According to Clinton Heylin, "Talkin' New York" was one of several attempts by Dylan in 1961 to compose a "'New York is a mean ol' town song'" In 1961, Dylan wrote "Down at Washington Square," a ballad about the 9 April 1961 police attack on the folksingers' gathering at Washington Square Park, and reworked the lyrics several times, although there is no evidence that the song was either recorded or featured in any of his live performances.
According to Clinton Heylin, "Talkin' New York" was one of several attempts by Dylan in 1961 to compose a "'New York is a mean ol' town song'" In 1961, Dylan wrote "Down at Washington Square," a ballad about the 9 April 1961 police attack on the folksingers' gathering at Washington Square Park, and reworked the lyrics several times, although there is no evidence that the song was either recorded or featured in any of his live performances.