The Boy From New York City

Album: Best of Red Bird Records (1965)
Charted: 8
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  • Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, cool-cool kitty
    Tell us about the boy from New York City
    Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, come on kitty (oh, yeah)
    Tell us about the boy from New York City

    He's kinda tall
    He's really fine (yeah, yeah)
    Someday I hope to make him mine, all mine (yeah, yeah)
    And he's neat
    And oh, so sweet
    And the way he looked at me just swept me off my feet (yeah, yeah)

    Ooh-wee
    You oughta come and see
    How he walks (yeah, yeah)
    And how he talks (yeah, yeah)

    Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, cool-cool kitty (oh, yeah)
    Tell us about the boy from New York City

    He's really down
    And he's no clown (yeah, yeah)
    He has the finest penthouse
    I've ever seen in town (yeah, yeah)
    And he's cute in his mohair suit
    And he keeps his pockets full of spending loot (yeah, yeah)

    Ooh-wee
    You ought to come and see
    His pretty bar (yeah, yeah)
    And his brand new car (yeah, yeah)

    Every time he says he loves me
    Chills run down my spine
    Every time he wants to kiss me
    Ooh, he makes me feel so fine, yeah

    Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, come on kitty (oh yeah)
    Tell us about the boy from New York city

    He can dance
    And make romance (yeah, yeah)
    That's when I fell in love with just one glance (yeah, yeah)
    He was shy
    And so was I
    And now I know we'll never ever say goodbye (yeah, yeah)

    Ooh-wee
    You ought to come and see
    He's the most (yeah, yeah)
    From coast to coast (yeah, yeah)

    Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, cool-cool kitty (oh, yeah)
    Tell us about the boy from New York city (oh, yeah)
    Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, come on kitty (aha)
    Tell us about the boy from New York city (a-aha)

    Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, cool-cool kitty (oh, yeah)
    Tell us about the boy from New York city (oh, yeah)
    Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, cool-cool kitty (a-aha)
    Tell us about the boy from New York city Writer/s: George Davis, John Taylor
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 10

  • Phillip Bass from PaMichael from New York,NY and Anonymous from Ny. My father still receives checks as well. John Taylor was my uncle. Was wondering if I can sample this for a beat. And more information about the group in general.
  • Anonymous from NyMy father George Davis wrote the boy from nyc..i. Still get checks..
  • Gary from KentuckySo Jennifer asked who the drummer was. I too, would like to know. He was SMOOTH and so accurate.
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaMichael, I once was told who the drummer was but can'/t remember, if you read this can you help?
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 22nd 1981, the Manhattan Transfer performed "The Boy from New York City" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    At the time the song was in its third week at #7 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart {see next post below}...
    The Manhattan Transfer had five other Top 100 records; "Operator" {#22 in 1975}, "Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone" {#30 in 1980}, "Route 66" {#78 in 1982}, "Spice of Life" {#40 in 1983}, and "Baby Come Back to Me" {#80 in 1984}.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 10th 1965, "The Boy From New York City" by the Ad-Libs entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and on February 1st it peaked on #8 (for 1 week) and spent 10 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #6 on the Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    And on July 12th, 1981 the Manhattan Transfer's covered version entered the Top 10 at position #10, the next week it was #9, following week #8, and then at week later it peaked at #7, and stayed there for 3 weeks before dropping out of the Top 10.
  • Michael from New York, Ny...And who was the guitarist ON the recording? Well, here I am! The guitarist from THE BOY FROM NEW YORK CITY! Michael "Murch" Powers from Bayonne. Now in the NEW YORK BLUES Hall of Fame and also a 2x W.C. Handy Music Award and 3x Blues Music Award NOMINEE. My wife, Topsy and I went to see Manhattan Transfer in New York and they performed her dad's song "Moten Swing" and also "The Boy From NYC". What a treat for both of us! We took a photo with them and I'll upload it here if I can figure out how to do it.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyThe Ad Libs had one other record that made Billboard's Top 100; a song titled "He Ain't No Angel", it peaked at No. 100 and stayed one week in the Top 100!!!
  • Zabadak from London, EnglandThis was a big UK hit for rock 'n' roll era revival act Darts in the late 70s.
  • Musicmama from New York, NyThis might be one of the most danceable songs, ever. And in its presentation, it was ahead of its time: The male singers backed up the female leads, rather than the other way around (or females backing up females, as was the case for other "girl groups.") The horn and the arrangements are great, almost like jazz.

    But, ironically enough, it was this song's best and unique qualities that dated it very quickly. Within two years or so, the airwaves would be dominated by acid and psychedelic rock, or anything from British or British-influenced bands. I mean, it's really hard to imagine this band playing this song at the Monterey Festival of 1967 or Woodstock.
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