Anatomy of a Song: "An Englishman In New York" Quiz

Answer: Al Capone

Al Capone was a famous New York gangster in the prohibition era - 'Scarface' was jailed at the age of 33 on tax evasion charges. Some years earlier, the Supreme Court had ruled that illegally earned income was subject to tax. It is ironic that it was easier to arrest him on the basis of unpaid tax, rather than on the methods he used to obtain the money he didn't pay the tax on!

Of the three incorrect answers, two of them require no explanation. On the other hand, Howard Johnson's was (at the time of the song's release) the largest restaurant in the Unites States. It was named after its founder, Howard Johnson (unsurprisingly).

Answer: Keats

"They boggle at menus in Olde English verse
"Ode to a burger" by Keats at his worst"

The four options listed here are all noted English poets from the romantic era. Keats did pretty well to be so recognised, given that he died at the tender age of 25, due to pneumonia.

Answer: Every hour

"Devoted collectors of paraphernalia out walking the rock
Battle and bitch for the ultimate kitsch of a crucifix clock
Two miniature Romans, running on rails
Appear every hour and bang in the nails"

Interesting imagery indeed in the lyrics of this song. Along with a number of other lines in this song, there was certainly the potential to upset some sensibilities.

Answer: Begs

"They boggle at menus in Olde English verse
"Ode to a burger" by Keats at his worst
The hissing of omelets the breaking of legs
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their eggs"

I haven't included the line after this as it pertains to another question in the quiz.

Answer: Demented

"Demented New York athletes staggering round the block". That's quite the opening to a song, gets your attention. It seems to be a reference to the burgeoning fitness craze in the 70s, often undertaken by individuals who may have been doing themselves more harm than good. Of course, like nearly all the lyrics in this song, it is widely open to interpretation.

Answer: Hockney

David Hockney is an English artist (among many other pursuits) and is considered one of the most influential of the last century. The line in the song...

"Defecting Russian dancers dance into Hockney prints"

...may be in part reference to a former partner of his, Wayne Sleep, who was also a dancer. Again, though, that is just me, trying to find a connection. Certainly, many of his portraits were based on friends, lovers and relatives.

The other part reference may be regarding Mikhail Baryshnikov, who defected to Canada in 1974, and later went onto stardom with the American Ballet Theatre. It may also have been Alexander Godunov - he defected in 1979, whilst in New York, leaving his wife, who was part of the accompanying dance troupe, behind...

Answer: Guggenheim

"Digital bathrooms drilling for furs
Surgical stockings marked his and hers
Guggenheim attitudes back to back
With Jewish Baroque"

Guggenheim attitudes? When researching the interesting info for this question, I was faced with a problem. Was it the attitude of the man, or the museum? It seems the reference is regarding the museum, and the architecture of the building, with the different levels meaning that specific exhibits are viewed as separate, or disconnected, entities. This may or may not be correct - feel free to investigate in your own time with Dr Google!

Answer: "Avon crawling"

"Lock up your daughters, Avon crawling!"

What a wonderful line, the last two words are delivered with a change of voice that makes your skin crawl, much in line with the said two words, very clever. My apologies to all the former Avon Ladies that used to beat the door down, but the two words "Avon Calling" were guaranteed to strike fear and loathing into the hearts and souls of those on the other side of the door.

[Author's note: Growing up as a boy in Australia in the 60s and 70s, there was a notable absence of door to door marketing. It just wasn't a thing in my country. Except, however, the ubiquitous Avon Lady...you knew you'd see her again...).

Answer: Strange apparatus

"Strange apparatus
You've never seen
Strange apparatus, even stranger theme
Street alligators
Big Anglophile
Will navigate us through a change of style"

I don't know what to say about this. I understand the alligators line relating to the urban myth, or otherwise, of alligators being found in the sewer system after their former owners had decided they had because too big to keep as pets (well, d'uh)! As for how the rest of the lyrics fit in, I will leave that to the reader.

The other two choices appear in the first verse:

"Digital bathrooms drilling for furs
Surgical stockings marked his and hers"

Answer: Snow White and the seven basket cases

"Sexual athlete applies for audition
Willing to make it in any position
Just one of the extras with blood on their faces
In Snow White and the seven basket cases
I'm happy and dopey and dirty in places"

Clever play on words there, including Happy and Dopey in the following line, and introducing the dwarf who was the last one cut in Walt Disney's original selection process, Dirty! I mean, they were miners. They should ALL be dirty! Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to the bath we go.

Answer: Bloomingdale's

"Exclusive to Bloomingdales, gift-wrapped in red
From the land of blue rinse"

Bloomingdale's exists to this day. Its website touts it as being "America's only nationwide, full-line, upscale department store. With an enduring international reputation for quality, creativity and uniqueness". Founded by Benjamin and Lyman Bloomingdale in 1861, since 1994 it has been a sister brand of Macy's.

Answer: Black

"The hissing of omelets the breaking of legs
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their eggs
The pink fillet mignon looks black on the negs"

Negs being negatives, in this case. I assume.

Answer: Chicago

"Demented New York athletes staggering round the block
Deformed Chicanos pour in Chicago's rolling stock"

This is one of those lyrical situations where the words fit, but don't seem to have relevance to the rest of the song. Let's face it, the song is about New York. Quite how Mexicans jamming into trains in Chicago is relevant, is anyone's guess. I invite readers to let me know in a message, if you have any suggestions.

Answer: Spit the world right in the eye

"Walk straight, walk tall, spit the world right in the eye
The stranger the wood, the straighter the arrow"

These lines appear right at the end of the song. To me, they seem to be saying "We're New Yorkers, and we'll do what we want!"

Answer: Howard Johnson

"Caught in the tunnel an ambulance howls
A men's room attendant is flapping his jowls
Ssshh, Howard Johnson is moving his bowels"

Poor Howard, not the greatest way to be immortalised in a song! I hope it wasn't an unplanned urgent visit following a visit to one of his former restaurants!