What New York Used to Be

Song Meaning

These lyrics plunge into a whirlwind of fragmented thoughts and a deep sense of loss. The opening "Coma comma drama come on" immediately establishes a chaotic, almost breathless internal monologue. It's a raw, immediate expression of something overwhelming, contrasted with a mournful litany of what once was. A central tension emerges between a frantic engagement with the world and a desperate desire for retreat. The narrator describes a process of effort – "Ladder climb it drop an" – only to reject the outcome, declaring, "I don't want to eat it." This struggle culminates in the repeated plea to "Just keep it in its box," suggesting a profound longing to contain, ignore, or simply avoid a difficult reality. The craft here is striking, particularly the stark contrast between the verses and choruses. The verses are a torrent of staccato verbs and unsettling imagery, like "fingers crushed and" in a "shark infested sea of secrets." This creates a visceral sense of danger and mental overload. Conversely, the choruses are simple, declarative statements, each beginning "What X used to be," building a powerful, almost ritualistic lament for a past that feels irrevocably gone. Ultimately, these lyrics hit hard because they articulate a universal feeling of disillusionment with a changing world. The specific focus on "What New York used to be" anchors this broad sense of loss to a tangible, iconic entity, making the lament feel both personal and sweeping. It's a poignant reflection on how the present often falls short of a romanticized past, leaving behind a longing for what "easy used to be" and what "dreaming used to be."