Billy Joel is just so cool! His lyrics, his voice, his piano playing is above all. I was one of the lucky ones to be able to buy his albums hot off the press, so been listening to him for years and years. Love him so much!
I was so lucky to see Mr. Joel at about this time in his career. After the show, my crazy friend convinced me to go to his hotel and try to meet him. We waited at least an hour when his limo pulled up. He stepped out by himself. He looked exhausted, but he still stopped and gave us his autograph. A true gentleman.
Two things... I'm a New Yorker, still here, living a good life, now retired and doing all the things this town has to offer. This song captures the heart of a lifelong New Yorker. Btw, I have seen Billy Joel several times over the decades. He's amazing. Secondly, Britt, I hope you don't change the chit chat. I, for one, can feel it's coming from your heart and clever mind. It enhances the reaction, especially in this video. Keep up the good work. 👍
Imagine having all these endless amazing unique songs covering multiple genres and styles, and incredibly deep lyrics every time and can also say you personally wrote them all and can actually play like that… And sing live as good or better than the albums… I never get tired of Billy Joel
That’s a great Sax solo…please watch Bruce Springsteen “Jungleland” where Clarence Clemons on Sax and the whole E Street Band perform one of the greatest Rock songs ever both lyrically and musically. Also about NY. There are many great versions but the 2009 Hyde Park Live is pretty cool even though they are much older. Or even the Original Studio version with lyrics.
I am so amazed when I think how young Billy was when he wrote this song. There is so much depth and maturity here for a young twenty something to have written. I still hear new depth and meaning to his words in my 60s after hearing his music for the last 50 years. Billy you are an old soul who was wise beyond your years, at least when it comes to writing music.
I mean he ended up marrying the biggest supermodel in the world directly after dating Elle Macpherson. The guy was with the 2 hottest women on the planet back-to-back. Definitely in the PDC!
When Tony Bennett adds your song to his repertoire, you KNOW you've written an American classic. Not only did Tony Bennet record this song as a duet with Billy Joel (as did Barbra Streisand), it won a Grammy in 2002. "New York State Of Mind" is also the title of an illustrated children's book written by Billy in 2004that comes with a CD of the song.
Barbra Streisand recorded it by herself too in 1977 for her Superman album in between Billy's albums Turnstiles that the original appeared on in 1976, and Billy's breakthrough album The Stranger in 1977.
NY’er here…He hits it all, lyrics, melody, voice, piano…an amazing talent from baby Billy on to today! Love your totally understandable reaction to our NY genius!
I was born/raised in NYC so this song and Native New Yorker by Odyssey captures the love I have for this city. I too enjoy driving down the West Side Hgwy. 🙏🏼🇺🇸❤️🍎🗽
I'm about as far from being a New York boy as I could get but Billy Joel takes me there for a few minutes every time I hear this song and makes me feel like I would belong.
Britt, you really really REALLY need to get tickets for Billy Joel on July 25 for his show at Madison Square Garden. You ain't seen nuthin' till you've seen him live. It's totally worth the trip back home!
One of the greatest songs ever written, IMO. Great reaction! Please check out “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” (Live). Again, fantastic reaction and share! 🤓🤠❤️
Here's the story of this song, Britt. Billy Joel escaped a bad record deal by moving to LA to work at a piano bar under an assumed name (Bill Martin). When NYC defaulted and the fed declined to bail the city out, Billy decided he needed to get out of tinseltown and go back home. "If my city is going down," he said, "I'm going down with it." So this song is his decision to move back home to New York. Try "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out On Broadway)" for a similar -- but rocking -- tribute to New York. A live version is best.
My favorite song of all time. I really wish I could explain how hard it hits me, no matter the version. But this is the one right here. Great reaction!
Billy the Joel is AMAZING and I've been waiting for you to react to this song for a long time. I've seen him 6 times in concert, and he NEVER disappoints. I had all his tapes, all his albums, then all his CDs. TOTALLY worth the cost.
The soundtracks of my life !!!! - Matter of trust -All about Soul - Italian Restaurant - Honesty - Only the good die young - Still rock and roll - Vienna - Goodnight Saigon -Turn the lights back on And so many more ❤
I love this song , you don't have to be in New York to envision you being there . The horn riffs in this rendition are amazing, and just after you had his buffet of music and horns for desert he sends you home with a slice of big apple pie. His new song Turn the Lights Back On is amazing too. His first song in over a decade.
