Sing Shea a song, you're the piano man

Billy Joel bid farewell to New York's Shea Stadium this week, playing the last music gigs at the soon-to-be-destroyed baseball venue. Among the fans in the stands to sing along -- his famous ex-wife Christie Brinkley. Musicians joining Joel onstage included John Mellencamp and Don Henley.

Wondering what sort of setlist an event like that would require? Here's the full list of songs:

• The Star-Spangled Banner
• Miami 2017
• Angry Young Man
• My Life
• Everybody Loves You Now
• The Entertainer
• Zanzibar
• Allentown
• Ballad of Billy the Kid
• New York State of Mind (with Tony Bennett)
• Big Man on Mulberry Street
• Root Beer Rag
• Movin' Out
• Goodnight Saigon
• Don't Ask Me Why
• This Is the Time (with John Mayer)
• Keepin' the Faith
• Downeaster
• Alexa
• An Innocent Man
• Boys of Summer (with Don Henley)
• She's Always a Woman
• Captain Jack
• Lullabye
• Hard Day's Night/River of Dreams
• Pink Houses (with John Mellencamp)
• We Didn't Start the Fire
• It's Still Rock'n'Roll to Me
• Please Please Me
• You May Be Right
• Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
• Only the Good Die Young
• She Loves You
• Piano Man
• Souvenir

Comments

[jane]

That's a hell of a set list -- and a concert I'd love to have seen, although I read where tickets are now easily in the four figures. Not much from my favorite album of his, the underrated (IMO) "Glass Houses" but other than that, not much to complain about with that selection of songs.

Here's a synopsis of last night's gig... amazing: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/19/nyregion/19joel.html

[Miguel]

Billy Joel! arghhh! And Paul McCartney joined too! Double arghhhhhh!

What a sad ending for that stadium.But baseball is a sad sport anyway,so that seems just about right.

I apologize in advance for this comment specially to Janey who really likes Billy Joel.

[80sfan]

Wow that must have been a long show. I just picked up the 30th Anniversary edition of The Stranger and love the live CD from Carnegie Hall. I haven't had the opportunity to watch the DVD yet.

If you are a Billy fan, I recommend picking up a copy of the current issue of Performing Songwriter magazine which features Billy in this issue. Plus it includes interviews with Nancy Wilson and Rick Springfield. Sweet.

[Rosa]

I went to Shea Stadium once, they had great blue raspberry sno cones and the Phillies beat the Mets, good times.

[Marissa]

mmm Rick Springfield. Thanks 80sfan.

As for Billy, I missed an opportunity to see him back in the early 90s. I can't recall why, but I can assure you it wasn't from lack of interest.

[Former Producer Dave]

I thought it was Yankee Stadium that was being taken down....no?

[jane]

Awwww, Miguel -- no apologies necessary, as I know not everyone digs Billy Joel (the early years especially) like I do.

But a double arghhhhhh for McCartney -- really? Ouch.

[Miguel]

Yes,Janey i don`t really dig those old Beatles dudes.Any of them.I`ve always thought Paul McCartney was overrated.But that`s me,i know millions of people adore him.

[Sherrie]

I adore Billy Joel, having seen him in concert six or seven times I'd imagine this was a heck of a show. Miami 2017 is the most played song on my iPod, it's a classic. "Lullabye" absolutely wrecks me everytime I hear it- what a devastatingly touching song, especially for a parent. I always miss out on a song or two after I hear that in concert as I'm trying to regain my composure. That's powerful stuff, IMHO he's one of the best songwriters of the last few decades.

[SM]

Former Producer Dave- I think they're both being demolished. The city's selling off the pieces of Yankee Stadium. I pick up a lot of this through osmosis... the husband's a rabid sports fan and ESPN is always on in our house.

[Douglas Arthur]

my dirty little secret is Billy Joel. In sixth grade I actually lipsynched Movin' Out for a talent show. First album I bought was the aforementioned Glass Houses, purchased on an 8th grade trip to NYC. My friend Chris picked up something weird called Adam and the Ants. I didn't realize it then but that was the beginning of the end of my musical association with Mr. Joel. I was about to make a switch over to the new wave. I can listen to Billy with an ear for nostalgia now. I love Turnstiles and the Stranger. Heck, Spearsy, dare I say you've inspired me? I might just go pull out my old cassette tapes. Gotta love the tape hiss.

[Douglas Arthur]

yes, both Shea and Yankee stadiums are falling under the wrecking ball this year.

[Blaine]

Once we get the kinks of quantum physics worked out and have functioning backward time travel, who wants to go back in time to hear me bang out "This is the Time" on the keys at a college talent show in the late '80s? Actually, you probably don't want to do that...

[jane]

Hey Blaine, I'll go back in time for you if we can go back a wee bit further to hear me sing "Where's The Orchestra" (off "Nylon Curtain") at another college talent show. Epic, I tell you.

[Marissa]

Hmmm In 1983 I performed "Love Look Away" in the Miss Kankakee Pageant. I realize it's not Billy Joel, but the pageant coordinator didn't think "Only the Good Die Young" was appropriate.

[Blaine]

Two intriguing performances. Sounds like we have the makings of a future SIT80s talent show. The smart money would be on me to place last.

[Big Tex]

Add me to the talent show list: I sang "She's Got a Way" when I was a junior in high school. Blaine, I'd give you a run for your money for the bottom spot.

[Bassnote]

I saw Billy at the Rosemont Horizon (Chicago) in 1998. It was a great show, and I was happy to finally see him.

[John Hays]

Love Billy Joel's music. I hope this was recorded and is released as a concert DVD.

Oh, and Downeaster Alexa is one song, think that's a typo on the list.

[sparky]

Saw Billy Joel and Sir Elton together in Philly, had to be 94 or 95. Simply awesome.

I believe the same year I saw Sir Paul in Philly and that was really freaking cool. When he played Live and Let Die, he finished it off with "Take that Axl". The crowd erupted.