I really like the introduction on the original live album: "This song is about young people living in the northeast of America. Their lives are miserable because the steel factories are closing down. They desperately want to leave... but they stay because they were brought up to believe that things were going to get better. Maybe that sounds familiar."
Yup. So funny i dont think the Moscovites understood that either. What sucks this all started in the 80s and before but what 40 years later and look where we r.@sirwinstonlennon6486
Billy Joel is one of the greatest songwriters of our time. His ability, to take real world sorrows or stories and place them into musical context while sounding completely genuine, is a true gift.
@@VINvIN344 I don't get so much hate towards Billy Joel. I discovered him like a year ago and I think he is the best songwriter of the 20th century indeed. He is that good. What's the problem?
The band is tight and Billy's vocal is locked in. If this was in a studio it would be the take. Liberty's great drumming has a lot to do with it. They're all total pros. What a great performance.
One of the best Performances of Allentown. No, sorry... the best Performance of Allentown!!! And the Nylon Curtain is my favorite Album. Billy is Amazing!! !
I must agree. I thought Shea was the best but only the production values were better. Joel's voice was so much stronger then. I really got a kick out of Rivera whaling on that tail pipe! What energy! Oh...to be young again. BTW, check out Joel's shoes. I can't tell for sure but I think they're Puma leathers. I had a pair back in the day...still have 'em...went to NYC about 15 years ago. Wore them then for no particular reason. Was offered $1000 for them when I was walking in Greenwich Village. Maybe I should've sold 'em to the guy.
Born and raised in a steel town in Wv, that’s all been blown up leveled now. Nothing left there anymore. Glad I got out but I feel sorry for my aged relatives that are in their 80’s and still live there….from a bustling town where you got a new car every two years and a nice house, braces for the kids and worked double shifts to have extra Xmas money…to what it is now, lotto places, nudie bars, beater cars and a way of life gone.
We’re you there for this concert?? Or alive when it happened?? What has the over all public sediment regarding Billy playing in the USSR? Did have any influence on Soviet citizens attitude or mindset towards the west/USA?? I still can’t believe this happened, would love to hear feedback from people that were living in Soviet Union during this time or at this concert.
For some reason I’ve had the feeling like I really needed to play this song a couple of times over the last day or so. Like it’s still telling a story or something. I’m not American but I can say for sure that America is very much on my mind right now. I hope you guys can work it all out and remember what true liberty not only means but also feels like..
I grew up in the city this song was written about, so did my dad, so did his dad, and his parents moved there from Austria. This song is a story told from the perspective of someone about my dads age. Allentown (and Bethlehem, a nearby city) had been an industrial hub for years during WWII creating structural steel and during the war they made aircraft steel. Allentown boomed a little during the war and a little after. After the war, no one needed Allentown as much, so it went downhill. It was hard to get ahead, post industrialism towns are tough to get a job in, there’s nothing but industry and even that doesn’t pay much anymore. But no one left cause that’s your Allentown, you love it no matter what. There’s too much of your history there. “So you’re waiting here in Allentown” for things to get better. I can say, I’m starting to see Billy’s hope, Allentown is getting better, cause it’s hard to keep a good town down.
Wild how good he and the band sound. Man, the crowd seems electric. Just a few years before the fall of the USSR, so interesting to see the young people in the crowd.
💙Thank-you for this performance!💙 Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen are American treasures! True poets and "Rockers", who have been the voice of "the common man", and have shown respect for women throughout many years of writing and performing! 💙
Es aquel sonido metálico el cual me tenía intrigado desde el día que escuché ésta canción en la versión; Kohuept durante el verano del 2004, en aquél entonces no sabía de Billy Idol y de aquélla canción, siendo graduado de la secundaria me gustó mucho ésta canción, ya que solía tenerlo en mí cabeza y solía balbucear cuando me tocaba días alegres durante las jornadas de trabajo arduo en una obra en construcción, ya que fué mí primer empleo en aquél tiempo, 20 años después aún sigo escuchando con la misma esencia que me transmitió cuando yo era solamente un mozalbete.
I remember watching the entire Russia concert on HBO in 1987. Wish they had the full concert available to stream but I have never been able to find it.
