Marcy Playground is best known for their single “Sex and Candy.” Reader Alan Stern thinks some of their other songs are worth a listen. In particular, he suggests “The Vampires of New York”:
The music itself is half the fun because it provides the atmosphere (counterpoint) for the lyrics. It’s a very light, sing-songy vibe as if the singer is a carnival barker (suggested by others at the above link) trying to sell the listener on an amusement park ride, or as if the listener is on one.
I was listening to it a bit ago and was struck by the social commentary. Quite a few potential interpretations. The whole while the singer is acting as if it’s fun and games. The last lines are particularly light.
The lyrics begin:
Come see the vampires of New York
Come lose your mind in Central Park
But don’t leave your soul behind
Come take in 8th street after dark
Such peculiar people you’ll remark
You might even see a murderAnd all the whores on Bleecker Street
They wear the blissful grin
Caused by the drugs they take
To relieve them of their sins
The full lyrics are available here, and here is a user-created video on YouTube.