Manhattan Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I like to dance all night
And some of the day
But that's how I play
Yeah, that's how I play
I said, who are you?
No matter who you are
So we dance all night
And dance all day

[Chorus]
I say
I say

[Verse 2]
We're gonna fuel the fire
We're gonna stoke it up
We're gonna sip this wine
And pass the cup
Who needs avenues?
Who needs reservoirs?
We're gonna show this town
How to kiss these stars

[Chorus]
I say
I say
[Verse 3]
I'm on a hunt to kill
I'm gonna skin the hide
A yelp and scream
And away I ride

And every drop that spills
On every spot of ground
It's all for you
For what you found

[Chorus]
I say
I say
I say
I say

[Outro]
It's gonna take your hand
And gonna drive you home
It's gonna keep on, keep on, keep on
And then forever roam

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About

Genius Annotation

“Manhattan” is the fourth single from the record, a song that continued their move towards a more pop-focused Southern rock sound. The track is about Native Americans:

Yeah, the song is kind of about the unfortunate story that has happened that’s kind of been pushed under the carpet. No one really likes to talk about it. But yeah, the beginning of the song’s about the beauty and the freedom of the way that it was, and then by the end of it it’s about, you know, how it’s all been taken away. And you kind of still have the hope that, even though it’s been forgotten somewhat, you know, I like to think that some of us still have that spirit inside of us.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Kings of Leon say about "Manhattan"?
Genius Answer

Caleb told Village Voice:

Yeah, Manhattan, I think it means the hilly island, or something like that. As soon as my friend … I was playing it and I said, ‘Man, I think I’m going to call this song “Manhattan,” and I hadn’t even written the lyrics yet, and he said, 'Yeah, man. That’s a Native American word.’ And I was like, ‘Really?’ And I already had the first line, “I like to dance all night and some of the day.” And it worked out.

Credits
Recorded At
Blackbird Studios
Release Date
September 2, 2008
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