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Cover art by Brian Hagiwara.
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Billy Joel's second album for Columbia Records was Streetlife Serenade, released in October 1974. It was a solid effort, but may have been released a little too soon, less than a year after Piano Man was released. During much of that year, Billy had been on the road promoting Piano Man, playing night after night across the country. He felt pressured by his label to put out another album to take advantage of the favorable publicity that Piano Man had received. As Billy stated about Streetlife Serenade in a 2009 Rolling Stone interview, "I was pushed to put that one out, and I shouldn't have because it wasn't ready. There are fragments of things I think are good, but not a lot of good finished stuff, execution or follow-through. Also it was done with studio musicians, and I didn't want to work with studio musicians anymore. I wanted to work with my own road band, and there was always this battle." Billy didn't win that battle and recorded Streetlife Serenade in a Los Angeles studio without "his" band. That battle would continue to 1976's Turnstiles which Billy produced himself with his own band. |
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Perhaps due to these issues, Streetlife Serenade has been considered one of Billy's weaker albums, almost forgotten among his several other multi-platinum albums. And it may have set back Billy's professional career a bit as Streetlife Serenade did not have a big hit single, failing to capitalize on the popularity of "Piano Man." The highest charting single was "The Entertainer" which peaked at #34 on the charts. Nevertheless, at least Billy was ambitious and took his music seriously. He was not just pumping out catchy tunes, trying to find the next big hit that the record company would cut "down to 3:05." Rather, in Streetlife Serenade, Billy seems to be trying to capture a broad swatch of Americana and its music, covering everything from the materialistic and funky Los Angeles lifestyle ("Los Angelenos"), to an old-fashioned ragtime instrumental in ("Root Beer Rag"), to a detached take on the mundaneness of suburban life ("The Great Suburban Showdown"), to an elegy to the street corner singers busking on every American big city streets ("Streetlife Serenade"). Sometimes it worked, sometimes it did not, but his intentions were good, even grand.
The album did yield some unforgettable tunes, including Billy's sardonic take on the music industry "The Entertainer," and the wistful "Souvenir." And the instrumentals "Root Beer Rag" and "The Mexican Connection" show his amazing piano skills and gift for melody. Streetlife Serenade may not have been one of Billy's best albums, but it has its moments and foreshadows some of the brilliance that we would see later in the trilogy of Turnstiles, The Stranger, and 52nd Street all released in a three-year period from 1976 to 1978 when Billy returned to New York. As Jeff Giles of Ultimate Classic Rock stated in his review of Streetlife Serenade many years later in 2015: "For the casual fan who may have missed out all these years, however, these songs are well worth a listen. Billy Joel may have been a work in progress at the time, but the difference between struggling artist and Grammy-winning star was more of an incremental shift than a quantum leap, and on Streetlife Serenade, you can hear those pieces starting to fall into place." Billy discusses Streetlife Serenade on SiriusXM radio in 2016 (audio only). |
Columbia Records Publicity Photo by Peter Cunningham.
Bruce Springsteen, Ed Sciacky, Janis Ian, and Billy Joel. Photo: Unknown.
Insert from CD. Photo: Peter Cunningham.
 Billy looks unhappy. His wisdom teeth were pulled a few days prior.
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Songs
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1. Streetlife Serenader (5:17) 2. Los Angelenos (3:41) 3. The Great Suburban Showdown (3:44) 4. Root Beer Rag (2:59) 5. Roberta (4:32) 6. The Entertainer (3:48) 7. Last of the Big Time Spenders (4:34) 8. Weekend Song (3:29) 9. Souvenir (2:00) 10. The Mexican Connection (3:37) Words and Music by Billy Joel Released October 11, 1974 |
Lyrics
Streetlife Serenader [song page]
Streetlife Serenader
Never sang on stages
Needs no orchestration
Melody comes easy
Midnight masquerader
Shopping center hero
Child of Eisenhower
New world celebrator
Streetlife Serenaders
Have such understanding
How the words are spoken
How to make emotions
Streetlife Serenaders
Have no obligations
Hold no grand illusions
Need no stimulation
Midnight masqueraders
Workin' hard for wages
Need no vast arrangements
To do their harmonizing
Los Angelenos [song page]
Los Angelenos
All come from somewhere
To live in sunshine
Their funky exile
Midwestern ladies
High-heeled and faded
Drivin' sleek new sports cars
With their New York cowboys
Hiding up in the mountains
Laying low in the canyons
Goin' nowhere on the streets
With their Spanish names
Makin' love with the natives
In their Hollywood places
Making up for all the time gone by
Los Angelenos
All come from somewhere
Cause it's all so easy
To become acquainted
Electric babies
