The music after midnight in Manhattan

So the ball has dropped, the hugs are given, the kisses are taken, and the canyons of midtown Manhattan reverberate with music. Times Square is very traditional.

My music, meaning music of my generation. On CNN, hosts Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen mercifully ceased their inane banter to allow the music to speak.

First, naturally and eternally, is Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” words by Fred Ebb, music by John Kander, the city’s anthem since 1977 when we first heard it in Martin Scorsese’s “New York” musical.

Second, Ray Charles’ 1972 super soulful version of “America the Beautiful.” The lyrics by Katharine Lee Bates, music by gossip choirmaster Samuel A. Ward. 

Finally, Louis Armstong’s 1959 recording of “What a Wonderful World,” co-written by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele. Then Anderson and Andy resumed their babble.

The “newest” of the anthems is almost 50 years old.

And, to me, the three reach perfection in American songwriting and performance.

All three singers are gone, except in memory.

No acid rock, no hip hop, no yacht rock, no house music, not even Beyonce or Taylor Swift.

Yet.

Does this speak only to the taste of the NYC producers? Does it mean anything that all songs are sung by male artists? Is it the patriarchy at work? Does it matter that two of the three are Black? Is that DEI at work?

I don’t know. Do you?

Comments are open as always.