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{{Short description|1977 single by Billy Joel}} {{Short description|1977 single by Billy Joel}}
{{Infobox song {{Infobox song
| name = Movin' Out (Anthony's SONG | name = Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
)
| cover = Billy-joel-movin-out-anthonys-song-columbia-US-vinyl.jpg | cover = Billy-joel-movin-out-anthonys-song-columbia-US-vinyl.jpg
| alt = | alt =
Line 9: Line 8:
| artist = ] | artist = ]
| album = ] | album = ]
| B-side = {{ubl | “]" (Europe)|] (UK)|"Everybody has a Dream" (US)}} | B-side = {{ubl | “]" (Europe)|"]" (UK)|"Everybody has a Dream" (US)}}
| released = September 1977<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/436/mode/2up?q=Billy+Joel|title=Great Rock Discography|date=1995 |page=436|isbn=978-0-86241-541-9 |last1=Strong |first1=Martin Charles |publisher=Canongate Press }}</ref>
| released = November 1, 1977
<!-- | format = ] --> <!-- | format = ] -->
| recorded = 1977 | recorded = 1977
| studio = | studio =
| venue = | venue =
| genre = ]<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/52nd-street-195243/ | title=52nd Street | magazine=] | date=14 December 1978 }}</ref><ref name= "Mitchell 2024">{{cite web|first= Matt|last= Mitchell|title= The 25 Greatest Billy Joel Songs of All Time |website= ]|date= January 20, 2024|url= https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/billy-joel/the-25-greatest-billy-joel-songs-of-all-time|accessdate= January 20, 2024}}</ref>
| genre = ]
| length = 3:28 | length = 3:28
| label = ] | label = ]
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| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|7nfEYV7nWc0|"Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)"}}}} | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|7nfEYV7nWc0|"Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)"}}}}
}} }}
"'''Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)'''" is a song written and recorded by ], featured on his 1977 album '']'' as the opening track.
"'''Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)'''" is a song written and recorded by ]. The track details the singer's disgust with the upwardly mobile bourgeois aspirations of working- and lower-middle-class New Yorkers who take pride in working long hours to afford the ].<ref name="Dean">{{cite book |title=Rock N' Roll Gold Rush |last=Dean |first=Maury |author-link=Maury Dean |year=2003 |publisher=Algora |isbn=0-87586-207-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/rocknrollgoldrus00dean |url-access=limited |page=}}</ref> Characters have stereotypically ] names (Anthony, Mama Leone, Sergeant O'Leary, Mr. Cacciatore) and ] jobs. Joel considers their rejection of their working-class roots (trading a ] for a ] and buying a house in ]) ultimately futile. Near the end of the recording is the sound of a car starting up and driving away; the bass player ]'s 1960s ] was used.


The song critiques the ambitions of ]- and ]-] ] who strive for material success as evidence of social mobility, working long hours to afford the ].<ref name="Dean">{{cite book |last=Dean |first=Maury |author-link=Maury Dean |url=https://archive.org/details/rocknrollgoldrus00dean |title=Rock N' Roll Gold Rush |publisher=Algora |year=2003 |isbn=0-87586-207-1 |page= |url-access=limited}}</ref> Joel describes characters with ] occupations attempting to distance themselves from their working class roots by acquiring status symbols, such as upgrading from a ] to a ] or purchasing a home in ]. He implies these efforts are ultimately futile. According to Joel, Anthony is not a real person, but rather "every ], ], and ] kid trying to make a living in the US".
⚫ '']'' described "Movin' Out" as an "upbeat narrative that is sort of a commentary on upward mobility."<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Billboard |title=Top Single Picks |page=87 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1978/Billboard%201978-03-18.pdf |date=March 18, 1978 |access-date=2020-07-10}}</ref> '']'' said that "growling cellos and a pulsating rhythm section set the mood for Joel's threatening indictment of middle-class values" and that it has "one of the best choruses he has written in some time, combined with unusual echo effects, a yapping horn section, and a melodic guitar finale that wraps it all up nicely."<ref name=cb>{{cite news|title=CashBox Singles Reviews|date=October 8, 1977|page=24|newspaper=Cash Box|accessdate=2021-12-26|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1977/CB-1977-10-08.pdf}}</ref> According to Joel, Anthony is not a real person, but rather "every Irish, Polish, and Italian kid trying to make a living in the U.S."{{cn|date=February 2021}}


The recording concludes with the sound effect of a car, bass player ]'s 1960s ], starting and driving away, symbolizing departure.
⚫ "Movin' Out" originally appeared on Joel's 1977 album '']''. Live performances of it can be heard on '']'' and '']''.

