One Final Serenade: Songs of Billy Joel
Fan video for "Modern Woman" featuring clips from the short documentary "Building The Bridge."
Video by Tony Walker.
Video by Tony Walker.
Download "Modern Woman"
She's got style and she's got her own money
So she's not another honey you can quickly disarm She's got the eyes that make you realize She won't be hypnotized by your usual charm "Modern Woman" was a top ten hit, but is not one of Billy's best. It sounds dated today with its intermittent synthesizers and pseudo-funk beat, and even back in 1986, it sounded awkward. It was the main song to the movie Ruthless People starring Bette Midler and Danny Devitto, which was a mediocre and forgettable movie. But for whatever reason, this song actually reached #10 on the Billboard charts. Billy has said he does not really care for the song, and it is not found on any later compilations or live albums except for My Lives in 2005. Good move. How can both "Modern Woman" and "Air: Dublinesque" come from the same musical mind? Still, there is something catchy about it. I believe there is an official music video for the song which featured clips from the movie, but I cannot find it on YouTube or Vevo. But here is an interesting jazz cover version. 
Billy Joel in the studio. Credit: Larry Bucasa. Columbia publicity photo (1986).
Billy and Bette Midler were in another movie together too, Disney's animated Oliver in 1988. Billy was the voice of Dodger, the streetwise mutt, and Bette was the voice of Georgette, the vain poodle. Years earlier, in 1977, Bette Midler recorded a cover version of Billy's "Say Goodbye to Hollywood." It was on Midler's album Broken Blossom. Back then, Midler was more well known for her singing than acting. You can listen to it here.
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Billy briefly discusses "Modern Woman" on SiriusXM. |
You see her sitting with her coffee and her paper
With her high top sneakers of Italian design With a long cool stare she aggravates the tension Makes up her face while she makes up her mind Now you're in trouble, maybe she's an intellectual What if she figures out you're not very smart Or maybe she's the quiet type who's into heavy metal Boy, you got to get it settled Cause she's breaking your heart Don't try to put on an act You can't do that to a modern woman And you're an old fashioned man She understands the things you're doin' She's a modern woman She looks sleek and she seems so professional She's got a lot of confidence, it's easy to see You want to make a move But you feel so inferior Cause under that exterior Is someone who's free She's got style and she's got her own money So she's not another honey you can quickly disarm She's got the eyes that make you realize She won't be hypnotized by your usual charm You've got your plan of attack That won't attract the modern woman When you're an old fashioned man She understands the things you're doin' She's a modern woman Time goes by and you're sharing an apartment She says she loves you but she doesn't know why In the morning she leaves you with your coffee and your paper It's a strange situation for an old fashioned guy But times have changed Things are not the same, baby You overcame such a bad attitude Rock and roll just used to be for kicks And nowadays it's politics And after 1986 what else could be new You got to learn to relax And face the facts of modern woman And you're an old fashioned man She understands the things you're doin' She's a modern woman 
"Modern Woman" was featured in the film Ruthless People.
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Videos
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Billy discusses "Modern Woman," from the 1986 documentary "Building The Bridge."
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Fan video for "Modern Woman" with still photos from the movie.
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