Billy Joel is such a stunning performer. His storytelling and beautiful musicianship are breathtaking. What a wonderful body of work he has given us. This was great 🌺✌️
Billy Gershwin Joel. Years later he performed this at the New York 911 concert in 2001, to raise money for the fireman and families etc. Organized by Paul McCartney. Billy at that moment gave New York City and the whole country something to hang to by singing this song with every ounce of his skill and body and heart. For New York City was his town too, his area of the country he called home. Gave them their pride back.
" his area of the country he called home" I grew up in Maine, the northern most bit of the East Coast, and he was our voice. He must have been an influence on Springsteen, given the times and place. He was like my big brother giving me advice. He is just older than me such that what he wrote at 20 was on the (alternative rock) radio when I was 20 and living it. He has the been the sound track to my life, my movie, and the counter to that hateful, selfish, Wishing they All were California Girls, HOOOLLYWOOD crap. BTW I gotta wonder if people get all the references, like taking the Greyhound on the Hudson River line, is a outrageously touristy thing to do, but how to grasp the size and beauty (and all) of NYC, and talking about the NY Times and the NY Post newspapers in the same breath is like missing both the Times of London and the trashiest tabloid, both equally. AND NYC was being bashed as if they the enemy, the other, by the GOP when wrote this, too It is not such a musically superb work, but his song Allentown captured the moment during the recessions of '70 when we Boomers were dealing with all the same things the that XYZ Generations are living now.
@@travelertime4382 Wow, I would never think of taking a Greyhound bus as a tourist thing. I think Metro North is the smoother way to do the "Hudson River line" or driving up the NYS thruway. For me, the Greyhound bus is a reference to working class life, the ticket you buy when you are a bit down on your luck. And when he was returning to NYC from Los Angeles in the early 1970s he was not a star, he was trying to remake his fledging career by returning to NYS. Coming through for New York in her moment of need, and NYS came through for him too.
Billy is totally rocking his "Tony Bennett" and "Ray Charles" vocals, and his "George Gershwin" piano and songwriting!!!! What a fantastic performer he is! And this is one of his best performances!
As an older performer, he's very good. In his prime -- late 70s thru the early 90s -- he was incredible live. I saw him climb halfway up the lighting cables, and also somersault off his piano. He was running all over the stage, playing keyboards at all four corners.
I've seen him 5 times in concert. Each time as good as the first. I would like to see him again. The times I've seen him was back in the day. Young and energetic. I'd like to see him again as a seasoned older piano man.
Absolutely one of Joel's best, and he has a tremendous catalog. Such a classy, jazzy song that really does capture the "New York" state of mind. Grew up in NYC (The Bronx and Brooklyn) until I was 20; live just across the water since the late 80's and can still see it daily 😊; this song makes me feel tremendously proud, but makes me feel extremely melancholic; the NYC of my youth is no more; it hurts.
The mind-blowing sax solo, btw, is played by Richie Cannata, who is still an absolute beast live, and is also a great keyboard player, singer, and producer. Super nice guy too!
I'm 75 years old from Philly. I hate everything New York... their sports, their better than everyone else attitude, and their driving. Funny thing, this song makes one wanna be a New Yorker.
Billy Joel stated in a documentary several years ago that he had written this with Ray Charles in mind. But at that time he lacked the connections to contact Ray
Ever see Alicia Keys cover this one ? It’s fantastic - “Global Citizen Festival , NY State of Mind/ Empire” (Central Park). Boy did she crush it that night ! Awesome performance.
He's from oyster bay long island NY...he lives about 1 mile from me! And we see him on his motorcycle sometimes!!!! He is a very cool person besides one of the great musicians!!!!!
born an bred New yorker I saw Billy joel in Orlando and Madison Square Garden- and just the whole vibe an his references to New York it was just so much better in NY
What a performance. Billy Joel is not only a great singer, songwriter, and musician , he is also a composer. He is one of the truly greats of his time.
I'm pretty sure he was doing a RayCharles impersonation--the "look-y here, now" lyric, the shades, repeating the last word of his lyric; all very Ray Charles. Kind of a bow to Ray--I know he was influenced by him.
Billy Joel WROTE "Baby Grand". FOR Ray Charles. Then recorded it with him. ruclips.net/video/XUNOmN3YVL0/видео.html In 1985, he honored his idol Ray Charles by naming his baby girl Alexa Ray Joel. In 1986, he recorded & released "Baby Grand" with Ray Charles. In 1999, Ray Charles was the speaker inducting Billy Joel into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
One of the great songs. One of the great performances. And, as another displaced New Yorker, it's something of an anthem for me. As you say often, great stuff.