⚫ Live performances of the song can be heard on '']'' and '']''.

==Reception==
⚫ '']'' described "Movin' Out" as an "upbeat narrative that is sort of a commentary on upward mobility."<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Billboard |title=Top Single Picks |page=87 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1978/Billboard%201978-03-18.pdf |date=March 18, 1978 |access-date=2020-07-10}}</ref> '']'' said that "growling cellos and a pulsating rhythm section set the mood for Joel's threatening indictment of middle-class values" and that it has "one of the best choruses he has written in some time, combined with unusual echo effects, a yapping horn section, and a melodic guitar finale that wraps it all up nicely."<ref name=cb>{{cite news|title=CashBox Singles Reviews|date=October 8, 1977|page=24|newspaper=Cash Box|accessdate=2021-12-26|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1977/CB-1977-10-08.pdf}}</ref> '']'' said it is "a typically expressive Joel song, with New York City references and an unusual, piano-dominated structure."<ref name=rw2>{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=October 8, 1977|accessdate=2023-02-16|title=Single Picks|page=46|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/77/RW-1977-10-08.pdf}}</ref>


==Versions== ==Versions==
The 45RPM single slightly differs from the album version as the sound effects of the car near the end of the song were removed. The 45RPM single slightly differs from the album version as the sound effects of the car near the end of the song were removed. The single was originally released in Autumn of 1977, but was pulled when Joel's previous single started climbing the charts.<ref name=rw>{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=March 18, 1978|accessdate=2023-02-15|title=Hits of the Week|page=1|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/78/Record-World-1978-03-18.pdf}}</ref> It was re-released in March 1978.<ref name=rw/>


==Personnel== ==Personnel==
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# "Everybody Has A Dream" – time: 4:36 # "Everybody Has A Dream" – time: 4:36


==Charts==
==Chart performance==
{{col-begin}} {{col-begin}}
{{col-2}} {{col-2}}
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{|class="wikitable sortable" {|class="wikitable sortable"
|- |-
!Chart (1977–78) !Chart (1977–1978)
!Peak<br>position !Peak<br>position
|- |-
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| style="text-align:center;"|6 | style="text-align:center;"|6
|- |-
|]<ref></ref> |]<ref></ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|31 | style="text-align:center;"|31
|- |-
{{singlechart|UK|35|date=19780708|access-date=5 December 2024|refname="billyuk"}}
|]
| style="text-align:center;"|35
|- |-
{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|17|artist=Billy Joel|access-date=5 December 2024}}
|US ]<ref name="Dean" />
| style="text-align:center;"|17
|- |-
|US '']'' Top 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/19780603.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 6/03/78 |access-date=2016-07-27 }}</ref> |US '']'' Top 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/19780603.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 6/03/78 |access-date=2016-07-27 }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|14 | style="text-align:center;"|14
|- |-
{{singlechart|Billboardadultcontemporary|40|artist=Billy Joel|access-date=5 December 2024}}
|US ''Billboard'' ]
| style="text-align:center;"|40
|} |}
{{col-2}} {{col-2}}
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|} |}
{{col-end}} {{col-end}}

== Certifications ==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Gold|certyear=2023|title=Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)|artist=Billy Joel|type=single|access-date=December 21, 2024|relyear=1978|source=radioscope}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Platinum|certyear=2021|title=Movin_ Out (Anthony_s Song)|artist=Billy Joel|type=single|access-date=September 12, 2022|relyear=1978}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}


==References== ==References==

Latest revision as of 19:59, 21 December 2024

1977 single by Billy Joel
"Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)"
Side-A label of U.S. vinyl single
Single by Billy Joel
from the album The Stranger
B-side
ReleasedSeptember 1977
Recorded1977
GenrePop rock
Length3:28
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Billy Joel
Producer(s)Phil Ramone
Billy Joel singles chronology
"Just the Way You Are"
(1977) 		"Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)"
(1977) 		"Only the Good Die Young"
(1977)
Music video
"Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" on YouTube

"Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" is a song written and recorded by Billy Joel, featured on his 1977 album The Stranger as the opening track.