Grew up in Tennessee, college in Atlanta. Moved to NY at 27. No other place like it. Richness of everything…cultures, music, food, diversity beyond comparison. Struggles that formed me. Alone but never lonely. Sometimes Worked 2 jobs to survive. The song that took me there was Frank Sinatra’s “New York,New York “with BJ/Tony Bennett’s NYSofMind a close second. If you can make it there you can make it anywhere.
I've been a fan more than 40 years. The Stranger was one of the first 3 albums I bought. This is one of my all time favorites, no question. The sax solos are superb! I'm sure they're a factor in my taking up the saxophone in 6th grade. Have you heard Vienna and Scenes from an Italian Restaurant?
As a Billy Joel fan from way back… Story time. On our first trip to NYC, the second we crossed onto the GW bridge, my playlist (it was on shuffle) started “New York state of mind”. I instantly began to cry.
I got to see him live twice in the 70s, once in a tiny club in 75 and then again in 77 in a small theater just after The Stranger album came out. Both concerts were amazing.
So real. Everyone wants so much to protect their kids and give them that soft place to fall but honestly it’s that struggle that *makes* you. You need that steel beneath the petals. Going out and living a life, breaking your heart, working your arse off, laughing your arse off, eating noodles til you feel violent at the sight of them, this shit helps you earn it. 👍
I used to listen to this years and years ago - and for some reason it got buried until about 2 weeks ago -- forgot how good Billy Joel is. It's synergy that some of my favorite reactors lately are bringing it back to the forefront.
The thing about NYC is it's a social crucible; it shapes everyone who lives there for any length of time no matter their age. ;) Gotta agree, this is one of my favorites.
Very early on in my concert-going years I had the tremendous pleasure of seeing Mr. Joel perform a solo show in 1974 at Fairleigh Dickinson U, Madison, NJ. just after his third album Streetlight Serenade was released. Just Billy and a piano in a small college venue and for the next 2+ hours he was the hardest working man in show business. Later on I saw him again in 1990 during his Storm Front tour at the Spectrum in Philly, another top shelf shelf show. Regarding the music and this video I'll never get tired of it and I wish there was a way to download (legally) the MP3 of it so I could have it in my car.
You need to check out his song. The longest time. It's a doo wop song in 5 part harmony all of which he sang. Watch the music video or listen to just the song.
As a fan and as a musician to some extent being that it was mostly in my earlier years, I have to say this is a breathtaking performance. Breathtaking!
You say it well - Billy Joel does such an amazing job of painting pictures. Not just with his lyrics, but with the actual notes of the music, the style he uses on the piano.
I grew up a Rhode Islander 2 hrs to Boston or 2 1/2 hours to NYC. Now In NJ I'm 1hr 30 from NYC. Love the city and what it does when I am there. Just want the memories of next time.
I was the first person I knew who discovered Billy 50 years ago. I feel this performance with Billy singing in the style of jazz singer Tony Bennet was Billy's answer to Tony Bennet's biggest hit, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Another facet of Billy's performances Britt should hear is Billy singing in the style of Ray Charles in a tribute to pianos on a TV show Billy hosted.
New York must be such a cultural treasure chest, the way both you and Billy wear your NY stripes with such pride you can literally feel it. Don’t think I’ll ever make it there but a few minutes with you guys is inspiring.
If you're back in the South, go check out a place called Smiles Piano Bar in Savannah Georgia. I've been to 4 countries and maybe 30 states, and that bar might just be my favorite place on earth. I found the bar as a young Marine stationed in the South and nothings ever beat it. They've got dueling pianos up on the stage and they play just about every kind of piano music you can play. The crowd ranges in ages from 60s to 20s. People sing along at the top of their lungs or get up and dance right at their table... And the vibe is pure joy. It's just perfect.
