Celebrities sing “New York State of Mind” to bring NYC back to life

Nothing says New York is back like a top celebrity group singing a Billy Joel tune.

In an awe-inspiring montage of the five boroughs of Joel’s iconic ‘New York State of Mind’, Idina Menzel, Stephen Colbert, Andy Cohen, Ben Stiller, Joel’s daughter Alexa Ray Joel and others all joined in. The city’s best-known recording artists for singing NYC in its best days.

The clip – which captures the star-studded lineup of landmarks like the Unisphere, Coney Island, as well as Gotham’s rooftops, stadiums and ordinary streets – was produced by pandemic recovery group NYCNext to rally behind the return from the city.

The selection of songs was not a happy coincidence either.

Citing that the original and regal tune was Joel’s “love letter” to the city during its turbulent mid-’70s years, NYCNext recreated its unconditional admiration for New York’s more modern hardships.

“In such an equally difficult time, we realized that this song was precisely the rallying cry that New York City needs,” said the group, who describe themselves as “a passionate group of New Yorkers from all disciplines and industries” .

By doing this with “with the support and approval of Billy,” the celebs “set out to create a brand new recording and music video that we hope will inspire, cheer, and motivate New Yorkers. towards civic action.

“Our goal with this project is to create a collective movement of New York pride. We want to celebrate our artists as well as the city we love and inspire everyone to step in and support NYC in any way that is right for them, ”said Maryam Banikarim, co-founder of NYCNext. “This all-volunteer movement is a testament to the power of New Yorkers – creative and passionate actors who step in to help and help each other when the going gets tough.”

The elaborate music video was also made in conjunction with the Broadway theaters reopening to public, making New York City “its best self,” Colbert told CBS Sunday Morning.

“The arts are the oxygen of New York, and the opening of Broadway feels like the city can breathe again.”