Billy Joel name-drops and salutes The Post in ‘New York State of Mind’ lyric change

He was in the temper for a melody. 

Famous piano man Billy Joel, 74, serenaded the crowd at Madison Square Back garden for his monumental 100th concert of his residency at the well-known location — and he integrated a hat-suggestion to the proper nearby paper.

As he belted out, “New York State of Thoughts,” he transformed the lyrics to consist of a shout-out to The Publish.

The Television set concert exclusive taped in March but aired on Sunday night time on CBS. 

In the course of the verse where the tune traditionally invokes The New York Instances and the Everyday News, Joel rather sang, “Out of contact with the rhythm and blues/  But now I want a little give and acquire / Who, oh, oh whoa, who /  The New York Write-up / Newsday as well.” 

The music even now described the Occasions and Day-to-day Information in an previously verse. Joel tweaked a later verse to give a hat tip to The Write-up. 

Termed “The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden – The Best Arena Operate of All Time,” it was the “We Didn’t Start The Fire” singer’s 1st ever broadcast network live performance particular. 

It was taped on March 28, in the course of Joel’s 100th effectiveness at the legendary location.

In March, the “Uptown Girl” crooner told Newsday that he generally ditches his helicopter and requires the Very long Island Railroad to the place. 

“People will at times glance at me on the railroad and believe, ‘Look at this man, attempting to glance like Billy Joel. He’s not kidding any one,’” he advised the outlet.

During the live performance, Joel also sang hits these as “Piano Man,” “Vienna” and “Only the Excellent Die Younger.” 

Joel’s document-placing operate at MSG started Jan. 14 and will finish on July 25 with his 150th clearly show of his residency. 

“I forgot how significantly get the job done it is,” Joel informed United states of america Today throughout a the latest interview. “I applied to do this on a normal foundation: You go on the street, go back dwelling and produce, file the tracks, then make the video, market it, yadda, yadda, yadda. I hadn’t completed it in so very long. It is head spinning and unique from what I bear in mind.”

Jerry Seinfeld and Sting ended up also onstage at the live performance to rejoice. 

“I wasn’t mindful he was going to be there until the final minute,” Joel informed the outlet.

“They explained, we’ll have a banner-raising point and Jerry is gonna do it. I stated, ‘Wow, terrific.’ He purchased my old dwelling in the Hamptons in 2000. We created a deal, no brokers, just us. He said, ‘How a lot?’ and I reported a amount and he mentioned, ‘OK.’ It was definitely serendipitous. He’s a good guy, a fellow Very long Islander. But also, Sting, he bought my apartment in New York City… All of my serious estate shoppers had been at the clearly show. It is like Joel Realty.”

The live performance particular aired from 9 to 11 p.m. on CBS (and is presently obtainable on Paramount+). 

Having said that, the CBS broadcast of Joel’s live performance provided a main blunder that created followers furious. The network’s are living protection of the Masters golfing match pushed back the start of the Joel concert’s airing — which resulted in his display reducing off all through “Piano Man” and throwing viewers at residence to area information rather.

“A overall flop by CBS,” one particular admirer angrily slammed the network on X, formerly Twitter. 

“Wow. CBS lower off the Billy Joel live performance special to commence their affiliates’ area information broadcasts…In the center of ‘Piano Gentleman.’ Someone royally screwed up. Which is an embarrassment,” another viewer said.

Even the local news anchors received in on it, once they understood what occurred. Rex Smith, an anchor at CBS affiliate WANE 15 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, posted, “I apologize to the people today who were being enjoying Billy Joel singing on Tv set then all of a sudden had to see my facial area. I’d have picked Billy Joel more than me, much too. I’m not even the Rex Smith who is the well-known singer/actor.” 

The network reacted to the snafu on Monday.

“A network programming timing mistake finished final night’s Billy Joel specific approximately two minutes early in the Japanese and Central Time Zones. We apologize to Mr. Joel, his lovers, our affiliated stations, and our audience whose viewing knowledge was interrupted in the course of the very last song,” CBS informed The Write-up in a assertion. “Due to the overpowering need from his legion of enthusiasts, BILLY JOEL: THE 100TH – Stay AT MADISON Sq. Backyard garden will be rebroadcast in its entirety on CBS on April 19th at 9:00PM ET/PT.”

The Post achieved out to Joel for comment.