The magnetic allure of New York City is undeniable, casting a spell on those who experience its unique crooks and crannies. In the early 1970s, legendary singer-songwriter Billy Joel, though residing in Los Angeles, felt an undeniable pull back to the East Coast metropolis. His return was not just a homecoming; it sparked the creation of an anthem that would forever echo the resilience and spirit of the city during one of its darkest times.
Joel candidly recalled the bleak 1970s New York, a period riddled with rampant crime, uncontrollable drug problems, and a cityscape so grim it teetered on the brink of financial collapse. In a revealing 2015 interview with Newsday, he explained,
“A lot of bad things were happening in New York then. There was a lot of crime. Drugs were out of control. The city looked bad; it was really dirty. It almost defaulted, financially. It really needed a boost, and I wanted to write an anthem for it.”
The moment of inspiration came as Joel journeyed by Greyhound bus northward from New York City to Highland Falls, a town about 90 minutes away. During this poignant 15-minute creative burst, he penned the first lines of what would become “New York State of Mind.” In a 2010 Howard Stern interview, he vividly described this instant of genius:
“It was the day I moved back from California to New York. I’m sitting on the bus… and I started scribbling in a notebook. I got to the house where my wife was waiting. I said, ‘I got to write this song right now.’”
This song was not an isolated reflection but part of a larger narrative woven through his 1976 album Turnstiles, which captured the pulse and triumphs of returning home after an absence. The sultry blend of saxophone, piano, and strings paints a complex soundscape of yearning and renewal, embodying simpler, grounded sentiments in adulthood. Joel’s lyrics evoke this mood perfectly:
“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 / It comes down to reality / And it’s fine with me / ‘Cause I’ve let it slide.”
Over the decades, “New York State of Mind” has morphed into something greater than just a city tribute. Post 9/11, it became a powerful anthem of patriotism and mourning. Joel reflected on its emotional weight during The Concert for New York City, stating,
“When we did [the song] at that telethon immediately after 9/11, everybody was just about in tears trying to get through the song. We did it as blues, rather than doing it as a standard. We played it kind of downbeat and soft and slow, almost like an elegy. It was difficult to get through.”
He poignantly added,
“I just kept staring at the fireman’s helmet on the piano, and I just kept thinking, ‘Just look at the helmet, just look at the helmet. Don’t think about what you’re feeling right now. Think about the guy who wore that helmet and do the song.’”
Though never officially released as a single, “New York State of Mind” stands as one of Billy Joel’s most enduring classics, echoing the spirit of the city through its every note. Over time, he revisited the song for his Greatest Hits: Volume 1 & 2, swapping out the original Richie Cannata saxophone solo with new versions—reports suggest there are three such renditions, each capturing a distinct emotional texture.
The track’s tender crooning and evocative lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man deeply connected to the city’s complexities, embracing both the grit and the glamor. It’s a raw, heartfelt embrace of New York that resonates with anyone who has ever called this city home or simply felt the invincible pulse of its streets.