Cold Spring Harbor was Billy's 1st album. The studio sped up the sound to make his voice higher. he left. Clive Davis resolved the issue but did not want to use his band. then Phil Ramone did The Stranger one of the greatest albums
Love your coverage of Billy Joel, an all-time great as you rightly noted. Might be covering the same ground twice, but there's video of a Q and A session at Vanderbilt, I think, where a kid asks to accompany him while Joel sings this. Well, the kid turns out to be really, really good. Billy's a little surprised by how good, but he rolls with it like a pro would. A great moment in the kid's life and a lot of fun.
He is the epitome of New York! If you haven't seen his daughter, Alexa Ray, sing "To Sir With Love" on stage with him back in April, you should. She's fantastic!!
I remember when he performed this song live on 3 TV networks to raise money to help people after 9/11. I bawled like a baby. He meant every word of that song.
Our main man, Lenny Kravitz, celebrated his 60th birthday yesterday...Britt, I highly recommend you check out his tune, "New York City" as soon as possible! I love him and his music soooooo much, and he just released a new album called "Blue Electric Light" on May 24 🙂
This song is actually the 2nd in a trilogy of songs: "Say Goodbye to Hollywood", "NY State of Mind", and "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)"
Billy is amazing, I know you like to vary your reactions but I hope in time you do most of his songs, I feel like you really get him, and would love all of them. Honesty, Movin out, Its still rock and roll to me, The longest time, Uptown girl, and so many more...One underrated song i love is "all for leyna" Billy has talked about being bipolar in many songs, and mentioned that its interesting how it fueled many of his greatest songs
Billy Joel represents New York as well as anybody ever has!
The way he sang on this performance was very much an homage to a musician for whom Billy Joel has enormous respect, the great Ray Charles.
Thought aswell, the way he is singing and playing the piano...
Speaking of Ray Charles, she should check out Baby Grand. A duet of two great pianists paying homage to their instruments. ❤
Girl you could play Billy Joel all day long as far as I’m concerned! 😊❤❤
I Agree
Same. I often do put him on repeat and just listen to him all day long. Don't need anybody else. :)
This is one of his finest performance. So glad i could see you react to it.
Billy Joel is just so cool! His lyrics, his voice, his piano playing is above all. I was one of the lucky ones to be able to buy his albums hot off the press, so been listening to him for years and years. Love him so much!
I was so lucky to see Mr. Joel at about this time in his career. After the show, my crazy friend convinced me to go to his hotel and try to meet him. We waited at least an hour when his limo pulled up. He stepped out by himself. He looked exhausted, but he still stopped and gave us his autograph. A true gentleman.
Billy the Goat
I’m so glad you did this version of the song. I love this video.
Omg so glad you love the genius of Billy Joel.I was lucky enough see him twice in the 70s in Memphis.Best concerts of my life.
Two things...
I'm a New Yorker, still here, living a good life, now retired and doing all the things this town has to offer. This song captures the heart of a lifelong New Yorker. Btw, I have seen Billy Joel several times over the decades. He's amazing.
Secondly, Britt, I hope you don't change the chit chat. I, for one, can feel it's coming from your heart and clever mind. It enhances the reaction, especially in this video. Keep up the good work. 👍
This is a great performance, great song, great talent
I love this song ,visited NewYork two weeks ago from Ireland , it’s a movie set,The city that never sleeps ,great memories heart
Imagine having all these endless amazing unique songs covering multiple genres and styles, and incredibly deep lyrics every time and can also say you personally wrote them all and can actually play like that… And sing live as good or better than the albums… I never get tired of Billy Joel
That’s a great Sax solo…please watch Bruce Springsteen “Jungleland” where Clarence Clemons on Sax and the whole E Street Band perform one of the greatest Rock songs ever both lyrically and musically. Also about NY. There are many great versions but the 2009 Hyde Park Live is pretty cool even though they are much older. Or even the Original Studio version with lyrics.
Billy is a national treasure! The greatest of the singer/songwriters that we have had in the last 60 years! Not even debatable!
I am so amazed when I think how young Billy was when he wrote this song. There is so much depth and maturity here for a young twenty something to have written. I still hear new depth and meaning to his words in my 60s after hearing his music for the last 50 years. Billy you are an old soul who was wise beyond your years, at least when it comes to writing music.
If you want to go to New York City with Billy, try A Matter Of Trust. That video shows a totally different side of Billy in New York.
