'Christmas In Fallujah'
November 27, 2007
A new Billy Joel song, ''Christmas in Fallujah,'' based on correspondence from soldiers who served in Iraq, should make its debut in the next couple weeks on iTunes. Only the Piano Man won't perform it. It will be sung by 21-year-old Long Island singer-songwriter Cass Dillon.
''I didn't feel I was the person to sing this song,'' says Joel, 58. ''I thought it should be somebody young, about a soldier's age. I wanted to help somebody else's career. I've had plenty of hits. I've had plenty of airplay. I've had my time in the sun. I think it's time for somebody else, maybe, to benefit from my own experience.''
Joel wrote the song in the past month. ''It's based on letters I got from servicemen who were over in Iraq. It's similar to when I wrote 'Goodnight Saigon.'''
Like ''Allentown,'' ''Goodnight Saigon'' appeared on Joel's ''The Nylon Curtain'' and was one of the 1982 album's singles.
Here's a video: link
I really like the song, but am not overly fond of the singer. I AM very happy to see that Billy feels the need to write again, and I hope he keeps it up.
I heard that on The Howard Stern Show. Billy Joel himself asked Howard Stern to play it.
It's a damn good tune. I'm still waiting for a studio record, though.
Great. After 10 years, Billy has decided to finally write another song. No new album, and no plans for one, but just one song.
Now, he's touring. Unfortunately for Billy, I will not be enjoying another rendition of "Uptown Girl" this weekend as he scheduled his concert the same night that Stevie Wonder is in town. Hopefully the voice modulator doesn't go crazy on him as it did at the Superbowl in Detroit a couple years back.