Say Goodbye to Hollywood

"Say Goodbye to Hollywood" is a song written and performed by Billy Joel, first released in 1976 on his album Turnstiles. It was originally released as a single with "Stop in Nevada" as a B-side. However, the song achieved greater recognition in 1981 when a live version from Songs in the Attic was released as a 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.

Influence
Joel has stated in his university lectures that he wrote the song with Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes song "Be My Baby" in mind. Indeed, Joel notes that the two songs share a very similar beat. Recognizing Joel's tribute, Ronnie Spector recorded her own cover version of "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" in 1977 with the E Street Band, soon after Joel released his first recording of the song on Turnstiles.

Covers
Bette Midler recorded a cover for her album Broken Blossom (1977). 
As previously noted, Ronnie Spector and the E Street Band released their version of "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" as a single in 1977.
Nigel Olsson released a version of the song as a single in 1978, but it did not chart.

Charts

References

External links
 

Category:1975 songs
Category:1978 singles
Category:1981 singles
Category:Songs written by Billy Joel
Category:Billy Joel songs
Category:Bette Midler songs
Category:Nigel Olsson songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Phil Ramone
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:CBS Records singles
Category:Live singles
Category:Songs about Los Angeles