The lyrics of this song really speak to me, as a New Yorker. The first verse goes, "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." Then the second verse says, "I've seen all the movie stars, in their fancy cars and their limousines. Been high in the Rockies, under the evergreens. But I know what I'm needin', and I don't want to waste more time. I'm in a New York State of Mind."
Then the bridge goes, "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." Then the third verse says, "It coms down to reality, and it's fine with me, 'cause I let it slide. I don't care if its Chinatown, or on Riverside. I don't have reasons, I've left them all behind. I'm in a New York State of Mind." Then there is a saxophone break, and then the bridge comes back, followed by the third verse again, with the tag line of the first verse again, "I'm just taking a Greyhound, on the Hudson River Line.", and then the finals words that come out in between piano and sax riffs are, "'Cause I'm in a. I'm in a New York. State of. Mind! Yeah!"
This song is a lot of fun to listen to when you are driving around the Island, or are near or in the city. This is one of my favorite songs of all time from Billy Joel, and I have seen and heard it played live by him a few times, such as at the Final Play of Shea Stadium, the Final Concert at the Coliseum, the 12-12-12 Concert for Superstorm Sandy relief, and at the Concert for New York City after 9/11.
I chose this song because there is a very big day today, the New York State Primary. I wanted to choose a song that I thought was going to illustrate what the candidates were feeling, and I immediately thought that they were going to be in a New York State of Mind. The other thought was "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra, but that is going to come later in the blog. It was between those two songs, and nothing else, especially no Taylor Swift!
I hope that you all enjoy the song, and that you all are able to get out and vote today!
Have you ever heard this song before? Did you like this song? Was this a good song to choose for today's main event?
DGS
Quotes of the Day: "A beautiful woman delights the eye; a wise woman, the understanding; a pure one, the soul." - Minna Antrim
"The soul is the voice of the body's interests." - George Santayana
"Life in abundance comes only through great love." - Elbert Hubbard
"A woman's mind is cleaner than a man's. She changes it more." - Oliver Herford