Yeah, yeah, we all know how talented Billy is, and his singing always makes me smile However, it's so bittersweet to see Doug Stegmeyer playing bass here
2:04 That guy in the suit at the front of the audience that wasn't dancing in truth was enjoying the show. During one of the shows the lighting director would turn on the lights to get footage for an HBO documentary, and when the lights came on everyone returned to a calm pose. They were afraid the KGB would come and get them. Actually lead to Billy Joels infamous melt down. So the fact the guy was at the front, but not moving, shows he liked the music but did not wish to get in trouble.
There was a security at the concert, like at any other concert. This guard protected the singer and the group from unpleasant incidents. And you must admit, these guys in suits look much more intelligent than the Hell`s Angels at the `Rolling Stones` concert in 1969 (Altamont, California, USA), who beat and killed a black man to death. And the whole audience just stayed there and watched. So I choose the KGB in suits instead of nazi Hell`s Angels. Black lives matter.
I really like the introduction on the original live album: "This song is about young people living in the northeast of America. Their lives are miserable because the steel factories are closing down. They desperately want to leave... but they stay because they were brought up to believe that things were going to get better. Maybe that sounds familiar."
Billy’s voice was in its absolute prime during this.
this song is awesome
iT'S A PROSTEST SONG AGAINST AMERICA!!
THANK GOD FOR TRUMP!
Yup. So funny i dont think the Moscovites understood that either. What sucks this all started in the 80s and before but what 40 years later and look where we r.@sirwinstonlennon6486
Billy Joel is one of the greatest songwriters of our time. His ability, to take real world sorrows or stories and place them into musical context while sounding completely genuine, is a true gift.
Stroke it in public much ?
True words. Your words do Billy justice.
@@VINvIN344 I don't get so much hate towards Billy Joel. I discovered him like a year ago and I think he is the best songwriter of the 20th century indeed. He is that good. What's the problem?
Agreed. Downeaster Alexa is another example of that.
Absolutely at the top of his game. His singing is just incredible. Love this.
My dad died in 1970 and fought in WW2. He listening to song in "HEAVEN". High School didn't help me much either. Thank you Billy. You're the "BEST".
My Dad fought too. Here's to our fathers, the Greatest Generation.
Our great Patriots that died for NOTHING. GOD BLESS YOUR DAD ❤️🙏💖
Thanx@@chaddeez8446
The band is tight and Billy's vocal is locked in. If this was in a studio it would be the take. Liberty's great drumming has a lot to do with it. They're all total pros. What a great performance.
Absolutely
A brilliant live performance
This is the best version of this song. More energy than the studio version. Either way, it's a fantastic song. Billy is the GOAT.
Facts!!!!
One of the best Performances of Allentown. No, sorry... the best Performance of Allentown!!!
And the Nylon Curtain is my favorite Album. Billy is Amazing!! !
Yea, I've never seen a performance of Allentown as spot on as this one
This is the best performance. The energy is all there!!!!!
I must agree. I thought Shea was the best but only the production values were better. Joel's voice was so much stronger then. I really got a kick out of Rivera whaling on that tail pipe! What energy! Oh...to be young again. BTW, check out Joel's shoes. I can't tell for sure but I think they're Puma leathers. I had a pair back in the day...still have 'em...went to NYC about 15 years ago. Wore them then for no particular reason. Was offered $1000 for them when I was walking in Greenwich Village. Maybe I should've sold 'em to the guy.
i think this one is the best. th-cam.com/video/nzmAlG2z-uE/w-d-xo.html
but it's close!
That metal pipe being clanged is from a old coal mine, tuned to, A-flat Minor ;)
leokimvideo - tuned to A flat... A for Allentown 👍
TRUMP 2020
Wow I used to watch your TH-cam channel when I was younger
Get out.
@@johnlennon1970you do know that billy doesn’t like trump, you aren’t welcome here
Drummer is underrated. Band is solid.
The most enthusiasm!!!
Liberty DeVille's greatest live performance ever IMHO. He was just out of this world with energy, precision, etc.
The "worker" banging on the pipe is such a great effect!
Growing up in a steel production town myself, in Sweden however, I feel this song to the very core of my being.
this entire concert is one of the best musical performances of all time.. really
couldn't agree with you more.. I grew up listening to this on concert on VHS amongst his other albums on cassette tape.
Every one from Birmingham England sent me here, just to say we are also working class people.
Working man. I. Am a working class American. GOD bless England.!
Keep Right On! From Jackson, MS, USA 👍👌
From Birmingham too! What a great song
Much love you from the states ❤
One of my favorites songs 💜Billy is such one of the greatests artists ever.
