In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Uptown Girl

Music by Billy Joel

Originally Performed by Billy Joel

"Uptown Girl" was released on September 29, 1983, on his ninth studio album An Innocent Man (1983). The lyrics describe a working-class "downtown man" attempting to woo a wealthy "uptown girl."

According to an interview with Howard Stern, Joel had originally titled the song "Uptown Girls" and it was conceived on an occasion when he was surrounded by Christie Brinkley, Whitney Houston and his then-girlfriend Elle Macpherson. According to numerous interviews with Joel, the song was initially written about his relationship with Macpherson, but it ended up also becoming about his soon-to-be wife, Brinkley (both women being two of the most famous supermodels of the 1980s)

Although "Uptown Girl" was not as successful in the U.S. as previous single "Tell Her About It", it was still a big hit. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and number one in the United Kingdom, staying at that position for five weeks; it was the second biggest-selling single of 1983 in the United Kingdom behind only Culture Club's "Karma Chameleon", which Joel had knocked off the number one position on November 1, 1983. The song was the 19th biggest-selling single of the 1980s in the United Kingdom, selling 975,000 copies. It has sold 1.02 million copies as of 2013.

Release Date: 1983 on the album An Innocent Man

Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

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Deke Sharon : What I Like About You (Collection)

Deke Sharon and Anne Raugh have become a very successful team in the world of contemporary a cappella arrangements and here is a four song collection suitable for most all male groups. Steve Miller's "Fly Like An Eagle" is a pop classic and this arrangement is fun to sing as is the Stephen Still song "Love The One You're With". Billy Joel's songs seem to be particularly suited for a cappella and "Uptown Girl" will please both performers and audiences alike.

Songlist: Fly Like An Eagle, Love The One You're With, Uptown Girl, What I Like About You

Nicholas Hare : Novello Barbershop Songbook

The new-style Barbershop and close harmony songbook featuring twelve all-time great songs newly arranged in modern style for TTBB groups and choirs. Renowned vocal arranger Nicholas Hare has added helpful performance notes. From classics to pop hits these favourite songs include 'Angel Eyes', 'The Girl From Ipanema', 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' and 'Whispering Grass'.

Songlist: Angel Eyes, Eleanor Rigby, Maria, Satin Doll, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, The Girl From Ipanema, Uptown Girl, Wake Up Little Susie, What I Did For Love, When I'm Sixty-Four, Whispering Grass, Yesterday

Billy Joel : An Innocent Man

David Rosenthal, Billy's keyboardist and Music Director, has carefully arranged all the tracks from Joel's 1983 release, combining the piano parts and vocal melodies into playable arrangements while transcribing those classic piano parts that are integral to each song. Guitar chord frames are also included. This great souvenir collection even includes several pages of photos and Billy Joel's original hand written lyrics. It includes ten classic songs, including: Careless Talk - Christie Lee - Easy Money - An Innocent Man - Keeping the Faith - Leave a Tender Moment Alone - The Longest Time - Tell Her About It - This Night - Uptown Girl.

Songlist: Easy Money, Careless Talk, Christie Lee, This Night, An Innocent Man, Keeping The Faith, Leave A Tender Moment Alone, The Longest Time, Tell Her About It, Uptown Girl

Individual Folios

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