Miami 2017

[gillianorley]

A great version, no doubt about it.

I do, however, miss the saxophone that we usually hear in the various live versions. It is not used much, but it adds a lot when it is used.

[gothembadboy1]

I like this song live ... The "Songs in the Attic" LP has a really good version of this song... The energy is contagious!!! GOD bless Billy Joel!!!!!

Respectfully,

Frank DeAngeli$

[gothembadboy1]

@gothembadboy1 I meant contageous ( they need spell check on this YOUTUBE)... . ..lol!!!!

[REJ2musik]

Better than the Turnstiles version. There was more passion in his voice

[muppetfan33]

Isn't that recording studio also where he filmed "She's Got A Way?"

[iliketojumplargeobje]

there is an incredible live version on his 'greatest hits' CD that I have been listening to for many years!

[jgelhaar]

Great tune. Used to do this one a while back. Thanks Billy! You are a master!

[timris]

,he is most talented:singer//songwriter and pianist -Live- especially!-this one is just brilliant;- clever lyrics;combined in great Orchestral//bands performance+ complicated tunes+chords-Amazing man!-thanks for sharing!

[komoru]

Liberty is rocking it out!

[80swerethebest]

This is Joel's finest song. Hands down, the best of his best.

[rainbowtrout]

The Playboy is on LIberty Devitto's stand because Bernadette Peters is on the cover and she was hosting SNL that evening.

[tippman2k01]

too many idiots have turned to rap crap

[rhye999]

love 4:05

[rhye999]

love 4.05

[ooozetoons]

I might be a sick fuck but I find parts of this song hilarious

ex: when the mafia took over Mexico.

[Jed1Nerd]

on iTunes, which version is this exactly? I have this thing where I notice slight differences in different recordings and it bothers me lol.

[Jed1Nerd]

@Jed1Nerd dang it! I knew I'd buy the wrong one!

[mikeclaw]

@Jed1Nerd I doubt this is on iTunes. I'm 99 pecent certain this is his performance from "Saturday Night Live." He performed live by satellite from a remote location, not actually in the SNL studio before the audience. I remember distinctly that he did "Miami 2017," and it opened with the red emergency light. I'm sure this is that performance. The "Songs in the Attic" version on iTunes should be very similar though.

[Moose6340]

@mikeclaw This is his SNL performance, I remember watching it live on TV and being blown away by how powerful it was.  He was in a studio somewhere in NYC doing this, not onstage at SNL.

[hajin2595]

dirty sanchez

[yankees3936]

He looks like Sylevestor Stallone from the side

[muppetfan33]

@yankees3936 Billy Joel or Liberty DeVitto?

[stevieray535]

pure genius

[atreides6]

The guitarist's head bobbing when the band kicks in is epic. Looks like his neck is mechanized.

[MegaObserver1]

I read where Billy was upset with the sound quality of his 1978 SNL performance. Because of union rules, they had to use NBC's gear and technicians in NBC's 30 Rock studios. So when he was asked back in 1981, he agreed only if he could perform in a professional studio under his own supervision. NBC sent a remote unit and he performed live from a Manhattan audio recording studio. He picked this song to promote the Songs In The Attic album that had just been released.

[funshipM174]

There are no more Billy Joel's or Bruce Springsteen's or any other singer/song writers anymore.The music business doesn't give artists time to work they're way up in clubs and be on the road anymore. I. The era of the singer songwriter is dead.

[rdougw]

Definitely from a Saturday Night Live show, and the guest host said "Billy Joel's grad re-union is tonight but Billy won't be there because he is here to play for you". That was the first time I saw Liberty play and beat the you know what out of the drums. It was at the time of Songs From The Attic, and longtime fans remember it from the Turnstiles album. I really hope time will remember him for all those great songs from the 70's. He is a gem.

[DeadTallyNo9]

Does anyone how he got to be so fuckin good at singing? did he ever take lessons or did he just natural get that good????

[NYerintransit]

Back when this song was written, many people thought this would happen to NYC eventually. But so much has changed since then. Today you have to be old enough to remember those years. I can barely recall.

[RocketJo86]

Greatest Song ever

[hollykill]

I saw him earlyer this year and I have to say even in his old age he doesnt miss a beat xD, long live Billy!

