]

"New York City" was written as a critical view of the United States city, with Jobson describing it as "a narrative about terror, paranoia and fear in the big city". [1] Speaking to Daily Record in 1987, he stated,

"Glasgow is still painted as a dirty, violent city, while New York is supposed to be the cosmopolitan, arty centre of the world. I'd like to think I've reversed the roles a little. Although I'm from Fife, I've always had this affinity with Glasgow – I'm an adopted Glaswegian in many respects. I love their self-deprecating humour and sense of values." [2]

Release

"New York City" was released as a single on both 7-inch and 12-inch formats on 13 April 1987. [3] An alternative 12-inch release, with the "John Robie Dance Mix" as the A-side, was released the following week on 21 April 1987. [4] The single failed to reach the top 100 of the UK Singles Chart and reached a peak of 109 in its first week in the charts on 25 April 1987. [5]

The song was to have been included on the band's second studio album, Monkey Cry, which was due for release later in 1987 but was ultimately shelved. [1] The Armoury Show disbanded in 1988, making "New York City" their last release. [6] In 2013, Cherry Red Records released an expanded two-disc edition of the Armoury Show's 1985 album Waiting for the Floods. The bonus tracks included "New York City", its John Robie remixes and the B-side "Whirlwind". [7]

Music video

A music video was filmed to promote the song. It features appearances from two of Jobson's brothers. [8]

Critical reception

Upon its release, Jerry Smith of Music Week called "New York City" an "excellent rap and rhythm influenced number", with a "chanted chorus" and "jaundiced view of the Big Apple". [9] English broadcaster Gary Crowley, as guest reviewer for Number One stated, "This is dead good – got me moving! Very New York disco, I hope this is the one for them – Jobson's a real diamond geezer. Good video too." [10] George Hill of the Peterborough Evening Telegraph described it a "savage indictment of the mean streets of the Big Apple" and the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph noted its "jaundiced views of life in the Big Apple". [11] [12]

John Lee of the Huddersfield Daily Examiner praised the "nervy and raw" track as the "best" Armoury Show single since "Castles in Spain". He wrote, "The enigmatic poet, actor and singer Richard Jobson has a flair for the classically-ridiculous. His Show partner Russell Webb certainly brings out the best in him, with fairly formidable results." [13] Jim Whiteford of The Kilmarnock Standard considered "New York City" to be a "part poem/part song", with a "caustic comment on the American super-city" that "won't bridge any gaps between ourselves and the colonials". He concluded, "Not one I'd tip as a big hit but it is strongly repetitive". [14]

Don Watson of NME stated, "Professional Scots in funk workout. Jobson claims: 'If New York is the promised land then Glasgow must be Heaven.' Illogical deductions over soul reconstructions as pleasant and as apparently pointless as everything since The Absolute Game ." [15] Paul Benbow of the Reading Evening Post remarked, "'If New York is the promised land then Glasgow must be heaven' wail the vocals. Hoots mon da'ye want a riot. Hard bite at the Big Apple." [16] Westworld reviewed the single as guest reviewers for Record Mirror , with Bob Andrews calling it "bland Scottish funk" and Nick Burton describing it as "a bit too arty for our taste". [17]

Track listing

7–inch single (UK) [18]

  1. "New York City" – 3:35
  2. "Whirlwind" – 4:46

12-inch single (UK) [19]

  1. "New York City" – 6:06
  2. "New York City" (N.Y. Agogo) – 6:36
  3. "Whirlwind" – 4:46

12-inch remix single (UK) [20]

  1. "New York City" (The John Robie Dance Mix) – 8:19
  2. "New York City" (N.Y. Agogo) – 6:36
  3. "Whirlwind" – 4:46

Personnel

Production

Other

Charts

Chart (1987)Peak
position
UK Singles Chart (Gallup) [5] 109

Related Research Articles

The Armoury Show were a British new wave band, formed in 1983 and consisting of Richard Jobson on vocals, Russell Webb on bass guitar, John McGeoch on guitar and John Doyle on drums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Domino Dancing</span> 1988 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Domino Dancing" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released in September 1988 by Parlophone as the lead single from their third studio album, Introspective (1988). The song reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart and topped the charts in Finland and Spain. Its music video was directed by Eric Watson and filmed in Puerto Rico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Going Out</span> 1996 single by Supergrass

