Billy Joel - Say Goodbye to Hollywood (Live at Sparks, 1981)

Go back in time and watch this rare live performance in 1981 at Sparks of 'Say Goodbye To Hollywood' off of Billy Joel's 1976 album Turnstiles.
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[Lyrics]
Bobby's driving through the city tonight
Through the lights in a hot new rent-a-car
He joins the lovers in his heavy machine
It's a scene down on Sunset Boulevard
Say goodbye to Hollywood
Say goodbye, my baby
Say goodbye to Hollywood
Say goodbye, my baby
Johnny's taking care of things for awhile
And his style is so right for troubadours
They got him sitting with his back to the door
Now he won't be my fast gun anymore
Say goodbye to Hollywood
Say goodbye, my baby
Say goodbye to Hollywood
Say goodbye, my baby
Moving on is a chance that you take
Every time you try to stay together
Say a word out of line and you find
That the friends you had are gone forever
Forever
So many faces in and out of my life
Some will last, some will just be now and then
Life is a series of hello's and goodbye's
I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again
Say goodbye to Hollywood
Say goodbye, my baby
Say goodbye to Hollywood
Say goodbye, my baby
Moving on is a chance that you take
Every time you try to stay together
Say a word out of line and you find
That the friends you had are gone forever
Forever
So many faces in and out of my life
Some will last, some will just be now and then
Life is a series of hello's and goodbyes
I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again
Say goodbye to Hollywood
Say goodbye, my baby
Say goodbye to Hollywood
Say goodbye, my baby
Billy Joel's official KZbin channel features music videos, live performances, interviews, TV appearances and more. Best known for his first hit song, 'Piano Man', in 1973, Billy has written and recorded thirty-three Top 40 hits in the United States. He is a six-time Grammy Award winner, a 23-time Grammy nominee and one of the world's best-selling artists of all time, having sold over 150 million records worldwide. Billy Joel is the sixth-best-selling recording artist and the third-best-selling solo artist in the United States.
#BillyJoel #SayGoodbyeToHollywood #Turnstiles #70sPop #OfficialPerformance

[@dianesaienni5466]

Billy Joels doesn't get enough credit for his great voice!

[@ZabljakLand]

It's very boring :) Song writing on the other hand, amazing.

[@marywatkins6798]

So agree!

[@davidbattaglene6873]

@@ZabljakLand he has an awesome voice what drugs r u on

[@seanscanlon9067]

@@ZabljakLand I did not know that voices could be exciting. Anyway, perhaps listen to An Innocent Man, Big Man on Mulberry Street, Big Shot, Christie Lee, Leave a Tender Moment Alone, No Man’s Land, The River of Dreams, This Night and Until the Night.

[@nuchvadir]

I could listen to Liberty play all day.

[@MyMusic-cd3do]

Billy Joel would never had been the same without Libby. I'm surprised I don't hear his name thrown around more often. Maybe coz he doesn't have dominating style, but he always serves and elevates the song.

[@foxnewsfanify]

For whatever reason this has always been on of my favorite Billy Joel songs.

[@mikebudzinski3879]

my fav from him too

[@rickbrenner6079]

mine too:)

[@reston81]

Ditto me too

[@Blueridge1961]

Can just agree... Although , there are so many qualifying for my BJ favorite list...

[@timgray1999]

At 16, I wore this cassette tape out cruising in my moms 72 Buick Skylark listening to this and Captain Jack.

[@ghostrider-ek8gu]

"So many faces in and out of my life Some will last Some will just be now and then Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again" Great, great lyrics!

[@reflectionspassed]

Iconic lyrics..... one of my all time favourite lines!

[@ghostrider-ek8gu]

@@reflectionspassed Definitely. What a great writer

[@noreenanthony-tabar2148]

"Say a word out of line, you find that the friends you had are gone, forever. Foreeevverrr" Just like online the people you speak with if you do not agree or believe the same thing could get you banned/canceled.

[@tracelee7332]

No matter where you run. You can't hide.

[@bradwhitewoodsr.6272]

His voice was so perfect here. So strong.

[@patrick4833]

my thoughts exactly. amazing vocalist too!!!!!

[@coolcat6303]

One of his most underrated songs & also incredibly catchy.

[@Maxyshadow]

yep

[@jaimeb3587]

Tobias Chance Underrated songs???? Where you live?

[@coolcat6303]

Circa 3000 I live in the good ol U S of A. And yes, I know it was on the radio for awhile but they didn't play it near as much as some of his other hits.

