In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Well, some folks like to get away
Take a holiday from the neighborhood
Hop a flight to Miami beach or to Hollywood
But I'm takin' a greyhound
On the Hudson river line
I'm in a New York state of mind
I've seen all those movie stars
And their fancy cars and their limousines
I've been high in the rockies, under the evergreens oh oh
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 oh oh
It was so easy livin' day by day
Out of touch with the rhythm and blues (oh with the rhythm and blues)
But now I need a little give and take (give and take)
New York times (and the daily news), the daily news oh oh
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 up on riverside) or up on riverside
I don't have any reasons
'Cause I left them all behind
We're in a New York state of mind
Get a New York state of mind
It was so easy livin' day by day
Out of touch with the rhythm and blues (with the rhythm and blues)
But now I need a little give and take
The New York times (the daily news) (helps you lose your blues)
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 up on riverside (or up on riverside)
We don't have any reasons
We've left them all behind
I'm in a New York,
I'm in a New York state of
We're in a New York state of mind
Take a holiday from the neighborhood
Hop a flight to Miami beach or to Hollywood
But I'm takin' a greyhound
On the Hudson river line
I'm in a New York state of mind
I've seen all those movie stars
And their fancy cars and their limousines
I've been high in the rockies, under the evergreens oh oh
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 oh oh
It was so easy livin' day by day
Out of touch with the rhythm and blues (oh with the rhythm and blues)
But now I need a little give and take (give and take)
New York times (and the daily news), the daily news oh oh
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 up on riverside) or up on riverside
I don't have any reasons
'Cause I left them all behind
We're in a New York state of mind
Get a New York state of mind
It was so easy livin' day by day
Out of touch with the rhythm and blues (with the rhythm and blues)
But now I need a little give and take
The New York times (the daily news) (helps you lose your blues)
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 up on riverside (or up on riverside)
We don't have any reasons
We've left them all behind
I'm in a New York,
I'm in a New York state of
We're in a New York state of mind
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
New York State of Mind Lyrics as written by Billy Joel
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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