Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)

Last updated

"Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)"
Song by Billy Joel
from the album Turnstiles
ReleasedMay 1976
Studio Ultra Sonic Studio in Hempstead, New York, U.S.
Genre Progressive rock
Length5:12
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Billy Joel
Producer(s) Billy Joel

"Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)" is a song written and originally recorded by Billy Joel which appeared as the final song on his 1976 album Turnstiles . Several live performances of the song have been released. He has performed this song at a number of benefit concerts, including The Concert for New York City for victims of the September 11 attacks in 2001, as well as on the television program Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together for Hurricane Sandy victims in 2012 and during his set at 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief . Joel has often tweaked the lyrics to the song at his live concerts, particularly at the Live at Shea and Coming Together concerts. On New Year's Eve 2016, Joel performed at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida, a city just north of Miami Dade County. At midnight, he crooned the traditional "Auld Lang Syne" and then immediately went into "Miami 2017".

Contents

Background and story

The release of Turnstiles followed Billy Joel's return to his hometown of New York City from a brief foray in Los Angeles which resulted in the albums Piano Man and Streetlife Serenade . Several of the songs are linked to this transition, including "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" and "New York State of Mind."

Joel has described it as a "science fiction song" about an apocalypse occurring in New York as a result of discussions that the city was failing in the 1970s. [1] Speaking at the University of Pennsylvania in 2001, Joel explained that he wrote the song while living in Los Angeles in 1975, when New York City was on the verge of default: New York was bordering on bankruptcy, and after asking the Federal government for help, they were denied assistance; this resulted in the famous October 1975 headline on the New York Daily News , "Ford to City: Drop Dead". [2]

Joel stated that people in Los Angeles, including former New Yorkers, were deriding New York for its troubles. Joel says he thought, "If New York's going to go down the tubes, I'm going to go back to New York." [3] He explains that the song depicts the apocalypse occurring in New York, "the skyline tumbling down, this horrendous conflagration happening in New York City." [3] Joel stated that the song is titled "Miami 2017" because many New Yorkers retire to Miami, and the narrator is telling his grandchildren in the year 2017 about what he saw in the destruction of New York. [3]

Response

In a review of Songs in the Attic for Rolling Stone magazine, Timothy White wrote, "'Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway),' from 1976's Turnstiles, is one chauvinistic New Yorker's reaction to the famous Daily News default-era headline ... and the composer's elaborate fantasy-farce about the apocalyptic destruction of the city is as take-it-or-leave-it defiant as the front page that inspired it." [4]

When the New York radio station WNEW-FM dropped its rock music format (in favor of "hot talk") in 1998, disc jockey Carol Miller chose "Miami 2017" as one of her farewell songs (along with Jimi Hendrix's version of "The Star-Spangled Banner"). [5]

Reviewing Joel's 2010 compilation, The Hits , on which "Miami 2017" was not included, reviewer Mike Doyle wrote, "[U]nfortunately, [the album is] not necessarily representative of his best work. ... [M]issing are some of the songs that helped define Billy Joel as one of the most talented American songwriters, such as ... 'Miami 2017' ...." [6]

Significance after September 11, 2001

Among the catastrophes that befall the city in the song is the destruction of its iconic skyscrapers. "I saw the Empire State laid low," the singer recalls, "I watched the mighty skyline fall". On September 11, 2001, planes hijacked by terrorists were crashed into the World Trade Center towers, the city's tallest buildings, causing them to collapse with a loss of almost 3,000 lives.

Shortly afterwards, Joel performed the song at a benefit concert on October 20, 2001. Joel announced at the end of the song, "I wrote that song 25 years ago. I thought it was going to be a science fiction song; I never thought it would really happen. But unlike the end of that song, we ain't going anywhere!" His statement was met with raucous applause. [7] [8]

Joel played the song at multiple benefit concerts again in 2012 after the destruction wrought on the Northeastern United States by Hurricane Sandy.

On New Year's Eve 2016 at the BB&T Center, Joel performed the tune as the clock struck midnight, thus finally singing the song in Miami in 2017. [9]

In 2020, Joel performed the song for the Rise Up New York benefit telethon while the lights of the Empire State Building synced with the song.

Cover versions

"Miami 2017" was recorded by Richard Marx in 1993, and released as a bonus track on international versions of his album Paid Vacation .