[@hanoitripper1809]

Underated? No chance!

[@lindalicata8303]

For some strange reason this has to be my favorite billy Joel song.

[@mikemcf33]

mine too

[@jacquelineoh6382]

Its not strange, it’s a touching song. It hits many meanings.

[@unclest1nky]

@@jacquelineoh6382 Especially nowadays! So many bombs, flops and agendas forced upon us all if you dared to go and spend some good money on a few hours of escapism. It's time to go do the things that people did before movies, radio and TV were invented.

[@tammyboykin5285]

Not strange It's an amazing song and my fav Billy Joel song as well

[@robertdonahoo8183]

Billy was a huge fan of the now-departed Ronnie Spector. I heard her version too - a underrated gem.

[@chrisha1595]

Yes - Billy had Ronnie in mind and emulated the sound from Be My Baby with this song. Ronnie sings it great ... about 12 years from her start - she sings it with the East Street Band and it was part of a comeback after she got away from Phil ... Billy Joel totally approved of her performing it. RIP Ronnie ... we lost her in January of this year. She was a remarkable woman and vocalist ... performer. This is a great song and yes, underrated ... sounds great sung by either.

[@filippocanaliderossi8721]

Did you notice that the intro to this is the same as in Be my baby?

[@SuperBeachbum74]

Her version is best

[@ENDERTON2000]

Ronnie- 1 of my earliest crushes. Still is. RIP

[@alexterwilleger5580]

@@filippocanaliderossi8721similar to Don’t Worry Baby also

[@drwooly]

Going through these videos just confirms to me that Bill was/is the Premiere musical storyteller, each song different, but the story continues through each one. The BEST.

[@shanebush2751]

One of his best ever. Great vocals.

[@davidgrice9144]

RIP Ronnie Spector.

[@Cefdfsacq]

His greatest song. I won t debate it. A standard.

[@michaelkabbash3366]

Thanks to this video, this was the first song I learned to play on drums. Liberty was my first drum teacher!

[@michaelkabbash3366]

@Don Springstead Liberty DeVito was Billy’s drummer for years. They had a falling out back in the 90s. He still plays and mentors young musicians

[@agilblom]

I think they only recorded the audio from his vocal mic, and then mixed that over the version that is on Songs in the Attic. You can see Liberty's drum fills don't all line up (and there's a shot of him hitting the hi hats when you don't hear any). The drum fills are the ones on Songs in the Attic.

[@vonb2009]

Wow, this is such a love song to The Ronettes. I've only ever heard Ronnie Spector's 1977 cover version until now. But, listening to Billy Joel imitate Ronnie's signature ad-libs, and re-creating that famous "Be My Baby" drumbeat, I can tell he was one of those boys who fell in love with The Ronettes back in the '60s.

[@shredlepzin1654]

Liberty...One of the greats!

[@albietide]

One of the best rock drummers ever!

[@kraigbender292]

Sparks on Long Island!! Billy Joel, Good Rats, Twisted Sister, Cintron, Foghat, Zebra Blue Oyster Cult !!! The list goes on and on . Epic times.

[@badbooking3221]

RIP Ronnie Spector, whom was an inspiration for this track.

[@lauriewithey7968]

Life is a series of hello's and goodbye's...I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again.

[@TodayInKeyWest]

+Laurie Marks One of my favorite lines of his songs!

[@cavaradossi7761]

One of my favourite lines of ANY song! :)

[@cavaradossi7761]

One of my favourite lines of ANY song! :)

[@brianconley5343]

For me it is.

[@yvonnebloem8126]

Laurie Marks Mujui

[@michaelfleming40]

I was in my third year in college when this song was brand new. 😊❤

[@oliverfine1943]

So tight.

[@med1965]

Liberty Devitto is the driving force behind this song. His drumming really stands out on this song!!!!!!!

[@philmontejano5971]

No he isn't! He left the band and whined

[@med1965]

Phil Montejano I did not know that. What happened?

[@jessesewell7922]

You are absolutely right. The drumming is bold, masculine, energetic from the jump. Sets the entire mood and energy of the song. Everyone involved, including Billy, has to rise to match that level of energy. It drives the song emotionally.

[@gmajorspresents]

Hey kids , this is what they call Rock and Roll !

[@skmc6915]

When you bought a ticket to see these guys, you damn sure got your money's worth.

[@koroamai7639]

u know it!!!!!

