Every so often I get the last elliptical machine in the long line of them at my gym when no one else is around me. That’s when I don’t have to worry about my tunes spilling over and I can get into a special little zone.
This morning, happily in that situation, I incrementally cranked up the volume on Liza Minnelli’s “New York, New York” — the terrific Liza with a ‘Z’ version — and let her transport me to a different place. When Frank Sinatra does this song, it’s more relatable and it was my anthem for a while before moving to my urban lifestyle, so it holds special meaning for me.
But Liza’s is a whole different thing. It might as well be a different song. It’s a show-stopper. When you think the song is ending, she’s just warming up for the real finish. Goosebumps every time. What a mighty force she is.
Those little town blues are gone, baby.