The song appeared in the original Chicago production of the jukebox musical Movin' Out [10] but was not included in the final version of the musical as performed on Broadway. [11]

Live performances

Nine live performances of the song are available:

Album/DVDReleasedPerformedVenueNotes
Songs in the Attic 1981June 1980 Madison Square Garden Opening track
Billy Joel: Live at Yankee Stadium [12] 1990June 1990 Yankee Stadium
The Concert for New York City 2001October 22, 2001 Madison Square Garden 9/11 benefit concert
12 Gardens Live 20062006 Madison Square Garden
Last Play at Shea - DVD and CD 20082008 Shea Stadium Lyrics altered to refer to Shea Stadium and the New York Mets [13]
The Stranger 30th Anniversary Edition 2008June 1977 Carnegie Hall
The Stranger 30th Anniversary Edition DVD 20081978 BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test Aired only once on BBC 2
12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief 2012December 12, 2012 Madison Square Garden Hurricane Sandy benefit concert
Legendary FM Broadcasts - The Dome, C.W. Post College, NY2017May 1977 C.W. Post College
Billy Joel: Live at Carnegie Hall 1977 2019June 1977Carnegie Hall

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, 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>Turnstiles</i> (album) 1976 studio album by Billy Joel

Turnstiles is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released May 19, 1976, by Family Productions and Columbia Records.

<i>The Stranger</i> (album) 1977 studio album by Billy Joel

The Stranger is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released on September 29, 1977, by Columbia Records. It was the first of Joel's albums to be produced by Phil Ramone, with whom he would work for five subsequent albums.

<i>2000 Years: The Millennium Concert</i> 2000 live album by Billy Joel

2000 Years: The Millennium Concert is a two-disc set and the third live album by Billy Joel, released in 2000. On May 31, 2000, it was certified Gold by the RIAA for sales of 250,000 copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)</span> 1977 single by Billy Joel

"Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" is a song written and recorded by Billy Joel, featured on his 1977 album The Stranger as the opening track.

"New York State of Mind" is a song written by Billy Joel that is featured on his fourth studio album, Turnstiles (1976). Although it was never released as a single, it has become a fan favorite and a song that Joel plays regularly in concert. Joel famously played the song at The Concert for New York City, the October 2001 benefit concert for the New York City Fire and Police Departments, as well as the loved ones and families of first responders lost during 9/11. He reprised the song and theme, playing it during his set at 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 12, 2012, where he changed lyrics to include the likes of "Breezy Point".

<i>12 Gardens Live</i> 2006 live album by Billy Joel

12 Gardens Live is the fourth live album by American singer/songwriter Billy Joel, recorded during a former record run of 12 sold-out concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City in early 2006. It was released on June 13, 2006.

Michael Cavanaugh is an American actor and musician most famous for playing the piano and providing lead vocals in the band for the Broadway musical Movin' Out. Cavanaugh was handpicked by Billy Joel for this musical and appeared in the show for three years and over 1300 performances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Rosenthal (musician)</span> Musical artist

David Rosenthal is an American keyboardist, musical director, music producer, synthesizer programmer, orchestrator, and songwriter, mostly known for working with the hard rock band Rainbow and Billy Joel. Rosenthal has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, and in addition to Rainbow and Joel, has worked with Bruce Springsteen, Enrique Iglesias, Robert Palmer, Steve Vai, Cyndi Lauper, Whitesnake, Little Steven, and Happy the Man. Additionally, Rosenthal has perfect pitch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Smith (American musician)</span> American bassist

Gregory Smith is an American bassist and vocalist known for his tenure with rock musician Ted Nugent from 2007 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say Goodbye to Hollywood</span> Billy Joel song

"Say Goodbye to Hollywood" is a song written and performed by Billy Joel, first released in 1976 on his album Turnstiles as its opening track. It was originally released in the United States as the B-side to "I've Loved These Days" before being released as A-side in various countries like the UK, Germany and Australia in November 1976, with "Stop in Nevada" as the B-side. However, the song achieved greater recognition in 1981 when a live version from Songs in the Attic was released as a US single, with the live version of "Summer, Highland Falls" as a B-side. Joel wrote the song after moving back to New York City in 1975; he had previously relocated to Los Angeles in 1972 in an attempt to get out of an onerous record deal. The man who represents this song on the Turnstiles album is the man wearing sunglasses and holding a suitcase.

