Joel's follow-up effort to 1973's Piano Man, Streetlife Serenade did not enjoy the relative success of its predecessor; it marked the beginning of his frosty relationship with critics and the music industry more generally. In "The Entertainer", Joel mocks the entertainment industry, reminiscing over his record label's earlier insistence that the single version of Piano Man's title track (the album's major hit) be shortened to maximize radio airplay:
"It was a beautiful song but it ran too long./If you're gonna have a hit, you gotta make it fit./So they cut it down to 3:05."
"The Entertainer" peaked at #34 on the US Singles Chart. The album itself peaked at #35 on the charts, eventually selling over one million copies.
The album contains two songs that were featured in many of Joel's live shows during the 1970s: the instrumental "Root Beer Rag" and the short song "Souvenir", which Joel often played as the final encore during that time period. Two others, "Streetlife Serenader" and "Los Angelenos," were included on Joel's first live album, Songs in the Attic (1981).
Flyin' east on a plane Drinkin' all that free champagne I guess I saw this comin' down the line And I know it should be fun But I think I should've packed my gun Got that old suburban showdown in my mind Sit around with the folks Tell the same old tired jokes Bored to death on Sunday afternoon Mom and Dad, me and you And the outdoor barbecue Think I'm gonna hide out in my room I've been gone for a while Made some changes in my style And they say you can't go home anymore Well the streets all look the same And I'll have to play the game We'll all sit around in the kitchen chairs With the TV on and the neighbors there Out in the yard Where my Daddy worked so hard He never lets the crab grass grow too high Oh, the place hasn't changed And that's why I'm gonna feel so strange But I'll have to face the music bye and bye I've been gone for a while Made some changes in my style And they say you can't go home anymore Well the streets all look the same And I'll have to play the game We'll all sit around in the kitchen chairs With the TV on and the neighbors there Drive into town When this big bird touches down I'm only comin' home to say goodbye Then I'm gone with the wind And I won't be seen again Till that great suburban showdown in the sky Till that great suburban showdown in the sky --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now an established name on the musical landscape, Joel became a million seller with the release of StreetlifeSerenade (1974), but his commercial breakout making him a bonafide star came with the ...
Now an established name on the musical landscape, Joel became a million seller with the release of StreetlifeSerenade (1974), but his commercial breakout making him a bonafide star came with the ...
‘Streetlife Serenader’ (1974). The opening track to the “Streetlife Serenade” album tiptoes in and then swings from contented melody to pointed crescendo under Joel’s measured playing.50.
... I hope you’re wearing a lot of sunblock,” introducing ‘The Entertainer’ from StreetlifeSerenade he seemed surprised by the welcome it received “you don’t know this album, nobody bought that album.”.
... I hope you’re wearing a lot of sunblock,” introducing ‘The Entertainer’ from StreetlifeSerenade he seemed surprised by the welcome it received “you don’t know this album, nobody bought that album.”.
THIS WEEKEND. Chris Pierce (Singer-Songwriter/Folk) ... It is part of the Levitt AMPOcalaMusicSeries, which presents a weekly concert April 14 through June 23 (excluding May 26.) Admission is free; bring blankets and lawn chairs.Streetlife Serenader ... .
Show Caption. Hide Caption ... THIS WEEKEND. ‘Newsies' ... 26 ... It is part of the Levitt AMPOcalaMusicSeries, which presents a weekly concert April 14 through June 23 (excluding May 26.) Admission is free; bring blankets and lawn chairs.Streetlife Serenader ... .
Ocala Star Banner
31 May 2023
Ocala Star Banner
31 May 2023