The song critiques the ambitions of working- and lower-middle-class New Yorkers who strive for material success as evidence of social mobility, working long hours to afford the outward signs of having "made it". Joel describes characters with blue-collar occupations attempting to distance themselves from their working class roots by acquiring status symbols, such as upgrading from a Chevy to a Cadillac or purchasing a home in Hackensack, New Jersey. He implies these efforts are ultimately futile. According to Joel, Anthony is not a real person, but rather "every Irish, Polish, and Italian kid trying to make a living in the US".

The recording concludes with the sound effect of a car, bass player Doug Stegmeyer's 1960s Corvette, starting and driving away, symbolizing departure.

Live performances of the song can be heard on 2000 Years: The Millennium Concert and 12 Gardens Live.

Reception

Billboard described "Movin' Out" as an "upbeat narrative that is sort of a commentary on upward mobility." Cash Box said that "growling cellos and a pulsating rhythm section set the mood for Joel's threatening indictment of middle-class values" and that it has "one of the best choruses he has written in some time, combined with unusual echo effects, a yapping horn section, and a melodic guitar finale that wraps it all up nicely." Record World said it is "a typically expressive Joel song, with New York City references and an unusual, piano-dominated structure."

Versions

The 45RPM single slightly differs from the album version as the sound effects of the car near the end of the song were removed. The single was originally released in Autumn of 1977, but was pulled when Joel's previous single started climbing the charts. It was re-released in March 1978.

Personnel

Broadway musical

Main article: Movin' Out (musical)

The Twyla Tharp Broadway dance musical Movin' Out, featuring the songs of Billy Joel, opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City on October 24, 2002, and played 1,307 performances before closing in December 2005. The show's lead piano player and singer was Michael Cavanaugh. It toured the US extensively from 2004 to 2007, with Darren Holden as lead Piano Man, and Matt Wilson, James Fox and Matthew Friedman as second Piano Men. The show transferred to the Apollo Victoria Theatre in the West End of London on April 10, 2006; James Fox played lead piano and sang, with Darren Reeves as second piano man. It closed early, on May 22, owing to poor ticket sales.

Movin' Out is also the title of the original Broadway cast album taken from the musical.

Track listing

Europe
  1. "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" – time: 3:28
  2. "She's Always A Woman" – time: 3:21
UK
  1. "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" – time: 3:28
  2. "Vienna" – time: 3:34
United States
  1. "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" – time: 3:28
  2. "Everybody Has A Dream" – time: 4:36

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1977–1978) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) 99
Canada RPM Top Singles 11
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) 6
New Zealand 31
UK Singles (OCC) 35
US Billboard Hot 100 17
US Cashbox Top 100 14
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 40

Year-end charts

Chart (1978) Rank
Canada RPM Top Singles 106
U.S. (Joel Whitburn's Pop Annual) 118

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ) Gold 15,000
United States (RIAA) Platinum 1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. Strong, Martin Charles (1995). Great Rock Discography. Canongate Press. p. 436. ISBN 978-0-86241-541-9.
  2. "52nd Street". Rolling Stone. 14 December 1978.
  3. Mitchell, Matt (January 20, 2024). "The 25 Greatest Billy Joel Songs of All Time". Paste. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  4. Dean, Maury (2003). Rock N' Roll Gold Rush. Algora. p. 348. ISBN 0-87586-207-1.
  5. "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. March 18, 1978. p. 87. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
  6. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. October 8, 1977. p. 24. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  7. "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. October 8, 1977. p. 46. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  8. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. March 18, 1978. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  9. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 156. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  10. "Item Display - RPM". Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  11. "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  12. NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, 28 May 1978
  13. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  14. "Billy Joel Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  15. "Cash Box Top 100 6/03/78". Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  16. "Billy Joel Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  17. "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  18. Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
  19. "New Zealand single certifications – Billy Joel – Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)". Radioscope. Retrieved December 21, 2024. Type Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) in the "Search:" field.
  20. "American single certifications – Billy Joel – Movin_ Out (Anthony_s Song)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 12, 2022.

External links

Billy Joel
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilations
Singles
Other songs
Tours
Films
See also
Categories: