New York City (Owl City song)
{{Infobox song
| name = New York City
| cover = New York City Owl City.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Owl City
| album = Cinematic
| released = March 9, 2018
| recorded =
| studio = Sky Harbor Studios
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 3:44
| label =
| writer = Adam Young
| producer = Young
| prev_title = Lucid Dream
| prev_year = 2018
| next_title = Up to the Cloud
| next_year = 2022
| misc = {{External music video|type=single|{{YouTube|bw1hTfbu5ps|"New York City"}}}}
}}
"New York City" is a song by American electronica act Owl City. It was released from his sixth studio album, Cinematic on March 9, 2018 as the fourth and final single.{{cite web|url=https://foundationsmusic.com/owl-city-releases-new-york-city/|title=Owl City Releases New York City|publisher=Foundations Music|date=March 9, 2018|access-date=March 5, 2023}}
Background and release
"New York City" was released as the lead single for Reel 3 on March 9, 2018, with the reel following on April 6. In addition to "New York City," it included "Cloud Nine" and "Be Brave".{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/6h69adaQxlx6jB47bMAzN7|title=Reel 3 - EP by Owl City|website=Spotify|access-date=March 5, 2023}} A remix to the song was released on September 10, 2018 by itsRGA after winning first place of Owl City's SKIO Remix Contest.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKm7h5IyTuo|title=Owl City - New York City (itsRGA Remix)|website=YouTube|access-date=July 31, 2023}}
Composition
"New York City" was written and produced by Adam Young. The track runs at 170 BPM and is in the key of B major. The song recounts his trip in the city, spending time with his friends, listening to Johnny Cash and showering at a truck stop.{{cite web|url=https://www.startribune.com/new-owl-city-album-powered-by-fireflies-hitmaker-s-wholesome-owatonna-life/495209631/|title=New Owl City album powered by 'Fireflies' hitmaker's wholesome Owatonna life|website=Star Tribune|author=Chris Riemenschneider|date=October 6, 2018|access-date=July 11, 2023}}
{{quote|"'New York City' is about the first time I ever really left my hometown and saw some of the world. It's a coming of age story, and I tried my best to memorize all the little details as they happened. I hope this song inspires you to take a similar trip, maybe even get a little lost. I think you'll be surprised at what you discover."{{cite web|url=https://skiomusic.com/contest/new-york-city-remix-contest|title=Owl City - New York City|website=Skio Music|access-date=July 31, 2023}}}}
Critical reception
"New York City" was met with positive reviews from music critics. In a review of Cinematic for CCM Magazine, writer Matt Conner noted it as a favourite from the album, describing the track as "propulsive."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/reviews/owl-city-cinematic-album-review/|title=Owl City — Cinematic Album Review|magazine=CCM Magazine|author=Matt Conner|date=July 6, 2018|access-date=November 6, 2023}} Lauren Carlton of The Columbia Chronicle compared the track to his 2009 hit, "Fireflies".{{cite web|url=https://columbiachronicle.com/fa595b18-6e58-11e8-b9a9-d3be3a62210f|title='Cinematic' by Owl City|website=The Columbia Chronicle|author=Lauren Carlton|date=June 12, 2018|access-date=November 6, 2023}}
Music video
The music video for "New York City" premiered via VEVO on March 22, 2018 and was directed by Max Haben.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw1hTfbu5ps|title=Owl City - New York City|website=YouTube|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207020158/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw1hTfbu5ps|archivedate=February 7, 2023|access-date=July 31, 2023}}
Track listing
Digital download
{{Track listing
| title1 = New York City
| length1 = 3:44
}}
New York City remix
{{Track listing
| title1 = New York City
| note1 = itsRGA remix
| length1 = 3:20
}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col 2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Weekly chart performance for "New York City" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2018)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| scope="row"| UK Cross Rhythms Weekly Chart{{cite web|url=https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/chart/?year=2018|title=Cross Rhythms – Year-End 2018|website=Cross Rhythms|access-date=June 19, 2023}}
| 6 |
{{col 2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Year-end chart performance for "New York City" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2018)
! scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| UK Cross Rhythms Annual Chart
| 44 |
{{col-end}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release history for "New York City" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" | Various
| January 12, 2018 | Sky Harbor | align="center" | {{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/588oCTCTibCkfmW7GExV92|title=New York City - Single by Owl City|website=Spotify|access-date=June 19, 2023}} |
|---|
References
{{reflist}}
{{Owl City}}