On the day I arrived in New York, I said, "Kid, you won't last here."

It was all so confusing, and everyone spoke real fast here.

Even so, there was something about it that felt energetic.

So I said to myself, "Self--it's time to stop acting pathetic."

So I stopped giving money to strangers,

and I started to make some new friends.

And I stopped having doubts, learned the ins and the outs,

And the city and I made amends.

Then one day I was out rollerblading, just breezin' along,

I looked up at the skyline and suddenly knew--I belong.

I was told beware by all my aunties--still I lost at three card montes.

Guess what?  I'm a real New Yorker now.

Fell for every scam wherever I'd walk.  Bought a Rolex--on the sidewalk.

Guess what?  I'm a real New Yorker now.

'Cause the Yankees have me cheering!  When they win I feel so proud.

And I can't believe I started sneering at the bridge and tunnel crowd.

When you get down to the nitty gritty, oh my God, I love this city!

Don't know when it happened or just how.

But no matter what it takes, I won't ever pull up stakes,

And that makes me a real New Yorker now.

Though my voice at first was clearly twangin'

Now I holler, "Howzit hangin'?"

Guess what, I'm a real New Yorker now.

On the subway I can make connections.

Hell, I even give directions!

Guess what, I'm a real New Yorker now.

Rockefeller Center skaters, aren't they the final word?

And I love to ride those escalators up on Lex and 53rd.

I arrived here as a disbeliever--seems I caught that New York fever.

No bewildered look will crease my brow!

Learned that West 10th crosses 4th, and the South Bronx is up north,

And that makes me a real New Yorker now!

I know the score to every Broadway show in town.

Hello!  What's more I just adore it when there's snow in town.

I'm a full-fledged back seat taxi driver--summed up in one word: survivor!

Not a shred of doubt will I allow.

I can navigate a date with a guy who thinks he's straight

And that makes me a real New Yorker now.

I can find the Greenwich Mews--and the most expensive shoes

And that's why I'm a real New Yorker now.

I'll be here a long, long while--you can't vote me off this isle--

You got it?

I'm a real New Yorker now!