I'm a straight guy and Billy deserves to be in the PDC!!!
I mean he ended up marrying the biggest supermodel in the world directly after dating Elle Macpherson. The guy was with the 2 hottest women on the planet back-to-back. Definitely in the PDC!
When Tony Bennett adds your song to his repertoire, you KNOW you've written an American classic.
Not only did Tony Bennet record this song as a duet with Billy Joel (as did Barbra Streisand), it won a Grammy in 2002.
"New York State Of Mind" is also the title of an illustrated children's book written by Billy in 2004that comes with a CD of the song.
Barbra Streisand recorded it by herself too in 1977 for her Superman album in between Billy's albums Turnstiles that the original appeared on in 1976, and Billy's breakthrough album The Stranger in 1977.
NY’er here…He hits it all, lyrics, melody, voice, piano…an amazing talent from baby Billy on to today! Love your totally understandable reaction to our NY genius!
We all had a lump in our throat When he played this song during the concert for first responders after the attacks of 9/11. Very emotional.
I was born/raised in NYC so this song and Native New Yorker by Odyssey captures the love I have for this city. I too enjoy driving down the West Side Hgwy. 🙏🏼🇺🇸❤️🍎🗽
I'm about as far from being a New York boy as I could get but Billy Joel takes me there for a few minutes every time I hear this song and makes me feel like I would belong.
Beyond Awesome 🔥🔥🔥
I love the Saxophonist's expression at the end. It's like he's saying, "I have a 3rd degree Black Belt in Jazzy-Sax. You just heard 1st degree."
This is my favorite version of the song
Britt, you really really REALLY need to get tickets for Billy Joel on July 25 for his show at Madison Square Garden. You ain't seen nuthin' till you've seen him live. It's totally worth the trip back home!
I think that the July 25th show is his last ever appearance at Madison Square Garden.
I believe it’s just his last of his “residency” I’m sure that he will still come around MSG from time to time.
Richie Cannata on Sax. One of my all-time favorites! The Stranger, if you haven't reacted to it.
Props to Richie. His work at this time set a blueprint for Mark to follow. Amazing stuff
One of the greatest songs ever written, IMO. Great reaction! Please check out “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” (Live). Again, fantastic reaction and share! 🤓🤠❤️
YES - this is the song BJ himself said is his favorite.
I was born and raised in Billy Joel's NY. The 70s was a time of nostalgia and rebellion, very much our state of mind then and still.
Here's the story of this song, Britt. Billy Joel escaped a bad record deal by moving to LA to work at a piano bar under an assumed name (Bill Martin). When NYC defaulted and the fed declined to bail the city out, Billy decided he needed to get out of tinseltown and go back home. "If my city is going down," he said, "I'm going down with it." So this song is his decision to move back home to New York. Try "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out On Broadway)" for a similar -- but rocking -- tribute to New York. A live version is best.
BILLY JOEL, BARD OF THE 'BURBS
He's a bard of everyday suburban dream and disappointment, and his forte is the romantic ballad."
We all agree that this song and performance is outstanding 😊... watched a lot of reactions, but I really love yours, so emotional, thank you ❤
Thank you so much!
My favorite song of all time. I really wish I could explain how hard it hits me, no matter the version. But this is the one right here. Great reaction!
You really need to check out him and Ray Charles singing Baby Grand.
Yes.
Billy the Joel is AMAZING and I've been waiting for you to react to this song for a long time. I've seen him 6 times in concert, and he NEVER disappoints. I had all his tapes, all his albums, then all his CDs. TOTALLY worth the cost.
The soundtracks of my life !!!!
- Matter of trust
-All about Soul
- Italian Restaurant
- Honesty
- Only the good die young
- Still rock and roll
- Vienna
- Goodnight Saigon
-Turn the lights back on
And so many more ❤
I love this song , you don't have to be in New York to envision you being there . The horn riffs in this rendition are amazing, and just after you had his buffet of music and horns for desert he sends you home with a slice of big apple pie. His new song Turn the Lights Back On is amazing too. His first song in over a decade.
My absolute favorite version of this song! Billy Joel is my all time favorite musician.
