Billy Joel - Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

The note in the 'show more' is incorrect and this is taken from a BBC2 broadcast live from Wembley London 8th June 1984. I am so delighted to see so many young people enjoying this since I posted it. It has, in effect, been Hi-jacked claiming that it is theirs and they have added adverts. Probably correct but I'm sorry that you have to endure the ads.
www.robinmayhew.co.uk -
I did all the concert sound for David during his Ziggy Stardust project and my unique recording of that wonderful last concert is available in the music store at www.robinmayhew.co.uk and forgive me but please take a moment to have a look at this link as I managed to get my old band The Presidents, who were signed to Decca, back together to perform the long lost recording that was found in 2018, and released that June. • WOW She Said Yeah. T...

[@robinmayhew1]

Love the fact that so many younger people are loving this please click the show more link above and check all the links and let's hope that 2021 is a good bit better.

[@tammycarter0119]

Q+9l8p 1117

[@rotcod2886]

80's hair? CHECK. 80's shirt? CHECK. 80's jacket? CHECK. 80's music? HELL NO! IT'S BILLY F-ING JOEL!!

[@gribwitch]

In my opinion, this was the best song he's ever written.... and he's written many good ones. So well constructed, it's an epic song. Billy's "Bohemian Rhapsody".

[@RaceIsOpen]

Omgoodness...I totally agree! This song is hot..it takes you thru different phases. Reminds me of what The Beatles did...in the Abbey Lane album. This is his best!

[@gribwitch]

RaceIsOpen Ha ! Ha ! Abbey "Lane" ? It's Abbey ROAD. I think you may have confused the title with the single ; "Penny LANE". But yes, Billy's a fine storyteller through his songs. This is a typical and special example.

[@bherber]

+Graham Taylor Yea maybe. I'm not a fan of Bohemian Rhapsody, although I do like Freddie Mercury. He was inspired by the Abbey Road album as I'm sure you guys know, but I think this song far outperforms the 9-song conglomerate on that album.

[@gribwitch]

"....but I think this song far outperforms the 9-song conglomerate on that album....". Hmmm. I wouldn't go that far, as I'm a rabid Beatles fan, and in my opinion no-one compares with them.The medley on side two of "Abbey Road" consisted of mainly parts of songs skilfully melded together to form a beautifully melodic suite. It's incredible how it all flows so neatly. Billy Joel's genius is that he did the same thing, but within the one individual song. Both great efforts nevertheless. Bryan Herber

[@bherber]

+Graham Taylor I am a huge fan of SOME of the tunes within that 9 song conglomerate, but some quite honestly are just filler material and not very musically complex. Personally I do love "You Never Give Me Your Money." Some of those within that album are just awful to listen to; like screeching your nails across a chalkboard. Even the Beatles needed to fill space with whatever.

[@shirleynavarrete6736]

one of the greatest songs .. he is a genius, a truly artist! really really love him

[@brianclayton2579]

This guy is as good as it gets, a true music legend. Saw him in Manchester U.K in 2013 and he just gets better & better. True music royalty.

[@ELLEON1959]

Where you been Brian, seen him in 1977, and I ain't backing down now...

[@brianclayton2579]

Seen him many many times live, was just saying he never disappoints, he gets better and better.

[@fionastevenson6019]

Brian, too true. I am a Brit too. The other commenter obviously is in the US and does not get the point that Billy only visited UK lesser than America. Ignore his comment ffttt

[@srtjhsrzdfhkgdf9961]

好きな歌なので聴けてよかったです！ありがとうございます。

[@skullivan68]

Classic!!!

[@ziggymeyer8393]

JB Skully The best what music has to offer.

[@jurgenherrmann4098]

JB Skully This song got everything.

[@dovregubben78]

This song always makes me crack up. My ex-girlfriend made a scene in an Italian restaurant right before we went to see Billy Joel live.

[@IrlishDonnaCarlKuchinski]

that's funny!

[@humanity6fl9]

i'm sure it was quite a scene.

[@jim374]

Hope you had a table by the street......................

[@twoxohxseven]

Women, am I right?

[@margaretpariera7996]

dovregubben78 that's funny I could imagine 😅

[@LindaK726]

The trumpet player was my friend.....rest in peace Bobby. Best Billy song ever! 💜

[@LindaK726]

@Thomas Brock, saxophone what?

[@coZyLos]

the low octave part is the hardest to learn, but he makes it look easy!

[@eamonngaynor5762]

Billy joel is a gift from god he must be his music has captivated so many people and and given so much pleasure and happiness thank god for such an astonishing and unique artist thank God we still have him

[@vinceniederman]

One of Billy’s Best Songs Ever and One of My Favorites at #2!

[@pete2sash]

Superb , and a reminder to us all how much it sucks getting old !!!!

[@jilliandigioia7711]

Just showed up at Deasy Elementary..in Glen Cove , L.I. , N.Y. "because he was invited" because they were doing a tribute to his music....there he sat in the auditorium..chewing his gum and clapping like any other proud Dad would be. he is so real it is amazing!

[@jilliandigioia7711]

which is where my husband went, and he grew up.........

[@vickieb4694]

Truely the greatest musician to have lived!

[@yvihyden9377]

+Victoria Breheny He's alive and kicks ass!

[@vickieb4694]

+Yvi Hyden I know he's alive I'm going watching him in September

[@1060michaelg]

This is one of the finest live versions of this song...Billy doesn't always give it that "WHOA-WOWOAH-WO-AH-Ohhh...", even back then. He did it on the recording, and when he was feeling a certain way, he'd let it go and it really gets me.

[@eamonngaynor5762]

Some of my best memories occurred when this song was around I saw him at the meadolands sports arena in New Jersey Billy Joel is not only a good ambassador he's also a great ambassador for new York

[@tombeery434]

A true Joel classic...

[@keithbaun7323]

What an artist a classic.

[@grgeliz]

SandStrom42. You got great taste. Those kids don't know what they're missing. I'm glad that some kids appreciate music from the brilliant artists from the 70s and 80s. That's when music was great.

[@AJerkfaceSurgeonRuinedMyLife]

A master showman, born for the stage. I have seen him throughout every decade of his career and he should be proud indeed.

[@Pauldodsworth15]

My mum and dad recorded this concert off the tv in 1984. I watched it when I was about 11, then I watched it again and again and again! it inspired me to learn piano. Im 31 now and still a huge fan. This in my opinion is still the best concert billy.has ever done!!

[@Cawo]

Billy was so beautiful. His music was like a backdrop for so many important moments of growing up..sweet memories!

[@sopwithpuppy]

My favourite Billy Joel song. So good.

[@dom50801]

His voice sounded great in this performance.

[@ColleenPye]

A long time favorite.. I used to close a pub on Saturday Night.. in OP... and would leave anywhere early just to hear this song. Just a favorite... Love this

[@robyoung7461]

I'm only 27 and I listen to mostly rap or rock but I drove 6 hours with my dad each way and we just swapped out between his cds and Beatles...I appreciate a good band that knows how to play

[@kyle18269]

That synchronized fist shake at 4:01. That was awesome.

[@captbosco]

Nobody can create a feeling in a song like this guy.

[@loudevone81]

My teenage years! What a great way to grow up. His music still touches me...just like the Beatles, Chicago, Pink Floyd...what ever happened to our childhood boomers!?

[@Troghen]

I think a lot of the appreciation for this music just comes from the way I was raised. Both of my parents grew up with this music (lucky them) and my dad is the one who exposed me to all of this. I'm lucky to have parents that can see music for what it is, and should be, and to know to pass it down to the younger generations. There has to be somebody to keep this music around, right? Haha. I would never change a thing about the way I was raised with music.

