Songs in the Attic is the first live album by Billy Joel, released in 1981. At the time of its release, it was the first widely available appearance of music from his first album, Cold Spring Harbor, originally released in 1971. Songs in the Attic introduced Billy Joel's early work to fans who had only come to know his work after The Stranger, according to liner notes written by Joel. In his earlier work, most of the instruments were played by session musicians while Joel himself sang and played piano, keyboards and harmonica, but by the late 1970s, Joel had Read Full BioSongs in the Attic is the first live album by Billy Joel, released in 1981.
At the time of its release, it was the first widely available appearance of music from his first album, Cold Spring Harbor, originally released in 1971.
Songs in the Attic introduced Billy Joel's early work to fans who had only come to know his work after The Stranger, according to liner notes written by Joel. In his earlier work, most of the instruments were played by session musicians while Joel himself sang and played piano, keyboards and harmonica, but by the late 1970s, Joel had a fairly consistent touring/recording band and so he wanted to showcase the songs with his band. In addition, Joel and his band started adding their own style to many of his songs inspiring Joel to put out a record of these songs being played live the way the band had begun to play them.
The single-releases included: "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" and "She's Got a Way", which made the top 25, and "You're My Home". In Japan, "Los Angelenos" was also available in 1981.
A series of promotional music videos were filmed. Though the concert filming may have been staged for the occasion, the audio versions are nonetheless different from the live recordings featuring on the live album. A total of five promo videos were filmed: four of them recorded at Sparks and one in a recording studio. At least two of them were not released as worldwide official singles. "Everybody Loves You Now" (not a single) directed by Steve Cohen (live at Sparks); "You're My Home" directed by Steve Cohen (live at Sparks); "Los Angelenos" (not a single, though a Japanese 7" vinyl was in existence) directed by Steve Cohen (live at Sparks); "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" directed by Steve Cohen (live at Sparks); "She's Got a Way" live in a studio, also a different version from the live album.
All songs were recorded in June/July 1980 at vairous shows throughout the United States.
At the time of its release, it was the first widely available appearance of music from his first album, Cold Spring Harbor, originally released in 1971.
Songs in the Attic introduced Billy Joel's early work to fans who had only come to know his work after The Stranger, according to liner notes written by Joel. In his earlier work, most of the instruments were played by session musicians while Joel himself sang and played piano, keyboards and harmonica, but by the late 1970s, Joel had a fairly consistent touring/recording band and so he wanted to showcase the songs with his band. In addition, Joel and his band started adding their own style to many of his songs inspiring Joel to put out a record of these songs being played live the way the band had begun to play them.
The single-releases included: "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" and "She's Got a Way", which made the top 25, and "You're My Home". In Japan, "Los Angelenos" was also available in 1981.
A series of promotional music videos were filmed. Though the concert filming may have been staged for the occasion, the audio versions are nonetheless different from the live recordings featuring on the live album. A total of five promo videos were filmed: four of them recorded at Sparks and one in a recording studio. At least two of them were not released as worldwide official singles. "Everybody Loves You Now" (not a single) directed by Steve Cohen (live at Sparks); "You're My Home" directed by Steve Cohen (live at Sparks); "Los Angelenos" (not a single, though a Japanese 7" vinyl was in existence) directed by Steve Cohen (live at Sparks); "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" directed by Steve Cohen (live at Sparks); "She's Got a Way" live in a studio, also a different version from the live album.
All songs were recorded in June/July 1980 at vairous shows throughout the United States.
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Miami 2017
Billy Joel Lyrics
Seen the lights go out Broadway
I saw the Empire State laid low
And life went on beyond the Palisades
They all bought Cadillacs
And left there long ago
They held a concert out in Brooklyn
To watch the island bridges blow
They turned our power down
And drove us underground
But we went right on with the show
I've seen the lights go out on Broadway
I saw the ruins at my feet
You know we almost didn't notice it
We'd seen it all the time on Forty second street
They burned the churches down in Harlem
Like in that Spanish civil war
The flames were everywhere
But no one really cared
It always burned up there before
I've seen the lights go out on Broadway
I saw the mighty skyline fall
The boats were waiting at the battery
The union went on strike
They never sailed at all
They sent a carrier out from Norfolk
And picked the Yankees up for free
They said that Queens could stay
And blew the Bronx away
And sank Manhattan out at sea
You know those lights were bright on Broadway
That was so many years ago
Before we all lived here in Florida
Before the Mafia took over Mexico
There are not many who remember
They say a handful still survive
To tell the world about
The way the lights went out
And keep the memory alive
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY JOEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Charles Rogers
Lyrics
Seen the lights go out Broadway
I saw the Empire State laid low
And life went on beyond the Palisades
They all bought Cadillacs
And left there long ago
They held a concert out in Brooklyn
To watch the island bridges blow
They turned our power down
And drove us underground
But we went right on with the show
I've seen the lights go out on Broadway
I saw the ruins at my feet
You know we almost didn't notice it
We'd seen it all the time on Forty second street
They burned the churches down in Harlem
Like in that Spanish civil war
The flames were everywhere
But no one really cared
It always burned up there before
I've seen the lights go out on Broadway
I watched the mighty skyline fall
The boats were waiting at the battery
The union went on strike
They never sailed at all
They sent a carrier out from Norfolk
And picked the Yankees up for free
They said that Queens could stay
And blew the Bronx away
And sank Manhattan out at sea
You know those lights were bright on Broadway
That was so many years ago
Before we all lived here in Florida
Before the Mafia took over Mexico
There are not many who remember
They say a handful still survive
To tell the world about
The way the lights went out
And keep the memory alive
RENTnerd87
I love how he'd actually stopped doing this song live, until after Sept 11. Ever since then it's been back on his setlist almost permanantly. This song has just become so much more meaningful and powerful since 9/11
JD
It’s prophetic now.
RENTnerd87
@Johnny Angel No one said it was
Johnny Angel
This is not about 9/11!It was about New York in the 70's
littlesongbird1
I even remember on 9/11 talking to my dad later (He is a huge Billy Joel fan and introduced me to him) and we were talking about the verse that almost was verbatim what happened "I watched the might Skyline fall/the boats were waiting at the battery"
Brad Barding
Finally saw my idol...Billy Joel in concert last month and this is the song he opened with. The crowd went nuts. It was an experience I'll treasure forever.
T y
I saw him in earths November. He also opened with this song. It fit perfectly because it was his first concert since the COVID-19 pandemic and the lights really did go out in broadway during that time.
Ethan
Same I saw him a week ago and it was a great experience becausenim 13 and I didn't live when this first came oh so I am greatfull for this experience
Brandon Chabner
wish I had seen that... this is a glorious song
Rob Vilar
Greatest high school drop out ever, long island guy true blue