Everybody Loves You Now

Last updated
"Everybody Loves You Now"
Single by Billy Joel
from the album Cold Spring Harbor
A-side
Released1972
RecordedJuly 1971 at Record Plant Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Genre Rock
Length2:47
Label Family Productions (U.S.)
Philips (U.K.)
Songwriter(s) Billy Joel
Producer(s) Artie Ripp
Billy Joel singles chronology
"Everybody Loves You Now"
(1972)		"Piano Man/You're My Home"
(1973)

"Everybody Loves You Now" is a song written by Billy Joel. It was first released on his 1971 debut album Cold Spring Harbor and was also released as a b-side to his singles "She's Got a Way" and "Tomorrow Is Today." Live versions were included on the albums Songs in the Attic , 12 Gardens Live and Live at Shea Stadium: The Concert .

Contents

Lyrics and music

The lyrics to "Everybody Loves You Now" describe a spoiled woman who thinks she is better than everyone now that she has become famous. [1] [2] She now considers herself too good to return to her hometown of Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island. [1] Joel took the title for his debut album from this line of the song. [3] Despite her haughtiness, the singer desires her as does everyone else. [1] The singer warns her that even though now she can take her attention for granted, since everyone wants her, eventually they will stop caring about her and she will be lonely. [1] Joel biographer Fred Schruers describes the song as "both a rebuke and confession of tangled desire." [4]

Ken Bielen describes "Everybody Loves You Now" as "an acoustic guitar-based shuffle." [1] Joel plays piano on the song. [1] [4] Bielen describes Joel's piano playing as "upbeat" and Schruers describes him as playing "hammering, almost barrelhouse chords. [1] [4] Cash Box described it as a "flashy and splashy rave-up." [5]

Joel has described "Everybody Loves You Now" as a "zinger" that "balanced out" the corniness of "She's Got a Way," saying that "I can be venomous but I could also be a mush." [6]

Joel originally included "Everybody Loves You Now" on a five-song demo tape that also included other songs that would appear on Cold Spring Harbor such as "She's Got a Way" and "Tomorrow Is Today" which Joel made in an unsuccessful attempt to secure his first solo recording contract with Paramount Records. [3]

There are a few differences between the initial release of the song in 1971 and the re-release of the song in 1983. The original version contains a guitar mimicking the piano throughout the track, a reversed piano chord, and a lighter drum track, played by Rhys Clark. The 1983 version removes the guitar, plays the piano chord forwards, and features a faster and more upbeat drum track, played by Mike McGee.

Live versions

Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the live version included on Songs in the Attic as hitting harder than the studio version. [7] Joel has said that at the time he had reinterpreted the song as "a macho rationale for being rejected. Her? Leave me? She must be a self-possessed bitch! Anyway, everybody didn't really love her. I just thought that they did." [4] A 16 mm black and white promotional video was made of "Everybody Loves You Now" being performed live at a small club in support of Songs in the Attic. [1] [8]

Joel has often played the song live before and since. For example, he played it at the Gaslight au Go Go in 1971 and at Carnegie Hall in 1973. [9] [10] He played it as the 2006 shows at Madison Square Garden and the song was included on the resulting album 12 Gardens Live . [11] This version incorporates a Hammond B-3 organ, which according to Bielen adds "soulful fullness." [1] Joel also included it in his set for the final concert at Shea Stadium in July 2008, and it was included on the resulting album Live at Shea Stadium: The Concert . [12]

Critical reception

As early as 1974, Billboard Magazine critic Jim Melanson described "Everybody Loves You Now" as one of the songs that had brought Joel to national attention. [10] Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the studio version as being "bitterly cynical" and rated it as one of Joel's "finest songs." [13] Joel biographer Hank Bordowitz called it a "remarkable composition that, while not great, at least indicate[d] a rising talent." [3] Billboard Magazine's Roy Waddell similarly described it as a "chestnut" that didn't get its "proper due" until the live version was released on Songs in the Attic. [14] Music critic Mark Bego praises Joel's "keyboard dexterity" and the drumming on the song, saying that it "perfectly confronts the ironic duality of a life in show business." [2] According to Rolling Stone Album Guide critic Paul Evans, "Everybody Loves You Now" was a precursor for the sarcasm Joel would incorporate in his songs throughout his career. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Joel</span> American singer, songwriter, and pianist (born 1949)

