She's Got a Way

Not to be confused with She's Got a Way with Words.

"She's Got a Way"
Single release of the 1980 live recording
Single by Billy Joel
from the album Cold Spring Harbor and Songs in the Attic
B-side
ReleasedNovember 1971[1] (studio release)
November 1981[2] (live re-release)
RecordedJuly 1971
StudioRecord Plant Studios, Los Angeles
GenreSoft rock
Length2:50 (studio)
3:00 (live)
LabelFamily Productions (U.S.)
Philips (UK)
Columbia (live re-release)
Songwriter(s)Billy Joel
Producer(s)Artie Ripp
Phil Ramone (live re-recording)
Billy Joel singles chronology
"She's Got a Way"
(1971) 		"Piano Man"
(1973)
"Say Goodbye to Hollywood
(Live)"
(1981)
"She's Got a Way
(Live)"
(1981)
"Pressure"
(1982)

"She's Got a Way" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, originally released on his first studio album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971) as the opening track of it and as a single from that album in some countries. It was also featured as a single from the 1981 live album Songs in the Attic, peaking at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1982.[3]

Lyrics and music

"She's Got a Way" is a love ballad.[4] The lyrics to "She's Got a Way" have the singer describing how various characteristics of a particular woman, such as her laugh, make him love her, even though he can't understand why.[5] To music critic Mark Bego, it's a song about a woman who has "mesmerized" him.[4] Joel biographer Fred Schruers describes the lyrics as a "plainspoken, never-quite-corny adoration of a loved one."[6]

According to a friend of the couple, Bruce Gentile, the song was written about Joel's first wife Elizabeth.[7] Joel's liner notes for Songs in the Attic seem to agree with this, commenting, "Written in 1970, I still feel the same way."

Schruers describes the song's melody as alternating between "surging" and "relenting."[6] The original studio version has minimal instrumentation.[5] The most prominent instruments are Joel's piano and some cymbal crashes.[5] Schruers describes Joel's piano playing as "stately."[6] Cash Box described it as "a slow, but never plodding love song."[8] On the 1983 reissue of Cold Spring Harbor, "She's Got a Way" also incorporated strings, which may have been inspired by a live performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City at which strings were included in the instrumentation.[5] Schruers attributes some of the effect of the song to the way Joel sings the final word of the final phrase "I don't know what it is/But there doesn't have to be a reason anyway."[6] Schruers describes the last word "anyway" as hanging in the air, "trailing off" and "disrupting the tempo" and thus "seemingly giving in to the emotion" of love.[6]

In a 1981 interview, Joel expressed mixed feelings about the song: "I thought it was cornball for years. I had trouble singing it at first. Then I got into it and decided everybody has a corny side, I suppose".[9]

Joel originally included "She's Got a Way" on a five-song demo tape that included other songs that would appear on Cold Spring Harbor, such as "Everybody Loves You Now" and "Tomorrow Is Today". Joel made the tape in an unsuccessful attempt to secure his first solo recording contract with Paramount Records.[7]

Critical reception

AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the studio version as being "lovely" and rated it as one of Joel's "finest songs."[10] Record World called it a "pretty debut."[11] Bego described it as a "beautiful love ballad" and one of Joel's "most serious and adult compositions."[4] Joel biographer Hank Bordowitz called it a "remarkable composition that, while not great, at least indicate[d] a rising talent."[7] Billboard's Roy Waddell similarly described it as a "chestnut" that didn't get its "proper due" until the live version was released on Songs in the Attic.[12] Joel biographer Fred Schruers described it as the one "gem" from Cold Spring Harbor.[6] According to Rolling Stone Album Guide critic Paul Evans, "She's Got a Way" "set the pattern for the ballads Joel would soon turn out effortlessly."[13]

Live version

The version released on Songs in the Attic was recorded at a live performance in June 1980 at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston, Massachusetts. Joel performs the song with his own piano accompaniment.[5] Billboard called the live single a "delicate love ballad sincerely rendered."[14] Record World said that "Joel delivers a one-man show worthy of several encores."[15] Ken Bielen describes the performance as being influenced by Paul McCartney's style, and says that the small venue with its "attentive audience" provides an "intense intimacy."[5] Schruers describes this version as being "a technically better performance much more in a chest register" but does not consider it as poignant as the original version.[6] AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine calls this version "richer and warmer" than the studio version.[16] Joel also performed this song on live TV on Saturday Night Live on November 14, 1981.