"Going Out" is the first single from English rock band Supergrass's second studio album, In It for the Money (1997). It was released on 26 February 1996, more than a year before the album, and reached five on the UK Singles Chart and number 20 on the Irish Singles Chart. The song was apparently originally written in the key of E because the engine of Supergrass' tour bus would tick at that same musical pitch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can You Forgive Her? (song)</span> 1993 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Can You Forgive Her?" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released as the first single from their fifth studio album, Very (1993). The lyrics describe in the second person a young man's humiliation when his girlfriend accuses him of still being in love with a childhood friend; the woman is "not prepared to share you with a memory", and is "going to go and get herself a real man instead". The title of the song derives from the Anthony Trollope novel of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing</span> 1993 single by Pet Shop Boys

"I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their fifth studio album, Very (1993). The song, both written and produced by the duo, describes a person normally hesitant to unwind and show his feelings, who—because of some event in his life—suddenly becomes willing to loosen up. It was released in the United Kingdom on 29 November 1993 by Parlophone as the album's third single, reaching number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, where it was released in January 1994, it reached number two on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yesterday, When I Was Mad</span> 1994 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Yesterday, When I Was Mad" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released as the fifth and final single from their fifth studio album, Very (1993), on 29 August 1994 by Parlophone. The single, both written and produced by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart and number four on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song was remixed by Jam & Spoon for its single release, among other things removing a compression effect applied to Tennant's voice during the verses. Its music video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh. One of the B-sides is a cover of the Noël Coward song "If Love Were All".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Absolutely Fabulous (song)</span> 1994 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Absolutely Fabulous" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released by Parlophone and Spaghetti Records as a single for 1994's Comic Relief under the artist name "Absolutely Fabulous"; it is based on the BBC sitcom of the same name created by Jennifer Saunders and features sound bites taken from the first series of the show. The single peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart and number seven on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. It was more successful in Oceania, debuting and peaking at number two in both Australia and New Zealand; in the former country, it is the band's highest-charting single, and in both, it was their last top-10 entry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York City Boy</span> 1999 single by Pet Shop Boys

"New York City Boy" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released on 22 September 1999 as the second single from their seventh studio album, Nightlife (1999). In the UK, the single peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. It also reached the charts in numerous European countries, peaking at number three in Spain, and number four in Finland and Hungary. In the US, the song hit number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and number 53 on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myzsterious Mizster Jones</span> 1985 single by Slade

"Myzsterious Mizster Jones" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1985 as the third single from their twelfth studio album, Rogues Gallery. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by John Punter. "Myzsterious Mizster Jones" reached number 50 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for five weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You)</span> 1991 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You)" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys. The song is a medley of U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You", a 1967 song by Frankie Valli, though in an arrangement informed by the 1982 disco version of the song by the Boys Town Gang rather than the original. The song accompanied "How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?", the third single from their fourth studio album, Behaviour (1990), as a double A-side in the United Kingdom (both singles were released separately in the United States). Released in March 1991 by Parlophone, the song became the duo's 15th consecutive top-20 entry in the UK, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That's What Friends Are For (Slade song)</span> 1987 single by Slade

That's What Friends Are For is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1987 as the second single from their fourteenth and final studio album, You Boyz Make Big Noize. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Roy Thomas Baker. "That's What Friends Are For" reached number 95 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ginny, Ginny</span> 1979 single by Slade

"Ginny, Ginny" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1979 as the lead single from their eighth studio album, Return to Base. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Slade. "Ginny, Ginny" failed to make an appearance in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burning in the Heat of Love</span>

"Burning in the Heat of Love" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1977 as a non-album single. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Chas Chandler. The song failed to make an appearance in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love in Anger</span> 1987 song by the Armoury Show

"Love in Anger" is a song by British new wave band The Armoury Show, released by Parlophone on 5 January 1987 as the lead single from the band's unreleased second and final studio album, Monkey Cry. The song was written by the Armoury Show and was produced by Howard Gray. "Love in Anger" peaked at number 63 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Loser Gets to Win</span> 1983 single by Kiki Dee

"The Loser Gets to Win" is a song by English singer Kiki Dee, released on 14 October 1983 by EMI as a non-album single. The song was written by Dee, Harry Bogdanovs and Gary Osborne, and produced Elton John and Osborne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nothing Matters (Robert Lloyd and the New Four Seasons song)</span> 1988 song by Robert Lloyd and the New Four Seasons

