Say Goodbye to Hollywood
"Say Goodbye to Hollywood" | ||||
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Single by Billy Joel | ||||
from the album Turnstiles | ||||
B-side | "Stop In Nevada" | |||
Released | November 1976 (UK)[1] | |||
Recorded | 1976 at Ultrasonic Recording Studios, Hempstead, NY | |||
Genre | Pop rock | |||
Length | 4:38 (Album version) 3:53 (Single version) | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) | Billy Joel | |||
Producer(s) | Billy Joel | |||
Billy Joel singles chronology | ||||
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"Say Goodbye to Hollywood" | ||||
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Milwaukee, WI | ||||
Genre | Pop rock | |||
Length | 4:25 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) | Billy Joel | |||
Producer(s) | Phil Ramone | |||
Billy Joel singles chronology | ||||
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"Say Goodbye to Hollywood" is a song written and performed by
Production and 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.[2][3] Indeed, Joel notes that the two songs share a very similar beat, recycling the iconic drum intro of "Be My Baby".[4] The song's production was also specifically modeled on the "Wall of Sound" production method of her ex-husband Phil Spector, who produced "Be My Baby" in that manner. The song utilized a backing band throughout the track, with new instrumental layers appearing throughout the song, such as backup singers in the refrain and strings starting from the second verse. However, whether this effect had been achieved was in dispute, with biographer Mark Bego claiming it was successful in this regard, while music critic Stephen Holden disagreed.[5] Billboard said that it "has the intensity and flair of Phil Spector's early '60s classics."[6] Record World said that the live version "sounds better than the original," with "a perfect blend of concert spontaneity and studio clarity."[7]
Covers
- Miami Steve's production does her proud."[8]
- Nigel Olsson covered the song on his 1979 album, "Nigel".
Charts
Chart (1976) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report)[9] | 45 |
Chart (1981) | Peak position |
Canadian Singles Chart[10] | 27 |
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[11] | 17 |
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary[12]
|
35 |
References
- ISBN 978-0-86241-541-9.
- ^ a b "Say Goodbye To Hollywood by Billy Joel". Songfacts.com. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
- YouTube
- ^ "Songs with the 'Be My Baby' drum intro". Ilxor.com. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-4422-4205-0.
- ^ "Top Single Picks". Billboard. September 12, 1981. p. 79. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. September 12, 1981. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. April 23, 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
- ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Top Singles". RPM. Collectionscanada.gc.ca. November 7, 1981. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 435.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 127.