Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Video: Cantankerous Straphanger Tries To Stop Subway Performers: "I Pay For Transportation, Not For Music"
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 14, 2013
Modified Apr 14, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 14, 2013
Modified Apr 14, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
At the end of a long day of fly fishing, you don't want to see people shaving on the subway; you don't want to see their butt cracks, you don't want to hear them singing rap lyrics, and you don't want to put up with some teens strumming Guster songs on their acoustic guitar. The aggravated older gentleman in the video below does his best to prevent said teens from getting their acoustic on, first by appealing to their humanity ("I pay for transportation, not music!"), and then by loudly singing a capella over them.
Somehow, two generations come together as the teens play along with the man as he sings, "fuck you" and "shut up!" It all ends with laughter and everyone having a surprisingly good time. We wonder whether the man would have been as aggravated about his subway ride if he had been faced with female robots:
Tagged
cantankerousity
MTA
performers
subway
subway video
train
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain
Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 23, 2026
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .