The feature film “The Bride” (The Bride), in which Sting played the main role, did not bring acting fame to the singer, but he introduced him to the person who helped write the song Englishman In New York.
Together with Sting, Quentin Crisp (real name Dennis Charles Pratt), as it is customary to call him, starred in the film. The artists became friends and kept in touch by correspondence.
The history and meaning of the song Englishman in New York
Some time later, while working on the album Nothing Like the Sun, Sting went to New York, where Crisp had moved shortly before. There he stayed with Quentin for three days. He in all colors described to Sting his difficult life in homophobic England of the twenties of the last century.
In one bitter joke, Crisp is known to have said that he was “looking forward to his citizenship papers so that he could commit a crime and not be deported.”
Soon, under the impression of these stories, the musician wrote Englishman in New York. By “Englishman in New York” is meant, of course, Quentin Crisp, to whom the song is dedicated.
So Englishman in New York is not just a reflection on the differences between the British and Americans. This is a call to gain courage and remain yourself, regardless of the opinions of others.
Sting later said that the entire Nothing Like the Sun album is about mothers and women supporting men throughout their lives.
Clip Englishman in New York – Sting
The music video for “An Englishman in New York” was directed by acclaimed director David Fincher, featuring Sting with his band in New York. Quentin Crisp also appears there.
There are a great many covers of Englishman in New York, and among them there are frank parodies in the spirit of “Italian in Paris” or “Korean in New York”. The lyrics of the song are very often altered for all sorts of humorous programs.
Let’s watch the online video clip Englishman in New York – Cris Crab.
Interesting Facts
- The sequel to the Quentin Crisp film The Naked Official is called An Englishman in New York.
- The phrase from the song “manners maketh man” (“manners make a man”) was the motto of William Wickham, a famous military and political figure of the 19th century.
- In the mid-90s, the song was used in a TV commercial for the British car Rover 200.
Englishman in New York Lyrics
I don’t drink coffee I take tea my dear
I like my toast done on the side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I’m an Englishman in New York
See me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
I’m an Englishman in New York
chorus:
I’m an alien I’m a legal alien
I’m an Englishman in New York
I’m an alien I’m a legal alien
I’m an Englishman in New York
If ‘manners maketh man’ as someone said
Then he’s the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle’s brighter than the sun
Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run
If ‘manners maketh man’ as someone said
Then he’s the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Englishman in New York Lyrics Sting
I don’t drink coffee dear, I prefer tea
I like toast fried on one side
And it’s clear in my accent when I say
I’m an Englishman in New York
You see me walking down Fifth Avenue
With a bamboo cane in hand
I always take her with me
I’m an Englishman in New York
Chorus:
I’m a foreigner, I’m a legitimate foreigner
I’m an Englishman in New York
I’m a foreigner, I’m a legitimate foreigner
I’m an Englishman in New York
If “manners make a man”, as someone said,
Then he’s the hero of the day
You need to be a real man to endure ignorance and ridicule,
Be yourself no matter what others say
Humility and decency can lead to notoriety,
You can end your days alone
Kindness and prudence are rare guests in this society.
At night the candle is brighter than the sun
It takes more than military clothes to be a man
Carrying a gun requires more than just a license
Fight your enemies, avoid them if you can
A gentleman will never run away
If “manners make a man”, as someone said,
Then he’s the hero of the day
You need to be a real man to endure ignorance and ridicule,
Be yourself no matter what others say
