New York State of Mind
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"New York State of Mind" is a song written by Billy Joel which initially appeared on the album Turnstiles in 1976.
Joel wrote the song after returning to the East Coast from Los Angeles, where he had spent the previous three years. In fact, most of Turnstiles deals with Joel's cross-country relocation, including "Say Goodbye to Hollywood," "I've Loved These Days," "Summer, Highland Falls," and "Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out on Broadway)."
The lyrics of "New York State of Mind," in particular, read like an ode to a lost love. Joel views New York as the place where he is most comfortable, even if he has been to many different locations and enjoyed himself there as well.
The song drops references to the Hudson River as well as locations and newspapers in New York City. When Joel plays the song live, especially in New York State or the New York Metropolitan Area, he sometimes modifies the lyrics to reflect the venue he is performing in or some surrounding towns.
The song has been covered by Barbra Streisand and numerous jazz artists like Mel Torme (who adapted the lyrics to pine for Tokyo) and Tony Bennett, who also sang an opposing viewpoint in "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Country artist Garth Brooks performed the song with Joel in a duet during Brooks' Central Park concert special. "New York State of Mind" enjoyed a resurgence in popularity and radio airplay after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
In 1994, rapper Nas released his critically acclaimed debut album, Illmatic, and labeled his second track with the title, New York State of Mind.
