New York State Of Mind
Carmen McRae Lyrics


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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 the movie stars in their fancy cars and their limousines.
Been high in the Rockies under the evergreens.
I know what I'm needin', and I don't wanna waste more time.
I'm in a New York state of mind.

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.

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.
Oh yeah.

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, oh whoa who.

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.





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

Overall Meaning

In "New York State of Mind" by Carmen McRae, the singer suggests that some individuals might choose to leave their familiar surroundings and take a break from their daily routine by travelling to popular vacation spots like Miami or Hollywood. But for the singer, the desire is to return to New York City, which has the power to draw people in who are familiar with the city's inherent charm, unique character, and cultural treasures.


The opening line, "Some folks like to get away," is presented with a sense of amusement as the singer boasts that they prefer travelling by a Greyhound bus instead of the more luxurious mode of transportation: a limousine or an airplane. While saying this, the pianist and other musicians play a melody that resembles the sounds of a bus riding on a highway. The chorus of the song highlights the distinctive desires and pleasures that New York offers, which cannot be found anywhere else, and sets a nostalgic tone: "I'm in a New York state of mind."


The second verse suggests that the singer has experienced other places and things in life, including meeting movie stars, visiting the Rockies, and enjoying the beautiful evergreen forests. However, there is something about New York that cannot be found anywhere else. The singer then moves on to talk about the importance of the daily news in her life and emphasizes her willingness to give and take, as well as her appreciation of the rhythm and blues music.


The bridge of the song brings it all together, as the singer reflects on how the fascination with New York City has not faded despite its realities, including the crowded streets of Chinatown or the skyscrapers of Riverside. None of that matters because the city offers something that can't be found anywhere else, and the singer leaves behind all of her personal reasons to return to the city that never sleeps because she is in a "New York state of mind."


Line by Line Meaning

Some folks like to get away,
Some people enjoy taking a break from their usual surroundings


Take a holiday from the neighborhood.
They go on holiday to get away from their usual surroundings


Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood.
They go to places like Miami Beach or Hollywood to relax and unwind


But I'm takin' a Greyhound on the Hudson River line.
Instead of going to a relaxing destination, I'm taking a bus to New York City


I'm in a New York state of mind.
I'm feeling inspired and excited about being in New York


I've seen all the movie stars in their fancy cars and their limousines.
I've been to places with famous people and luxurious cars


Been high in the Rockies under the evergreens.
I've also been to places with scenic views and nature


I know what I'm needin', and I don't wanna waste more time.
I know exactly what I want and I don't want to spend any more time without it


It was so easy livin' day by day
It used to be easy to live without thinking about the future


Out of touch with the rhythm and blues
I was disconnected from the important things in life


But now I need a little give and take
I need more interaction and exchange with other people


The New York Times, the Daily News.
I need to be informed of current events and news


It comes down to reality, and it's fine with me cause I've let it slide.
I realize that I need to face reality and I'm okay with it because I've been avoiding it


I don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside.
I don't really care about the location or the details, as long as I'm in New York


I don't have any reasons.
I don't have any specific reason for being in New York, I just feel drawn to it


I left them all behind.
I left all my reasons behind, and I'm going to just go for it


I'm in a New York state of mind.
I'm fully immersed and focused on being in New York




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Billy Joel

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@guestmartina4103

I was blessed enough to be up front to see this Queen on stage in New York. Hallelujah❤💖💞💎💋

@trumpet_gabo

Amazing Freddie Hubbard solo 🎺

@user-vb9pb1hp2t

Fantastic song,great voice

@sasw77intwo

Beautiful ❤️ she had an incredible voice.

@wouterbikkel8276

Beautiful trumpet solo!

@TonyblanquitoMaxi

Beautiful song

@paulrouhan7288

Classic

@vgamerul4617

First






Has one vowel.

@sverige11074

fantastic song, fabulous artist.

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