--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I lay puzzle as I backtrack to earlier…" description: "\"I lay puzzle as I backtrack to earlier times, Nothing's equivalent to the New York state of mind\" — Nas" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/nas-650_lays_i-lay-puzzle-as-i-backtrack-to-earlier-t_2095542.png" --- # I lay puzzle as I backtrack to earlier times, Nothing's… ![“I lay puzzle as I backtrack to earlier times, Nothing's equivalent to the New York state of mind” quote by Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/nas-650_lays_i-lay-puzzle-as-i-backtrack-to-earlier-t_2095542.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/nas-650_lays_i-lay-puzzle-as-i-backtrack-to-earlier-t_2095542.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/nas-650_lays_i-lay-puzzle-as-i-backtrack-to-earlier-t_2095542.png) > “I lay puzzle as I backtrack to earlier times, Nothing's equivalent to the New York state of mind” [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reflecting on past experiences, the speaker finds that no other feeling matches the mindset shaped by New York's influence. **In simple terms:** Only New York can give that unique perspective. Key Takeaway Embrace the city's mindset. Themes identity place memory culture Mood reflective nostalgic Type lyetic cultural When to use this quote - creative writing - music composition - personal reflection - urban planning Key Concepts urban influence personal history nostalgia Questions to Reflect On - How does your environment shape your thoughts? - Can you find similar mindsets elsewhere? A Different Perspective The quote may romanticize a location, overlooking broader contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Backtrack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backtrack-2035978/) [Backtrack Earlier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backtrack-earlier-4162971/) [Earlier Times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earlier-times-1065228/) [Lays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lays/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [New york](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-york/) [New york state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-york-state/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Puzzle Backtrack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puzzle-backtrack-4162970/) [Puzzles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puzzles/) [State Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-mind/) [State of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-of-mind/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [York State](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/york-state/) ## Related quotes > [New York State is upside down and backwards; high taxes and low performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/new-york-state-is-upside-down-and-backwards-high-taxes-and-low/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [The New York State Freeway's closed, man. Far out!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlo-guthrie/the-new-york-state-freeway-s-closed-man-far-out/) [Arlo Guthrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlo-guthrie/) > [How come regional pandering only works in one direction, right? You never see a Southern politician trying to win votes in New York State…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/how-come-regional-pandering-only-works-in-one-direction-right-you/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [Saudia Arabia takes in half a trillion dollars every year in oil revenue, and the country has a population smaller than New York state,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/saudia-arabia-takes-in-half-a-trillion-dollars-every-year-in-oil/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [Since the late 1970's, the main focus of prisons has been punishment, not rehabilitation. It's hard to believe, but you would be hard-pressed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/since-the-late-1970-s-the-main-focus-of-prisons-has-been-punishment/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > [In New York State they have a strange law that says you can't get a divorce unless you can prove adultery - and it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/in-new-york-state-they-have-a-strange-law-that-says-you-can-t-get-a/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [Forests are breaking out all over America. New England has more forests since the Civil War. In 1880, New York State was only 25…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-goldberg/forests-are-breaking-out-all-over-america-new-england-has-more/) [Jonah Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-goldberg/) > [Government by three men in a room has turned New York State into a national symbol of governmental dysfunction. Enough is enough!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bloomberg/government-by-three-men-in-a-room-has-turned-new-york-state-into-a/) [Michael Bloomberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bloomberg/) > [When Mrs. Clinton ran for office, she promised economic growth across New York state, to bring in more than 200,000 jobs, ... She has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brenner/when-mrs-clinton-ran-for-office-she-promised-economic-growth-across/) [David Brenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brenner/) > [I think we've got a number of states coming up that we're going to do extremely well and possibly winning, including California and New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/i-think-we-ve-got-a-number-of-states-coming-up-that-we-re-going-to-do/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [I'm in a New York state of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-m-in-a-new-york-state-of-mind/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [The school children of New York State planted more than 200,000 trees within ten years from the time Arbor Day was recognized. Few similar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-s-draper/the-school-children-of-new-york-state-planted-more-than-200-000-trees/) [Andrew S. Draper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-s-draper/) > [ Thirteen states with a population less than that of New York State alone can prevent repeal \[of prohibition\] until Halley's comet returns. One might… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/thirteen-states-with-a-population-less-than-that-of-new-york-state/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [Fracking is our biggest enemy right now in the U.S. Actually, not just in the U.S., because all our water systems are interconnected. Whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-somerhalder/fracking-is-our-biggest-enemy-right-now-in-the-u-s-actually-not-just/) [Ian Somerhalder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-somerhalder/) > [I carried it (a revolver) religiously and during the summer I asked a friend, a man who had been one of Franklin's bodyguards in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/i-carried-it-a-revolver-religiously-and-during-the-summer-i-asked-a/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) ## More by Nas > [I need the best things in life, that's women, thats cars. Cigars in Venice, bottle on ice, thats priceless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-need-the-best-things-in-life-that-s-women-thats-cars-cigars-in/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I had a pretty public divorce. They're not easy - divorces - and it took me a long time to really get through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-had-a-pretty-public-divorce-they-re-not-easy-divorces-and-it-took/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If you scared to take chances, you'll never have the answers...