New York Soul (Part II)

## Song by Jon Bellion

"**New York Soul (Part II)**" is a song by Jon Bellion featuring Alec Benjamin, released as the fourth track from his debut studio album, *The Human Condiiton* (2016). The title is in reference to his 2013 song "NewYorkSoul" from *The Separation* album.

## Background

Regarding the composition, Bellion said, "I thought my life would change and money would solve problems and make life easier, but in fact, it really just made life a lot more complicated. It affected my relationships with people. It was like, 'I made a million, there's no way I can't make 10, and once I make 10, there's no way I can't make 20.' You know, time never ends. I think if you treat life like it's a constant proving ground, a constant, 'Once I get this, and once I get that,' it just never ends. And if anyone thinks that money is going to solve their problems, I mean, without a doubt it makes certain aspects of life easier, but I firmly believe that money should just try to magnify the person that you are. It could be a really dangerous lust. I just want to warn the young youth that are listening to this album that you don't necessarily need to listen to the radio and what it says."

## Credits and personnel

* Alec Benjamin – vocals, writer
* Jonathan "Jon" Bellion – vocals, writer, producer, recording engineer, mixing engineer
* Mark Williams – writer, producer, recording engineer, mixing engineer, electric guitar
* Mylon Hayde – writer, producer, recording engineer, keyboard, drum programmer
* Raul "Volta" Cubina – producer, mixing engineer, additional production
* Steven Miller – writer

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Chorus: Alec Benjamin]

Lay me down in Brooklyn if I lose my life

Push me down the Hudson and turn on the radio

Long Island's own are smiling 'cause my soul is fine

I did everything for New York

[Verse 1: Jon Bellion]

New Yorker in California, packed Brooklyn up in this bag

I'm in Malibu with the Bronx, she's in Kevin love with your man

Kyrie needed a king, I'm just making you understand

What I rustle up in the West, 'cause my reach is Kevin Durant

Records are very pop with a pocket deeper than sand

A juxtaposition, Sam Cooke, Billy Joel, Steely Dan

Changing the fucking spectrum, I need you to understand

Like I took the fall for some drugs

I've been nominated for Grams (It's Grammy's)

Skinny genius got blueprints up in my hand

So the minute you hear my single, just know that it's in my plan

Advantage of demographics, I'm Jigga, Bruno and Sam Smith

I'm moving business, I'm Taylor Swift in a van

This game, boy, is very, very advanced

I'm very, very New York, be very, very aware

How very, very Di Nero, I can get on a snare

Letting go of your throat, I can sing the hook if you scared

[Chorus: Alec Benjamin]

Lay me down in Brooklyn if I lose my life

Push me down the Hudson and turn on the radio

Long Island's own are smiling 'cause my soul is fine

I did everything for New York

[Verse 2: Jon Bellion]

Meet me in the red dress when the stakes high

That's porterhouse

She's 5 foot 9 in a Rolls Royce, that's Slaughterhouse

Benny Hahn, Hahn's and a tall boy, we ordered out

The hell you need a chaser when all this liquor is watered down?

Wait, see all them lines is fuck boy chat

Don't be so impressed by all that fuck boy rap

This money gon' leave you empty if you just want that

See, my joy lies in the Son and you should jump on that

She'll make you think that she the wife and that you found the one

But she just looking for some powder, not the talcum one

I'm not judging, here in the middle like I'm Malcolm, son

Verbal trigger like you should never play around with guns

Bow down to no crown, these dudes was out for the count

'Cause the Sour Diesel was loud, I was pounding bass in the lounge

Sober dope, moving proud, like allowance found in the crowd

When a thousand counting me out

But I'm here and killing the crowd now, blaow

[Chorus: Alec Benjamin]

Lay me down in Brooklyn if I lose my life

Push me down the Hudson and turn on the radio

Long Island's own are smiling 'cause my soul is fine

I did everything for New York

[Bridge]

Yo, I'm telling you

Yo, I'm telling you (Yeah)

Yo, I'm telling you

Yo, I'm telling you (Yeah)

[Verse 3: Jon Bellion]

Let me give the kids just a little help

Tell 'em money is not the key to wealth

'Cause if it can stop the pain

How the fuck do you explain a bunch of millionaires that killed themselves?

So you can take me off your winner's shelf

I got different vision, I'm bringing help

I know the demons in the room

Gon' say it's more that I can chew

But now all I hear is the dinner bell

I need a family that loves me right

Don't need a chain, don't need a club at night

I had a conversation with an angel

She told me I'd cheat death if I stayed away from the party life

Dropped off in the land where the artists play

Where God's way is the hardest way

Told myself I'm keeping my faith

If it costs me my reputation, then take it, I give it all away

## References

1. ↑ Ciccone, Rachael (July 27, 2016). "An Interview with Jon Bellion: The Secrets He Tells Us, We'll Take to the Grave". *The Aquarian*.