Chart performance

Chart (1981–82) Peak
position
Canada RPM Top Singles[17] 46
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[18] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[19] 23
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[20] 4

Cover versions

Michael Sweet covered this song on 2007's Touched.[21] Phil Keaggy covered the song on 2007's Acoustic Café, accompanied only by acoustic guitar.[5] Ken Bielen described this version as being "sweet, gentle and simple."[5] Don Henley sang "She's Got a Way" as a tribute to Joel when Joel was awarded a Kennedy Center Honor in 2013.[6]

Margie Joseph recorded a femme version of the song, titled "He's Got a Way," in 1974.[5] Her version uses electric piano as the primary instrument, and adds a Hammond B-3 organ in the third verse to add a touch of gospel music influence.[5] She also adds a gospel choir for background vocals which, in Bielen's opinion gives the impression that her interpretation may be directed towards God rather than a human lover.[5] Bernadette Peters covered "He's Got a Way" on her 1996 album I'll Be Your Baby Tonight, accompanied only on piano.[5] Bielen described this version as being "technically perfect albeit emotion-filled."[5] Erlewine says that she is "well-suited" to its "pseudo-show tune stylings."[22]

References

  1. ^ "Billy Joel - She's Got a Way".
  2. ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 – ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 8th Edition (Billboard Publications)
  4. ^ a b c Bego, Mark (2007). Billy Joel: The Biography. Thunder's Mouth Press. p. 58. ISBN 9781560259893.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Bielen, Ken (2011). The Words and Music of Billy Joel. ABC-CLIO. pp. 21, 124, 129, 131. ISBN 9780313380167.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Schruers, Fred (2014). Billy Joel: The Definitive Biography. Crown Archetype. pp. 80–81, 348. ISBN 9780804140201.
  7. ^ a b c Bordowitz, Hank (2006). Billy Joel: The Life & Times of an Angry Young Man. Billboard Books. pp. 36, 41, 51, 238. ISBN 9780823082483.
  8. ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. December 4, 1971. p. 14. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  9. ^ Campbell, Mary; Associated Press (1981). "Billy Joel Records Early Songs". Retrieved February 19, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)[permanent dead link‍]
  10. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Cold Spring Harbor". AllMusic. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  11. ^ "Single Product" (PDF). Record World. December 4, 1971. p. 10. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  12. ^ Waddell, Roy (May 9, 2009). "The Legend of Billy the Kid". Billboard. p. 32. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  13. ^ Evans, Paul (2004). Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Fireside. p. 434. ISBN 0743201698.
  14. ^ "Top Single Picks". Billboard. November 21, 1981. p. 95. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  15. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. November 21, 1981. p. 1. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  16. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Songs in the Attic". AllMusic. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  17. ^ "Collectionscanda.gc.ca". Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  18. ^ Canada, Library and Archives (July 17, 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  19. ^ "Billy Joel Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  20. ^ "Billy Joel Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  21. ^ "Touched". AllMusic. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  22. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight". AllMusic. Retrieved April 9, 2016.

Read other articles:

Kampanye Kep

Kampanye KépBagian dari Perang Tiongkok-Prancis, Kampanye TonkinPertempuran Kép, 8 Oktober 1884Tanggal2 hingga 15 Oktober 1884LokasiLạng Sơn selatan, Vietnam utaraHasil Kemenangan PrancisPihak terlibat Prancis Dinasti QingTokoh dan pemimpin Jenderal Oscar de Négrier Letnan-Kolonel Donnier Cixi Wang Debang Pan DingxinKekuatan 2,800 orang 6,000 orangKorban 65 tewas180 luka-luka Lam: 12 tewas27 luka-luka[1] Kép: 32 tewas61 luka-luka.[2] Chu: 21 tewas92 luka-luka[3]...

