Immigrant

Neil Sedaka

About Immigrant

"The Immigrant" is a 1975 single written by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody and performed by Sedaka. The single was the second release from his album, Sedaka's Back. "The Immigrant" was dedicated to John Lennon and the immigration problems that he faced. The single peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent one week at number one on the Easy Listening chart in May 1975. According to Philip Cody, the lyric writer of The Immigrant, the song was originally written as a tribute to his father, Anthony Feliciotto, who came to America from Sicily in 1930.  


Year:
1997
3:00
80 
#2

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Harbors open their doors to the young searching foreigner
Come to live in the light of the big L of liberty
Plains and open skies, bill boards would advertise
Was it anything like that when you arrived?
Dream boats carried the future to the heart of America
People were waiting in line for a place by the river

[Chorus]
It was 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 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
There isn't any more to go around
Turning away, he remembers he once heard a legend
That spoke of a mystical, magical land called America

[Chorus x 2]

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Neil Sedaka

Neil Sedaka (born March 13, 1939) is an American pop/rock singer, pianist, and composer. His career has spanned nearly 55 years, during which time he has sold millions of records as an artist and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard Greenfield and Phil Cody. more »

3 fans

Written by: NEIL SEDAKA, PHIL CODY

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Composition
"Immigrant" is a song written by Neil Sedaka, with lyrics by Phil Cody. Sedaka, a successful pop singer in the 1950s and early 1960s, re-emerged as a successful songwriter in the 1970s.
Album
It is the ninth track on Sedaka's 1975 studio album "The Hungry Years," which was his comeback album after nearly a decade out of the public eye.
Meaning
The song "Immigrant" is a ballad-style track that chronicles the journey of a hopeful immigrant coming to America to start a better life. It reflects on the universal experience of the immigrant, echoing the experiences of millions who left their homelands to seek a brighter future in America.
Inspiration
Sedaka himself is the son of immigrants; his mother was of Turkish Jewish descent, and his father was a Sephardi Jew whose ancestors immigrated from Russia. The song is a tribute to this immigrant experience.
Reflection
The song serves as Sedaka's reflection on the expectations and disappointments that often accompany the immigrant experience, a topic that is still of great relevance today.
Recognition
"Immigrant" has been praised by critics for its lyrical depth and emotional resonance, marking it as one of the standout tracks on "The Hungry Years."
Not a Single
Unlike some of Sedaka's other songs, "Immigrant" was never released as a commercial single but has remained popular among his fan base.
Popularity in Concerts
Despite not being a single, Neil Sedaka often performs "Immigrant" live in concert, where it's usually well-received by the audience due to its heartfelt portrayal of the immigrant experience.
Availability
As of 2020, "Immigrant" is available to stream on the majority of music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
Legacy
The song continues to resonate today, often seen as a humanizing portrayal of immigration, an issue that remains controversial in America and around the world.

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