“Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel, released in 1983, is a lively and upbeat track that pays homage to the classic doo-wop and rock ‘n’ roll sounds of the 1950s and 1960s. The song tells the story of a working-class man infatuated with a sophisticated “uptown” girl, highlighting the contrast between their worlds.
About The Song
The track features catchy piano riffs, tight harmonies, and a driving rhythm, all delivered with Joel’s charismatic vocals. Inspired by the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, “Uptown Girl” captures a nostalgic feel while maintaining a fresh and modern sound.
“Uptown Girl” was a commercial success, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the charts in the UK. Its catchy melody and charming lyrics have made it one of Billy Joel’s most enduring hits, continuing to be a favorite among fans and a staple of his live performances.
Video
Lyric
[Verse 1]
Uptown girl
She’s been living in her uptown world
I bet she’s never had a backstreet guy
I bet her momma never told her why
I’m gonna try for an[Chorus]
Uptown girl
She’s been living in her white bread world
As long as anyone with hot blood can
And now, she’s looking for a downtown man
That’s what I am[Bridge]
And when she knows what she wants from her time
And when she wakes up and makes up her mind[Pre-Chorus]
She’ll see I’m not so tough
Just because I’m in love with an[Verse 2]
Uptown girl
You know I’ve seen her in her uptown world
She’s getting tired of her high class toys
And all the presents from her uptown boys
She’s got a choice[Verse 3]
Uptown girl
You know I can’t afford to buy her pearls
But maybe, someday, when my ship comes in
She’ll understand what kind of guy I’ve been
And then I’ll win[Bridge]
And when she’s walking, she’s looking so fine
And when she’s talking, she’ll say that she’s mine[Pre-Chorus]
She’ll say I’m not so tough
Just because I’m in love with an[Chorus]
Uptown girl
She’s been living in her white bread world
As long as anyone with hot blood can
And now, she’s looking for a downtown man
That’s what I am[Outro]
Uptown girl, she’s my uptown girl
You know I’m in love with an uptown girl, my uptown girl
You know I’m in love with an uptown girl, my uptown girl
You know I’m in love with an uptown girl, my uptown girl
You know I’m in love with an uptown girl
26
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Genius Annotation
3 contributors
“Uptown Girl” is a Billy Joel classic that can be found on 1983’s An Innocent Man. Inspired by Frankie Valli’s “Rag Doll,” its lyrics find a “downtown boy” (lower class) waxing poetic in his own way for a girl from a classier upbringing.
The song was written about Joel’s girlfriend at the time, model Elle Macpherson. However, his soon-to-be wife Christie Brinkley is the one who appeared in the song’s music video.
It was internationally successful, reaching the top 20 in eight countries including a #3 peak in the US, and #1 in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In the UK, it stayed at the top for five weeks, was the second biggest selling single of the year, and sold over a million copies. Later, it was ranked the 19th biggest selling single of the 1980s in the UK and in 1988, Rolling Stone ranked “Uptown Girl” #99 on their list of the 100 most important singles of the period 1963-1988.
If that’s not enough, it’s Homer Simpson’s favorite “song of protest.”
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Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
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What did Billy Joel say about “Uptown Girl”?
Genius Answer
1 contributor
Joel told the Today Show in 2005:
I was thinking of the Four Seasons, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and when I was thinking [sings] “Uptown Girl!” I was trying to sing like Frankie Valli. They had a song called “Rag Doll,” which was about a poor girl and a rich guy. So I just flipped it around and made it about a rich girl and a poor guy.
Which girl is the song about?
Genius Answer
2 contributors
Despite the appearance of Joel’s soon-to-be wife Christie Brinkley in the music video, the song was actually written about model Elle Macpherson.
Who produced “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel?
When did Billy Joel release “Uptown Girl”?
Who wrote “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel?
An Innocent Man (1983)
Billy Joel
1.
Easy Money
2.
An Innocent Man
3.
The Longest Time
4.
This Night
5.
Tell Her About It
6.
Uptown Girl
7.
Careless Talk
8.
Christie Lee
9.
Leave a Tender Moment Alone
10.
Keeping the Faith
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Credits
Producer
Phil Ramone
Writer
Billy Joel
Label
Columbia Records
Mastering Engineer
Ted Jensen
Arranger
David Matthews
Assistant Engineer
Scott James & Mike Allaire
Percussion
Mark Rivera
Tenor Saxophone
Mark Rivera
Alto Saxophone
Mark Rivera
Mixing Engineer
Jim Boyer
Engineer
Bradshaw Leigh & Jim Boyer
Piano
Billy Joel
Drums
Liberty DeVitto
Bass
Doug Stegmeyer
Guitar
Russell Javors & David Brown (Guitarist)
Background Vocals
Mike Alexander, Eric Troyer, Terry Textor, Ron Taylor, Frank Floyd, Rory Dodd & Tom Bahler
Recorded At
A&R Recording, New York, NY
Release Date
September 29, 1983
Songs That Sample Uptown Girl
Say You Mines by Water.lo, Posh Girl by Kunt And The Gang, Triptych by Kane West, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop by USHER, Uptown Girl by J.R. Writer, Bad Man Nuh Stray by Buccaneer (Ft. Scare Dem Crew), Uptown by Drake (Ft. Bun B & Lil Wayne), Wedding Day by Izaac Sebastian Reather, 1983 by The Hood Internet, Confusion Vol. 6 by Ph0ton, Confusion Vol. 5 by Ph0ton, Shot In The Dark by LK CORVUS, Confusion Vol. 1 by Ph0ton, Uptown Interlude by Ph0ton, Nut Huntin’ [HIDDEN TRACK] by Ph0ton, Marshall Mash by Ph0ton, Billy At Work by Ph0ton, Uptown Breathing by Ph0ton & Letterflies by Ph0ton
Songs That Interpolate Uptown Girl
deja vu by Olivia Rodrigo, Ghetto Girl by Mann (Ft. Sean Kingston) & A-Town Girl by USHER (Ft. Latto)
Uptown Girl Covers
Uptown Girl by The Holophonics, Vrať Se K Dětským Hrám by Stanislav Hložek & Petr Kotvald, Uptown Girl (Radio Edit) by Westlife, Uptown Girl by Glee Cast, Uptown Girl by John Barrowman, Uptown Girl by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Uptown Girl by Westlife, Uptown Girl by TWS (투어스) & Uptown Girl by Alvin & The Chipmunks
Uptown Girl Live Performances
Uptown Girl(Live At Moscow And Leningrad July/August 1987) by Billy Joel
View Uptown Girl samples
Tags
Rock
Pop
USA
In English
Doo-Wop
Singer-Songwriter
Pop-Rock
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