Billy Joel - New York State of Mind Lyrics (2024)

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Billy Joel, Tony Bennett

About New York State of Mind

"New York State of Mind" is a song written by Billy Joel which 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. Joel famously played the song at The Concert for New York City, the October 2001 benefit concert for the New York City Fire and Police Departments and the loved ones of families of first responders lost during the terrorist attack on New York City on 9/11. He reprised that theme, playing it during his set at 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 12, 2012, where he changed lyrics to include the likes of "Breezy Point".more »


Year:
2001
4:30
901Views
Playlists:
#6

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Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Some folks like to get awayTake a holiday from the neighborhoodHop a flight to Miami Beach or to HollywoodMe, I'm takin' a Greyhound on the Hudson River line I'm in a New York state of mindI've seen all the movie stars in their fancy cars and their limousinesBeen high in the Rockies under evergreensBut I know what I'm needin', and I don't want to waste more time I'm in a New York state of mindIt was so easy livin' day by dayOut of touch with the rhythym and bluesNow I need a little give and takeThe New York Times, the Daily News, oh, ohI'm in a New York state of mindIt was so easy living day by dayOut of touch, out of touch with the rhythym and bluesNow I need a little give and takeSomething like the New York Times, the Daily NewsWhoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoaCome down to reality, it's fine with me 'cause I let it slideI don't care if it's Chinatown or on RiversideDon't have any reasonsI left them all behindI'm in a New York state of mindI'm just taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River lineI'm in a New York state of mind, aah

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Billy Joel

William Martin "Billy" Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man," in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to the RIAA. He also has the third best-selling album in the United States with his Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2. more »

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Sheet Music PDF Playlist

Written by: Billy Joel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

13 facts about this song

Album Release

"New York State of Mind" is a song from Billy Joel's 1976 album, "Turnstiles."

Song Inspiration

Joel's inspiration for the song came from a Greyhound bus ride to New York City after spending three years in Los Angeles.

Song Composition

The song was reportedly composed in under ten minutes as it 'flowed instantaneously,' according to Joel.

Live Performances

During live performances, the song is typically paired with an iconic New York slideshow, a testament to Joel's immense love for the city.

Cultural Impact

The song has become an unofficial anthem for New York City, performed at important city-related events, such as the 2001 Concert for New York City after the September 11 attacks.

Covers

Numerous artists have covered "New York State of Mind," including Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, and Mel Tormé.

Grammy Recognition

Barbra Streisand's rendition of the song was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance in 1978.

Unique Jazz Version

A jazz version of "New York State of Mind" was made popular by saxophonist Dexter Gordon in 1978 on his album "Manhattan Symphonie".

Song Popularity

The song, though never a single release, is among Billy Joel's most popular and enduring songs.

Honorary Performances

The song was performed for Pope Benedict XVI on his visit to New York City in 2008 as an acknowledgment of the city's cultural diversity.

Use In Mainstream Media

"New York State of Mind" has been used in various films and television shows set in New York City, further reinforcing its cultural impact.

9/11 Tribute

After the September 11 attacks, Joel performed the song during The Concert for New York City as a tribute to the city and its resilience.

Presidential Performance

Joel performed "New York State of Mind" at "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" in 2009.

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Billy Joel - New York State of Mind Lyrics (2024)

FAQs

What inspired Billy Joel to write New York State of Mind? ›

The inspiration for the song came from his pride in returning home to New York. Joel was literally "takin' a Greyhound [bus] on the Hudson River Line [route]" when the idea for the song came to him, and the song was written as soon as Joel arrived home.

What does it mean to be in a 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.

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 Billy Joel's number one song? ›

Across the years of his solo career, Joel produced 33 self-written Top 40 hits in the U.S., three of which ("It's Still Rock and Roll to Me", "Tell Her About It", and "We Didn't Start the Fire") topped the Billboard Hot 100.

What is the meaning behind NY state of mind? ›

In NY State of Mind, Nas uses his imagery skills to paint a picture of his city. Using this imagery, he shows us the struggles of living in an urban area, struck by violence and poverty, in this case, Queensbridge.

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.

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.

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

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

How do you know a girl is innocent? ›

An innocent person lacks guile. They take things at face value and don't know how to deceive others. They trust others because they haven't learned yet that people might harm them. They haven't been “corrupted” yet with human weaknesses like greed or lust.

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.

Did Billy Joel fight in Vietnam? ›

That is why we love Billy Joel, because even though he never served in the Vietnam War, he wrote perhaps the most poignant song about the men who fought it with Goodnight Saigon.

What ethnicity is Billy Joel? ›

Joel was born in The Bronx, New York and raised in the Levittown section of Hicksville, New York. His father, Howard, was born in Germany as the son of German-Jewish merchant and manufacturer Karl Amson Joel who after the advent of the Nazi regime emigrated to Switzerland and later to the United States.

Why did CBS cut off the Billy Joel concert? ›

A network programming timing error ended last night's Billy Joel special approximately two minutes early in the Eastern and Central Time Zones,” the network said in a statement. “We apologize to Mr.

What influenced Billy Joel? ›

Among his earliest influences, Joel cites Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy, along with the great American composers, Copeland, Gershwin and Ellington. His more contemporary influences include Dave Brubeck, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix.

Why was New York New York written? ›

"The inspiration for the song was that we were hired to write a score for a movie called New York, New York," Kander says in a video shared exclusively with EW. "The movie was directed by Scorsese and Robert De Niro and Liza [Minnelli] were the stars of it.

Why was the song Empire State of Mind made? ›

Angela Hunte and Janet Sewell-Ulepic originally wrote it as a tribute to their hometown, New York City. The following month, they submitted it to Jay-Z's label Roc Nation, whose reviews were discouraging.

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