Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters

Apr. 28, 2022

Last updated: Apr. 21, 2022

This song has become my favorite song about New York City. This title used to go to "Downtown Train" by Tom Waits. With what Tom Waits depicted in the song, I used to think I would live in Brooklyn (or Downtown Manhattan?) if I ever moved to this city. Now I have lived in Manhattan (Midtown and UWS) for some time, and I am pretty sure I don’t want to live in other boroughs in New York City (if possible). Anyway, which neighborhood I like is not the reason I award my favorite song about New York City title to this Elton John's song.


Elton John wrote almost all of his songs with lyricist Bernie Taupin. This song was inspired by Bernie Taupin's first visit to New York. Some said Bernie heard a gunshot outside his hotel room window. As a young man from the countryside in Lincolnshire, England, this definitely gave him a shock. And we are fortunate to appreciate his genius songwriting.


This song can be played as the background music in any scene in New York City. However, it might be fitting with the theme "lost in New York City" the most. One of the best usages is in the movie "Almost Famous" when Penny runs out heartbrokenly, and Will follows but fails to find her on the busy street......

Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters

Songwriters: Bernie Taupin / Elton John

And now I know

Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say

I thought I knew

But now I know that rose trees never grow

In New York City

(This references the song "Spanish Harlem" by Ben E. King: "There is a rose in Spanish Harlem...")

Until you've seen this trash can dream come true

You stand at the edge while people run you through

And I thank the Lord

There's people out there like you

I thank the Lord there's people out there like you

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters

Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers

Turn around and say good morning to the night

For unless they see the sky

But they can't and that is why

They know not if it's dark outside or light

This Broadway's got

It's got a lot of songs to sing

If I knew the tunes I might join in

I'll go my way alone

Grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown

In New York City

Subway's no way for a good man to go down

Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown

And I thank the Lord for the people I have found

I thank the Lord for the people I have found

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters

Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers

Turn around and say good morning to the night

For unless they see the sky

But they can't and that is why

They know not if it's dark outside or light

And now I know

Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say

I thought I knew

But now I know that rose trees never grow

In New York City

Subway's no way for a good man to go down

Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown

And I thank the Lord for the people I have found

I thank the Lord for the people I have found

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters

Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers

Turn around and say good morning to the night

For unless they see the sky

But they can't and that is why

They know not if it's dark outside or light

They know not if it's dark outside or light