When New York originally came out, it did moderately well, achieving #12 in the Irish Top 40, whereas it only got #15 in the UK; something not too common- but it was so, er, popular, it's now being released again, featuring Wu-Tang Clan member, Ghostface Killah. Yeah, the guys who wrote "Gravel Pit". The song got it's release yesterday.
But has it brought the song to a whole new light?
Personally, as much as Ghostface is a highly accomplished and highly skilled, along with technical, rapper- I don't think it gives the same dimension as other songs, released with hip-hop collaborators, brings. For example, when Empire State of Mind came out featuring Jay-Z, it sounded great, and Alicia Keys own personal version on her album was beautiful and melodic. Albeit the duo have done things in a reverse way, in comparison to Paloma Faith, as Empire State of Mind was first out before Keys' personal cover (Part 2)- New York is being done the other way around- first solo in 2009, and now with the rapper in 2010.
New York on it's own is a superb track, and I don't think it needed the addition lyrics from the American hip-hop artist. If somethings broken, don't fix it.
New York (both versions) are available to buy now.
