Uptown Girl: Difference between revisions
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* It was made into a movie. |
* It was made into a movie. |
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* The song was used in a music project at [[Kristelig Gymnasium]] and recorded as a video called [http://youtube.com/watch?v=VBE6G-YXoY8 Norwegian Uptown Girl] |
* The song was used in a music project at [[Kristelig Gymnasium]] and recorded as a video called [http://youtube.com/watch?v=VBE6G-YXoY8 Norwegian Uptown Girl] |
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* On the TV Series [[Scrubs]] J.D. confesses that Uptown Girl was the song that got him through high school |
* On the TV Series ''[[Scrubs]]'' J.D. confesses that Uptown Girl was the song that got him through high school |
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Revision as of 03:32, 20 November 2007
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| Song |
"Uptown Girl" is a song performed by musician Billy Joel. It was first released in 1983 on his album An Innocent Man. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard charts in the US, and #1 in the UK. The style of music, including the doo-wop beat, the close harmonies and Joel's frequent use of falsetto singing, is intended to be reminiscent of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The song is also unique in that it changes key from the original two times before going back, giving the song three keys.
The lyrics deal with a working-class "downtown man" attempting to woo a wealthy "uptown girl".
Covers of this song have been performed by Alvin and The Chipmunks, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Aaron Carter, and Westlife.
In 1988, Rolling Stone ranked "Uptown Girl" #99 on their list of the 100 most important singles of the period 1963-1988.
Music video
Billy Joel version
The title character in the music video was played by Joel's girlfriend (later wife) Christie Brinkley, who was the inspiration for the song in real life. They divorced in 1994 and subsequently the song was missing from the setlist during Joel's 1994 "River Of Dreams" tour.
Different versions of the music video opening were produced, in which an auto mechanic is watching the end of Joel's previous hit "Tell Her About It" on a small TV. Then, depending on the version, the next image on the TV is either a blank screen or the logo of the network or TV show the video was on. The only logos known to be used are MTV and Friday Night Videos. TRIVIA: When Billy Joel decided to have Christie Brinkley in the video, she showed up at his house to discuss it. He answered the door and immediately told her "I don't dance", which was true at the time. Brinkley had to give Joel basic dance steps so he could "dance" in the video with her. This started their romance which eventually led to their marriage.
Westlife version
This video was shot in a Cafe setting with Claudia Schiffer as the title character. Robert Bathurst, James Wilby, Ioan Gruffudd, Crispin Bonham-Carter and Tim McInnerny feature as the high class customers. It was sung by Westlife to raise money for charity.
Charts
Billy Joel version
- #1 (UK Singles Chart, Australia Kent Music Report)
- #3 (United States Billboard Hot 100)
- #2 (U.S. Adult Contemporary)
- #3 (Norway)
- #18 (Austria)
- #64 (Japan Oricon Weekly Singles Chart)
Westlife version
Popular culture
 | This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. (August 2007) |
- "Uptown Girl" was featured in the episode "D'oh-in in the Wind" of The Simpsons, in which Homer drives around with two ex-hippies blaring the song on their radio. Ironically, Homer declares the song to be their "protest" music. He also sang part of it during the closing credits.
- A cover of this song was heard on an Alvin and the Chipmunks soundtrack.
- It was made into a movie.
- The song was used in a music project at Kristelig Gymnasium and recorded as a video called Norwegian Uptown Girl
- On the TV Series Scrubs J.D. confesses that Uptown Girl was the song that got him through high school
