Englishman in New York: A (Mostly Sober) Guide to Conquering the Song on Six Strings
So you, a humble strumlord, fancy yourself a modern-day Sting, ready to serenade the streets with your rendition of "Englishman in New York"? Hold your (presumably lukewarm) Earl Grey, mate, because this ain't a stroll through Regent's Park. This is navigating the concrete jungle with a fretboard strapped to your torso. Buckle up, because we're about to dive into the murky waters of minor chords, reggae rhythms, and lyrics that somehow manage to be both deeply introspective and laced with mild transatlantic sass.
 |
| How To Play Englishman In New York On Guitar |
The Armory:
- Chords: E minor, A major, and B minor will be your new besties. Learn 'em, love 'em, live 'em. Bonus points for mastering barre chords, but hey, we're all Brits here, a bit of complaining is practically mandatory.
- Rhythm: It's a reggae thing, man. Think laid-back, skunky, with a steady pulse like a double-decker chugging down Oxford Street. Don't overthink it, just let the groove flow through you like a lukewarm pint at closing time.
- Fingerstyle Fury: While strumming ain't out of the question, Sting gets his mojo working with some fancy fingerpicking. Master the art of alternating bass notes and melody lines, and soon you'll be dazzling pigeons with your dexterity.
QuickTip: Keep going — the next point may connect.
Verse 1: Legal Alien Blues
This is where you lay down the law (figuratively, of course, violence is never the answer, unless it's against a poorly tuned instrument). The chords are your mantra, and the lyrics your existential musings on being an Englishman adrift in the Big Apple. Channel your inner Basil Fawlty, but with a touch of Bob Marley, and you'll be golden.
Pro Tip: Don't forget the spoken word bits! Deliver them with the gravitas of a Shakespearean actor auditioning for a toothpaste commercial, and you'll have them howling with laughter (or existential dread, whichever floats their boat).
Tip: Focus on sections most relevant to you.
Chorus: Hooray for Xenophobia! (Not Really)
This is where the song explodes like a pastie in the microwave. Crank up the volume, unleash your inner rockstar (while maintaining a stiff upper lip, naturally), and let the chords ring out like Big Ben on a bender. Remember, you're an Englishman, dammit, and even if you're lost in a land of hot dogs and skyscrapers, you can still belt out a good chorus.
 |
Sub-Headline: The Bridge of Sighs (and Syncopation)
Tip: Keep scrolling — each part adds context.
This is where things get a little jazzy. The chords shift like a double-decker dodging pigeons, and the rhythm throws in a few curveballs that'll have your fingers doing the tango. Take a deep breath, trust your instincts, and remember, even if you mess up, you can always blame it on the jet lag.
Finale: A Gentleman's Farewell
Tip: Look out for transitions like ‘however’ or ‘but’.
The song winds down like a pub closing at 11 PM sharp. Fade out the chords, deliver one last spoken word flourish with the air of a man who's seen it all (even if "it all" is just three seasons of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians"), and bask in the applause (or polite coughs from bewildered onlookers).
Bonus Round: Beyond the Basics
- Sting it Up: Learn some of Sting's signature fingerpicking patterns for extra pizzazz. Think of it as adding crumpets to your musical tea party.
- Effects for the Effete: A touch of reverb or chorus can give your playing that quintessential Sting ambience, like you're serenading the Statue of Liberty from a foggy pier.
- Dress the Part: Channel your inner Englishman with a tweed jacket, flat cap, and a monocle (optional, but highly recommended for maximum irony). Just don't trip over the Union Jack tea towel you've draped over your amp.
Remember, playing "Englishman in New York" isn't just about hitting the right notes, it's about capturing the spirit of the song. It's about embracing the contradictions, the humor, the melancholy, and the sheer audacity of being an Englishman abroad. So go forth, my friends, strum your hearts out, and show the world that even amidst the skyscrapers, a little bit of British eccentricity can go a long way. Just don't forget to pack your rain jacket, you never know when a good downpour might call for a spontaneous singalong.
 |
