New York State of Mind

     I grew up in a household where music wasn't just a part of life, it was the air you breathe.  The house was never silent, the cd player constantly changing discs and we knew what time of day it was based on what radio program was on.  My parents played everyone from Jimmy Buffet, Kenny Loggins and James Taylor to Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Bing Crosby; from Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong to Bon Jovi and The Beatles.  "New York State of Mind" was always a standard in the household; I've always been a fan of Billy Joel and especially Barbara Streisand, whom I idolize.     

     I was a senior when I first saw the pilot episode of Glee. A quirky comedy  about a group of musical misfits who find comfort in lyrics and choreography was right up my alley, and I fell in love. I became what is commonly referred to as a "Gleek".  Since then, Glee has rocketed to international fame and has sold over a hundred million digital copies of their songs.  The show and its music is definitely not for everyone.  The acting tends to be overly dramatic and their covers are regularly transposed three octaves higher than the original.

     The first episode of their fourth season premiered this past Thursday and while I was not blown away, there was one song that struck home with me.  For those of you who don't watch the show: One of the characters, Rachel Berry, is a freshman attending a college of performing arts in New York City.  She faces relentless harassment from her strict and critical professors and faces homesickness for her small hometown.  Meanwhile, back in Lima, Ohio, the high school glee club is hosting auditions to add additional members after several members graduated in last season's finale episode.  Newcomer, Marley Rose, battles with her need to fit in and strong desire to defend her overweight mother, a cafeteria worker.  Rachel in New York and Marley at the glee club auditions team up in a split performance of the song, "New York State of Mind".

     After watching Glee, I always immediately jump on the computer and look up the songs I have never heard, or I re-download the old favorites to my iPod.  Since Thursday I have been alternating between the original version of this song, Barbara's version and the Glee cover.    I sing this song in the car, in the shower, folding laundry, doing homework... I can't help it!  I have played this song so frequently that my mother is about ready to buy earplugs! 

     Glee isn't for everyone, but one of the things I love about the show is that it always reminds me of music I have forgotten about or music I have never heard.  Favorite part of the song: I don't have any reasons, I've left them all behind.

Glee Cover

Barbara Streisand

Billy Joel - Original