[Verse 1]
And after dinner he said
"Let me go and get some cigarettes"
She called after him "Take the keys with you
I'll look after the little one in the meantime"
He closed the door and went out silently
Into the neon-bright stairwell
It smelled like floor polish and stuffiness
And on the stairs he thought
As if this was a departure
I'd just have to go for all time
For all time
[Chorus]
I've nеver been to New York
I've nеver been to Hawaii
Never walked through San Francisco
In ripped jeans
I've never been to New York
I have never really been free
Be crazy for once
And escape from all constraints
[Verse 2]
And as he stood outside on the street
He remembered that he had almost everything with him
The passport, the eurocheques and some money
Maybe there was a flight tonight
He could take a cab there on the corner
Or hitchhike and just leave
The longing in him awoke again
To be full of dreams once more
To free himself from the narrowness here
He thought about his departure
His departure
[Chorus]
I've never been to New York
I've never been to Hawaii
Never walked through San Francisco
In ripped jeans
I've never been to New York
I have never really been free
Be crazy for once
And escape from all constraints
[Verse 3]
Then he put the cigarettes away
And went home without a second thought
Through the stairwell with floor polish and bourgeoisie
The wife called out "Man, where are you?
Dalli Dalli is about to start"
She asked: "What happened?"
"No, what would have happened?"
[Chorus]
I've never been to New York
I've never been to Hawaii
Never walked through San Francisco
In ripped jeans
I've never been to New York
I have never really been free
Be crazy for once
And escape from all constraints