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Popularized by both Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli, the Big Apple theme song “New York, New York” was originally penned by the Broadway composing duo of John Kander and Fred Ebb for Martin Scorsese’s film New York, New York. While the song is most popularly associated with Sinatra, his version is actually a cover. 

Just a few short blocks off Broadway, Phish performed “New York, New York” to close the New Year’s run at Madison Square Garden in the wee hours of 12/31/97. As has been the case with many first-time Phish covers this was apparently a last minute decision, with the band learning the tune between sets before debuting the song as the show’s encore (leading into a rocking “Tweezer Reprise” to close the show). Page, known to aspire to a Las Vegas Lounge Lizard career in his post-Phish days, provided the simultaneously soulful yet cheesy vocals, while Mike and Trey obliged with a few semi-coordinated Broadway-style leg kicks. Filing out into the freezing New York night, many a Phish NYE reveler could be heard singing along: “Start spreading the news...!”

Watch Theme from New York, New York on YouTube Frank Sinatra "New York, New York"

(Kander/Ebb)
� EMI Unart Catalog Inc. (BMI)

Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it - New York, New York
These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it - New York, New York

I wanna wake up in a city, that doesn't sleep
And find I'm king of the hill - top of the heap

These little town blues, are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it - in old New York
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you - New York, New York

I want to wake up in a city, that never sleeps
And find I'm a number one top of the list, king of the hill
A number one

These little town blues, are melting away
I'm gonna make a brand new start of it - in old New York
And if I can make it there, I'm gonna make it anywhere
It's up to you - New York, New York