[philipleanza3]

I believe that's Liberty Devito on drums!

[9midwestern9]

@philipleanza3 - He has a Playboy on his music stand!

[wehsen]

This was always one of my favourites of Billy Joel's songs, but I learned only recently that he wrote this when the city of New York was at the brink of bankruptcy in the mid-70s and then-President Ford was reluctant to intervene, and only yesterday I learned that a certain Helmut Schmidt, then-chancellor of West Germany, played a significant role in changing Ford's mind on the matter.

Taking this into account I now find the song to be much less surreal than the reality that inspired it.

[fgldnglbs]

@wehsen I thought the song was based on conditions in N.Y.C. in the 70's. Somehow, I haven't seen Taxi Driver after all these years, but knowing basically what it's about, I'd put it "Miami" in the closing credits. I'll stand corrected later.

What happens in this song is merciful compared to what happens in Solyent Green(1973), although that happens to the whole world. Considering the current population projections, I hope we aren't on a reprieve from that prospect.

[HammernHeads]

Call me crazy but I'm equally entertained watching Liberty DeVitto beating the shit out of his drums. The guy is awesome. And I'm still laughing at the guitar player's bobble head. LOL

[ScooterandSparky]

@HammernHeads Liberty always made a show fun to watch... I swear he took lessons from Animal on the Muppet Show ;)

[hefstyle123]

Originally on "Turnstiles" , much better album than "Songs in the Attic".

[KricketOchKrabban]

this song is soooo awesome!! love it

[GameplayMaster333]

playboy #LOL

[essertpitay]

Great song from a great album...

[68Gecko]

Best heard live. Songs in the Attic is an awesome album.

[12astile]

1:25 huge fuckin head lol

[pianodannmarr]

I remember when this was aired on SNL , Billy was unable to be present but it was broadcast from the recording studio.

[kcufmalsi]

@pianodannmarr I remember the SNL episode too. In fact, I recall Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo were arguing about who was going to announce Billy Joel.

[mcucc14]

why does the drummer have a playboy on his music stand...at 3.19

[rmwill1]

Liberty rules.

[ScooterandSparky]

@mcucc14 because he can't read sheet music ? ;)

[sjm757]

@mcucc14 Why else? So he can beat his wood on something other than a drum kit.

[rellisac]

@mcucc14 it was one of the very important things they needed to take to Florida before the Mafia took over Mexico.

[dg474805]

@mcucc14 The playboy symbol was very popular in the 80's . People would wear them as charms as well.

[HammernHeads]

@dg474805  Uh, this is from 1976.

[HammernHeads]

@HammernHeads UH,...no SHIT.

[Tolstoy111]

@HammernHeads The song is from 1976. The performance was on SNL in 1981.

[BeanManIncorporated]

@mcucc14 Why do you think? lol

[slopitch27]

@mcucc14 That was the Dec '81 issue with Bernadette Peters. What else is he going to look at when the band is busy dicussing music. HAHA... Next catch in seeing that, I missed it the first time.

[SaxMtC]

@mcucc14 because its the 80's

[nathjroberts]

@mcucc14 rock and roll baby!

[gillianorley]

@mcucc14 Why not?

:)

[tedcantu1]

@mcucc14 because LIberty DeVito is a friggen spaz, he also wears watches on his ankles according to the inner sleeve for Glass Houses -- he was definately a wacko but he could really bash on cue

[Grievous3412]

great! second to only 'Only the Good Die Young"

[HammernHeads]

Russel Javors is moving his head like a ghetto crack head in this clip. "Oh NO YOU DID--IIIIINT"

[muppetfan33]

Russel Javors is the guy with the grey, curly hair, right?

[HammernHeads]

@muppetfan33 Yes sir, that's Russel.

[muppetfan33]

@HammernHeads

Thank you. When I was in high school, I used to think Russel Javors was David Brown, and David Brown was Russel Javors. I then saw the band members on the back of a record cover, and I found out I was wrong.

[dom50801]

great version of this classic. his voice is crisp in this clip.

[Palomitz]

Well, you know this clip is shot in a recording studio? (not on stage).

[dom50801]

yes, i'm aware of that.

