Turnstiles
Encyclopedia
Turnstiles was the fourth album by Billy Joel
, released in 1976
. In part, the album was made to celebrate Joel's return to New York City
after his sojourn in California
. Three of the album's tracks reference New York: "Summer, Highland Falls", "New York State of Mind
" and "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)
". In addition, Joel begins the album with "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" (inspired by Ronnie Spector
), and also includes "I've Loved These Days", a tongue-in-cheek expression of regret at leaving behind Hollywood's decadence.
The songs were initially recorded at Caribou Ranch with members of Elton John
's band, and produced by famed Chicago producer James William Guercio. Joel, however, was dissatisfied with the results and fired Guercio. Joel then took over the helm as producer and the songs were re-recorded in New York.
Joel has stated in an online interview that the album cover photo was shot in "an abandoned subway station;" in the same interview, Joel notes that each of the characters on the album cover was meant to represent a particular song (i.e., the girl in headphones for "All You Wanna Do is Dance," the wealthy couple for "I've Loved These Days," etc).
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
, released in 1976
1976 in music
-January–February:*January 5 – Former Beatles road manager Mal Evans is shot dead by Los Angeles police after refusing to drop what police only later determine is an air rifle....
. In part, the album was made to celebrate Joel's return to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
after his sojourn in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Three of the album's tracks reference New York: "Summer, Highland Falls", "New York State of Mind
New York State of Mind
"New York State of Mind" is a song written by Billy Joel which initially appeared on the album Turnstiles in 1976. While not a hit when it was first released, it has received much more frequent airplay in recent years...
" and "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)
Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)
"Miami 2017 " is a song written by Billy Joel which appeared as the final song on the album Turnstiles in 1976...
". In addition, Joel begins the album with "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" (inspired by Ronnie Spector
Ronnie Spector
Veronica Yvette "Ronnie" Spector is an American rock and roll and popular music vocalist, and was the lead singer of the 1960s hit-making girl group, The Ronettes, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. She is known as the "original bad girl of rock and roll."-Personal...
), and also includes "I've Loved These Days", a tongue-in-cheek expression of regret at leaving behind Hollywood's decadence.
The songs were initially recorded at Caribou Ranch with members of Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
's band, and produced by famed Chicago producer James William Guercio. Joel, however, was dissatisfied with the results and fired Guercio. Joel then took over the helm as producer and the songs were re-recorded in New York.
Joel has stated in an online interview that the album cover photo was shot in "an abandoned subway station;" in the same interview, Joel notes that each of the characters on the album cover was meant to represent a particular song (i.e., the girl in headphones for "All You Wanna Do is Dance," the wealthy couple for "I've Loved These Days," etc).
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Billy Joel.- "Say Goodbye to HollywoodSay Goodbye to HollywoodFor the similarly named Eminem song, see: The Eminem Show."Say Goodbye to Hollywood" is a song written & performed by Billy Joel, first released in 1976 on his album Turnstiles. The song achieved greater notoriety in 1981 when a live version from Songs in the Attic was released as a single...
" – 4:36 - "Summer, Highland Falls" – 3:15
- "All You Wanna Do Is Dance" – 3:40
- "New York State of MindNew York State of Mind"New York State of Mind" is a song written by Billy Joel which initially appeared on the album Turnstiles in 1976. While not a hit when it was first released, it has received much more frequent airplay in recent years...
" – 5:58 - "James" – 3:53
- "Prelude/Angry Young ManPrelude/Angry Young Man"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 KOHЦEPT, the 11th track of the first disc of 2000 Years: The Millennium Concert, and the opening track on the first...
" – 5:17 - "I've Loved These Days" – 4:31
- "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)"Miami 2017 " is a song written by Billy Joel which appeared as the final song on the album Turnstiles in 1976...
" – 5:12
Personnel
- Billy Joel – keyboards, vocals
- Ken Ascher – orchestral arrangements
- Richie CannataRichie CannataRichie Cannata is an American music producer, multi-instrumentalist and studio owner. He is most notable for playing saxophone in the Billy Joel band alongside Doug Stegmeyer and Liberty DeVitto. After leaving the band in 1981, he opened Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, New York...
– saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846... - Liberty DeVittoLiberty DeVittoLiberty DeVitto is an American rock drummer. He is best known as the drummer for Billy Joel, but has also played with the NYC Hit Squad and has been a session drummer on recordings of other artists.-Career:...
– drums - Howie Emerson – electric and acoustic guitars
- Russell JavorsRussell JavorsRussell Javors is an American rock guitarist. He is best known as a primary guitarist for Billy Joel from 1976 to 1989.-Career:...
– electric and acoustic guitars - Mingo Lewis – percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
- Brian Ruggles – basic track consultant
- James Smith – acoustic guitar
- Doug StegmeyerDoug StegmeyerDoug Stegmeyer was a musician best known as the bassist for Billy Joel.-Career:Doug Stegmeyer met Russell Javors in high school. At age 15, Javors was performing songs with childhood friend Liberty DeVitto. From then, the boys, along with Howard Emerson, formed the band Topper.Together they...
– bass guitar
Chart positions
| Chart (1976) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Kent Music Report Chart Kent Music Report The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to 1998... |
12 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
122 |
| Chart (2004) | Position |
| Japanese Oricon Albums Chart Oricon , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc... |
286 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1976) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart | 32 |