[@MikeDevitt]

Mark Rivera on Saxophone, The New York affordables... The whole band at their very best. This is the best live song I've ever heard. They never did it better than at this show. Billy knows it too, hence his reaction at the end. Perfection

[@marknorris2560]

wonderful song, thanks for sharing

[@camdenreith3706]

this is my favorite next to Miami 2017 and Piano man, and pretty much every other one haha

[@KatyaKiopak]

As a member of the 'younger generation' living half a world away from New York, I was overwhelmed when I first saw and heard this version of 'Italian Restaurant'. BJ's genius to wonderfully backed by Mark Rivera's virtuoso sax playing; to me this is one of the greatest songs ever recorded and this video IS the best performance someone of my age can see now. Thank you Robin for allowing me to witness genius at work when BJ was in his prime.

[@MysticLite]

This is one of my favourite Billy Joel songs! Just saw his and Elton John a couple weeks ago - Billy rocked this song!!!

[@bobmurphy8091]

A NYC scene, painted by Billy Joel. Happens every night, on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, or somewhere in Bay Ridge, or perhaps Little Italy in Manhattan. Small place, 7 to 10 tables, serves pasta, sometimes pizza. A little place with red checkered table clothes. BUT the real stories is the back stories of those who come in as regulars....

[@TheNotoriousTFB]

It makes your skin chill when you find yourself in the moment.

[@christinavines559]

Good afternoon Robin my name is Christina and this performance live of Billy Joel is very awesome definitely wonderful as always absolutely wonderful

[@christinavines559]

Also is very amazing plus it's sounds great though absolutely wonderful as always definitely fantastic another thing is that good absolutely wonderful

[@christinavines559]

Of course is very awesome actually wonderful definitely would be great

[@robinmayhew1]

Hello Christina so glad you enjoyed this and for a laugh please have a look at me and my old 60's band The Presidents performing their long lost recording. We did it for Decca back in 1965 and somehow it went missing but was found in LA in 2018 and released that June. I managed to get the band back together so it's me 78 miming to me singing 25 Ha Ha kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZvGfHqZgpWFqsU Stay safe Robin:)

[@kantoleader]

Just got finished watching him at UF. He did a compressed version of this song. A real class act.

[@liammccarron8191]

I caught him in Birmingham uk 1991/92 not sure lots happened since. He never stopped talking about the Beatles. Great concert

[@liammccarron8191]

@Billy Joel I can't believe your really Billy Joel..

[@jackchesnut1956]

Pure talent all around!! Awesome!

[@judithcomerford8494]

I love Billy Joel, Sings from the ❤ I wish he was still with Kristy

[@OLA75014]

"my sweet romantic teenage nights" .. ah oui !

[@VAREMEDIA]

Been playing piano for about 40 years now and still can't get my "Scenes..." to sound anywhere near this. He is phenomenal!

[@maradonatotti5142]

Phenomenal performance of a phenomenal song!!!!

[@georgeleicht9917]

Incredible!...the mans a genius!...what talent!

[@gribwitch]

george leicht Yes, the man's a great wordsmith.

[@LindaK726]

Love you and miss you Bobby! It is great to be able to see you again through KZbin!

[@marthacandycarrasquillo102]

I have loved him since I was 17 ..almost 50 now...and still love me some Billy Joel...:) his music never gets old...and he is aging pretty well too :)

[@WhyIAm7]

i'm 17 and this song made it into my 5 favorite songs of all time. and that will never change.

[@CCayer100]

It's not enough to just be able to play an instrument- the true legends WRITE the music that stands the test of time. Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, Eddie Van Halen, just to name a few...

[@TheVickiemac]

This is the best song ever written love it!

[@valzer84]

Thank you to my 7th grade teacher for playing this song 20 years ago!

[@aletarutledge371]

What a songwriter!! What a performer! 🥰😘

[@Shamrockrancher]

I agree Max. I have followed Billy through his career/my life. He's a homie for me. I love many of his songs, several I hold up to be world class. But this song in particular is so well orchestrated, with excellent lyric that allows the listener to leave this life for a few moments, to enjoy a scene from an Italian restaurant, a different woman, a different life. The orchestration gently brings you back to reality, and the dream is gone. Nice job Billy. Thank you.

