One Final Serenade: Songs of Billy Joel
A video I made several years ago for "Famous Last Words" with photos and a couple clips from other fan videos (see fan video by Sallyann Larkin for "Lullabye"); updated in 2015. "Famous Last Words" is © 1993 Sony Music Entertainment
 Download "Famous Last Words"
They swept away all the streamers
After the Labor Day parade Nothing left for a dreamer now Only one final serenade For fans of Billy's singer-songwriter days, "Famous Last Words" is the highlight of River of Dreams. This little-played song ranks up there with some of Billy's finest such as "Summer, Highland Falls," "Vienna" or "Souvenir." This is a beautiful work. The song is about goodbyes and closing out a chapter in one's life, epitomized by lyrics conveying images about the small markers in life: "I can still taste the wedding cake," "there's comfort in my coffee cup" and "stack the chairs on the table tops, hang the sheets on the chandeliers." The dual emotions of sadness and satisfaction (and euphoria) compete and complement each other. This is one of Billy's finest lyrics over his last three albums. 
Still Life With Basket of Apples by Paul Cezanne.
"There's comfort in my coffee cup, and apples in the early fall . . ."
The production of the song, however, was a bit heavy. There is too much going on musically for what is already an elegant lyric full of colorful and sentimental imagery. The song did not need much adornment and could have used a more sparse arrangement and production.
I have no idea what I am talking about, of course, but Billy did do a live, piano-only, version of this song on Inside The Actor's Studio in 1999 which really captures the essence of the song (see video, right). Another acoustic live version from 1993 can be seen here from the UK program Lulu's Big Show, beginning at 3:40 after Billy performs "Piano Man." It is not clear if Billy knew at the time he wrote "Famous Last Words" that he would not record another pop or rock music album, but he probably sensed this. If not, the lyrics are eerily prophetic of that decision. He does, however, say "there will be other words some other day." Let's hope so. * * * * *
Billy on "Famous Last Words" from SiriusXM.
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Sitting here in Avalon
Looking at the pouring rain Summertime has come and gone And everybody's home again Closing down for the season I found the last of the souvenirs I can still taste the wedding cake And it's sweet after all these years These are the last words I have to say That's why this took so long to write There will be other words some other day But that's the story of my life There's comfort in my coffee cup Apples in the early fall They're pulling all the moorings up And gathering at the Legion Hall Swept away all the streamers After the Labor Day parade There's nothing left for a dreamer now Only one final serenade And these are the last words I have to say Before another age goes by With all those other songs I have to play But that's the story of my life And it's so clear standing here where I am Ain't that what justice is for? Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn anymore Stack the chairs on the table tops Hang the sheets on the chandeliers It slows down but it never stops Ain't it sweet after all these years And these are the last words I have to say It's always hard to say goodbye But now it's time to put this book away And that's the story of my life These are the last words I have to say That's why it took so long to write There will be other words some other day Ain't that the story of my life These are the last words I have to say Before another age goes by With all those other songs I have to play Ain't that the story of my life Billy explains how he wrote "Famous Last Words" (1995).
Billy sings "Famous Last Words" from Inside The Actor's Studio (1999).
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