William Martin Joel is an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Commonly nicknamed the "Piano Man" after his signature 1973 song of the same name, Joel has had a successful career as a solo artist since the 1970s. From 1971 to 1993, he released 12 studio albums spanning the genres of pop and rock, and in 2001 released a one-off studio album of classical compositions. Joel is one of the world's best-selling music artists and the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the United States, with over 160 million records sold worldwide. His 1985 compilation album, Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II, is one of the best-selling albums in the United States.

<i>Piano Man</i> (Billy Joel album) 1973 studio album by Billy Joel

Piano Man is the second studio album by American recording artist Billy Joel, released on November 14, 1973, by Columbia Records. The album emerged from legal difficulties with Joel's former label, Family Productions, and ultimately became his first breakthrough album.

<i>Cold Spring Harbor</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Billy Joel

Cold Spring Harbor is the debut studio album by American recording artist Billy Joel, released on November 1, 1971, by Family Productions. The album sold poorly, receiving attention mainly after 1973's Piano Man and later albums became popular. Due to a mastering error, the original LP release ran at a faster speed than originally recorded. In 1983, producer Artie Ripp oversaw a remixed, edited and speed-corrected version of the album. This revised edition was issued by Columbia Records.

<i>Songs in the Attic</i> 1981 live album by Billy Joel

Songs in the Attic is the first live album by Billy Joel, released in 1981.

"Captain Jack" is a song by Billy Joel featured on his 1973 album Piano Man as its closing track with a live version on his 1981 album Songs in the Attic.

"The Ballad of Billy the Kid" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel from the album Piano Man. It was also issued as a single in the UK backed with "If I Only Had The Words ."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angelenos</span> 1974 song by Billy Joel

"Los Angelenos" is a song written by Billy Joel that was first released on his 1974 album Streetlife Serenade. A live version was released on the 1981 album Songs in the Attic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All My Life (Billy Joel song)</span> 2007 single by Billy Joel

"All My Life" is a song by Billy Joel, his first new song of original material with lyrics he had written since 1993's River of Dreams. The song, produced by Phil Ramone, tells of Joel's experience of finding love in his later years after previous failed relationships. It was written for his then-wife Katie Lee as an anniversary gift, and released as a promotional single on February 14, 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Joel discography</span>

Here is the discography of American singer-songwriter Billy Joel. He has released 13 studio albums, seven live albums, 18 compilation albums, 10 video albums, 82 singles, three promotional singles, and 45 music videos. Throughout his career, he has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists in history. According to Recording Industry Association of America, Joel has sold 85 million certified albums in the United States, making him the 4th best-selling solo artist of all time. Billboard ranked him as the 9th Greatest male soloist of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're My Home (song)</span> 1973 single by Billy Joel

"You're My Home" is a single by Billy Joel. It was originally on Joel's 1973 album Piano Man, and also appears on Songs in the Attic (1981), The Ultimate Collection (2000), The Essential Billy Joel (2001) and 12 Gardens Live (2006). The song appears as a B-side on "Piano Man" and "All My Life" singles. The song was also covered by Helen Reddy on her album Love Song for Jeffrey, which was released as the flipside of her "Keep On Singing" single. It was also recorded by Sami Jo Cole on her album Sami Jo produced by Jimmy Bowen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She's Got a Way</span> 1971 single by Billy Joel

"She's Got a Way" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, originally released on his first studio album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971) as the opening track of it and as a single from that album in some countries. It was also featured as a single from the 1981 live album Songs in the Attic, peaking at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodnight Saigon</span> 1983 single by Billy Joel

"Goodnight Saigon" is a song written by Billy Joel, originally appearing on his 1982 album The Nylon Curtain, about the Vietnam War. It depicts the situation and attitude of United States Marines beginning with their military training on Parris Island and then into different aspects of Vietnam combat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Until the Night</span> 1979 single by Billy Joel

