Say Goodbye to Hollywood

"Say Goodbye to Hollywood" is a song written and performed by Billy Joel, first released in 1976 on his album Turnstiles. It was originally released as a single 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. The man who represents this song on the Turnstiles album is the man wearing sunglasses and holding a suitcase.

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"
Cover art for the 1981 single version
Single by Billy Joel
from the album Turnstiles and Songs in the Attic
B-side
Released1976, 1981
Recorded1976 at Ultrasonic Recording Studios, Hempstead, NY
June 1980 at Milwaukee Arena, Milwaukee, WI
Genre
Length4:38
3:53 (Single version)
4:25 (Songs in the Attic version)
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Billy Joel
Producer(s)Phil Ramone
Billy Joel singles chronology
"Sometimes a Fantasy"
(1981)		 "Say Goodbye to Hollywood"
(1976)		 "She's Got a Way"
(1982)
Alternative cover
Cover art for the 1976 single

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 with the E Street Band, soon after Joel released his first recording of the song on Turnstiles.

Covers

Charts
Chart (1976) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart 45
Chart (1981) Peak
position
Canadian Singles Chart[5] 27
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 17
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary 35
U.S. Billboard Top Tracks 11

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. Nigel Olsson, "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" single release Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  5. "Top Singles". RPM. Collectionscanada.gc.ca. November 7, 1981. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
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