cgray

This has been bugging me. I don't have a ton to go on:

The song's lyrics are about moving to a new city. The lyrics seem almost whimsical or silly, kind of like "I wonder what it [(the new city)]will be like", just repeatedly talking about the new city and her questions/fears/excitement about it. When listening to the song, the lyrics are pretty easily understood.

It may have to do with packing bags, and "city" in the song may be "neighborhood" or something similar.

It is sung by a woman.

I would guess it is an 80's song, kind of in the Steely Dan vein.

The song has synthy keyboards, I believe.

I have probably heard the song 100x, but the most recent time listening in the car, I actually listened to it and was a little impressed by how the song was put together, etc.; a little more artsy/adventurous/creative than I had originally given the song credit for. The radio didn't say who it was by, and then some time has passed and now I am not even remembering the lyrics that well.

Also, the song's lyrics are catchy, but then the song goes into a chorus which is also catchy/recognizable, but sounds pretty different than the verse part of the song. Any help?

I did a search for "city", "bags" (e.g. packing bags), "moving", and came up with GnR and Elton John. Neither of those. Thanks for any help.

cungar

You say it's sung by a woman. Maybe Donald Fagan sounds like one but is this it?

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SqUU-GCuppo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SqUU-GCuppo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

Standing tough under stars and stripes
We can tell
This dream's in sight
You've got to admit it
At this point in time that it's clear
The future looks bright
On that train all graphite and glitter
Undersea by rail
Ninety minutes from New York to Paris
Well by seventy-six we'll be A.O.K.

What a beautiful world this will be
What a glorious time to be free

Get your ticket to that wheel in space
While there's time
The fix is in
You'll be a witness to that game of chance in the sky
You know we've got to win
Here at home we'll play in the city
Powered by the sun
Perfect weather for a streamlined world
There'll be spandex jackets one for everyone

What a beautiful world this will be
What a glorious time to be free

On that train all graphite and glitter
Undersea by rail
Ninety minutes from New York to Paris
(More leisure time for artists everywhere)
A just machine to make big decisions
Programmed by fellows with compassion and vision
We'll be clean when their work is done
We'll be eternally free yes and eternally young

What a beautiful world this will be
What a glorious time to be free

Mikael79

Funkytown?

cgray

That's hilarious. Funkytown it is.

"Gotta make a move to a town that's right for me..."

I like the percussion in the background. Really Talking-Heads ish. Some definite Kraftwerk sounds in there, too. Anyway, probably not a masterpiece, but I think it is an interesting mix of sounds for a song.

Thanks (for letting me get it out of my head)!

Mikael79

That's funny!! You know, it sounded too easy, but everything you said sounded like Funkytown, so I thought I'd throw it out there.

I'm glad I could help!

kstublen

lol the first song I thought was Funkytown, but figured no way it would be something so obvious. It's funny how some very well-known songs, ones that you know you know, you just blank on.

Here's a tip though. Before I had Shazam on my phone I had a notepad in my car for just this type of situation. I'd write down a few of the lyrics, type them into Google and it was usually a pretty easy find. In fact, I still do it from time to time if Shazam can't give me the name.

cgray

It's also funny how you can hear a song a million times and never really listen to it. I think it's pretty difficult to listen to e.g. the Beatles with fresh ears, etc., but every once in awhile an old classic opens up and you think, "This is really good. I never heard it like this before."

I think the best concerts are the ones where, even attending with a great deal of familiarity with the band, your interest in the music is rejuvenated and your understanding of the music is expanded.