When a Guy Moves to New York City
Two Generations, Two Renditions
Hi! Welcome to “A Body of Work.” It’s the every other Tuesday space here on “Living in a Body” where I dig deep into Hal history and pull out a musical gem. Thank you for being here! Hal
When a Guy Moves to New York City
In 2021, my daughter Hallie moved to New York City to be an actor on Broadway. She did it for real. First, she rocked her college experience in musical theatre, then she took off to Atlanta to make a bunch of money during a pandemic and then she and her boyfriend scored an awesome apartment in Brooklyn with an amazing rooftop view of Manhattan. She pays the rent with her own money, she buys her own groceries and she works her butt off doing auditions and callbacks in the city. Hallie Walker is “four foot eleven and kind of a rockstar.”
Recently, she booked her first major job. At the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas, Hallie will be playing the roles of Usherette and Columbia in a production of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Two months in Austin… way to go, Hallie! It’s not gonna be easy, but I’m gonna do whatever has to be done to see the show in person.
I share this with you in order to contrast my own experience of “moving to New York City.” In the Spring of 1993, I worked on a crew painting dorm rooms in Tallahassee, Florida. It was there that I met my future wife, Hallie’s mom, but first I needed to take my shot at making it big in New York. I took my $1400 from the job and I moved into JP Allen’s parents house in Great Neck, Long Island. Several days a week, I commuted into the city to wander the streets in hopes that someone might notice me. The rest of the time was spent on late night HBO, sleeping till two in the afternoon and coming up with big ideas in the purple VW bus that was parked in the Allen’s driveway. I did get a 40 minute slot at the Bitter End and for a couple weeks I even worked at a bagel shop on the upper east side. But the main thing I got from my New York experience was this song, “When a Guy Moves to New York City.” It’s my most musical theatre’esque song and it’s a good one. It tells the classic story of a young man trying to make a friend in the big city… and there’s actually a happy ending.
I’m glad to say that both my voice and my performance have gotten better in the last 30 years. In 1993, I wasn’t ready for New York. I was still floundering in the world of Stolen Quarters. (See Ep. 8 — “The Dark Side of a Pinball Wizard.") The ironic thing is that I’m ready now! (Except for the fact that I’m 56, 85% bedridden and I can barely leave the house. lol)
Today, I offer you the opportunity to listen to two versions of this song — v. 1993 and v. 2022. TBH, I’m embarrassed to share the rendition sung by my younger self. (Soundcloud link below) It makes me cringe to listen. What was I thinking?! It’s just weird. I go from a weird old man’s voice to a bad English accent to a very strange black man’s voice and then an even stranger adolescent voice. This is possibly the most vulnerable thing yet that I’ve shared here on Living in a Body. Please go easy on me. I’m super sensitive right now. :)
On the other hand, I’m quite pleased with the 2022 version. The YouTube video below shows a seasoned veteran singing in his own voice and telling a very touching story of youthful yearning to connect. Enjoy.
When a Guy Moves to New York City
I’m gonna make a friend tonight OK
I’m gonna let myself be denied, that’s alright.
When a guy moves to New York City
He finds out that there’s no welcome committee
So he tries to be especially friendly
But the truth is friends just don’t come easy
He’s fresh and ready to go hello hello
He’s got the time for a Joe, Ok
When a guy moves to New York City,
Names and faces tend to turn kinda blurry
He says hello to every single person that he sees.
Hello woman on the street with your pretty hat and shoes
Are you someone I could meet for some dinner and some blues?
Hello man down in the subway station.
Could I offer you some conversation?
When a guy moves to New York City,
People seem at first to be too busy,
But the truth is they’re as ready to find a friend as he.
There’s the people you meet cause of the things you do
and there’s the people you didn’t meet cause of the things you didn’t do
Then there’s the people you didn’t meet cause of the things you do
And the people you meet cause of the things you didn’t do.
I’m gonna do until I’m done I’m gonna make a friend
I’m gonna prove that I’m the one who’s gonna let you in
I’m gonna walk on Washington Square
And blow my harmonica for everyone sitting there.
I’m gonna stand at the top of the city
and tell everybody I think that I’m ready
When guy moves to NYC,
Sometimes things might turn kinda crazy
He might even get a little bit lonely
And he’s probably spending too much money.
Hello brother with long hair, Could I offer you a chair?
Hello preacher standing there would you offer me a prayer
Hello woman in the jeans…
“Hey you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
“Hey you’re the most beautiful boy I’ve ever seen.”
Copyright 1993, Hal Walker
Unhinged!!
I love the old version-the raw kinda defeated drawn out growl & then attempts to be chipper & hopeful. The change in voices as you desperately try to fit in. Maybe because it’s the familiar version in my memory. Lots of drama