Who Wrote "The Girl from New York City"? A Quest for Songwriting Glory (and Maybe a Sandwich)
Okay, folks, settle in. Grab your favorite beverage (mine's lukewarm coffee, because #momlife), and let's embark on a thrilling quest. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to uncover the truth behind the immortal words of "The Girl from New York City." No, we're not talking about a gritty detective novel (though that would be awesome). We're talking about that song. You know the one. It's probably playing in your head right now. Don't deny it.
The Mystery of the Missing Maestro
So, who penned this absolute banger? This is where things get a tad… complicated. You see, "The Girl from New York City" isn't exactly a one-hit wonder from some obscure indie band. It's a song that has been through more hands than a communal jar of peanut butter.
A Tangled Web of Tunes
The most widely known version, the one that probably makes you want to do some serious 80s dance moves (or at least tap your foot awkwardly), is by Patrick Swayze. Yes, THAT Patrick Swayze. Dirty Dancing, Road House, Ghost… and apparently, purveyor of fine pop tunes. But hold your horses (or should I say, lift your baby?). Swayze didn't actually write the song. He just sang it. And looked incredibly cool doing it, might I add.
The Real MVPs (or at least the writers)
The actual composers of this masterpiece are George Michael and Michael (a different one!) Omartian. Mind. Blown. George Michael, the legendary voice behind Wham! and countless solo hits, had a hand in this? It's like finding out your grandma is secretly a ninja warrior. And Michael Omartian, a prolific producer and songwriter, completes the dynamic duo.
So, It's George Michael, Right? (Mostly)
So, to summarize our findings: If someone asks you who wrote "The Girl from New York City," you can confidently say George Michael and Michael Omartian. You can also throw in the Patrick Swayze factoid for extra coolness points. Just don't go around telling people Swayze wrote it. That's like saying Christopher Columbus discovered America (spoiler alert: he didn't).
The End (or is it?)
And there you have it! The mystery is solved. You can now sleep soundly knowing the truth about "The Girl from New York City." Go forth and spread this knowledge! And maybe listen to the song again. Just one more time. Okay, maybe two.
Frequently Asked Questions (Because You're Wondering)
Here are some burning questions you might have, answered with the speed and efficiency of a caffeinated squirrel:
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How to impress your friends with your newfound "The Girl from New York City" knowledge?
- Quick Answer: Casually drop the George Michael and Michael Omartian fact at your next 80s-themed party. Bonus points if you can do the Swayze dance.
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How to avoid getting confused by the multiple Michaels involved?
- Quick Answer: Just remember: George Michael sang a lot of awesome songs. Michael Omartian helped write this one. Patrick Swayze looked good doing both.
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How to explain this complicated songwriting credit to your cat?
- Quick Answer: Just put on the song. Cats appreciate good music, even if they don't care about songwriting credits.
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How to find more songs written by George Michael?
- Quick Answer: Seriously? Just Google it! Or, you know, use your preferred music streaming service. You're welcome.
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How to convince people that you're not just making this all up?
- Quick Answer: Show them this blog post! (Or, you know, Wikipedia. That works too.)