[ILiveInJapanButIdont]

Listen/watch to Somewhere Along The Line which is live and you'll find his voice is identical to this so very little effects if any are used usually in Billy's music :)

[pianodannmarr]

@Palomitz , Yes it's in a studio but performed live.

[tobythedog1020]

I agree....nobody does it like Billy Joel! I wanna learn this soooooooooo bad on piano

[Kakarot21591]

Check out YouTube user Pianojohn113 's channel, he has a complete tutorial on the introduction. Hope that helps.

[chabadoogi]

This personally is my favorite Joel song.

[nerdflanders8710]

@chabadoogi this sucks and so do you .

asshole

[skinnyernie]

@chabadoogi

me too!

[mastermindben]

@chabadoogi yes, mine too



[Nothingtearsthebeast]

@chabadoogi

I heartily agree.

[spaudrey]

@chabadoogi And mine as well. Can't believe he did it when I last saw him in IA in 2008. Was about the only one who knew what the song was from the opening piano riff.

[mikeg593]

One of his best! All the instruments are fantastic!

[NBBroxStar]

I just love Liberty on this song.

[sgtpepper1138]

That man ALWAYS delivers, I REALLY wish he was still playing with Billy

his new drummer is a fine drummer don't get me wrong, but Liberty always puts his own touch to it and it just always rocks.

[friggindbag]

Liberty just bangs the sh!@ out of the drums on this!

[sgtpepper1138]

well he does that no matter what.

but that's just Liberty, he's a hard hitter.

[proken58]

This was done to promote Songs In The Attic on Saturday Night Live in 1981. For some reason, Billy didn't want to perfom in NBC's NYC studio, so he did this live in a Manhattan recording studio with a camera crew sending this back to NBC.

[TheGuido07]

One of Billy's best...

[friggindbag]

Have you seen this version 4 the concert for new york 9/11. Very emotional!

[bigspud73]

legend - so amazing

[bherber]

Embedding should be allowed on this clip. The user is being a little stingy

[rhk3333]

It's the rhythm guitar player with the funky moves. Russell Javors.

[TheTerminalMoose]

The bass player's wacky around 1:30. Billy ROCKS!!!

[shcorporation]

Er he is, he's as good as ever.

[PwninPwn]

elmuneco12 --- He still plays live and does it very well.

[pattynub]

im seein him and Elton John in November

[sgtpepper1138]

sweet. I won tickets off the radio and saw Billy in November of 07 and it was fantastic.

[misterflip20]

the guy's voice aged like wine.

its different but you cant say its any worst than it was 20 years ago.

[misterflip20]

im implying that billy joel is just as great as he was back then and maybe alittle better.

my favorite singer.

[michaelmoval]

The synthesizer beginning sounds like R.E.O. Speedwagon to me.

[hellpatrol666]

TOTALLY thought it was riding the storm out first time i heard it

[michaelmoval]

When I listened to this version, my mom thought it sounds like REO Speedwagon to her.

[mission2marsden]

Yes, and it's wonderful! It doesn't have all his videos, though. It leaves out "River of Dreams", "We Didn't Start The Fire", and others.

[essertpitay]

Billy JOEL is a cool dude and will always be...

[darrenbarkman]

Awesome performance. Liberty, man, put the Playboy away! (3:23) Your mom might be watching!

[Knutty4Knopfler]

intense

[woodstock1330]

Rockin' the leather jacket Billy ;) and the song is awesome of course, as usual!

[blackbird312]

Check out the guitar player at about 1:30. He's rocking out way too much for his own good

[Palomitz]

That's called style, my friend.

[spareone]

thats exactly what i was thinking hahahahahahhahha!!!!!!!

[thebestbillyjoel]

This is the version from songs in the attic. Isnt it.

[nickeax]

No, there are a few differences.

[mission2marsden]

Songs in the Attic was a live performance, and it contains the performances "Los Angelenos" and "Everybody Loves You Now", which can both be found here on YouTube and on the Essential Billy Joel Video Collection.

[thebestbillyjoel]

I know what songs in the attic is it was released in 1981 and they were the songs billy thought nobody knew so he brought them out in a live concert format to show how great they sound. Plus Miami 2017 is on it. Its the first song.

[meetthelight]

Anyone know what recording studio this was filmed?

[ciaobellakate]

Amazing.

