‘Hello City’ is the first song on Gordon, the first Barenaked Ladies album, and it kicks off their professional career in what would become their trademark smart, funny fashion.
A dig at Halifax, Nova Scotia, where the Canadian band played an early unsuccessful gig, this song is one of the most enjoyable on that excellent album.
As I said a few weeks back, I’m just bummed that Steven Page is no longer in the band. His vocals are such an integral part of their success.
Cause there is nothin’ else ta do
The Same People, The same drinks and,
The same Music, the same quicksand.
I think this harbor town is waist deep and sinkin’ fast
[Chorus]
Hello City, You’ve found an Enemy in me
Hello City, Hello City Hello City hey
Second night at the warehouse,
And my mock turtleneck just reeks,
From the Liquor room to the change room,
To the doom and gloom of the hotel room,
I think this seaside beer hall should sink into the Bay.
[Chorus]
Maybe I caught you at a bad time,
Maybe I should call you back next week,
Maybe half the fault is mine that the sun didn’t shine on Barrington Street
It’s 3 o’clock in the morning, and I’m hungry so let’s eat
Whoa whoa whoa whoa.
Climb down three flights too the street lights, and the Bar fights,
We’re just takin’ in the sights,
I hope tomorrow that I wake up in my own bed
[Chorus: x2]
What a good place to be
Don’t believe them, cause they speak a different language,
And it’s Happy hour again
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
It’s Happy hour again
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
[Chorus]
Hello city hey eh
Meet Me In Montauk 
I really need to listen to this whole album. Good stuff!
Agreed, I found Steven Page to be more of a consistently strong songwriter, and far more “poppy”, as shown in his solo CD. Ed Robertson is a good songwriter too, but I find his matarial to be less accessible than Page’s work