"Nothing Matters" is a song by English band Robert Lloyd and the New Four Seasons. Written by Lloyd, Mark Tibenham and Dave Lowe, and produced by Tibenham, the song was originally released as a single on 17 October 1988 on the In Tape label and peaked at number 13 in the UK Independent Singles Chart. The song was re-recorded for Lloyd's debut solo album Me and My Mouth, released by Virgin in 1990, with Andy Richards as producer. The new version was released as the second and final single from the album on 23 April 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">25 Years (The Big Dish song)</span> 1991 single by The Big Dish

"25 Years" is a song by Scottish pop band The Big Dish, released on 20 May 1991 as the third and final single from their third and final studio album, Satellites. The song was written by Steven Lindsay and was produced by the Big Dish. It reached number 87 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna Change the Score</span> 1991 song by Tony Banks and Nik Kershaw

"I Wanna Change the Score" is a song by English musician Tony Banks featuring English singer Nik Kershaw. It was released by Virgin on 7 May 1991 as the lead single from Banks's third solo studio album, Still. The song was written by Banks and Kershaw, and produced by Banks and Nick Davis. It reached number 76 in the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Badman</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Richard Jobson

Badman is the debut solo studio album from Scottish singer-songwriter Richard Jobson, released by Parlophone in November 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glory of Love (The Armoury Show song)</span> 1985 song by the Armoury Show

"Glory of Love" is a song by British new wave band The Armoury Show, released by Parlophone in June 1985 as the third single from the band's debut studio album, Waiting for the Floods. The song was written by the Armoury Show and was produced by Nick Launay. "Glory of Love" peaked at number 92 in the UK Singles Chart.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Parkyn, Geoff (1987). "The Armoury Show". The Armoury Show Service. No. 5. Retrieved 7 September 2024– via armouryshow.com.
  2. ↑ Sloan, Billy (2 May 1987). "Vocals: Some Show from Jobbo" . Daily Record . p. 22. Retrieved 7 September 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ↑ "New Singles". Music Week . 11 April 1987. p. 32. ISSN   0265-1548.
  4. ↑ "New Singles". Music Week . 18 April 1987. p. 12. ISSN   0265-1548.
  5. 1 2 "Gallup Top 200 Singles chart report". Gallup. 25 April 1987.
  6. ↑ Parkyn, Geoff (1988). "The Armoury Show". The Armoury Show Service. No. 7. Retrieved 5 September 2024– via armouryshow.com.
  7. ↑ "The Armoury Show: Waiting For The Floods, 2CD Expanded Edition". Cherry Red Records . Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  8. ↑ Brown, Nicky (30 April 1987). "Nicky Brown's Pop and Piffle: Bowie's here just for my birthday" . Gateshead Post. p. 23. Retrieved 7 September 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ↑ Smith, Jerry (25 April 1987). "Singles". Music Week . p. 20. ISSN   0265-1548.
  10. ↑ Crowley, Gary (25 April 1987). "Singles". Number One . No. 201. p. 52.
  11. ↑ Hill, George (25 April 1987). "Simon So Positive" . Peterborough Evening Telegraph . p. 33. Retrieved 7 September 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ↑ "Pop Page: Single File" . Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph . 14 April 1987. p. 10. Retrieved 7 September 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  13. ↑ Lee, John (25 April 1987). "Reviews: Singles" . Huddersfield Daily Examiner . p. 13. Retrieved 7 September 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. ↑ Whiteford, Jim (24 April 1987). "Records" . The Kilmarnock Standard . p. 11. Retrieved 7 September 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  15. ↑ Watson, Don (2 May 1987). "45". New Musical Express . p. 25. ISSN   0028-6362.
  16. ↑ Benbow, Paul (18 April 1987). "Singles" . Reading Evening Post . p. 18. Retrieved 7 September 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  17. ↑ Andrews, Bob; Burton, Nick (2 May 1987). "Singles". Record Mirror . p. 13. ISSN   0144-5804.
  18. ↑ New York City (UK 7-inch single sleeve). The Armoury Show. Parlophone. 1987. R 6153.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ↑ New York City (UK 12-inch single sleeve). The Armoury Show. Parlophone. 1987. 12R 6153.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ↑ New York City (UK 12-inch remix single sleeve). The Armoury Show. Parlophone. 1987. 12RX 6153.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.