New York State Of Mind by Billy Joel

Album: Turnstiles (1976)

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Joel was in a New York state of mind when he took up residency at Madison Square Garden in 2014, becoming the first musician to do so. Every month, he performs at the famous arena, and plans to do so until demand dries up. That's not likely to happen soon: The shows have proven wildly popular.

Joel has a number of milestones at MSG. In 2006, a banner honoring him was hung in the rafters alongside those of famous athletes who played for the Knicks and Rangers before having their numbers retired. He was the first non-athlete granted this honor.

Image: Madison Square Garden

Comments: 30

AnonymousI have the Mark-Almond album on my phone. How could it come out before Billy's version?
Alex from Nampa, IdahoThis song has a jazz club feel to it. Love it.
Neil from Detroit, MiBy way of this song, and through my admiration of Billy in general, I've developed this very subtle connection and love for New York. I've never lived in New York City, and been there only once, yet this connection has been tugging on me since listening to this song.
Dt from Gulf Breeze, FlFantastic arrangement. The strings, the sax and Billy as always, is great on the keys.
Tacey from New Milford, NjThe most beautiful Love song ever written to New York. It warms me EVERY time I hear it. I agree with the poster who said "It feels like home". Living in New Jersey, looking at that skyline, reading the Daily News Every day, making an event out of going to "The City"...This song IS home.
Adele from Boca Raton, FlJoel is a multi-talented personality and I've only appreciated his genius recently.
Jay from Brooklyn, NyTo my fellow New Yorkers: Have you ever been out of town on business or vacation and heard this song? It sounds like home. It feels like home. Can you listen to this song and not smile? I can see in my mind's eye the bustle and the grandeur and the beauty of the City. I see the grimy newstands and the man standing on the corner playing his horn for change from passersby. I hear the million snippets of conversation, the arguments large and small, you hear as you walk down the any major street. This song is New York, and I do not think anyone has so perfectly captured the City in lyric.
To everyone not from New York: visit us some time. You'll love it and we'll treat you right, even if you, like Scott from St. Louis, hate the Yankees and Mets. Most everyone hates one or the other, so you'll have plenty to talk about.
Tom from Auckland,I just heard this song, perhaps for the first time, at the Billy Joel concert in Auckland (December 2008). First I thought I was hearing Ray Charles (both voice and piano). Then I thought it might be Billy Joel again. Then Frank Sinatra. And I'll bet that in my musically undeveloped state I missed others. Billy Joel is phenomenal: a great entertainer.
April from Baltimore, MdEven though there may be no "Hudson River Line" on Greyhound, I believe it could represent his ideal path to travel. On a bus, you aren't driving so you have this large expanse of time to just reflect and take in the scenery, and I think the Huson River area would be the place he would pick. Plus, the senic nature of the area provides a sharp contrast to the L.A. scene he had just got away from.
Jodi from London, OnRussell Farmer does a pretty kick-ass cover of this one.
Ken from Louisville, KyJoel admits there is no Greyhound "Hudson River Line". That was artisic license.
Dave from Scottsdale, AzThe first time I heard this song was a cover by the Mark-Almond band which may have come out before Joel released it on one "Turnstiles". Both albums were released in 1976.
Lester from New York City, NyLeslie West does a GREAT cover of this song.
Jim from Denver, CoYou just can't get enough of Billy Joel's music.
It is such a distict style that takes you away
to a common man's world.
Chris from Seattle, WaBack in high school, I was a big Billy Joel fan, but my girlfried thought Barbara Streisand was the greatest. One day, she was playing a Streisand album and "New York State of Mind" came on. I picked up the album jacket and told my girlfriend, "take a look at who wrote this song." She never criticized Mr. Joel again.
Hector from New York, NyThis is one of the best songs I probably ever heard every time I feel like writing I can listen to this song and fall in love with the greatest city of all time all over and over again it is such a incredible song

GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!
Patrick from Tallapoosa, GaA great song that depicts that no matter how wonderful other places may be, how fancy the people are, or how well your life may be there, there's no place like home.
Patrick from Tallapoosa, GaWas released as the "B" side to the single "Say Goodbye to Hollywood".
Ken from Louisville, Ky"Seen all the movie stars, in their fancy cars and limousines" is a reference to Joel's years living in Los Angeles in the early 1970's.
Carlo from Phila, PaA great song about a great place. But since 9/11 it has become an Anthem. I listen to it when I need aboost and it never fails me. I was born in Philly, traveled the world and now live in NJ. But, when I hear that song I'm a New Yorker through and through.
Joe from Pine Bush, NyI live in the Hudson Valey, and I just have to say that Billy Joel has done a wonderfull job of depicting this beautifull state of ours, and since I have lived in Orange County, New York my entire life, I have experienced the beauty of our state many a time, boating into New York City, or watersking between Storm King and Breaneck Mountains, it is all beautifull, and he has made this very clear and expressed it very eliquently in this song.......His music has inspired me years ago to begin the piano, and since then, I have been pursuing my goal of learning all of his songs.......
Craig from Madison, WiIsn't this song about New York state? NYC is a big city, but not so big you need a Greyhound to traverse it. He's going up the Hudson River Valley, a place whose beauty is particularly remarkable considering that we've had nearly 400 years to mess it up.
Robert from Puyallup, WaThis song conveys such a wonderful sense of community, it makes me love New York City, and I've never even been there.
Ken from Louisville, KyFellow New Yorker Barbara Steisand did a well-received cover version of this song not long after it was released on Joel's "Turnstiles" LP.
Ken from Louisville, KyIn concert, Joel includes the newspapers "New York Post, and Newsday, too" after the lines about "the New York Times, the Daily News."
Ken from Louisville, KyThis is the song the Mets play after every home victory at Shea Stadium, the same as the Yankees playing Sinatra's version of "New York, New York" after every win at Yankee Stadium. Ironically, Joel is a huge Yankees fan!
Nessie from Sapporo, JapanA masterpiece.
Scott from St. Louis, MoI've never been to New York. I hate the Yankees, hate the Mets. That being said, this song makes me wish I lived in New York. It's as beautiful a love letter that has ever been written to a city.
Madison from Atlanta, Gahe performed this on a special to raise money for families of firefighters after 9/11. it was amazing.
Rick from Buffalo, NyBilly Joel has said he always hoped to play this with Ray Charles like he did with Baby Grand. He also has said that he intended this song to be played on a grand piano on home base at Shea Stadium.

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