Frank Sinatra possessed an uncanny ear for timeless songs, but even he couldn’t have predicted the chaotic origin of his definitive late-career hit.
Martin Scorsese commissioned songwriters John Kander and Fred Ebb to write a new track for the soundtrack to his film New York, New York, starring Robert DeNiro and Liza Minnelli. However, one of the film’s stars wasn’t too keen on their original track.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the songwriters played “New York, New York” for the filmmaker and Minnelli, not knowing that DeNiro was also in the meeting. Kander said the moments that followed set the song on its path to iconic status.
“We saw an arm come up on the couch, and [Scorsese] said, ‘Excuse me,’ and he went over to talk to De Niro. There was a very animated conversation,” Kander began.
Parade Daily? SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox ?
“Scorsese came back and in a very embarrassed way said that, ‘De Niro feels that ‘The World Goes Round’ is a song which is attached to Liza’s character, and it’s very strong. And ‘New York, New York,’ which is attached to his character, is not.'”
The songwriters were told to work on the song. During a cab ride back to Ebb’s apartment, they came up with an idea. Forty-five minutes later, a new version of “New York, New York” was launched.
Kander explained, “We took a cab back to Fred’s apartment, and in 45 minutes, we wrote another song called ‘New York, New York,’ which is the one that you know. It has a lot of anger in it because we were really pissed off — it was like, ‘Some actor is going to tell us how to write a song?'”
However, the songwriter concluded that the revised version was better than their first crack at the song. “The fact is, De Niro was absolutely right,” Kander stated. “It’s a much better song.”
Minnelli originally performed the song for the 1977 film soundtrack and released it as a single, according to Smithsonian Magazine. However, the track found a massive second life when Sinatra, encouraged by his wife, Barbara, added it to his setlist during a legendary 1978 run at Radio City Music Hall.
Minnelli gave Sinatra her blessing to record the song. Smithsonian quoted his daughter, Tina Sinatra, who shared, “[Liza] told him, ‘It’s OK, Uncle Frank.’”
“New York, New York” landed on Sinatra’s 1980 triple LP, the hugely successful Trilogy: Past, Present, Future. Ol’ Blue Eyes version would elevate the song into an undisputed New York anthem.
Ironically, the beloved song never hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached a peak position of 32 on the charts after 12 weeks.
“New York, New York” was nominated for a Grammy Award for Record Of The Year, but lost to Christopher Cross’ “Sailing.” Cross later told Songfacts, “Someone joked that I beat Sinatra, so I’d better watch my back.”
Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” has since become the city’s unofficial anthem. It is played at professional sports games for the New York Yankees, Knicks, and Rangers and, since 2001, after the ball drops in Times Square every New Year’s Eve.
Related: 66 Years Ago Today, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra Made TV History
Hence then, the article about 1979 hit theme written in a taxi became the unofficial soundtrack to new york city was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 1979 Hit Theme, Written in a Taxi, Became the Unofficial Soundtrack to New York City )
Also on site :