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/if-you-scared-to-take-chances-you-ll-never-have-the-answers/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Read more learn more, change the globe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/read-more-learn-more-change-the-globe/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I think hip hop allows us to talk about everything, and Africa is what I choose to talk about now. If people are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-hip-hop-allows-us-to-talk-about-everything-and-africa-is-what/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Life is short is what some n\* said, not if you measure life - by how one lives and what he did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/life-is-short-is-what-some-n-said-not-if-you-measure-life-by-how-one/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Calling Michelle 'Obama Barack's baby mama?' Tell me, is that acceptable? But the Obamas aren't the only targets. Fox's pattern of race-baiting and fear-mongering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/calling-michelle-obama-barack-s-baby-mama-tell-me-is-that-acceptable/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [With age comes common sense and wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/with-age-comes-common-sense-and-wisdom/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [It's foul what this money could do, cash corrupts the loyal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/it-s-foul-what-this-money-could-do-cash-corrupts-the-loyal/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [This morning I got a call, nearly split my wig. This social network said Nas go and get your kid. She's on Twitter, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/this-morning-i-got-a-call-nearly-split-my-wig-this-social-network/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I want to sound like an instrument. I want my voice and my words to marry the beat. I go with the rhythm of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-want-to-sound-like-an-instrument-i-want-my-voice-and-my-words-to/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [There needs to be structures in place to do something about misrepresentation about hip hop. When awards are given out and the media talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/there-needs-to-be-structures-in-place-to-do-something-about/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I've learned not to be surprised by what people do no more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-ve-learned-not-to-be-surprised-by-what-people-do-no-more/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Nasty Nas Enterprises, mastermind, made men. My success symbolizes loyalty, great friends. Dedication, hard work, routine builds character. In a world full of snakes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/nasty-nas-enterprises-mastermind-made-men-my-success-symbolizes/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) [Explore all 427 Nas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) ## More Lays quotes > [My folks tried to make a preacher of me and missed by a narrow margin… I would have made a good one if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/my-folks-tried-to-make-a-preacher-of-me-and-missed-by-a-narrow-margin/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [It is according to the shapes that I lay the plans for victory, but the multitude does not comprehend this. Although everyone can see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-according-to-the-shapes-that-i-lay-the-plans-for-victory-but/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Most people put money in their piggy bank. I buy a goose that lays golden eggs over and over again. That's what an asset…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/most-people-put-money-in-their-piggy-bank-i-buy-a-goose-that-lays/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [Where did I surrender, can you tell me how and when. I'm the one who's always in control. Leading with my heart like there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/where-did-i-surrender-can-you-tell-me-how-and-when-i-m-the-one-who-s/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [Let positive, strong, helpful thoughts enter into your brains from very childhood. Lay yourselves open to these thoughts, and not to weakening and paralysing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/let-positive-strong-helpful-thoughts-enter-into-your-brains-from-very/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Tis e'er the wont of simple folk to prize the deed and o'erlook the motive, and of learned folk to discount the deed and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barth/tis-e-er-the-wont-of-simple-folk-to-prize-the-deed-and-o-erlook-the/) [John Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barth/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Don't let your success of today lay you into complacency for tomorrow. For that is the worst form of failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/don-t-let-your-success-of-today-lay-you-into-complacency-for-tomorrow/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [There was no mistake in us making abortion legal and available on demand. That was what we call progress. Just like it was no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ruffalo/there-was-no-mistake-in-us-making-abortion-legal-and-available-on/) [Mark Ruffalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ruffalo/) > ['Constitutional' is just a real pip of a word. Positively rolls off the tongue. In fact, it's downright fun to say. 'Con-stit-too-shun-al.' It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/constitutional-is-just-a-real-pip-of-a-word-positively-rolls-off-the/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [It is essential for world peace that the world religions make peace with each other. If they don't, we can hardly expect the nations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/it-is-essential-for-world-peace-that-the-world-religions-make-peace/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [For earthly princes lay aside their power when they rise up against God, and are unworthy to be reckoned among the number of mankind.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/for-earthly-princes-lay-aside-their-power-when-they-rise-up-against/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [Buddhist words such as compassion and emptiness don't mean much until we start cultivating our innate ability simply to be there with pain with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/buddhist-words-such-as-compassion-and-emptiness-don-t-mean-much-until/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [My style is mainly about comfort. 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