Blue-jeaned and jaded
Such hot sweet schoolgirls
So educated
Tanning out in the beaches
With their Mexican reefers
No one ever has to feel
Like a refugee
Going into garages
For exotic massages
Making up for all the time gone by
Hiding up in the mountains
Laying low in the canyons
Goin' nowhere on the streets
With the Spanish names
Makin' love with the natives
In their Hollywood places
Making up for all the time gone by
Los Angelenos
All come from somewhere
It's so familiar
Their foreign faces
The Great Suburban Showdown [song page]
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 works so hard
He never lets the crabgrass grow too high
Oh, the place hasn't changed
And that's why I'm gonna feel so strange
But I have to face the music by and by
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
'Til that great suburban showdown in the sky
'Til that great suburban showdown in the sky
Root Beer Rag [song page]
Instrumental
Roberta [song page]
Roberta, you say you know me
But I see only what you’re paid to show me
Oh, I wish you had the time
Oh, I wish you had the time, oh
Roberta, I understand you
I know you need to move in other circles too
It’s tough for me
​It’s tough for you
Roberta, how I've adored you
I'd ask you over but I can't afford you
Oh, I wish you'd take the time
Oh, I wish you'd take the time
Oh, Roberta, the night goes slowly
I know you're workin' but you must get lonely too
It's tough for me, ah, it's tough for you
And I'm in a bad way and wanna make love to you, ooh, ooh
Oh, I wish you had the time
Oh, I wish you had the time
Oh, Roberta, I really need you
But I suppose that my small change won't see you through
It's tough for me, ah, it's tough for you
The Entertainer [song page]
I am the entertainer
And I know just where I stand
Another serenader
And another long-haired band
Today I am your champion
I may have won your hearts
But I know the game
You will forget my name
And I won't be here
In another year
If I don't stay on the charts
I am the entertainer
And I've had to pay my price
The things I did not know at first
I learned by doin' twice
Ah, but still they come to haunt me
Still they want their say
So I've learned to dance
With a hand in my pants
And they rub my neck
And I write 'em a check
And they go their merry way
I am the entertainer
Been all around the world
I've played all kinds of palaces
And laid all kinds of girls
I can't remember faces
I don't remember names
Ah, but what the hell
You know it's just as well
'Cause after a while
And a thousand miles
It all becomes the same
I am the entertainer
I bring to you my songs
I'd like to spend a day or two
I can't stay that long
No, I've got to meet expenses
I got to stay in line
Gotta get those fees
To the agencies
And I'd love to stay
But there's bills to pay
So I just don't have the time
I am the entertainer
I come to do my show
You've heard my latest record
It's been on the radio
Ah, it took me years to write it
They were the best years of my life
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
I am the entertainer
The idol of my age
I make all kinds of money
When I go on the stage
Ah, you've seen me in the papers
I've been in the magazines
But if I go cold
I won't get sold
I'll get put in the back
In the discount rack
Like another can of beans
I am the entertainer
And I know just where I stand
Another serenader
And another long-haired band
Today I am your champion
I may have won your hearts
But I know the game
You will forget my name
And I won't be here
In another year
If I don't stay on the charts
Last of The Big Time Spenders [song page]
Well if money makes a rich man
Then I might never make the grade
I'll be a small time operator
If I just get the landlord paid
But if time is an indication
Of the wealth that I never knew
Then I'm the last of the big time spenders
'Cause I've been spending time on you
It takes time to appreciate
Lord knows that you can learn to hate it
I believe, 'cause I've been there too
When it gets down to desperation
You make the best of the situation
I can tell, I've seen it through, oh, oh, oh
Though it seems like the days were wasted
And the nights have been overdue
Well, I'm the last of the big time spenders
And I've been spendin' time on you
Woo oo oo woo
It's been so long since we got together
In between it seems to take forever
But I'm a dreamer, I'll be there soon
It takes time to appreciate
All of those that you can learn to hate
I believe, I've seen it through,
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
You can call me the great pretender
And in a way it might be true
But I'm the last of the big time spenders
And I've been spendin' time on you
Weekend Song [song page]
Well it's back-breakin', bone-shakin', belly-achin', hard-workin'
Two more hours to go
Yes, it's keeping me alive doin' nine to five
And I ain't got nothin to show
Pretty soon I'll be leavin' with the wages I'm receivin'
But I know it's gonna be all right
Come on, babe, take me away
We got some money to spend tonight
Pick me up at the station
Meet me at the train
Have a meal and a shower and a change of clothes
I can't afford a vacation
But I can take the strain
Long as I can be with you
Find a way to burn it as quickly as I earn it
Yes, it's back-breakin', bone-shakin', belly-achin', hard-workin'
