An Analysis of Addison Rae’s “New York”

Photo by Ethan James Green

If there’s anything we learn about Addison from this song, it’s that she really loves New York. Like, really loves New York. Being in New York at the moment, I figured it was the perfect time to sit down with the lyrics and dive into what makes me, and Addison, love New York. 

Take a bite of the big apple

Starting strong here—it is the big apple, indeed. I’ve walked well over 60 blocks in search of a cafe to host me and my computer, only to settle on a gentrified yoga-cafe-smoothie joint in SoHo. 

New York

Addison’s imagery is to die for. 

Oh, God, I love New York

Me too! 

Love New York, love New York

As aforementioned, me too! I love being able to use my legs as my primary mode of transportation, the unlimited people-watching, and the feeling of possibility and inspiration everywhere you turn. 

Love New York, love New York

Exactly what I’ve been saying! The suspiciously slimy subway surfaces, the corner in Washington Square Park you avoid at all costs, the symphony of honking cars and schizophrenic pedestrians, even the inability to see what lurks down the block due to the smog and rain, I love it all. I’m sure Addison feels the same. 

Feel so free, feel so free

I so get that, girl. It feels like you can be whoever you want to be and that the opportunities are endless. 

Feel so free, it's my religion

This is an interesting way of looking at New York, Addison, but I don’t disagree. There’s a shared sense of purpose, community, and respect throughout the city. Each person is after their own goals and aspirations, each thinking New York is the place to fulfill their dreams. Although hyper-individualistic, the city itself is what unites everyone in it.

Love New York, love New York

Do we think Addison loves New York for the same reasons we non-popstar folk love New York, or is romanticizing New York a necessary task for an up-and-coming artist? 

Love New York, love New York

Love New York

Is your entire closet made of “I <3 New York” shirts? 

Feel so free, feel so free

It might feel free, but this $7.50 small cup of coffee says otherwise. 

Feel so free, it's my religion

I wish she would expand on this religious point from her perspective. Do you think Addison’s ever watched a West End Synagogue live stream on Rosh Hashanah? 

Out of control, time's moving slow

It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed and out of control in New York. Thinking you’re behind, that everyone else is accomplishing something, and you are just existing. It’s truly exhausting. But every so often, you snap out of the haze and realize it’s only a Thursday and you’re twenty-something and you have so much time ahead of you. 

Or maybe she just did a line of something in the club bathroom. 

LA's home, but I'm ready to go

LA’s my home too! As much as I love and appreciate LA, there truly is nowhere comparable to the energy that exists in New York. 

Black car pick me up from the airport

A yellow taxi feels more New York to me personally, but I also don’t have 88 million TikTok followers and an international tour. 

Drop my bags at The Bowery Hotel

I’m starting to think Addison and I don’t exactly have the same New York experience. New York is much too expensive to stay at a hotel. Couch-hopping and inconveniencing your friends is the way to go. 

Next stop to the club, I'm a dance whore

I get why this is Addison’s first stop. The freedom you feel walking the streets of New York is exemplified exponentially on a dance floor—truly a release of all inhibitions.  

Kick drum, chew gum

Addison, you know I love you as much as I love New York, but what does this mean? 

Oh, God, I love New York

Here’s where the beat picks up. The repetitive thumping, pumping, and bumping emulates the excitement the city holds, the endless opportunities that feel right at your fingertips. Good work, Addison! 

Love New York, love New York

There have been times I think New York doesn’t love me back, but then creativity and inspiration hit, and New York reveals it’s a part of its plan all along. 

Love New York, love New York

Feel so free, feel so free

Feel so free, it's my religion

Love New York, love New York

In some ways, one’s love towards New York is truly unexplainable; it simply just is. Perhaps this is what she is getting at. 

Love New York, love New York

My feelings towards New York have not changed since the last lyric, either, Addison. 

Love New York

Feel so free, feel so free

Feel so free, it's my religion

Hand on my pulse (ah-ah), sex in the air (feel so free)

Unfortunately, not much sex occurs for me given the choices I have on Hinge here. I’m sure if I were invited to the same parties as people like Glen Powell, though, that would be different. 

Feeling my soul, answer my prayer (prayer, prayer)

It’s interesting to think about how many people come to New York to ‘make it’ whose names we will never know. Despite that, it’s still the city of dreams, hope, and hard work. Do you feel the same, Addison? 

Black car pick me up from the airport

My mere 962 Instagram followers hold no power in reserving me a black car from the airport. 

Drop my bags at The Bowery Hotel

Checking bags is much too expensive these days. All the Bowery Hotel would get from me is my old college backpack and a used-to-be-blue carry-on. 

Next stop to the club, I'm a dance whore

I’m a little disappointed there’s no mention of $1 pizza slices after dancing your heart out at the club. 

Kick drum, chew gum

Maybe this is a thoughtful allegory about how New York can kick you down at times, but chewed-up gum littered on the floor next to the suspiciously urine colored liquid will make you get up in no time. 

Oh, God, I love New York

Despite the suspiciously urine-colored liquid, I still do love New York. 

Love New York, love New York

Maybe I don’t love it as much during the peak of winter, when there is unavoidable yellow, slushy snow everywhere, and the need to wear every piece of long-sleeved clothing you own.

Love New York, love New York

For that matter, nor do I love it during the peak of summer while living on a fourth-floor walk-up. 

[...]

Feel so free, it's my religion

I wonder if she repeats this before she goes to bed every night as a prayer. Or maybe the spirit of this song serves as a prophecy of the endlessness New York has to offer.  

Love New York, love New York

Love New York, love New York

Love New York

Is this really all you have to say about New York, Addison? We certainly know you love it, but is there anything else you would like to expand on? 

Feel so free, feel so free

Feel so free, it's my religion

I’ll take that as a no. 

Ah-ah, ah-ah

Na-na-na-na, na, na, na, na, na

A perfect example of what your response should be to the guy trying to give out his mixtape to you in Times Square. 

Na-na-na-na

Save this response for catcalling as well. 

Yeah

Glad you agree!

Na-na-na-na, na, na, na, na, na

Na-na-na-na

Yeah

Na-na-na-na, na, na, na, na, na

Na-na-na-na

I see what you’re getting at, Addison. New York is the city of dreams and opportunities. Despite every “na,” you receive, and there will inevitably be a lot, you keep going in hopes that that “yeah” is just around the corner. 

Yeah

Exactly. 

Na-na-na-na, na, na, na, na, na

Na-na-na-na

Yeah

Na-na-na-na, na, na, na, na, na

Na-na-na-na

Yeah

Na-na-na-na, na, na, na, na, na

Na-na-na-na

Overall, a very introspective song, Addison. It seems we may have a different experience when it comes to New York, however. At the end of the day, though, Addison and I might be in drastically different tax brackets, but at least we can agree on one thing: we really love New York.