As someone from New Jersey... I'll take Billy Joel every day over Bruce Springsteen! The Storm Front Tour of 1989-1990 (age 12) was my 1st ever concert, Philadelphia Spectrum!!! Also I was in attendance in Central Park for Garth Brooks with Billy Joel as guest. Hearing Billy Joel do "New York State of Mind" while I'm standing there in Central Park, was the ULTIMATE concert moment for me!
My daughter went to college in the middle of Manhattan for 6 years.(2011-2016) We visited dozens of times and I always liked playing this tune while driving over the George Washington Bridge heading for the south tip and the 17th floor of her apartment across from the Federal Reserve Bank, with Cops everywhere. I always felt she was safe there, expensive, but safe. Have a Great Day Harri
So glad you got around to it! Thank you, good reaction! My favorite Billy Joel performance (he and that sax player had me in a New York State of mind) 😊
I was lucky enough to see him in concert. He's fabulous. At one point he got up on the piano on his tummy and dropped his arms down onto the keyboard (which means his hands were backwards from normal) and played it flawlessly.
I agree. Billy in a live venue makes it such an intimate experience. Seen him 12 times in a 3 decade time period. Watched him grow and exceed as an artist. And seen him and Elton perform together, best of both worlds. They played each other's hits over the years. Mind blowing experience!
I just bought tickets to see him in June and I can hardly wait. He hasn’t put out an album that I can recall in 20 years and he’s still selling out stadiums. It should be a fun time
Never was much of a Billy Joel fan but in those dark days right after 9-11 this song was on NY radio every night and i found myself singing along perfect song for that time I’d never seen everyone so United before too bad that didn’t last long
Growing up in the New York City area and working in Manhattan, driving out to Long Island and upstate to Niagra Falls etc . The whole New York thing comes to mind
Man what an entertainer! This entire album just WOW! There really is no song to suggest as a reaction, just pick a song and go for a ride! It would take several years of reactions to cover Billy's catalog. Great reaction Harri my dude!
His Harri..Thanks for this one! I'm from NY born and raised not far from where Billy Joel is from. I moved not long ago and miss it terribly. But I'm always in a NY state of mind no one can take that from me. Barbra Streisand does a great cover.
My dad grew up in Upstate NY, he would request me to play this song on our family stereo when he was feeling a bit homesick. Dad passed on 1/20/2003. Thanks for the memory, Harri.
I am a Billy Joel fan from about 1977, and have a lot of favorite songs and love his whole catalog (except "Uptown Girl"); but this song tops it for me! This always brings me back to being in a dark and mainly quiet bar in Manhattan at about 2am, and meeting a certain lassie from Tallahassee while this song played on the jukebox.
I've seen billy over ten times live 8 of those times in the first row! After waiting over night for tickets in buffalo by. The live concerts were amazing!
Of the hundreds of concerts I've seen in my life, seeing Billy Joel remains one of my all-time favourites. Listen closely to how he does this song and you can hear him channeling Ray Charles. Very cool!
Upstate New York is beautiful. Mountains, lakes, little country towns. And the people have a nearly southern accent when they speak. Gets cold there too.
Had the pleasure to see him in concert. I swear there was an invisible tip jar on the piano. Never lost that perfectist entertainer drive. Singing Piano Man with 7k others is beyond words.
Don't understand why, but when ever I hear this I think of Jackson Brownie's song : "The Load -Out " . Both are great Billy played this at the 911 concert He brought the house down 👍✌️🙏♥️
East Coast attitude. He’s just fantastic!
Billy Joel is such a stunning performer. His storytelling and beautiful musicianship are breathtaking. What a wonderful body of work he has given us. This was great 🌺✌️
Billy is brilliant, hard to overstate his genius, especially at this age, and this performance
This version really shows off his piano skills. He is a true story teller.
Billy Gershwin Joel. Years later he performed this at the New York 911 concert in 2001, to raise money for the fireman and families etc. Organized by Paul McCartney. Billy at that moment gave New York City and the whole country something to hang to by singing this song with every ounce of his skill and body and heart. For New York City was his town too, his area of the country he called home. Gave them their pride back.
Billy’s the Great American songwriter, the American McCartney.
The perfect song for that time. The perfect time for that song. I remember that performance even today.
Iconic! I also can’t forget the healing power of The Who singing Won’t Get Fooled Again to the first responders. Killer!
