Billy Joel - New York State Of Mind Lyrics | SongMeanings (2024)

Billy Joel

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Some folks like to get away
Take a holiday from the neighborhood
Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood
But I'm takin' a Greyhound on the Hudson River line
I'm in a New York state of mind

I've seen all the movie stars
In their fancy cars and their limousines
Been high in the Rockies under the evergreens
I know what I'm needin'
And I don't want to waste more time
I'm in a New York state of mind

It was so easy livin' day by day
Out of touch with the rhythm and blues
But now I need a little give and take
The New York Times, the Daily News

It comes down to reality
And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide
I don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside
I don't have any reasons
I left them all behind
I'm in a New York state of mind
Oh, yeah

It was so easy living day by day
Out of touch with the rhythm and blues
But now I need a little give and take
The New York Times, the Daily News
Who, oh, oh whoa, who

It comes down to reality
And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide
I don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside
I don't have any reasons
I left them all behind
I'm in a New York state of mind

I'm just taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River line
'Cause I'm in a, I'm in a New York state of mind, yea

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Lyrics submitted bykevin

New York State Of Mind Lyrics as written by Billy Joel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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New York State Of Mind song meanings

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  • +2

    General Comment

    New york smiled when this was written

    Ayji*zzy010on January 19, 2010Link

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  • +1

    General Comment

    this is an awsome song...everything billy joel does is awsome. hes the coolest guy ever and he grew up on long island just like me he even went to the same high school as my mom. mabye im the only teenager that likes billy joel but when ever "im in a new york state of mind" i take a break from my usual punk and emo ad chill to billy joel. i gotta support a fellow long islander :)

    Daddyslittle defecton June 09, 2002Link

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  • +1

    General Comment

    I love whe he adds "And Newsday too" to the list of NY newspapers when he sings this live. It's great when he makes Long island references at local concerts -- sort of makes you feel somewhat closer to him because you have similar experiences, etc.

    LolaBaton October 19, 2004Link

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  • +1

    General Comment

    this is a very meaningful song. its just like there is nothing like home. this song really needs no explaining. ive never been to new york but it still makes me understand how he felt... that there is nowhere he would rather be than new york

    Mad_Goukion July 26, 2006Link

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  • General Comment

    That feinstein fellowe doesn't like Mr. Joel's works very much, does he? Anyway, I've liked Billy Joel since... oh, preschool, before I knew about artists and song-writing, etcetera, I only knew what I heard on the radio. I distinctly remember several of Billy Joel's songs (not this one, mind you) and Sting's, well, NOW he's Sting, but I remember the Police recordings. Oh, how I ramble on, such a chatterbox for a 13 year old!

    chat-noiron August 30, 2002Link

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  • General Comment

    RANDY NEWMAN MY ASS!

    eaglesfan81on March 22, 2003Link

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  • General Comment

    We sang an arrangement of this song in show choir the year we went to New York. He made us, a bunch of touristy Minnesotans clutching our travalers checks and camera's sing this song in front of a bunch of actual highschool choirs who were probably all laughing at us. Ah... memories.

    Avensongon April 20, 2003Link

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  • General Comment

    Dude this song is awesome! my school districts honor choir sang this and it was sooo good! i love this song! BILLY JOEL FOR LIFE!

    more_punkon May 01, 2003Link

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  • General Comment

    This song represents New York - and although I'm one of the least New Yorky New Yorkers...this song is amazing. Right at this very moment I'm in a New York State of Mind. That's what happens when a damn yankee liberal decides to go to college in the heart of Texas.

    Anywho, I saw him perform this song live...WITH GARTH BROOKS...IN CENTRAL PARK. What an amazing concert. Just Garth was amazing, but when Billy came out ALL my dreams came true. I've been listening to him before I could even remember. And the only thing that I'm the least bit proud about - is the fact that I walked down the same halls he once walked at the HMS (formally HHS)...ahh Billy.

    Well, anywho... - if you wanna take a break from the same old, same old listen to this song. It's an amazing piece of music. Billy knows how to do it.

    Surfpicoon March 05, 2005Link

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  • General Comment

    One of the best Billy Joel songs. I love all the major 7th chords and how he emphasizes the notes. just beatiful

    Duffman12788on May 12, 2005Link

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  • New York State Of Mind Lyrics

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Billy Joel - New York State Of Mind Lyrics | SongMeanings (2024)

FAQs

What is the meaning of New York State of Mind? ›

"I'm in a New York state of mind" is a phrase popularized by the song of the same name written and performed by Billy Joel. The phrase generally means that someone is experiencing a particular mindset or mood that is associated with or inspired by New York City.

Who first sang New York State of Mind? ›

"New York State of Mind" is a song written by Billy Joel that initially appeared on the album Turnstiles in 1976. Although it was never released as a single, it has become a fan favorite and a song that Joel plays regularly in concert.

What is the meaning of an innocent man? ›

If someone is innocent, they did not commit a crime which they have been accused of.

What is the state of mind about? ›

a person's mood and the effect that mood has on the person's thinking and behavior: I was not in the right state of mind to laugh at his jokes.

How rich is Billy Joel? ›

Here's all we know about the five-time Grammy winner's net worth. After a whopping 60 years of releasing hits such as "It's Still Rock and Roll To Me," "You May Be Right," "Vienna," "Piano Man," "Just The Way You Are," and many, many more, Billy has garnered a reported net worth of $250 million.

Who was Innocent Man written about? ›

Conversely, An Innocent Man was born from a new romance. “I wrote and recorded the whole thing in about six weeks,” he said. “It became the valentine [to Christy].” Joel's second wife, supermodel Christy Brinkley, replenished his personal and creative reserves, reflected in the album's upbeat 1950s throwback sound.

What is it called when someone acts innocent but isn t? ›

[ foh-nah-eef ] Phonetic (Standard) IPA.

What is a naive person? ›

having or showing a lack of experience, judgment, or information; credulous. She's so naive she believes everything she reads. He has a very naive attitude toward politics. 3. having or marked by a simple, unaffectedly direct style reflecting little or no formal training or technique.

Why is New York called the Empire State of Mind? ›

State of Mind" by Nas, is a wordplay and tribute to New York's nickname "Empire State" and could also be a reference to the Empire State Building in Manhattan.

What does state of mind mean in law? ›

State of mind refers to the condition or capacity of a person's thoughts and feelings. It can also refer to the reasons or motives behind a person's actions, especially if they have committed a crime.

What refers to the state of mind? ›

State of mind is a term that refers to a person's mental state. It can also be referred to as their mood or attitude. The state of mind affects one's thoughts and emotions which in turn affect one's behavior.

What does the New York state motto mean? ›

The banner shows the State motto--Excelsior--which means "Ever Upward" and E pluribus unum—which means "Out of many one." E pluribus unum was added as part of FY 2021 Enacted Budget.

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