Grew up in Tennessee, college in Atlanta. Moved to NY at 27. No other place like it. Richness of everything…cultures, music, food, diversity beyond comparison. Struggles that formed me. Alone but never lonely. Sometimes Worked 2 jobs to survive. The song that took me there was Frank Sinatra’s “New York,New York “with BJ/Tony Bennett’s NYSofMind a close second. If you can make it there you can make it anywhere.
Epic song performance!
You are right Billy Joel in the 70s and 80s was so pure, I totally felt like I was back in nowhere Wisconsin again listing to my idol
I've been a fan more than 40 years. The Stranger was one of the first 3 albums I bought.
This is one of my all time favorites, no question. The sax solos are superb! I'm sure they're a factor in my taking up the saxophone in 6th grade.
Have you heard Vienna and Scenes from an Italian Restaurant?
Well said!
One of my favorite Billy Joel songs is "Honesty". Love to see you react to that!
I’ll check it out!
Everyone loves the sax, even the trumpet player.
Saw in 1983 for the 1st time 6 more times in the 90s and just took my 20 year son 2 summers ago still aamazing id pay again to see him
Definitely his Ray Charles impersonation which he does so well. ❤️
As a Billy Joel fan from way back… Story time. On our first trip to NYC, the second we crossed onto the GW bridge, my playlist (it was on shuffle) started “New York state of mind”. I instantly began to cry.
He and Ray Charles have a song together - "Baby Grand" where they're both playing piano. You definitely should react to it
I’ll check it out!
I got to see him live twice in the 70s, once in a tiny club in 75 and then again in 77 in a small theater just after The Stranger album came out. Both concerts were amazing.
So real. Everyone wants so much to protect their kids and give them that soft place to fall but honestly it’s that struggle that *makes* you. You need that steel beneath the petals. Going out and living a life, breaking your heart, working your arse off, laughing your arse off, eating noodles til you feel violent at the sight of them, this shit helps you earn it. 👍
Britt i LOVE when you do Billy Joel Reactions!
1 of the first songs I learned to play 🙂
Same
I used to listen to this years and years ago - and for some reason it got buried until about 2 weeks ago -- forgot how good Billy Joel is. It's synergy that some of my favorite reactors lately are bringing it back to the forefront.
Billy is an absolute genius!
Billy Joel is one of the all time greats. You need to react to Goodnight Saigon, it’s absolutely fantastic.
The thing about NYC is it's a social crucible; it shapes everyone who lives there for any length of time no matter their age. ;) Gotta agree, this is one of my favorites.
Captain Jack is what you wanna try next from Billy
My favorite song
Very early on in my concert-going years I had the tremendous pleasure of seeing Mr. Joel perform a solo show in 1974 at Fairleigh Dickinson U, Madison, NJ. just after his third album Streetlight Serenade was released. Just Billy and a piano in a small college venue and for the next 2+ hours he was the hardest working man in show business. Later on I saw him again in 1990 during his Storm Front tour at the Spectrum in Philly, another top shelf shelf show. Regarding the music and this video I'll never get tired of it and I wish there was a way to download (legally) the MP3 of it so I could have it in my car.
I love billy and Britt. Maybe Britt a little more.
Billy Joel is absolutely the GOAT. July is his last residency show at MSG, that will be my 26th Billy Joel concert. He is amazing.
You need to check out his song. The longest time. It's a doo wop song in 5 part harmony all of which he sang. Watch the music video or listen to just the song.
There's no substitute for talent.
As a fan and as a musician to some extent being that it was mostly in my earlier years, I have to say this is a breathtaking performance. Breathtaking!
I didn’t appreciate how great he is when I was a kid.
Billy Joel is my generation. He reflected the times.
Great reaction. Great Artist Great (and real) Music
Thanks from Italy ;)
Ready for another amazing Billy Joel song? You're going to love Our Italian Restaurant. That one will bring you back to NY again.
Scenes from an Italian restaurant
Keeping the Faith is fun upbeat tune from Billy. The official music video is great.
You need to check out Good Night Saigon from Billy, especially today with it being Memorial Day
You say it well - Billy Joel does such an amazing job of painting pictures. Not just with his lyrics, but with the actual notes of the music, the style he uses on the piano.