[@mitchellthomas5921]

Saw Billy 6 months ago and he was by far the best live performance I’ve ever seen. Period. And he’s pushing 70

[@szamee83]

Mitch The kid nice I’m going to see him in July what you said is really encouraging!

[@johnthreesixteen1006]

SKMC69 still do

[@baylinkdashyt]

I have seen Billy live twice, once in 99, and once more recently than that, and the best part is? I don't have to take any shit from anybody.

[@JoeVideo13]

Liberty, Richie, Doug., Russell... WHAT A BAND!

[@パクパク-f7h]

40年前の高校生の頃ビリーの歌聴きながら英語の発音練習したな〜

[@u686st7]

One of the few songs where I prefer the live version. Played with such power, truly a "wall of sound". The song has always resonated with me because it kind of went along with some things that were going on in my life at the time it was on the charts (1981).

[@seanscanlon9067]

All of the songs on Songs in the Attic sound better on that live album than on the studio recordings.

[@robertalivingston267]

Completely agree!@@seanscanlon9067

[@ghostrider-it5ru]

Boy does this bring back memories of when i was living in LA, and then had to leave and come back to Brooklyn ... leaving the girl that I was completely in love with. Eventually we got back together .. a few years later and got married .. almost 33 years ago. These are some of the greatest versus ever. Moving on is a chance that you take Every time you try to stay together Whoa Say a word out of line And you find that the friends you had Are gone forever Forever So many faces in and out of my life Some will last Some will just be now and then Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again

[@albietide]

Had a situation where I had to leave LA and move back to the East Coast and originally from NYC with a bit of a Brooklyn background. Completely relate.

[@ghostrider-ek8gu]

@@albietide Thank you for your reply. What part of NYC and Brooklyn?

[@AmyWright-se7ym]

Probably one of my all time favorite songs!! Billy Joel has a one hell of a voice and a piano genius.

[@fujow111]

I really miss Liberty on drums

[@kevinnelson66]

Liberty, Richie, and Russell have been touring as The Lords Of 52nd Street. Great to see those guys taking center stage. It's well deserved.

[@DWH072]

I wonder if Billy will ever get back with his old mates 🤞

[@MCRox]

That right there, was Gold Standard. Perfect 10.

[@Paranormresearch]

"So many faces in and out of my life some will last some will just be now and then..."

[@GarySUPERTRAMPER]

Smoother than smooth ... Glides along like ice cream on a window in the summer.

[@jerrymcdonough6582]

Saw Billy twice with this band, his original ensemble, in the late 70s. So good, great shows. Billy would end the show by saying “don’t take any shit from any one”.

[@ghostrider-ek8gu]

Billy Joel is one of the greatest singer, songwriter acts. Such a great writer. Wish I could see him in a live performance!

[@judegrant6664]

Billy Joel identified himself as "The Entertainer." This song is just one of many examples of how he lives up to that title. He has always been extremely entertaining, and that's why I purchased so many of his albums. I love every one of them, but "Glass Houses" and

[@stanleytryhard1825]

Best band ever back then. Liberty beat those drums to death.

[@fujow111]

His sound is not the same without Liberty. Miami 2017 from songs In The Attic

[@rhagan2513]

They had to replace his snare drum during the concert at Jones Beach he hit them so hard. I think it was Miami 2017

[@Apollo_Blaze]

omg he was so beautiful in those days...and That Voice singing the songs of our memories..gives me chills

[@srtjhsrzdfhkgdf9961]

スタジオアルバム版(ニューヨーク物語)もこちらのライヴ版もそうですが、よどみなく流れる軽快なメロディとサックスの音色が心地よいですね！

[@BobCat623923]

I completely agree...100%

[@kevinallmond7335]

I've been to over 100 concerts. Seen Billy Joel 3 times. He ranks in the LIVE top 5 on my list. But.... that's just my list LOL

[@craig889]

Absolutely one of the best live shows. Oh Billy your awesome!

[@thomasfrom91]

were you at amalie jan or feb 2016?

[@mikemcf33]

second only to Bruce Springsteen

[@BobCat623923]

@@mikemcf33 Agreed...and that's not a slight on Billy because The Boss is The Boss.

[@georgeparowski1420]

Billy Joel the incomparable

[@ym61]

Love Billy and his Lords of 52nd street

[@1984Rainmaker]

Hard to believe this video is over 40 years-old. Great then and great now.

[@LesSmith45]

Mr Wizard can i click my heels three times a PLEASE GO BACK and redo the late 70's and early 80's again, PLEASE!!!!! I miss this great stuff so much! those were my teen and early 20's.

