Famous Last Words
Billy Joel Lyrics
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Summertime has come and gone and everybody's home again
Closing down for the season, I found the last of the souvenirs
I can still taste the wedding cake and it's sweet after all these years
These are the last words I have to say
That's why it took so long to write
There will be other words some other day
But that's the story of my life
Comfort in my coffee cup, apples in the early fall
They're pulling all the moorings up and gathering at the Legion Hall
Swept away all the streamers after the Labor Day parade
There's nothing left for a dreamer now, only one final serenade
And these are the last words I have to say
Before another age goes by
With all those other songs I have to play
But that's the story of my life
And it's so clear standing here where I am
Ain't that what justice is for?
Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn anymore
Hey-hey-hey
Stack the chairs on the table tops
Hang the sheets on the chandeliers
It slows down but it never stops
Ain't it sweet after all these years
And these are the last words I have to say
It's always hard to say goodbye
But now it's time to put this book away
And that's the story of my life
These are the last words I have to say
That's why it took so long to write
There will be other words some other day
Ain't that the story of my life, oh
These are the last words I have to say
Before another age goes by
With all those other songs I have to play
Ain't that the story of my life
In "Famous Last Words," Billy Joel appears to be reminiscing about a past love and looking back on his life. He appears to be in Avalon, a seaside town, in the offseason, where he is surrounded by memories of past summers. The lyrics poetically evoke the end of summer, the closing of tourist attractions, and the gathering of people at the local Legion Hall.
Joel seems to be at peace with his life and past, as evidenced by the line "it's so clear standing here where I am, ain't that what justice is for?" He then invokes the famous line from "Gone with the Wind" with the line "frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn anymore." It appears that he has come to terms with his past mistakes and is now ready to move on to the next chapter of his life.
The closing lyrics indicate that Joel recognizes that there will be other songs and words to come, but for now, it's time to say goodbye and close this chapter of his life. The song seems to be a meditation on aging, the passage of time, and the importance of coming to terms with one's past.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting here in Avalon, looking at the pouring rain
I'm reminiscing about the past and feeling nostalgic as I watch the rain fall.
Summertime has come and gone and everybody's home again
The warm season is over, and everyone has returned home from vacation.
Closing down for the season, I found the last of the souvenirs
As everything is shutting down for the year, I discovered the final remnants of my summer memories.
I can still taste the wedding cake and it's sweet after all these years
Even though it has been years, I can still remember and enjoy the sweetness of my wedding cake.
These are the last words I have to say
This is my final message.
That's why it took so long to write
It's taken a long time to come up with the right words to express my thoughts.
There will be other words some other day
There will be more opportunities to express myself in the future.
But that's the story of my life
This is just how my life has played out.
Comfort in my coffee cup, apples in the early fall
I find solace in my coffee and the autumnal fruits of the season.
They're pulling all the moorings up and gathering at the Legion Hall
As summer ends, everyone is preparing for the colder months and congregating in community spaces.
Swept away all the streamers after the Labor Day parade
The parade is over, and any remaining remnants of it have been cleared away.
There's nothing left for a dreamer now, only one final serenade
The time for dreaming is over, and there's only one last chance to express myself musically.
And it's so clear standing here where I am
From my perspective, everything is apparent and straightforward.
Ain't that what justice is for?
Isn't honesty the basis of justice?
Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn anymore
To be honest, I no longer care about this matter.
Stack the chairs on the table tops
It's time to clean up and put away the chairs.
Hang the sheets on the chandeliers
The decorations are being taken down and put away for next year.
It slows down but it never stops
The pace of life may slow, but it never completely halts.
Ain't it sweet after all these years
Isn't it lovely to look back on these past experiences with fondness, even though so much time has passed?
It's always hard to say goodbye
Saying farewell is never easy.
But now it's time to put this book away
It's time to bring this chapter to a close.
And that's the story of my life
This is how my life has unfolded.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Billy Joel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@riesgodocenal
Sitting here in Avalon, looking at the pouring rain
Summer time has come and gone, and everybody’s home again
Closing down for the season, I found the last of the souvenirs
I can still taste the wedding cake and it’s sweet after all these years
These are the last words I have to say
That’s why this took so long to write
There will be other words some other day
But that’s the story of my life
There’s comfort in my coffee cup and apples in the early fall
They’re pulling all the moorings up and gathering at the Legion Hall
They swept away all the streamers after the Labor Day parade
Nothing left for a dreamer now, only one final serenade
And these are the last words I have to say
Before another age goes by
With all those other songs I’ll have to play
But that’s the story of my life
And it’s so clear standing here where I am
Ain’t that what justice is for?
Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn anymore
Stack the chairs on the table tops
Hang the sheets on the chandeliers
It slows down but it never stops
Ain’t it sweet after all these years
And these are the last words I have to say
It’s always hard to say goodbye
But now it’s time to put this book away
Ain’t that the story of my life
@MrAvocado575
Nirvana have sold more after Cobain's death, however their commercial peak was obviously Nevermind. In 93 their final album only sold a million more than Joel. Pop artists Mariah Carey sold 30 million, Ace of Base 25 and Janet Jackson 20
It wasn't only Pop artists that easily outsold Nirvana that year it was also rock with Bryan Adams (10 million), Meat Loaf (15) and Aerosmith (20)
IN UTERO
NIRVANA
Sales: 7,795,047
Rank in 1993 : 15
RIVER OF DREAMS
BILLY JOEL
Sales: 6,751,480
Rank in 1993 : 16
@dianemolinaro862
Back in the late 80's early 90's my husband and I had a 60' boat in Newport Beach Bay! We played "River of Dreams " CD EVERY time we were onvrge boat! My husband passed away Sept 17th 2021 and I'm listening to EVERY SONG on this CD, dancing I'm my kitchen and I'm smiling ear to EAR with memories flooding!! Thank God for music and memories!! Thank you Billy Joel!!!🥰👍✝️✝️✝️🙏🙏🙏
@tezza_213
Sympathies for your loss from Down Under.
@kkoo3247
Get well soon..keep his memories in your mond
@Cindrbell
Oh dear baby girl.
I'm so sorry for ur loss, but so happy for u that River of Dreams can take u back and give u joy. ❣️
@MikeFugily-hj3ok
So sorry for you loss...glad you have these great songs to remind you of many loving memories.
@Aingefor3
Closing down for the season
I found the last of the souvenirs
I can still taste the wedding cake
And it's sweet after all these years
@amyisrael7718
I’m going back to Billy’s last album. It’s 2024 and his new song just came out. “Turn The Lights Back On.” I never knew how much I missed Billy Joel. Listening to some of these songs I felt like I was hearing some Beatles and some Bowie and some other artists in his music. It’s all good. It’s heavy guitar music. (At first) Not exactly my favorite. Bring on the piano and violins! also didn’t realize I had heard River of Dreams before! I guess they did give it airplay. The man has an incredible voice. I understand the hating the sound of your own voice. His voice though is strong and great range. Anyway. Just a random comment I felt like noting. I never was good at knowing all the artists and their music. Not trying to pretend I know anything. When I heard Billy say, in interview, River of Dreams (album) was HIS favorite and he worked so hard on it and…I can only imagine how heartbreaking it was to not have your hard work loved and popular. I can understand saying “fuck it” and retiring.
@aw3706
After 30 years we are finally getting the "other words". cant wait for the "some other day"
@danielmarra1555
Unfortunately he didn’t write the new song by himself.
@redadamearth
Not his words. Or music. Or title. Written by Freddy Wexler. The entire song was finished. Joel said he just wanted to sing it because it "sounded like something he could have written" - but it's not nearly as good as his own songs.