Complex - New York Objects lyrics

Taxi Cab The iconic yellow cab hit the streets in the early 1900s. Originally painted red and green, the NY Taxicab Company decided to change the color to yellow so the cabs would be visible from a distance. Although there are other livery cabs in the city, only medallion cabs are allowed to be painted yellow. Currently, New York City has over 13,000 taxis in commission, and each cab is driven an average 180 miles per shift. Subway Car Ma** transit isn't solely a New York City thing, but no other cities have a ma** transit system as complex or extensive as the Big Apple. The city's over 6,000 trains, varying in length, width and cleanliness, are all tokens of New York's fast-paced, non-stop culture. MetroCard Introduced in 1993, the MetroCard replaced the subway token (also another iconic New York City object). Although the yellow and blue cards are soon to be phased out, their imprint on the city's culture lives on. Artist Nina Boesch has even created incredible collages out of MetroCards, elevating them to works of art. Saturday Night Special A phrase first printed in The New York Times, penned by author Fred Graham in 1968, the "Saturday Night Special" refers to a small, cheap, disposable handgun that is usually discarded shortly after its use. The a**ociation with New York City may be a negative one, but one that's not completely unfounded, especially because of the city's history of high violence. "Silence = d**h" Slogan The objective of the slogan, and subsequent posters and pins, was two-fold. On one hand, it was meant to inspire the LGBTQ community to fight the spread of AIDS. At the same time, it was used inform those outside the community that there was a crusade against the disease. The symbol and slogan were both adopted by ACTUP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power). "I Love NY" Memorabilia The graphic icon and subsequent branded memorabilia is one of the most recognized city slogans ever. Created by Milton Glaser in 1977, the phrase has taken many forms and been applied to many other causes. It's hard to imagine another place that has branded itself as well, or as strongly, as New York. The Velvet Underground & Nico Album The Velvet Underground is an iconic New York City rock band. Andy Warhol is an iconic New York City artist. So, its not surprising that when Warhol designed the cover art for his house band that the end result would be an album whose music and cover were defining elements of an entire era and artistic movement. Rolling Stone even named the album one of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." Subway Signage The New York City subway is a labyrinth of pa**ageways, platforms, and people. Navigating the maze can be frustrating and infuriating, and that's on a good day. Thankfully, the city has exceptionally well designed signage. The bold white type on black background is a distinctive part of New York, and with Helvetica as the official MTA typeface, the city's brand is on point. Vignelli Subway Map No list of iconic New York objects could be considered complete without the mention of Ma**imo and Lella Vignelli's Subway Map, created in 1972. Although the map was ultimately vetoed by the public, its beautiful design sensibilities live on, making it a mainstay in iconic New York design. Occupy Wall Street Signs With its roots on Wall Street in New York City, the movement already evokes images of the East Coast metropolis. However, the iconic objects that came out of Occupy Wall Street were the protester's signs, sparking many articles, blog posts, and conversations long after the hype of the movement had died down. CBGB Shirt Founded in 1973 by Hilly Kristal, CBGB was an icon of the New York City music scene. Although the club closed in 2006, its presence lingers on in one way or another. CBGB shirts are arguably the most recognizable objects from the venue's long and important run. They have been become a pop culture staple, showing up everywhere from movies to music videos. Food Trucks Food trucks have always been a part of New York City. In the mid-1800s immigrants arriving to the city were looking for job opportunities, and food carts were an easy way for them to start their own businesses. Today, food trucks have become much more upscale. The Late Show Sign New York City is a huge entertainment capital, with Broadway shows, TV station headquarters, and film shoots happening every day. Many tourists travel from all over the world to see Rockefeller Center and other entertainment landmarks in the city. So, its only natural that an iconic TV show like The Late Show, would evoke thoughts of the Big Apple, particularly its signage. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree First erected unofficially in 1931, the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is a staple of winter in New York City. With a lighting ceremony that is broadcasted nationally, the tree has become a symbol of the city's vibrant offerings and the holiday season. Time Square Ball Inaugurated in 1907, the famous Ball Drop is a huge New York attraction, bringing people from all over the world to the city for New Year's Eve. The ball, made of crystal, changes themes yearly, but it's always brightly lit with the newest technology. Currently it's illuminated with LED lights. Charging Bull Arturo Di Modica's Charging Bull is an object that represents Wall Street and the Stock Market. Its enormous presence in Lower Manhattan has made it a tourist attraction and a go-to photo opportunity. While Di Modica created four other bulls, this one is the original and emulates New York's financial culture perfectly. Greek Diner Coffee Cup Designed by Leslie Buck, of the Sherri Cup Co., the Anthora coffee cup has become an unmistakable beverage container for the city. Its Greek styling appealed to Greek-owned coffee shops in New York City and became ubiquitous in the metropolis. In 1995 it was called "perhaps the most successful cup in history" by The New York Times. Boombox The boombox dominated musical culture around the world in the '80s and '90s. In Spike Lee's New York-based Do the Right Thing, Radio Raheem carries his boombox everywhere, solidifying the object as a mainstay of urban culture and New York City itself.