[@john_carter8243]

JUST SAW "lords of 52nd street" perform on 7-22-2023... these old guys DID NOT MISS A BEAT!!! it was like time traveling!

[@joshworden]

These spark films are a god damn national treasure

[@rogerzotti1]

A+

[@SethPerlman-u7x]

I just love Liberty’s work

[@ddirt6943]

I wonder, did I ever walk past Billy at the Farmer's Market on Hicksville Road?

[@heatherkelly2580]

Billy Joel "Say goodbye to Hollywood" (1981)

[@kevinnelson66]

We lost Ronnie Spector who recorded a cover version of this song with the E Street Band in 1977 today from cancer. She was 78. Rest in peace, Ronnie. I wonder if Billy plans on paying tribute to Ronnie when he and his band return to MSG.

[@BobCat623923]

Oh I'd bet it's almost a certainly he'll do this one and dedicate it too her his next show.

[@dianneeato1958]

Shades of The Ronettes. I think Billy likes singin' this song. He looks like he's havin' fun with it.

[@kenwilliams5513]

Favorite version/video of this song. Would love to see a complete video of this show.

[@thetruth72667]

We in the comment above agree with you

[@jeper1969]

The soundtrack to all of our lives .

[@wesleydickens9283]

Life Is just a series of hellos and goodbyes

[@toddlaber2325]

my all time favorite song in my opinion my favorite billy joel song is just the way you are

[@toddlaber2325]

@Billy Joel i also like the song this night it came out in 1983 the year i was born my favorite version is the one on the record and in london in 1984!

[@toddlaber2325]

@Billy Joel im single and i turned 40 in february lol

[@toddlaber2325]

@Billy Joel my name is todd im from bear delaware ive listened to your music since i was a baby my dad has the the bridge album from 1986 to this day your my dad's favorite singer am i actually talking to you i like this night because it has a sax solo and i started playing the sax back in late march i only know folk songs from my book im a beginner someday i want to learn that solo by mark rivera

[@toddlaber2325]

@Billy Joel i cant believe im talking to you wow! i play alto sax im a beginner i started in late march i always wanted to play the solo from this night by mark rivera once i keep practicing and get better i want to tell my teacher about that song and learn how to play that solo i grew up listening to you my other favorite songs are this is the time say goodbye to hollywood this night and honesty

[@rogerblevins9062]

This song has been in head for a LONG time

[@alanfox7312]

Billy Joel New song will be like lighting in a bottle ❤

[@nagaslrac]

I can’t get over how great this is.

[@rubytuesday9539]

The year I graduated college. Great time to be young.

[@daliacorreia3085]

The Live Album: "Songs In The Attic": has that track and other Hit Songs including - "Captain Jack".

[@YKS3]

A classic still in 2024 🎹🎷🎶

[@camilintgomery]

Billy Joel, The Master

[@lisahayes8834]

Richie Canatta = PERFECTION on sax (and all of the other instruments he plays)! I believe 1981 was his last year with the band; his leaving was HIS choice, not Billy's. I have never been able to "get into" Mark Rivera.

[@ThomasOKeef]

@Billy Joel hahahahahahaha

[@daisyduke4640]

Perfection! 🏆⭐

[@billyg5803]

Bobby's driving through the city tonight Through the lights In a hot new rent a car He joins the lover in his heavy machine It's a scene down on Sunset Boulevard Say goodbye to Hollywood Say goodbye my baby Say goodbye to Hollywood Say goodbye my baby Johnny's taking care of things for awhile And his style is so right for troubadours They got him sitting with his back to the door Now he won't be my fast gun anymore Say goodbye to Hollywood Say goodbye my baby Say goodbye to Hollywood Say goodbye my baby Moving on is a chance that you take every time You try to stay together Say a word out of line and you find That the friends you had are gone Forever, forever So many faces in and out of my life Some will last, some will just be now and then Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again Say goodbye to Hollywood Say goodbye my baby Say goodbye to Hollywood Say goodbye my baby Moving on is a chance that you take every time You try to stay together Say a word out of line and you find That the friends you had are gone Forever, forever So many faces in and out of my life Some will last, some will just be now and then Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again Say goodbye to Hollywood Say goodbye my baby Say goodbye to Hollywood Say goodbye my baby

[@jokeyman2943]

Richie Cannata-was his best sax player-like Clarence Clemons-another monster player-had that signature classic sax sound. And Turnstiles-a monster album, a masterpiece in the world of pop music or any music. I have my original vinyl, you can't have it! Those piano lessons paid off, eh Billy? I read he had to learn to box so kids wouldn't beat him up on his way to his piano lessons. he learned under pressure! Probably helped his chops too. Like Beethoven got cracked in the head by his father if he made a mistake-possibly why he became deaf later-his father was a ruthless alcoholic-and Beethoven created some of the most beautiful music there ever was. The 4 B's-Bach, Brahms, Beethoven-and Billy!