" his area of the country he called home" I grew up in Maine, the northern most bit of the East Coast, and he was our voice. He must have been an influence on Springsteen, given the times and place. He was like my big brother giving me advice. He is just older than me such that what he wrote at 20 was on the (alternative rock) radio when I was 20 and living it. He has the been the sound track to my life, my movie, and the counter to that hateful, selfish, Wishing they All were California Girls, HOOOLLYWOOD crap.
BTW I gotta wonder if people get all the references, like taking the Greyhound on the Hudson River line, is a outrageously touristy thing to do, but how to grasp the size and beauty (and all) of NYC, and talking about the NY Times and the NY Post newspapers in the same breath is like missing both the Times of London and the trashiest tabloid, both equally. AND NYC was being bashed as if they the enemy, the other, by the GOP when wrote this, too
It is not such a musically superb work, but his song Allentown captured the moment during the recessions of '70 when we Boomers were dealing with all the same things the that XYZ Generations are living now.
@@travelertime4382 Wow, I would never think of taking a Greyhound bus as a tourist thing. I think Metro North is the smoother way to do the "Hudson River line" or driving up the NYS thruway. For me, the Greyhound bus is a reference to working class life, the ticket you buy when you are a bit down on your luck. And when he was returning to NYC from Los Angeles in the early 1970s he was not a star, he was trying to remake his fledging career by returning to NYS. Coming through for New York in her moment of need, and NYS came through for him too.
Billy is totally rocking his "Tony Bennett" and "Ray Charles" vocals, and his "George Gershwin" piano and songwriting!!!! What a fantastic performer he is! And this is one of his best performances!
When Joel said on Vienna "You can get what you want or you can just get old" I went back to school for my MBA
As a Proud Italian - American Man whose father was originally from New York , I consider THIS to be THE Definitive version of this song
My favorite all time Billy Joel song
the piano chops at 1, the crooning at 2 the bloozy at 3
As a lifelong resident of New York State I can't say it strongly enough that there is nothing like THE CITY. as we refer to New York City. (I'm 74.)
Haha; it will always be "The City". And in our hearts!
I'm from Long Island and I still have relatives there. Love New York
I've had the pleasure of seeing him live in concert. He is better than you can imagine.
I saw him a few years ago with Elton John. Not too shabby!
As an older performer, he's very good. In his prime -- late 70s thru the early 90s -- he was incredible live. I saw him climb halfway up the lighting cables, and also somersault off his piano. He was running all over the stage, playing keyboards at all four corners.
You guys are so lucky, I've never seen him live. But I have the Russian concert double CD and it's brilliant !
I've seen him 5 times in concert. Each time as good as the first. I would like to see him again. The times I've seen him was back in the day. Young and energetic. I'd like to see him again as a seasoned older piano man.
I’ve seen him a few times in concert. Never disappointed. One of the best.
hes really got you now. off to the next one
Absolutely one of Joel's best, and he has a tremendous catalog. Such a classy, jazzy song that really does capture the "New York" state of mind. Grew up in NYC (The Bronx and Brooklyn) until I was 20; live just across the water since the late 80's and can still see it daily 😊; this song makes me feel tremendously proud, but makes me feel extremely melancholic; the NYC of my youth is no more; it hurts.
Politicians have the opposite of the Midas touch - everything they touch turns to shit
I feel exactly the same way. I grew up in Brooklyn (Gravesend) in the 60's and 70's and I miss the Brooklyn I knew and the city I knew.
@@johnmiller8553 No matter where you live lol
@@michaeldezego340 Hey Michael, I spent almost 60 years in Bensonhurst. I miss the old days even more now that I left NYC😢
@@Beehashe I grew up in Gravesend starting in early 1960's
The mind-blowing sax solo, btw, is played by Richie Cannata, who is still an absolute beast live, and is also a great keyboard player, singer, and producer. Super nice guy too!
Billy was definitely channeling Ray Charles in this performance. Great stuff!!!
I'm 75 years old from Philly. I hate everything New York... their sports, their better than everyone else attitude, and their driving. Funny thing, this song makes one wanna be a New Yorker.
My appreciations to the accompanying musicians.
Billy Joel stated in a documentary several years ago that he had written this with Ray Charles in mind. But at that time he lacked the connections to contact Ray
I would recommend next Billy Joel “ The Entertainer” if you want to stay in this era or off a little later album, “ Innocent Man”
Love Billy Joel ❤️ he never,ever,ever had a bad song 🎶
true❣
This NYC girl Loves Billy Joel! They don't call him "The Piano Man" for nothing!
Ever see Alicia Keys cover this one ? It’s fantastic - “Global Citizen Festival , NY State of Mind/ Empire” (Central Park). Boy did she crush it that night ! Awesome performance.
This is a love song to New York.