[HammurabisRain]

HURRAY!!!!! I'm learning to play this song...

[delorean2608]

fuck u lopezito this is my favorite billy joel song and ur gay for not understanding the meaning of it

[friggindbag]

I'm with you! This song is everything to me. The actual meaning and the personal meaning. Just perfect.

[AWakeWoman155]

I remember seeing this about 20 years ago. BJ did it live for SNL, from a studio a few blocks away. One of the best SNL performances ever. I loved the end when he slams the piano shut. I wish you had caught that.

[RockRampage74]

Completely....Speechless

[elasticnyc223]

This song is about the race riots in the 60's.

[duke1rulez]

In an interview in 1991, Billy Joel said that he "wrote this from the point of view of an old man who moved to Florida in the year 2017 after New York was destroyed in an apocalypse." He figured Miami was a logical setting because that's where people go when they get old. Sadly after 9/11, this song took another meaning.

[friggindbag]

Well said. That is exactly right!

[proken58]

Actually this was about when NYC was about to go bankrupt in the mid 1970's. The city asked the federal government for a loan, but the feds said "No". The NY Post ran the famous headline "Ford To NY: Drop Dead". Billy said the song is about the banks foreclosing on the city and then blowing it up.

[pianoforte1984]

that song is BEYOND words ... in fact most of his songs are...

[evanbacon]

right now. i look just like him but with sideburns. he is freakin awesome.

[Fryan3]

don't kid yourself, you absolutely don't

[humanstark]

Hahahahahhaahha

[collbritar]

this is my jazz number at my dance school. its so powerful and strong. i love it and so does my mom.

[ArgoteMasterChief]

BILLY JOEL the only truth in this planet.

[Bigtrain421]

Was this taken from a SNL appearance?

[iLovetheRANGERSx19]

New York loves you Billy.

[Jellybeantiger]

I remember seeing Liberty do a drum clinic down here in Melbourne Australia.

Would've been the time when "We Didn't Start The Fire" was in the charts.

Not many people attended but I was blown away by Libertys power on the drums and his warm personality.

What happened next blew my mind,Liberty invited the whole band on stage including Billy,even the backing singers!

They then played a few Zep tunes amongst a few of Joels rocking tunes.

Never forget that day ever!

[jupitersghost]

Best.  Drummer. Ever.

[ramstacp]

billy made piano playing cool. thanks buddy

[adipinsky3]

billy the king

[petebj123]

Billy's looking good here!

[Bradysheroes]

This a video from snl, he also did she's got a way.

[allforleyna80]

I love this song

[Palomitz]

Did anyone notice the Playboy magazine at 3:24? LOL

[lindakirshen]

yah

[fujow111]

Liberty is one of the most underrated drummers.

I will not be seeing Billy in concert without Libery.

[sgtpepper1138]

I saw Billy in November, his new drummer is really good, but liberty has that power and crazy fills that just make him unique

[Kakarot21591]

Why is there a siren at the beginning?

[nlllvqkers]

In keeping with the apocalyptic nature of the lyrics, what you're hearing is supposed to be an air-raid siren, although, in concert, it often seems to be reproduced with an unconvincing synthesizer or, in this case, a cheesy stage-prop.

[TurbulenceXM]

i live in long island, and everytime i hear the long island railroad it sounds exactly like the sound in the beginning of the song. Thats what i thought it was.

[bobgee1999]

No jive, Liberty is just about letter perfect. I've always loved the power of this song on Attic. Billy doesn't push his voice as hard on this rendition, but interesting to see it live. Thanx.

[bherber]

Yea Liberty is great in this one. He did the best drum fills for some reason in this era (1980-82). You know i've been looking for this one for a while on you tube, but am really dissapointed that the guy disabled embedding.

[gentlemanoffortune]

Liberty is so fucking good in this.

[diamonddano]

i remeber seeing this on snl around 1980 when songs in the attic was out. he was probably in the studio doing glass houses or nylon curtain. im seeing him in seattle in 2 days- hope he does this one

[jpcohen1978]

Does he really need that leather jacket? It must have been a chilly recording studio. :)

[003280]

where is this from?

[JoelFan]

Media Sound Recording Studios NYC

[pianoman815]

This song is a perfect fit for today 9/11/07...Thank you much!!