Coming from Scotland, this song led me to recognising that the same hardships happened all over the world. Luck to you all.
@@alistairewen9558 Thank the Trilateral Commission for all Allentowns.
@@EBUNNY2012 aye, you could be right.
The synchronization this performance has is incredible🤩
Happy Billy Joel Day !
Born and raised in a steel town in Wv, that’s all been blown up leveled now. Nothing left there anymore. Glad I got out but I feel sorry for my aged relatives that are in their 80’s and still live there….from a bustling town where you got a new car every two years and a nice house, braces for the kids and worked double shifts to have extra Xmas money…to what it is now, lotto places, nudie bars, beater cars and a way of life gone.
Dang dude! The band was really into it!
Billy Joel at his BEST. Nothing better, in my opinion.
2:59 Joel has an amazing voice he can control it so much
From Easton 15 MINs Form A-town. Living in Chicago now. This brings me home thank you billy
We had the best music in the 80s
Oh for sure. So glad i got to enjoy the 80's music
Not only does he write great music, Billy Joel as a Poet is quite amazing.....his lyrics are tough to match.....
Every member of the band performing like their lives depended on it!
There’s something about piano players…..their singing is perfectly in tune
Mr. Joel, For Me, This Is My Favourite Song.
Both sides of my family worked in the steel industry for generations in Birmingham, AL. This songs hits home, too.
Спасибо вам за эти легендарные выступления и за доверие!
Thank you, mr.Joel, for your love, energy and devotion!
We’re you there for this concert?? Or alive when it happened?? What has the over all public sediment regarding Billy playing in the USSR? Did have any influence on Soviet citizens attitude or mindset towards the west/USA?? I still can’t believe this happened, would love to hear feedback from people that were living in Soviet Union during this time or at this concert.
Music brings us together. ✌️💕🙂
I was born and raised in Allentown, PA and all of this song is so true
For some reason I’ve had the feeling like I really needed to play this song a couple of times over the last day or so. Like it’s still telling a story or something. I’m not American but I can say for sure that America is very much on my mind right now. I hope you guys can work it all out and remember what true liberty not only means but also feels like..
I grew up in the city this song was written about, so did my dad, so did his dad, and his parents moved there from Austria. This song is a story told from the perspective of someone about my dads age.
Allentown (and Bethlehem, a nearby city) had been an industrial hub for years during WWII creating structural steel and during the war they made aircraft steel. Allentown boomed a little during the war and a little after.
After the war, no one needed Allentown as much, so it went downhill. It was hard to get ahead, post industrialism towns are tough to get a job in, there’s nothing but industry and even that doesn’t pay much anymore.
But no one left cause that’s your Allentown, you love it no matter what. There’s too much of your history there. “So you’re waiting here in Allentown” for things to get better.
I can say, I’m starting to see Billy’s hope, Allentown is getting better, cause it’s hard to keep a good town down.
From allentown pa 28 years old love it .!.!
Keyboardist living his best life.
The HD clarity! Wow! So much better than DVD!
Basically the best live voice in rock and roll.
Grandes recuerdos
This was an INCREDIBLE Documentary!!
Wild how good he and the band sound. Man, the crowd seems electric. Just a few years before the fall of the USSR, so interesting to see the young people in the crowd.
One of Billy Joel greatest songs
❤❤Love Billy Joel
💙Thank-you for this performance!💙 Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen are American treasures! True poets and "Rockers", who have been the voice of "the common man", and have shown respect for women throughout many years of writing and performing! 💙
please never let this music desappear!!! Great Billy!!
I grew up In Allentown Pa.And it isn't the same at all!.
I like this song for the alarm because it gives strenght to the spirit
always loved this, has never got the attention i thought it deserved. this performance is just superb!
Sheer brilliance !
Amazing
Glad to see him coming back with a new single. Been too long!
I always LOVED this song one of the best by Billy 👑🏆👑💪🌠✨🌠✨🌠✨🌠✨
SHH, UNH, AHH ( hit pipe with hammer ) I want THAT job!
WEll, in order to get THAT job, you also have to sing backup vocals, play the guitar, ...AND play a RADICAL SAXOPHONE !! (and clarinet ) :-)
Everything about this is perfect. Love you Billy- your songs speak to my soul. Thank you.
