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, poignant, wistful, and melancholy, but also hopeful or at least content. 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 and very impressionistic unlike many of his more literal lyrics. Billy on "Famous Last Words" from SiriusXM.
Don Henley on the song, from SiriusXM.
The production of the song, however, was a bit heavy. There is too much going on musically for what is already a rich and symbolic lyric full of colorful and sentimental imagery. The song did not need much adornment and could have used a more sparse arrangement and production. Case in point, 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, below right). Another acoustic live version from 1993 can be seen below and here from the UK program Lulu's Big Show, beginning at 3:40 after Billy performs "Piano Man."
Vertical Divider
|
Words and Music by Billy Joel
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 
Still Life With Basket of Apples, Paul Cezanne.
"There's comfort in my coffee cup, and apples in the early fall . . ."
|
In 1995, Billy was asked if these "Famous Last Words" were really his last songs and words. As stated on BillyJoel.com and shown in the video below (left), the answer was ambiguous. From BillyJoel.com: "The last song on River Of Dreams is discussed in this 14th Q&A from our Nuremberg series: “What does your song 'Famous Last Words' mean? And are these really your last words…forever?” This complex question has been top of mind for every Billy Joel fan for many years now. Billy describes using the writing process as his subject and music as his ever-present muse. The song also references the classic line, “Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn,” from the 1939 film “Gone With The Wind” starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. Gable, as the character Rhett Butler, says these last words to Scarlett O'Hara. The line is poignant on many levels, because it demonstrates that Rhett has finally given up on Scarlett after a long struggle to secure her love. In a way, Billy is Rhett, closing the book on “pop” music at this point in his career, and choosing a new musical direction, which emerges with the release of the album “Fantasies & Delusions” in 2001.
“Famous Last Words” is sad and joyous at the same time, like the end of summer and the beginning of fall, as it anticipates better things to come. Billy finishes this Q&A answer with a performance of “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)” also from “River Of Dreams,” as we “save these questions for another day,” and leave you with these “famous last words.”
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.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This website was originally going to be named "Famous Last Words" but the domain name www.famouslastwords.com was already taken.
Videos
A video made about ten years ago for "Famous Last Words" with photos and a couple clips from other fan videos (see fan video by Sallyann Larkin for "Lullabye"); then updated in 2015. "Famous Last Words" is © Sony Music Entertainment and UMG.
|
Billy explains how he wrote "Famous Last Words" (1995).
|
Billy sings an abbreviated version of the song, from the UK program Lulu's Big Show, while he was in Utah.
|
Billy sings "Famous Last Words" from Inside The Actor's Studio (1999).
|
Lyrics video for "Famous Last Words"
|
ASL for "Famous Last Words"
|