New York (Eskimo Joe song)

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"New York"

Single by Eskimo Joe
from the album Black Fingernails, Red Wine
Released	February 3, 2007
Format	Digital download 12" maxi single
Genre	Rock
Length	3:52
Label	Warner
Chart positions
#26 (Australia)
Eskimo Joe singles chronology
"Sarah" (2006)	"New York" (2007)	"London Bombs" (2007)

"New York" is the third single from Eskimo Joe's third album Black Fingernails, Red Wine. The band flew to New York to film the music video for the single. The music video for "New York" debuted on ABC's all night music program, Rage, as the first clip shown on the December 15, 2006. "New York" was released on February 3, 2007.

[edit] Music video

The music video is definitely more unusual for Eskimo Joe, featuring lead singer Kavyen Temperley changing t-shirts. Vaugley reminiscent of Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues" video clip. It is filmed on the streets of New York, whilst Temperley walks backward with smoke coming out of his mouth. It then pans to the band running in Central Park in a similar style to the "Who Sold Her Out" video.

Director Stuart MacLeod has commented.

"The concept basically was going to be a Bob Dylan-esque sort of thing, but instead of placards with key lyrics on, Kav was going to be walking down the street taking off t-shirts," explains MacLeod. "Each new t-shirt underneath had a new key lyric on it."

After a quick mock-up at home, the logistics of donning t-shirts in real time was proving more difficult than anticipated. In frustration, MacLeod hit the rewind button and the sudden flurry of activity saw the concept morph into a music video.

The flash of inspiration meant that Temperley had to learn all the lyrics to New York in reverse and, not only negotiate walking and talking backwards, but work his way through over 50 t-shirts as well.

"He had his hands full that’s for sure," MacLeod laughs. "Me and Joel just pop up in the background now and then. We even added a bit of smoke coming out of his mouth, like the mist coming out of the grates in Manhattan."

Eskimo Joe ran a competition on their website for people to create a remix of the song "New York", with the winning remix being included on the single.