[@BobCat623923]

Cannata was never replaced adequately....his sax does rival The Big Man's....

[@crispybacon3002]

One of the greatest songs ever made

[@CherryZomb13]

I'm listening to this as I do my schoolwork, which is reading "Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman. Reading poetry while listening to Billy Joel is a relaxing and rejuvenating experience

[@daliacorreia3085]

Great song and lyrics.

[@franceslarsen4037]

I lovvvvvve this!!! His voice is like velvet, and it sounds like the 50's when he does those whoa whoa parts, ha.. so much energy, good vibe, this is almost my favorite.

[@peterandreasen]

He was inspired by The Ronettes "Be my baby"

[@SuperPondo]

That was great, I've had this song pop in and out of my head for the last 35yrs, finally looked it up and it almost brought me to tears

[@jokeyman2943]

That great Phil Spector intro-I hear Ronnie Spector-even her vibrato-Billy knew his craft, honored some of the best of the best, now he is one of them.

[@doctorwhofan6340]

Herd this amazing song on his greatest hits album and fell in love with this amazing song. God bless billy Joel. He is truly an amazing singer! :]

[@carmm4187]

The older I get the more I appreciate bill.

[@johnpagliarello5832]

I seen Billy Joel at Festival Hall Melbourne in 1978. Great show and sound with 6 encores. I was only 18 😊

[@kevinnelson66]

At 70, Billy continues not to take any shit from anybody.

[@Riviers]

Billy Joel is the Grand

[@patricklarry6645]

What a legend!

[@edwardvelez2926]

One of Favorite song for u Billy ! Thank u Brother! 😊

[@floundergearjam]

Probably dating myself here. Caught this back on MTV 81/82. "Old enough to remember when MTV didn't suck."

[@rolandomarioperez2890]

Escuchaba rock nacional y un reff me trajo este tema a la cabeza... sensacional Joel!!! que lindo haber nacido en el 66!!!

[@loeriebas]

Great song, amazing voice!!

[@leahshannon5550]

Billy Joel is a gem.

[@mbpayot176]

I like this song 🎵 The guy is everything (good), but selfish! Always sings about someone else than his own self ❤

[@albietide]

Great performance. His band is playing tight!

[@brucedillinger9448]

So friggin lucky to have experienced when Billy hit the scene in the 70's. Had all his albums, memorized all the songs, and got to see him live once. ✌

[@pacervault3350]

This Song! My favorite by Billy Joel.

[@Taranberk2]

My favorite Billy Joel song

[@dasteven10]

Killer energy in this performance of a great song.

[@jennymacallan9071]

All the comments that say "for some reason " this is their favorite Billy Joel song. The reason is the original band, including the great Liberty Devitto on drums.

[@BobCat623923]

It's a great song too...but, yes, this video here captures Billy in his prime with his core band behind him.

[@howtodoitdude1662]

Great vocal control!

[@darioinfini]

Needed to hear this. Been rumbling around in my head all day.

[@prafullaghildiyal2796]

Life is a series of Hellos and Goodbyes. Im afraid it's time for Goodbye again.

[@自然界の光]

I love his song and his voice.

[@thomasnelson5758]

The Songs in the Attic renditions of his songs were so much better than the Turnstiles/etc studio versions

[@BobCat623923]

Needs a Legacy reissue...expanded with a DVD Bluray of everything they have from this show.

[@mosemose3690]

So glad I’ve seen this. My first memory of this song is on a Bette Midler album in the mid 70’s with a fantastic arrangement but this is so raw and is my favourite version. Thanks for sharing.

[@marywatkins6798]

Me too. I remember Bette’s version.

[@benjaminglover1570]

One of America`s greatest songwriters. As usual expectations let us down, this song gives me comfort.

[@Noemii04]

Yo soy de Cdmx de ahí cuando estaba bella y hermosa ojalá lo hubiese conocido sufrió al igual que yo por gente que no nos valoro ahorita ya es tarde qué mal sola con recuerdos ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