Credit: Henry Diltz“The City,” from David Crosby‘s forthcoming solo album, Lighthouse, has premiered on YouTube. The tune, which the folk-rock legend co-wrote with his main Lighthouse collaborator and co-producer, Michael League of the modern-jazz collective Snarky Puppy, pays tribute to that tough and multifaceted metropolis of New York City.
Crosby compares New York to a woman with whom he has a complicated relationship. In a new promo video posted on his official Twitter feed and Facebook page, the singer/songwriter explains that it was League who came up with the song’s concept.
“Michael said, ‘I want to write a song about New York City’ — which we both love — ‘as a woman,'” recalls Crosby. “And he said, ‘Give me images.'”
In response, David says he came up with, “Damaged and lean, kind of mean, got a weird sense of humor.”
In the tune’s chorus, Crosby sings, “Like a wind, like a flame/She plays by the rules of her own game/She can’t lose, you can’t win/All you can do is your best to stay in.”
“The City” combines acoustic folk elements with a funky, driving rhythm, while also showcasing some layered harmony vocals. It features Crosby on vocals, acoustic guitar and guitar percussion, while League contributes vocals; bass; and acoustic, baritone acoustic and electric guitars. Snarky Puppy keyboardist Cory Henry also lends his talents to the track.
Lighthouse will be released October 21. Crosby, meanwhile, recently launched a North American solo tour that’s mapped out through a September 15 concert in Vancouver, Canada. Check out his upcoming dates at DavidCrosby.com.
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Pre-order #Lighthouse on @AppleMusic and instantly download my new song “The City” https://t.co/3HlTRTnWGF pic.twitter.com/0EEOEHaVGZ
— David Crosby (@thedavidcrosby) August 26, 2016