He's from oyster bay long island NY...he lives about 1 mile from me! And we see him on his motorcycle sometimes!!!! He is a very cool person besides one of the great musicians!!!!!
born an bred New yorker I saw Billy joel in Orlando and Madison Square Garden- and just the whole vibe an his references to New York it was just so much better in NY
"Vienna" is a lessor known, but just an incredible song....!
Love you positive vibrations optimistic reaction IT a Blessing stay WELL AND HEALTHY ENJOY LIFE FRIEND 🙏 GOD BLESS YOU 💯🌟
Heard and seen him sing this song in Madison Square garden new York amazing
This is my absolute favorite performance of him of this song thank you Harri !
What a performance. Billy Joel is not only a great singer, songwriter, and musician , he is also a composer. He is one of the truly greats of his time.
Notice how close his voice sounds so close to Ray Charles at times. He recorded "Baby Grand" with Ray Charles, a fantastic song.
I'm pretty sure he was doing a RayCharles impersonation--the "look-y here, now" lyric, the shades, repeating the last word of his lyric; all very Ray Charles. Kind of a bow to Ray--I know he was influenced by him.
Billy Joel WROTE "Baby Grand". FOR Ray Charles. Then recorded it with him.
ruclips.net/video/XUNOmN3YVL0/видео.html
In 1985, he honored his idol Ray Charles by naming his baby girl Alexa Ray Joel.
In 1986, he recorded & released "Baby Grand" with Ray Charles.
In 1999, Ray Charles was the speaker inducting Billy Joel into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
After Paul McCartney Billy best songwriter ever in modern music era !!!
One of the great songs. One of the great performances. And, as another displaced New Yorker, it's something of an anthem for me. As you say often, great stuff.
Displaced New Yorkers unite! There's something about our hometown that is unassailable.
I miss the city as it was, every day. Never have really adapted to another place.
The chords to this song, the phrasing. It’s really something else
I hear Ray Charles when Billy does this song. Ray was one of Billy's idol's and he named his daughter after him.
Before Covid , Billy was playing concert gigs at Madison Square Garden in NYC- monthly. Each month featured a different famous guest performer.
He’s back at it.
God has certainly blessed Billy Joel, he's an amazing performer.
So not the years of learning, practising and honing his craft himself then?
Well ain’t this the best compliment the Big Apple can be given?! What a talent!
I have been fortunate to attend a Billy Joel concert in the Round. Words could not describe the talent I beheld.
Thanks for choosing to do the live version of this amazing performance.
Probably my favorite Billy Joel song.
The song and that Sax! Amazing
If you’re a musician, you can appreciate how complex this composition is with so many chords, not like the 3 chord songs you hear often on the radio.
As a NYer this is a favorite. . He sang this with Tony Bennet another great New Yorker. Billy has alot more great music for you to check out
Love me some Billy Joel, been a fan for 50 years.
As someone from New Jersey... I'll take Billy Joel every day over Bruce Springsteen! The Storm Front Tour of 1989-1990 (age 12) was my 1st ever concert, Philadelphia Spectrum!!! Also I was in attendance in Central Park for Garth Brooks with Billy Joel as guest. Hearing Billy Joel do "New York State of Mind" while I'm standing there in Central Park, was the ULTIMATE concert moment for me!
This is his best song to me
I can't say I care for his rendition of this great song.
My daughter went to college in the middle of Manhattan for 6 years.(2011-2016) We visited dozens of times and I always liked playing this tune while driving over the George Washington Bridge heading for the south tip and the 17th floor of her apartment across from the Federal Reserve Bank, with Cops everywhere. I always felt she was safe there, expensive, but safe. Have a Great Day Harri
So glad you got around to it! Thank you, good reaction! My favorite Billy Joel performance (he and that sax player had me in a New York State of mind) 😊
Billy Joel is brilliant
This is my favorite Billy Joel song. He was the first singer I saw in concert. Great show.
Mine too! 7th grade. My big sister took me.
I've been trying to get Billy Joel...Still Rock-N-Roll to Me, forever! Oh well. I like Billy Joel.
Saw him in Vancouver in 1986. One of the best shows I've seen.
I can’t keep away from the great Billy Joel, and I’ve been listening since the beginning.
Ah yes, the way live music used to be played.
Think of his vocal cords without smoking? Hard to imagine, but if love to hear that. The jazz upgrades his pop rock sound. So love his music 🎶😍
Billy wrote all the music and words to all his songs. An absolute musical genius.
I was lucky enough to see him in concert. He's fabulous. At one point he got up on the piano on his tummy and dropped his arms down onto the keyboard (which means his hands were backwards from normal) and played it flawlessly.