I think I finally found a musical instrument I can play 0:13
Es aquel sonido metálico el cual me tenía intrigado desde el día que escuché ésta canción en la versión; Kohuept durante el verano del 2004, en aquél entonces no sabía de Billy Idol y de aquélla canción, siendo graduado de la secundaria me gustó mucho ésta canción, ya que solía tenerlo en mí cabeza y solía balbucear cuando me tocaba días alegres durante las jornadas de trabajo arduo en una obra en construcción, ya que fué mí primer empleo en aquél tiempo, 20 años después aún sigo escuchando con la misma esencia que me transmitió cuando yo era solamente un mozalbete.
i love this version of allentown ✨✨
Amazing Russia had a great show❤
Wow! He sounds incredible
genio!🤩
Billy il più brillante duttile talento del panorama musicale.
great performance
You are a great compositer my brother!
Wao I love that song , I was 15 when I listened , it makes me remember my young life !
Probably the only rock song to feature a metal pipe and mini sledge!
What a band
0 dislikes ❤️ just the way it should be.
THIS SONG IS AMAZING
I love Billy Joel more than anybody else in the world, except my own mother. LOL
I remember watching the entire Russia concert on HBO in 1987. Wish they had the full concert available to stream but I have never been able to find it.
I got you:
th-cam.com/video/A-jnOMFU7LE/w-d-xo.html
YES!!!! WOW SO AMAZING OF ALL OF YOU IN BILLY JOEL GROUP .YOU ALL LOOKS SO GREAT AND VERY AMAZING .HOT MUSIC .I LOVE IT .THANK YOU .WELL DONE.💪💪💪👏👏👏💖
I want Hammer Man's gig.
RIGHT?! HOW MUCH DOES THAT PAY??
It's not a bad gig...but you have to be bang on with your timing lol
Very beautiful voice and song Billy
sei meraviglioso Billy Mi piaci da morire😘
A great song with social commentary 10 out of 10.
Remember the Whole shit an Billy was right and always will be. 👍
The guy in keyboards at 27 second mark. ENTHUSIASTIC
👏👏👏👏😍 Genio !!! 🇦🇷
Billy! Billy! Billy! Best catchy beat music ever..Thanks 🙏👍👍😎
Billy é um homem lindo. ❤❤❤❤❤
I always think of the Muppet Animal when I see this drummer. Love Billy
Liberty DeVitto is smacking those drums with everything he has, love it.
don't forget mark rivera 💀
@@Deckers-zf9mm hes literally pumping iron haha
Super 👏👍
Makes me think of dozens of towns in the Great Lakes.
Yup, I’m from Milwaukee
The Energy ❤️ it
A great song from a genius. 1 of my all time favourite songs.
Still Awsome! Thanks
Genius
Yeah, yeah, we all know how talented Billy is, and his singing always makes me smile
However, it's so bittersweet to see Doug Stegmeyer playing bass here
we love doug
Billy’s best song IMO. Stiff competition though
The guy is incapable of making a bad song
Billy joel a real pop music heavy-weight
Breathtaking 💯♥️🍻
Piano Man is my favorite
Talent Horizm Sooooooooooo Beautiful Billy Joel ! Bravissimo
Still really brilliant
great song
Your best concert to me!!! Great everyone!! Yyeeaahhhhh!!
2:04 That guy in the suit at the front of the audience that wasn't dancing in truth was enjoying the show. During one of the shows the lighting director would turn on the lights to get footage for an HBO documentary, and when the lights came on everyone returned to a calm pose. They were afraid the KGB would come and get them. Actually lead to Billy Joels infamous melt down. So the fact the guy was at the front, but not moving, shows he liked the music but did not wish to get in trouble.
There was a security at the concert, like at any other concert. This guard protected the singer and the group from unpleasant incidents. And you must admit, these guys in suits look much more intelligent than the Hell`s Angels at the `Rolling Stones` concert in 1969 (Altamont, California, USA), who beat and killed a black man to death. And the whole audience just stayed there and watched. So I choose the KGB in suits instead of nazi Hell`s Angels. Black lives matter.
@@bombardier2011 liar
@@bombardier2011 this is about the hardships of workers and labobours, not BLM, you have your place, please leave ours alonr
@@flynnmiller7687 I am not talking about BLM at all.
@@bombardier2011 good
legend
The drummer is beating the absolute bejabbers out of those drums!
This isn't the version that featured on the original video recording of this concert from the 80's. This is the version from the Kohuept CD.
Can you post Big Shot from the USSR tour?
Billy Joel is really cool !!!! Excellent !!!