| "Los Angelenos" | |
|---|---|
 Cover to promotional single of live version released in Japan in 1981 | |
| Song by Billy Joel | |
| from the album Streetlife Serenade | |
| Released | October 1974 |
| Recorded | 1974, North Hollywood, California |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:41 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Songwriter(s) | Billy Joel |
| Producer(s) | Michael Stewart |
"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 .
The Long Island-raised Joel wrote the song while living in Los Angeles, California, [1] reflecting his impressions of the city. [2] Authors Don and Jeff Breithaupt suggest that the song reflects the "Left Coast displacement" he was feeling at the time. [1] Joel biographer Hank Bordowitz similarly describes "Los Angelenos" as showing "that Billy was beginning to feel a bit homesick." [3]
The lyrics to "Los Angelenos" celebrate the diversity of Los Angeles. [2] They observe that the inhabitants of Los Angeles mostly have come from elsewhere, many far from California. [4] They are searching for something that caused them to come to Los Angeles, but many get seduced by the nice weather and the availability of sex and drugs, and so remain even if they cannot find what they originally came for. [4] Joel notes that these people are "goin' nowhere." [4]
Author Ken Bielen describes the song as having a "funky rock beat." [4] Joel biographer Fred Schruers describes it as having "hip-swinging rhythms." [5] Music critic Mark Bego states that the song "rocks out" more intensely than any of Joel's work since he was with The Hassles in the 1960s. [2] Bielen describes the melody as being similar to that of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire," which was written shortly after "Los Angelenos." [4] Joel's electric piano is prominent in the mix. [4]
Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine describes the "stomping 'Los Angelenos'" as one of the "few winners" from the Streetlife Serenade album. [6] Schruers describes it as Joel's "best attempt to sketch a portrait of" Los Angeles. [5] Bego states that song "essays [Joel's] life in the West Coast beautifully, with a critical eye." [2] But Bordowitz says it has "a cynical quality." [3] And Rolling Stone critic Stephen Holden states that it "presents a hackneyed picture postcard of L.A. as sexual wasteland." [7] Rolling Stone Album Guide critic Paul Evans states that it is one of several "narrative vignettes" on Streetlife Serenade that "strain[s] to be clever." [8] Billboard regarded it as one of the "best cuts" from Streetlife Serenade. [9] In its review of Streetlife Serenade, Record World said that "the music aptly enhances the lyrical mood, most appropriately on the Spanish flavored "Los Angelenos," [10]
A live version of "Los Angelenos" recorded in July 1980 at Toad's Place in New Haven, Connecticut, was included on the 1981 live album Songs in the Attic . [11] Erlewine states that the "fuller, better arrangement" makes the live version "hit harder" than the studio version. [11] A 16 mm black-and-white promotional video was made of "Los Angelenos" being performed live at a small club in support of Songs in the Attic. [4] [12] A promotional single was released in Japan.
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 music career as a solo artist since the 1970s.
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.
Streetlife Serenade is the third studio album by American recording artist Billy Joel, released on October 11, 1974 by Columbia Records.
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.
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"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.
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"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.
"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. 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.
"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.
"Tonight's the Night" is a song written by Neil Young that was first released on his 1975 album Tonight's the Night. Two versions of the song bookended the album, with one version as the first song, and the other as the last. "Tonight's the Night" has also appeared on some of Young's live and compilation albums.
"Late for the Sky" is a song written by Jackson Browne. It is the opening track and title track from Browne's 1974 album Late for the Sky.
