Say Goodbye to Hollywood

For the Saga song of the same name, see Steel Umbrellas.
For the similarly named Eminem song, see The Eminem Show.
"Say Goodbye to Hollywood"
Single by Billy Joel
from the album Songs in the Attic
Released 1981
Format 7"
Recorded June 1980
Milwaukee Arena, Milwaukee, WI
Genre Rock
Length 4:38
3:53 (Single version)
4:25 (Songs in the Attic version)
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Billy Joel
Producer(s) Phil Ramone
Billy Joel singles chronology
"Sometimes a Fantasy"
(1981)
"Say Goodbye to Hollywood"
(Live)
(1981)
"She's Got a Way"
(Live)
(1982)
Cover 1976 Single

"Say Goodbye to Hollywood" is a song written and performed by Billy Joel, first released in 1976 on his album Turnstiles. There is a 45 rpm vinyl in existence with "Stop in Nevada" as a B-side. However, the song achieved greater recognition in 1981 when a live version from Songs in the Attic was released as a single, with the live version of "Summer, Highland Falls" as a B-side. Joel wrote the song after moving back to New York City in 1975; he had previously relocated to Los Angeles in 1972 in an attempt to get out of an onerous record deal.

Influence

Joel has stated in his university lectures that he wrote the song with Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes song "Be My Baby" in mind.[1][2] Indeed, Joel notes that the two songs share a very similar beat.[3] Recognizing Joel's tribute, Ronnie Spector recorded her own cover version of "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" in 1977, soon after Joel released his first recording of the song on Turnstiles.

Chart positions

Chart (1981) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart 45
Canadian Singles Chart[4] 27
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 17
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary 35
U.S. Billboard Top Tracks 11

Covers

References

  1. "Say Goodbye To Hollywood by Billy Joel". Songfacts.com. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  2. Billy Joel University Lecture on Video on YouTube
  3. "Songs with the 'Be My Baby' drum intro". Ilxor.com. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  4. "Top Singles". RPM. Collectionscanada.gc.ca. November 7, 1981. Retrieved January 28, 2013.

External links

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