Two more hours to go
Seven long years for the same corporation
And I ain't got nothin' to show
And tonight when I'm leavin' I'll be just breakin' even
But I know it's gonna be all right
I shake off my blues when you put on your shoes
We got some money to spend tonight
Oh, I don't wanna stand here and sound accusin'
Everybody does their share of losin'
If I'm gonna lose it I might as well be doin' it right
Pick me up at the station
Meet me at the train
Have a meal and a shower and a change of clothes
I can't afford a vacation
But I can take the strain
Long as I can be with you
Find a way to burn it as quickly as I earn it
Yes, it's back-breakin', bone-shakin', belly-achin', hard-workin'
Two more hours to go
Yes, it's keepin' me alive doin' nine to five
And I ain't got nothin' to show
And tonight when I'm leavin' I'll be just breakin' even
But I know it's gonna be all right
Come on, babe, and take me away
We got some money to spend tonight
Come on, babe, take me away
We got some money to spend tonight
Souvenir [song page]
A picture postcard
A folded stub
A program of the play
File away the photographs
Of your holiday
And your mementos
Will turn to dust
But that's the price you pay
For every year's a souvenir
That slowly fades away
Every year's a souvenir
That slowly fades away
The Mexican Connection [song page]
Instrumental
Full Album
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1. Streetlife Serenader (5:17)
2. Los Angelenos (3:41) 3. The Great Suburban Showdown (3:44) 4. Root Beer Rag (2:59) 5. Roberta (4:32) |
6. The Entertainer (3:48)
7. Last of the Big Time Spenders (4:34) 8. Weekend Song (3:29) 9. Souvenir (2:00) 10. The Mexican Connection (3:37) |
Stream
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Spotify
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Apple Music
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Live Performances
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Live at the Great American Music Hall (1975) (San Francisco) (audio only). This is great live album from a 1975 concert that was first released on vinyl in 2021 as part of Billy Joel: The Vinyl Collection, Volume 1. It is the only official live recording released from the "Streetlife Serenade" era. Read more about it on this page.
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Miscellaneous Live Performances (1974-1976). Live performances from 1974-1976, and one from 1978 (Souvenir) that feature songs from Streetlife Serenade.
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Interviews & Features
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1. Billy on Streetlife Serenade from The Complete Albums collection.
2. Interview on Speakeasy (1974) (audio) 3. Billy and Dave Mason on Speakeasy (1974) (audio) singing "Bring It On Home" 4. Billy and Dave Mason on Speakeasy (1974) (audio) singing "Feelin' Alright" 5. Interview on Mary Travers and Friends (1974) (audio) 6. WMMR Radio Interviews with Ed Sciaky (1974-1976) (audio) 7. Billy on Streetlife Serenade from SiriusXM (2016) (audio) |
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For the casual fan who may have missed out all these years, however, these songs are well worth a listen. Billy Joel may have been a work in progress at the time, but the difference between struggling artist and Grammy-winning star was more of an incremental shift than a quantum leap, and on Streetlife Serenade, you can hear those pieces starting to fall into place. Ultimate Classic Rock |
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Tracks 1. Streetlife Serenader (5:17) 2. Los Angelenos (3:41) 3. The Great Suburban Showdown (3:44) 4. Root Beer Rag (2:59) 5. Roberta (4:32) 6. The Entertainer (3:48) 7. Last of the Big Time Spenders (4:34) 8. Weekend Song (3:29) 9. Souvenir (2:00) 10. The Mexican Connection (3:37) Background Released: October 11, 1974 Recorded: Spring-Summer 1974, Devonshire Sound Studios, North Hollywood, California Genre: Pop/Rock Length: 37:41 Label: Columbia/Family Productions Producer: Michael Stewart Words and Music by Billy Joel |
Personnel
Music & Lyrics, Keyboards, Synthesizer [Moogs] – Billy Joel Bass – Emory Gordy, Larry Knechtel, Wilton Felder Congas – Joe Clayton Drums – Ron Tutt Guitar – Al Hertzberg, Art Munson, Don Evans, Gary Dalton, Mike Deasy, Michael Stewart, Richard Bennett, Roj Rathor Organ – William Smith (2) Pedal Steel Guitar, Banjo – Tom Whitehorse Producer – Michael Stewart Sound – Ron Malo Arranged By – Billy Joel, Michael Stewart Mastered at Artisan Front Cover painting – Brian Hagiwara Back Cover Photo – Jim Marshall Art Direction/Design – Ron Coro Thanks to Barry Fasman for his invaluable assistance. Thanks to Brian Ruggles for anything we left out. |
(Click on photo for larger image)
Streetlife Serenade cover (1974). Brian Hagiwara.
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Early Sunday Morning (1930). Edward Hopper.
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Columbia Records publicity photo by Jim Marshall (?)
Columbia Records publicity photo by Peter Cunningham.
For every year's a souvenir 
Columbia Records publicity photo by Peter Cunningham.
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