Zanzibar
Billy Joel
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Ali dances and the audience applauds Though he's bathed in sweat he hasn't lost his style Ali don't you go downtown You gave away another round for free Me, I'm just another face at Zanzibar But the waitress always serves a secret smile She's waiting out in Shantytown She's gonna pull the curtains down for me, for me I've got the old man's car I've got a jazz guitar I've got a tab at Zanzibar Tonight that's where I'll be, I'll be Rose, he knows he's such a credit to the game But the Yankees grab the headline every time Melodrama's so much fun In black and white for everyone to see Me, I'm trying just to get to second base And I'd steal it if she only gave the sign She's gonna give the go head The inning isn't over yet for me, for me I've got the old man's car I've got a jazz guitar I've got a tab at Zanzibar Tonight that's where I'll be Tell the waitress I'll come back to Zanzibar I'll be hiding in the darkness with my beer She's waiting out in Shantytown She's gonna pull the curtains down for me, for me I've got the old man's car I've got a jazz guitar I've got a tab at Zanzibar Tonight that's where I'll be
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Written by: BILLY JOEL
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Album Information"Zanzibar" is a song by American musician Billy Joel. It was released as part of his 1978 album "52nd Street."
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GenreThe song falls under the genre of jazz rock, showing Joel's experiment with jazz elements outside of his usual pop-rock stylings.
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Lyrics ContentThe song includes references to both sports and to a variety of cultural phenomena such as television shows and jazz clubs.
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Trumpet PerformanceThe trumpet solo on "Zanzibar" was played by Freddie Hubbard, a renowned jazz trumpeter.
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Song Structure"Zanzibar" is a complex piece, showcasing Joel's ability to compose in different styles. It includes a prominent trumpet line, a simplified harmonic structure common in pop music, and a jazz piano solo.
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Recording ProcessThe song is notable for its slick production, with Phil Ramone serving as the producer. Ramone, a regular collaborator with Joel, won a Grammy for his work on "52nd Street."
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Track LengthThe song has a total length of 5 minutes and 13 seconds, making it one of the longest songs on the album.
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Theme'Zanzibar' is a nod to the jazz scene of New York City. The name "Zanzibar" is actually a reference to a jazz bar that used to be on the corner of 8th Ave and 48th St in Manhattan.
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Commercial PerformanceWhile "Zanzibar" was never released as a single, the album "52nd Street" was enormously successful, peaking at number one on the Billboard 200 and earning Joel two Grammy awards.
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Pop Culture ReferenceElements of the song, including the trumpet solo, were famously used in the 2002 film "Catch Me If You Can."
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Citation
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"Zanzibar Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2403443/Billy+Joel/Zanzibar>.
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