Lyrically, the song is about personal growth and becoming a brand new version of yourself. Keys has performed the song on several occasions including the iTunes Festival of and VH1 Storytellers. It says everything about everywhere that I've come and who I am now. It's about being completely happy with finding yourself. She knew how to make people feel at ease.

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The following month, they submitted it to Jay-Z's label Roc Nation , whose reviews were a discouragement. They later took the suggestion of an associate of EMI Music Publishing and resubmitted it to Jay-Z, who kept the "New York" singing part on the hook , changed the verses, and recorded it. The song originally featured Hunte on the hook, but when Hunte and Sewell-Ulepic were asked if they thought anyone else would be more appropriate for the chorus, Hunte suggested Keys. Mary J. Blige was also considered for the part, but Keys was chosen after Jay-Z heard the song's piano loop. The song was described by critics as an "orchestral rap ballad" with "crashing piano chords" and a "soaring" hook. It contains references to various locations in New York and its famous residents, while describing the city's essence.
Grew up in a town that was famous as a place of movie scenes Noise is always loud, there are sirens all around and the streets are mean If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere that's what they say Seeing my face in lights or my name in marquees found down on Broadway. Even if it ain't all it seems I got a pocketful of dreams aby I'm from New York! Concrete jungle where dreams are made of There's nothing you can't do, now you're in New York! On the avenue there ain't never a curfew ladies work so hard. Such a melting pot on the corner selling rock preachers pray to God Hail a gypsy cab takes me down from Harlem to the Brooklyn Bridge Someone sleeps tonight with a hunger far more than an empty fridge I'ma make it by any means, I got a pocketful of dreams baby I'm from New York! Concrete jungle where dreams are made of There's nothing you can't do now you're in New York! One hand in the air for the big city Street lights big dreams all looking pretty No place in the world that can compare.
Yet others are really great human beings. Well the pieces will all fall into place. How am I certain. While I knew that she'd be busy with her studies, she did make good efforts to spend time with me at least once a week and things all seemed fine. I know a non-Mormon guy who married a Mormon woman and has kept her beautiful and desirable, by encouraging her religious involvement, even though he avoided Mormonism himself. I am very active with my work, social life, and activities and independent. I'll bring up some CES letter issues, let her know why I wouldn't want my children raised like this, and we'll see what happens. I got married to a Mormon woman. It is hard work. Probably, not Mount Meadows level, but be prepared to have to apologize on her behalf a lot.