Uptown Girl
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| "Uptown Girl" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by Billy Joel | ||
| from the album An Innocent Man | ||
| Released | 1983 | |
| Format | 7" | |
| Recorded | 1983 | |
| Genre | Pop | |
| Length | 3:15 | |
| Label | Columbia | |
| Producer(s) | Phil Ramone | |
| Chart positions | ||
| Billy Joel singles chronology | ||
| "Tell Her About It" (1983) |
"Uptown Girl" (1983) |
"Leave A Tender Moment Alone" (1983) |
"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.
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.
[edit] Music video
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.
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.
[edit] Popular culture
"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. It is also a song by Westlife.
| Preceded by "Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club |
UK number one single October 30, 1983 |
Succeeded by "Only You" by The Flying Pickets |
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