"Prelude/Angry Young Man" is a song written by Billy Joel which appeared as the sixth song on the album Turnstiles in 1976. Live versions have been released as the second track of КОНЦЕРТ, the 11th track of the first disc of 2000 Years: The Millennium Concert, and the opening track on the first disc of 12 Gardens Live and Live at Shea Stadium: The Concert. It is also included in the Broadway show Movin' Out.

<i>Live at Shea Stadium: The Concert</i> 2011 live album by Billy Joel

Live at Shea Stadium: The Concert is the fifth live album as well as a CD and DVD music compilation of songs performed by American singer/songwriter Billy Joel during two concerts at Shea Stadium in New York City on July 16 and 18, 2008. It was released on March 8, 2011. The documentary film, released as The Last Play at Shea on October 21, 2010, was produced by Jon Small, Joel's former bandmate in the 1960s groups The Hassles and Attila. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, and aired on PBS as part of Great Performances.

In 2002, Elton John and Billy Joel continued on their success Face to Face concert series.

Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together was a one-hour, commercial-free benefit concert television special that aired simulcast in the United States on November 2, 2012 at 8 p.m. ET/CT live from New York City and tape delayed MT and PT. The special raised money for the relief efforts from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which had struck the U.S. Northeast four days earlier. All proceeds went to the American Red Cross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief</span> Benefit concerts held in 2012

12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief was a benefit concert that took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 12, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lords of 52nd Street</span> American rock band

The Lords of 52nd Street is an American rock band that primarily comprises members of the line-up which backed singer-songwriter Billy Joel from 1976 to 1981, the period during which Joel initiated a run of albums that reached the top ten on the Billboard charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Joel in Concert</span> Ongoing international concert tour

Billy Joel in Concert is a current concert tour by the American singer-songwriter Billy Joel. After several concerts beforehand, in the fall of 2013, the concert tour began in Sunrise, Florida, and is ongoing, scheduled to continue into February 22, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.

<i>Live at Yankee Stadium</i> (Billy Joel video) 1990 concert video by Billy Joel

Billy Joel: Live at Yankee Stadium is the fourth video album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel. It was recorded during two concerts of the Storm Front Tour at Yankee Stadium in New York City on June 22 and 23, 1990. It was televised on September 2, 1990, released on VHS later that year, and released on DVD in late 2000. The video album was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

References

  1. ↑ "Billy Joel Masterclass Concert 2001 (Pt.2 of 12)". September 25, 2008. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2012– via YouTube.
  2. ↑ "Billy Joel Masterclass Concert 2001 (Pt.3 of 12)". September 25, 2008. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2012– via YouTube.
  3. 1 2 3 Joel, Billy (November 6, 2001). What Was the Inspiration for 'Miami 2017?'. BillyJoel.com. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  4. ↑ White, Timothy (November 12, 1981). "Billy Joel: Songs in the Attic". Rolling Stone . Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  5. ↑ Hinckley, David (September 14, 1999). "The Day The Music Died On 'new". Daily News . New York. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  6. ↑ Doyle, Mike (November 12, 2010). "Billy Joel - 'The Hits'". The Virginian-Pilot . Norfolk, Va. Military Newspapers of Virginia. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  7. ↑ Gamboa, Glenn (2001). "A Moment to Party Amid the Grief". Newsday.[ dead link ]
  8. ↑ Bielen, Ken (2011). The Words and Music of Billy Joel. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Praeger. pp. 34–35. ISBN   978-0313380167 . Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Watch Billy Joel Perform 'Miami 2017' in Miami, 2017". Entertainment Weekly.
  10. ↑ Simonson, Robert (July 19, 2002). "Movin' Out Is a Big Shot in Chicago, as Joel-Tharp Show Opens". Playbill. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Movin' Out (10/24/2002 - 12/11/2005)". Internet Broadway Database. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  12. ↑ Billy Joel: Live at Yankee Stadium at IMDb   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  13. ↑ Pareles, Jon (July 17, 2008). "Billy Joel Gives Shea its Own Last Waltz". The New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
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.