New York State Of Mind
JUJU 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 taking 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
But I know what I'm needing
And I don't want to waste more time
I'm in a New York state of mind

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
Don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside
I don't have any reasons
I've left them all behind
I'm in a New York state of mind

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
Don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside
I don't have any reasons
I've left them all behind
'Cause 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 New York state of mind

Overall Meaning

JUJU's song "New York State of Mind" speaks to the emotions and feelings of those who long for a change of scenery, but seek more than just a vacation. The song presents the idea that traveling to the city of New York can provide a sense of adventure, excitement, and reality to those seeking it. The first stanza suggests that while some people may choose to travel to places like Miami Beach or Hollywood to get away from their everyday surroundings, the singer is taking a Greyhound bus to New York City. The singer identifies as being in a "New York state of mind," possibly indicating that they are searching for something that this city can provide.


In the second stanza, the singer implies that they have traveled to different parts of the world and have encountered various people, including movie stars, who lead extravagant lifestyles. However, despite their travels, the singer states that they know what they need, and they have not found it yet. Thus, they are in search of the give and take of reality, which can be found in the city where they are headed.


The final stanza implies that the singer has been living life in a carefree manner, out of touch with the rhythm and blues. The singer acknowledges that they need a change of pace and some reality. They don't care where they end up in New York, be it Chinatown or Riverside, as long as they are in a state of mind centered around New York.


Overall, JUJU's "New York State of Mind" explores the idea that sometimes we need to escape our everyday surroundings to find what we're looking for, and the city of New York can offer a sense of reality and adventure to those seeking a change.


Line by Line Meaning

Some folks like to get away
Some people prefer to take a break


Take a holiday
Take some vacation


from the neighborhood
Away from the locality


Hop a flight to Miami Beach
Fly off to a beach city of Miami


Or to Hollywood
Alternatively, visit the glitzy world of Hollywood


But I'm taking a Greyhound
I choose to travel by a bus named Greyhound


On the Hudson River Line
Taking the Hudson River Line route


I'm in a New York state of mind
In a mindset of visiting New York


I've seen all the movie stars
Watched all the popular Hollywood celebrities


In their fancy cars
Showing off their luxury cars


and their limousines
And stretch limousines


Been high in the Rockies
Visited the Rocky Mountains


under the evergreens
Surrounded by the abundance of evergreens


But I know what I'm needing
But I desire what I need


And I don't want to waste more time
And I do not want to squander any more time


It was so easy living day by day
Living casually every day were effortless procured


Out of touch with the rhythm and blues
Unaware of the essence of rhythm and blues music


But now I need a little give and take
However, currently I require a tit-for-tat situation


The New York Times, The Daily News
Reading the New York Times and the Daily News


It comes down to reality
It all comes down to the real situation


And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide
I am at peace with it idea because I am letting it slip by


Don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside
Don't mind if it is Chinatown on the Riverside area


I don't have any reasons I've left them all behind
I'm not clear with any specific explanations as I've left everything behind


I'm just taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River Line
I am electing to travel via Greyhound bus along the Hudson River Line


'Cause I'm in a New York state of mind
As I am captivated and focused on visiting New York




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Billy Joel

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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