[@ambercrombie789]

Saw Billy in Big D in '82. Reunion Tower. Played like it was only show he did that year. Love that guy.

[@larry10538]

This concert was at Wembley Stadium in London around 1985. I know because I was there playing the trumpet with Billy on stage with my good friend Bob Livingood who recently past. He was wonderful person and we had a great time on that tour.

[@gannonb4u]

BAND IS ROCKING. I saw the NY Broadway musical "Movin Out", and this song brought the house down!!!!

[@CountAdolfo]

Have always loved this song... he wrote it sitting at an Italian Restaurant in Providence, RI... and I saw him perform it there (in Providence, not at the restaurant) when I was young. Funny thing is, I didn't realize how TRUE the song is until I watched friends live it.

[@JOBS4usNOW]

"they couldn't go back to the GREASERS!" What a classic line! Great song.

[@moenavidi]

I lived this marvelously beautiful music through my college years in 1978-1983 Thank you, Billy

[@jehugo66]

Hope you went to Grad School!

[@misskirstyclough]

this performance is amazing x

[@68Woz]

Johnny Contagious, this could have been my story. I was also 16 years old and was also taping it for my mum. I didn't realise all these songs were his. 'My Life', 'Just The Way You Are', 'Don't Ask Me Why' etc. Then there were all these other brilliant songs like 'Scenes', 'You May Be Right' etc. I looked into his music and my music tastes changed forever. I even called my youngest Billy. Like you nobody has had such a major impact on my musical likes and I'm sure never will.

[@nedpike2186]

I love all of these I can find as my high school years were the late 1970s and Billy Joel was the background music for that entire time.

[@Alistairg865]

This was the tour that I met Billy in Glasgow. Went for a few beers in The Horseshoe Bar before the show and there was a commotion through the back room. There was Billy Joel happily signing beermats etc and chatting away to the people in the pub. A nice, affable and totally great guy.

[@carolyn-annford968]

If you are a philistine the you won't like this track! On the other hand, if your are an incurable romantic, with some soul, and can relate to the lyrics then you'll know what this track is all about.. love and loss, and great memories!! xxx Billy

[@sandrafenderson9708]

My fave of his songs.... He sure makes it look easy... and back then, they sang LIVE!!!

[@KaylaGriswold]

My parents played all his records all growing up... and he's a major reason I learned to play the piano myself. God bless the piano man. Easily the greatest entertainer of all time. 3

[@klucyev]

good music is good music!! I love the Foos and Motorhead,but that does not stop me from loving well crafted,beautiful songs. We all love music, that's why we are here!! peace

[@clareclements]

Saw him on this tour Still rocks at 74 . Seen him at MSG twice

[@JohnnyContagious]

I was 16 years old when this concert was aired in 1984. Didn't know much about Billy then apart from the phenomenal success of the 'An Innocent Man' album. Taped this concert for my mum and couldn't believe what I was watching. No artist has had a similar effect on me since.

[@paolobrucegatti7044]

Delirio irresistibile! La musica Billy dà una gioia paragonabile solo a quella di Rossini!

[@valiant971]

Long Island was/is special. Lloyd Harber says hello.

[@Wisepati]

I saw him in Austin Texas in about that same time frame. He has it set up with a table and the wine. Great concert.

[@David-sc2ir]

THE BEST! Love listening to this music. You cannot go back in time, but for a moment you can listen to a song and remember exactly where you were, how you felt, who you were with, what you were doing. A song can zap you back in time, if only for a moment. Thank's Robin for posting this :)

[@robinmayhew1]

Great words David - just how I feel too. Check out my own songs at robinmayhew.co.uk - just click Shallow and Deeper.

[@TheDirector999]

Bob Livingood died today of a heart attack. I was a student of his, and it really means a lot to me seeing this. It really is a great tribute to his memory.

[@mtreed55]

It's wonderful to see and hear Billy in his prime. This sends me back to when I was a teenager. Thanks for posting.

