Table of Contents
Listening Activity
This listening activity is based on the song “New York, New York by Frank Sinatra“. The song lyrics are ideal for English Learners and include many interesting language topics, such as infinitives, gerunds, and the present continuous.
Let’s start with some information about the song!
New York, New York by Frank Sinatra
Theme from New York, New York is the theme song from the Martin Scorsese film New York, New York (1977). This listening activity offers information about the son, a link to the lyrics, and the official video.
New York, New York by Frank Sinatra
Level
Beginner and intermediate students.
Facts about the Song
- Song: New York, New York
- Album: New York, New York
- Date of release: June 21, 1977
- Genre: Traditional pop
- Length of the song: 3 minutes and 16 seconds.
- Writer: Fred Ebb, John Kander
Interesting Information about the Song
The song has become an iconic tribute to New York City, widely celebrated for its vibrant and uplifting portrayal of the city. It is frequently played at New York-area social events, including weddings and bar mitzvahs.
Additionally, many sports teams in the New York area feature this song at their games, with the New York Yankees notably using it as a signature anthem in their stadium. Written by Fred Ebb and John Kander, the song was originally featured in the 1977 musical New York, New York, but it gained widespread fame through Frank Sinatra’s rendition.
Sinatra’s version has been praised for capturing the spirit and ambition associated with the city and is often considered one of his signature songs.
The Video
The Lyrics
Language Points
The song includes many interesting language points:
Expressions that may be useful to students:
- 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
Listening Comprehension
Sentence Completion Exercise
Complete these sentences while listening to the song:
- Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today. I want to be a part of it, __.
- These vagabond shoes are longing to stray right through the very __ of it.
- I wanna wake up in a city that doesn’t __ and find I’m king of the hill.
- These little town blues are melting away. I’ll make a brand new __ of it in old New York.
- If I can make it there, I’ll make it __.
Gap-Fill Exercise
These words are used in the lyrics of the song:
- Melting – Changing from a solid to a liquid state, often used metaphorically for the fading away of feelings.
- Brand New – Completely new or fresh; never used before.
- Number One – The top position or best in a ranking.
- Vagabond – A person who wanders from place to place without a home.
- Stray – To move away aimlessly from a group or place.
- Heap – A pile or large amount of something.
- Blues – A state of sadness or melancholy.
Complete these sentences with the words provided above:
- After traveling for months, he felt like a __ with no place to call home.
- (vagabond, traveler, tourist)
- The dog managed to __ from the yard and roam the neighborhood. (stray, walk, run)
- Winning the championship placed them at the top of the __ in the league.
- (heap, table, list)
- The singer’s __ was evident in her songs about lost love and broken relationships.
- (blues, happiness, joy)
- The ice __ under the warm sun, creating puddles on the sidewalk.
- (melted, cracked, broke)
- She bought a __ car, still with that new car smell and untouched by previous owners.
- (brand new, old, used)
- His book was __ on the bestseller list for weeks, showing its popularity.
- (number one, last, least)
Source: Wikipedia