Me too but our seats were so bad the I fell asleep during the show.
Spot on analogy of the songs message…being a native NY’er who has moved away, and now visits often, I can relate to Billy’s sentiments as well.
Often imitated never duplicated ,the piano skills off the chart .
Billy is a stellar performer, song writer, poet, lyricist, and pianist. A highlight of my life was seeing him live in Melbourne Australia....love him.
I agree. Billy in a live venue makes it such an intimate experience. Seen him 12 times in a 3 decade time period. Watched him grow and exceed as an artist. And seen him and Elton perform together, best of both worlds. They played each other's hits over the years. Mind blowing experience!
I just bought tickets to see him in June and I can hardly wait. He hasn’t put out an album that I can recall in 20 years and he’s still selling out stadiums. It should be a fun time
Like I always say.Billy Joel is a versatile artist.He can Rap, Rock, Ragtime, Croon ,sing Accapella and those piano skills are amazing.
But can he Disco & Techno? No? LOL
I cried when he played this at the concert for NY.
I have seen him once...years ago in Rotterdam....
Perfect concert!!
The first ever concert I went to was Billy Joel at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. I’ll never forget it.
Never was much of a Billy Joel fan but in those dark days right after 9-11 this song was on NY radio every night and i found myself singing along perfect song for that time I’d never seen everyone so United before too bad that didn’t last long
This whole show is brilliant!
Consummate pianist. One of my favorite artists.
One hand piano was awesome..this was brilliant
Growing up in the New York City area and working in Manhattan, driving out to Long Island and upstate to Niagra Falls etc . The whole New York thing comes to mind
Man what an entertainer! This entire album just WOW! There really is no song to suggest as a reaction, just pick a song and go for a ride! It would take several years of reactions to cover Billy's catalog. Great reaction Harri my dude!
Saw Billy live 3 times thru the years!!
Fab reaction.
The bridge- Pure Ray Charles.
One of the greatest captured performances of any genre, of any time.
One of his best!!
This is my favorite Joel version of this song. I've suggested it on other reaction channels. So glad you reacted to this Harri. BJ at his best...
His Harri..Thanks for this one! I'm from NY born and raised not far from where Billy Joel is from. I moved not long ago and miss it terribly. But I'm always in a NY state of mind no one can take that from me. Barbra Streisand does a great cover.
How I love this song❤❤❤❤
Could listen to Billy all day 💖
Love me some Billy!!!
Top bloke Harry 👍👍🎵🎵
Have seen him in concert twice and all I can say is “GENIUS”.
My dad grew up in Upstate NY, he would request me to play this song on our family stereo when he was feeling a bit homesick. Dad passed on 1/20/2003. Thanks for the memory, Harri.
One pf those magical moments that would have been great to see live from Billy Joel.
Please play Billy Joel singing Hey Girl. Fantastic song.
The best live performance of the song, prove me wrong!!
Man I love this, the music of Billy Joel!!! Thanks Harri!!!!!!!!! You’re awesome!
Thanks for the reaction Harri. It was worth waiting for. He has said he actually wrote this song, music and lyrics in less than an hour. Amazing.
I am a Billy Joel fan from about 1977, and have a lot of favorite songs and love his whole catalog (except "Uptown Girl"); but this song tops it for me! This always brings me back to being in a dark and mainly quiet bar in Manhattan at about 2am, and meeting a certain lassie from Tallahassee while this song played on the jukebox.
I've seen billy over ten times live 8 of those times in the first row! After waiting over night for tickets in buffalo by. The live concerts were amazing!
Of the hundreds of concerts I've seen in my life, seeing Billy Joel remains one of my all-time favourites. Listen closely to how he does this song and you can hear him channeling Ray Charles. Very cool!
Every song in the catalog is great.
Upstate New York is beautiful. Mountains, lakes, little country towns. And the people have a nearly southern accent when they speak. Gets cold there too.
Had the pleasure to see him in concert. I swear there was an invisible tip jar on the piano. Never lost that perfectist entertainer drive.
Singing Piano Man with 7k others is beyond words.
I just LOVE Billy Joel
When Canata hit the Sax on the end of a 50 ft. ramp at a concert my left ear drum poped and to this day I have a BUZZZZ
Don't understand why, but when ever I hear this I think of Jackson Brownie's song : "The Load -Out " . Both are great Billy played this at the 911 concert
He brought the house down 👍✌️🙏♥️
I love The Load Out!
Makes me cry.
Check out this song live with Tony Bennett accompanying Joel at Met Stadium...😲😲😲
Thank you Harri.