[@JohnnyContagious]

I remember that tour, it was 1994 - the first time he came to Scotland. Long overdue and unforgettable.

[@KatyaKiopak]

Thanks Guy. I was brought up and trained with classical music so Rock and Jazz is something I have really only just got into in recent years. I'll follow up your advice as I am even learning to play an alto sax at the moment........... My friends think I am mad !

[@ambercrombie789]

I started watching the "other version". I REPENT!! This one has the soul of the song. You take the "soul" out of this song and you have...

[@fourscorpio]

Billy Joel is an Amazing performer!!!!

[@gypsy4460]

AWESOME BILLY

[@catherineconti5222]

Nothin' but love!

[@coronacivica2310]

My mom loved Billy Joel when I was growing up, because she grew up listening to him. This is one of my all-time favorite songs. So many amazing lines. I love the fact that the song has different movements. It sounds cliche, but why can't popular music be like this anymore? "Cold beer, hot lights; my sweet romantic teenage nights." Goodness it's great. Thanks for posting this awesome live version.

[@FinkChrist]

Billy Joel makes me even prouder to be Italian and from New York.

[@ThreeEvils2113]

I saw him four times when he played those concerts at madison square garden and i cant wait to see him again

[@pcnut2001]

Wow, this concert just turned 30 years old a few weeks old. Still my favorite performance of my favorite song of all time! Even better than the original recording.

[@Muzzledog]

I am 15 and i think billy joel is absolutely amazing

[@brimbo100]

man this song lifts my spirits .......

[@freddyallen4595]

A Great Piano Player must have a Great Drummer and he had just that!!!! Man What a Band!!!

[@kenmcneillmusic1699]

Whew! One of a kind.

[@garydemaio]

Scenes, one of my all time favs. A shining example of great storytelling along with awesome musical composition, & fine, fine musicianship. They got it done.

[@fairywren1]

Every time I hear this song and other BJ over the years I feel so many emotions, I just want to move and sing and feel life in all ways ...

[@drummoyne52xx]

I've seen Billy three times in Australia. I will see him again if he comes out! Such a great talent!

[@discombobulated46]

16, and billy joel is very much my favorite musician ever :3

[@egp10990]

I can NOT skip this song when it comes on my iPod.

[@danmist]

I've had this on video since it was broadcast when I was 3 years old. I watched it throughout my entire childhood and continue 'til the present day. This concert had a huge affect on me and my life. Three of the reasons I play guitar, drums and piano are David Brown, Liberty deVitto and Billy Joel.

[@DrRichardMaurer]

I am late on hearing the news of Bob Livingood's passing. I studied with him in the early 80's. He ultimately led me to his teacher in NYC and I finished with a full scholarship to music conservatory. Granted I am in medicine now, I owe part of my life path to trumpeter Bob Livingood. Thanks for the post. - RM

[@richardbrucegraham1642]

Check out the New Orleans festival appearance where Billy does this one...without hair...but the same sax man. Whadda dude. I swear, if I were ever violent it would be to flick the noses of anyone who says Billy Joel doesn't last.... I was never Italian...have strolled the green, and never fail to twitch and even tear at the story of Brenda and Eddie....

[@theanswerisinthebackofyourhead]

BEST SONG EVER, EVEN BEATS PIANO MAN AND CAPTAIN JACK, THIS SONG HAS SUCH GREAT HEART AND SOUL AND IS SO TRUE ON THE LIFE LESSON ON HOW MANY LOVERS END UP AND AFTER ITS ALL BEEN SAID AND DONE, THIS IS WHAT THE WORLD SOMETIMES DEALS YOU WHEN IT COMES TO MONEY, POLITICS, AND LOVE.

[@robinmayhew1]

Thanks for the comment. I posted this one because like you I think it's one of the best. Have a look at a video I put together with all my old band to perform our 'lost' recording which was made in 1965 and found and released this year - not quite up to Billy's standard but great fun kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZvGfHqZgpWFqsU

[@warren19471]

i knew billy when i was a kid loved his music with the hasssels and to this day