No matter where he goes or what he does, New Yorkers will always think of Billy Joel as a native son, a hometown boy who made good. As he nears his sixth decade, the singing, songwriting Piano Man has achieved a phenomenal measure of success: a member of the Songwriter's Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he has sold well over 100 million albums worldwide.
This month Billy Joel launched his first solo concert tour in years. Within days, ticket sales at his New York venue, Madison Square Garden, set a record for the most sold-out shows ever.
During tonight's performance, the star of the show proved that he knows how to give his most devoted fans exactly what they want. From his opening, "Hello, New York!" to his closing comment, "Good Night New York! Don't take any shit from anybody!," every moment was calculated to please the hometown crowd, and, as he played a set filled with musical references to his hometown and the Long Island region in which he grew up, Billy Joel made it clear that he remains in a New York state of mind.
From a town known as Oysterbay, Long Island
Rode a boy with a six-pack in his hand
And his daring life of crime made him a legend in his time
East and west of the Rio Grande
- The Ballad of Billy The Kid
Sergeant O'Leary is walkin' the beat
At night he becomes a bartender
He works at Mister Cacciatore's
Down on Sullivan Street
Across from the Medical Center
- Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
I've been stranded in the combat zone
I walked through Bedford Stuy alone
Even rode my motorcycle in the rain
And you told me not to drive
But I made it home alive
So you said that only proves that I'm insane
- You May Be Right
We took on diesel back in Montauk yesterday
And left this morning from the bell in Gardiner's Bay
Like all the locals here I've had to sell my home
Too proud to leave I worked my fingers to the bone
- The Downeaster 'Alexa'
I cruise from Houston to Canal street
A misfit and a rebel
I see the winos talking to themselves
And I can understand
Why is it everytime I go out
I always seem to get in trouble
I guess I made an impression on somebody
North of Hester and south of Grand
- Big Man On Mulberry Street
I've seen the lights go out on Broadway
I saw the Empire State laid low.
And life went on beyond the Palisades,
They all bought Cadillacs
And left there long ago.
- Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway)
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
- New York State of Mind
Not an empty seat in the house 
Just the man in the spotlight
Billy JoelNew York Times reviewRock & Roll Hall of Fame on Billy JoelSongwriters Hall of Fame on Billy Joel
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