Zohran Mamdani just got stumped by the Piano Man.
Playing a podcaster’s game of “Name That Tune,” the New York City Democratic mayoral candidate failed to recognize Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind.”
“You know, as a politician, I think it’s important to be honest,” Mamdani said, clearly unable to identify the 1976 song that has since become one of the city’s better-known anthems.
The clip of Mamdani was posted Thursday to TikTok and Instagram as part of Track Star, a music podcast hosted by Jack Coyne. Mamdani, 34, donned a pair of headphones for the segment and initially passed Coyne’s test with flying colors, correctly identifying New York-themed tracks by Jay-Z, Mobb Deep, Jadakiss, Beastie Boys, The Strokes and even Frank Sinatra.
“I love him,” Mamdani said of Sinatra. He added that the New Jersey-raised singer was “probably priced out of New York City” — an on-message aside from a candidate running on a platform of affordability.
But when it came to Joel, Mamdani drew a blank. “Plays the piano,” Coyne said, offering a hint. “From Long Island.“
Mamdani’s whiff on Joel, however, may be emblematic of the socialist democrat’s appeal to younger voters. Like them, Mamdani seems better versed in hip-hop than classic rock. And unlike his older competitor for office, Andrew M. Cuomo, 67, Mamdani has run a savvy social media campaign. By appearing on Coyne’s show, which has more than 1.3 million followers across TikTok and Instagram combined, Mamdani joins a guest roster that has included such contemporary pop stars as Ed Sheeran, Halsey, Camila Cabello and Charli XCX.
Comments on TikTok seemed mostly positive for Mamdani. “The fact that he didn’t know Billy Joel is a plus for me,” said one user. Others claiming to be from out of state and even from the U.K. sent words of support. “Rooting for Mr Mamdani from Florida!” one wrote.
One point not raised in the clip: Joel, a longtime supporter of Cuomo, donated $50,000 to his friend’s super PAC in April. The former governor is also the godfather of Della Rose, Joel’s eldest daughter with his wife, Alexis. Cuomo also chose “New York State of Mind” as his campaign theme song.
“Billy Joel, I’m sorry, man,” Mamdani said, looking at the camera. He admitted later: “I was like, who is this? When did this drop?”
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