One of Billy Joel’s signature songs, “New York State of Mind” comes from the 1976 album Turnstiles and is something of a love song for the city. The artist was literally traveling on a Greyhound bus from Los Angeles, where he had spent three years making a living and trying to boost his career. He r...
[Piano Intro]
[Verse 1]
Some folks like to get away
Take a holiday from the neighborhood
Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood
But I'm taking a Greyhound
On the Hudson River line
I'm in a New York state of mind
(Mmh-mmh)
[Verse 2]
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 needing
And I don't want to waste more time
I'm in a New York state of mind
(Mmh-mmh)
[Bridge]
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
[Verse 3]
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
(Mmh-mmh, oh yeah)
[Saxophone Solo]
[Bridge]
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, uh-oh-uh-oh)
[Verse 3]
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
(Mmh-mmh)
[Outro]
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, yeah
New York State of Mind was written by Billy Joel.
New York State of Mind was produced by Billy Joel.
Billy Joel released New York State of Mind on Wed May 19 1976.