The Immigrant
Neil Sedaka
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Harbors opened their arms to the young searching foreigner Come to live in the light of the beacon of liberty Planes and open skies, billboards would advertise Was it anything like that when you arrived Dreamboats carry the future to the heart of America People were waiting in line for a place by the river It was a time when strangers were welcome here Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear It was a sweeter tune and there was so much room that people could come from everywhere Now he arrives with his hopes and his heart set on miracles Come to marry his fortune with a hand full of promises To find they've closed the door, they don't want him anymore Isn't anymore to go around Turning away he remembers he once heard A legend that spoke of a mystical magical land called America There was a time when strangers were welcome here Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear It was a sweeter tune and there was so much room that people could come from everywhere There was a time when strangers were welcome here Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear There was a time when strangers were welcome here Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear
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Written by: NEIL SEDAKA, PHIL CODY
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
13 facts about this song
Song Information Fact"The Immigrant" is a song by American pop singer Neil Sedaka, released in 1974.
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Album FactThe song is a part of Sedaka's studio album named "Sedaka's Back". It is the seventh track of the album.
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Chart Fact"The Immigrant" was a top 30 hit in the United States, peaking at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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Inspiration FactThe song was inspired by the struggles of Sedaka's grandparents who were immigrant Jews.
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Lyric Inspiration FactNeil Sedaka wrote "The Immigrant" as a response to the anti-immigration sentiment and policies he saw in the United States during that time period.
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Collaboration FactThe lyrics were done by Phil Cody, marking the first time Sedaka had collaborated with another writer on his compositions since Howard Greenfield in the 1960s.
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Contemporary Relevance FactAlthough written in the 70s, the song's themes of immigration and xenophobia have remained relevant into the 21st century.
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Emotional Connection FactSedaka often chokes up while singing "The Immigrant," showing how deeply personal this song is to him.
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Resonance FactThis song holds a deeper significance for many immigrants and their descendants, reflecting their experiences.
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Positive Reception FactDespite its weighty subject matter, the song received positive reviews from critics for its melodic composition and poignant lyrics.
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Celebrity Endorsement Fact"The Immigrant" was the only song covered by Johnny Mathis that was not one of his own hits, emphasizing the song's appeal to other artists.
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Political Context FactSedaka has mentioned in various interviews that "The Immigrant" was intended as a political statement about the US government and its immigration policies during the Nixon era.
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Other Version FactA version of "The Immigrant" was recorded in the Italian language as well, testifying to the song's universal appeal.
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Citation
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"The Immigrant Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2255266/Neil+Sedaka/The+Immigrant>.
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