I grew up a Rhode Islander 2 hrs to Boston or 2 1/2 hours to NYC. Now In NJ I'm 1hr 30 from NYC. Love the city and what it does when I am there. Just want the memories of next time.
Fun fact Billy was playing the piano in the Bahamas and leaning on his piano was Christie Brinkley & Elle Macphearson 💜
Just went to his concert in Seattle, simply the best! Hem has the best and most talented back up musicians!
New Yorker here...there is no other place in the world that compares.
I was the first person I knew who discovered Billy 50 years ago. I feel this performance with Billy singing in the style of jazz singer Tony Bennet was Billy's answer to Tony Bennet's biggest hit, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Another facet of Billy's performances Britt should hear is Billy singing in the style of Ray Charles in a tribute to pianos on a TV show Billy hosted.
New York must be such a cultural treasure chest, the way both you and Billy wear your NY stripes with such pride you can literally feel it. Don’t think I’ll ever make it there but a few minutes with you guys is inspiring.
If you're back in the South, go check out a place called Smiles Piano Bar in Savannah Georgia. I've been to 4 countries and maybe 30 states, and that bar might just be my favorite place on earth. I found the bar as a young Marine stationed in the South and nothings ever beat it. They've got dueling pianos up on the stage and they play just about every kind of piano music you can play. The crowd ranges in ages from 60s to 20s. People sing along at the top of their lungs or get up and dance right at their table... And the vibe is pure joy. It's just perfect.
I've been waiting for you to react to this song! Isn't it fabulous? My favorite Billy Joel song & video. I'm obsessed with New York State of Mind ❤
Cold Spring Harbor was Billy's 1st album. The studio sped up the sound to make his voice higher. he left. Clive Davis resolved the issue but did not want to use his band. then Phil Ramone did The Stranger one of the greatest albums
He performed this in Madison Square Garden in a concert for first responders after 9/11
The TV channel that regularly broadcasts Yankees games in the Lehigh Valley area of PA also runs Billy Joel concerts. It's so cool!
Billy's got soul.😂😂😂😂❤❤❤❤
Love your coverage of Billy Joel, an all-time great as you rightly noted. Might be covering the same ground twice, but there's video of a Q and A session at Vanderbilt, I think, where a kid asks to accompany him while Joel sings this.
Well, the kid turns out to be really, really good. Billy's a little surprised by how good, but he rolls with it like a pro would. A great moment in the kid's life and a lot of fun.
Grew up in small towns. Graduated from college moved to San Francisco with no plan, spent 3 years. One of the greatest adventures of my life.
He is the epitome of New York! If you haven't seen his daughter, Alexa Ray, sing "To Sir With Love" on stage with him back in April, you should. She's fantastic!!
I remember when he performed this song live on 3 TV networks to raise money to help people after 9/11. I bawled like a baby. He meant every word of that song.
Notice how he's channeling Ray Charles here? But it's Billy's original composition.
Our main man, Lenny Kravitz, celebrated his 60th birthday yesterday...Britt, I highly recommend you check out his tune, "New York City" as soon as possible! I love him and his music soooooo much, and he just released a new album called "Blue Electric Light" on May 24 🙂
He has too many great songs. River of Dreams has a great rock and roll nostalgia feel. You’ll love it Britt.
Swear,I've never seen such a beautiful girl
Billy is a legend! Check out the video "Uptown Girl" with his then wife Christie Brinkley.
This song is actually the 2nd in a trilogy of songs: "Say Goodbye to Hollywood", "NY State of Mind", and "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)"
US Soldiers who were deployed in germany during a maneuver 90/91 had one tape that always played Billy Joel. 😁Greetings from Germany young lady !
Wise beyond your years Britt. You've topped my list on the favorites of reactors.
Maybe try Billy’s song Zanzibar. You’ll love it.
I really feel this is an homage to Ray Charles as well as New York.
Oh, that's why we get along! Similar birth cities. God bless the homeland.
Billy is amazing, I know you like to vary your reactions but I hope in time you do most of his songs, I feel like you really get him, and would love all of them. Honesty, Movin out, Its still rock and roll to me, The longest time, Uptown girl, and so many more...One underrated song i love is "all for leyna" Billy has talked about being bipolar in many songs, and mentioned that its interesting how it fueled many of his greatest songs