"Until the Night" is a song written by Billy Joel for his 1978 album, 52nd Street. Although passed over for single release in the US, "Until the Night" was issued as the second single from 52nd Street in the UK - following "My Life" - in March 1979 and reached #50 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Root Beer Rag</span> 1974 instrumental by Billy Joel

"Root Beer Rag" is a composition from Billy Joel's 1974 album Streetlife Serenade. An instrumental track in a very fast ragtime style, it was later released as the B-side of several singles from Joel's 52nd Street album, including "Big Shot" in the US, "Until the Night" in the UK, and "Honesty" in Japan and some European countries. A live version was included with the DVD that was part of the 30th anniversary re-release of The Stranger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travelin' Prayer</span> 1974 single by Billy Joel

"Travelin' Prayer" is a song written and performed by singer Billy Joel, and released as the third US single from his 1973 album Piano Man as its opening track. The song is "urgent" and "banjo-fueled". It reached number No. 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 34 on the Adult Contemporary chart in 1974. It was a slightly bigger hit in Canada, where it reached No. 61.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worse Comes to Worst</span> 1974 single by Billy Joel

"Worse Comes to Worst" is a song by singer Billy Joel released as the second single from his 1973 album Piano Man. It reached #80 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Zanzibar" is a song written by Billy Joel and recorded for his 1978 album 52nd Street. It has also appeared on several live albums.

"Scandinavian Skies" is a song written by Billy Joel that was first released on his 1982 album The Nylon Curtain. Commentators have noted its Beatle-esque elements and obscure lyrics. Joel has stated that the song was inspired by an experience with heroin. Although not released as a single, it reached #38 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.

"Laura" is a song written by Billy Joel that was first released on his 1982 album The Nylon Curtain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I've Loved These Days</span> 1976 single by Billy Joel

"I've Loved These Days" is a song written and performed by Billy Joel from his fourth studio album Turnstiles (1976). It was released as the album's second single in October 1976, backed with "Say Goodbye to Hollywood". American Songwriter has described the song as "essentially one man's farewell to a lifestyle that is as alluring as it is unsustainable", while also drawing a connection between its theme and Joel's real-life move from Los Angeles to New York during the creation of the Turnstiles album. An early version of the song with different lyrics was called "These Rhinestone Days".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Bielen, Ken (2011). The Words and Music of Billy Joel. ABC-CLIO. pp. 21, 105, 116. ISBN   9780313380167.
  2. 1 2 Bego, Mark (2007). Billy Joel: The Biography. Thunder's Mouth Press. p.  58. ISBN   9781560259893.
  3. 1 2 3 Bordowitz, Hank (2006). Billy Joel: The Life & Times of an Angry Young Man. Billboard Books. pp. 41, 51, 53. ISBN   9780823082483.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Schruers, Fred (2014). Billy Joel: The Definitive Biography. Crown Archetype. pp. 80–81, 348. ISBN   9780804140201.
  5. ↑ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. December 4, 1971. p. 14. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  6. ↑ Campbell, Mary (1981). "Billy Joel Records Early Songs" . Retrieved 2016-04-11.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Songs in the Attic". Allmusic . Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  8. ↑ Darling, Cary (September 19, 1981). "Music Monitor". Billboard Magazine . p. 53. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
  9. ↑ Glassenberg, Bob (December 4, 1971). "Talent in Action". Billboard Magazine . p. 16. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
  10. 1 2 Melanson, Jim (June 15, 1974). "Talent in Action". Billboard Magazine . p. 16. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
  11. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "12 Gardens Live". Allmusic . Retrieved 2010-04-11.
  12. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Live at Shea Stadium: The Concert". Allmusic . Retrieved 2010-04-11.
  13. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Cold Spring Harbor". Allmusic . Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  14. ↑ Waddell, Roy (May 9, 2009). "The Legend of Billy the Kid". Billboard Magazine . p. 32. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  15. ↑ Evans, Paul (2004). Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Fireside. p.  434. ISBN   0743201698.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.