 

 

Sette sigilli

L'Agnello apre il Libro coi sette sigilli, nella Bibbia di Ottheinrich illustrata da Matthias Gerung «E nella mano destra di Colui che sedeva sul trono vidi un rotolo scritto dentro e fuori, chiuso da sette sigilli» (Apocalisse di Giovanni, 5.1[1]) I Sette sigilli sono quelli che l'apostolo ed evangelista Giovanni dichiara di aver scorto in una visione descritta nell'ultimo libro della Bibbia, l'Apocalisse: in essa Giovanni parla di sette sigilli simbolici che tengono chiuso un libr...

 

 

Bentrokan Irak 2022

Artikel ini sebatang kara, artinya tidak ada artikel lain yang memiliki pranala balik ke halaman ini.Bantulah menambah pranala ke artikel ini dari artikel yang berhubungan atau coba peralatan pencari pranala.Tag ini diberikan pada Oktober 2022. Bentrokan Baghdad 2022Bagian dari Krisis politik Irak 2021–2022Tanggal29 Agustus 2022 – sekarangLokasiZona Hijau, Baghdad, IraqSebab Hasil dari Pemilu Irak 2021 Pengumuman pengunduran diri Muqtada al-Sadr dari politik Metode Kerusuhan Pembangkangan...

Théâtre national (Belgrade)

Théâtre national de Belgrade Le Théâtre national de Belgrade Données clés Lieu Belgrade, Serbie centrale Serbie Coordonnées 44° 49′ 01″ nord, 20° 27′ 35″ est Architecte Aleksandar Bugarski Inauguration 1869 Site web http://www.narodnopozoriste.rs/ modifier Le Théâtre national de Belgrade (en serbe cyrillique : Народно позориште у Београду ; en serbe latin : Narodno Pozorište u Beogradu, a été construi...

 

 

Stephen Fry

English actor, comedian and presenter (born 1957) For other people named Stephen Fry, see Stephen Fry (disambiguation). Stephen FryFry in 2016BornStephen John Fry (1957-08-24) 24 August 1957 (age 66)Hampstead, London, EnglandEducationUppingham SchoolPaston CollegeNorfolk College of Arts & TechnologyCity College NorwichAlma materQueens' College, Cambridge (MA)OccupationsActorbroadcastercomediandirectornarratorwriterYears active1980–presentSpouse Elliott Spencer ​...

 

 

Человек прямоходящий

† Человек прямоходящий Научная классификация Домен:ЭукариотыЦарство:ЖивотныеПодцарство:ЭуметазоиБез ранга:Двусторонне-симметричныеБез ранга:ВторичноротыеТип:ХордовыеПодтип:ПозвоночныеИнфратип:ЧелюстноротыеНадкласс:ЧетвероногиеКлада:АмниотыКлада:Синапсиды�...

Land mobile-satellite service

Mobile-satellite telephones Land mobile-satellite service (short: LMSS; also: Land mobile-satellite radiocommunication service') is – according to Article 1.27 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR)[1] – defined as «A mobile-satellite service in which mobile earth stations are located on land.» See also Main articles: Radio station and Radiocommunication service Classification Variations of this radiocommunication service in line to the ITU R...

 

 

American Nuclear Society

American Nuclear SocietyEstablished1954; 70 years ago (1954)Typeprofessional organizationLegal status501(c)(3) non-profit organizationFocusNuclear PowerHeadquartersWestmont, Illinois, U.S.Region served WorldwideMembership (2023) >10,000PresidentKenneth PetersenImmediate Past PresidentSteven ArndtVice PresidentLisa MarshallExecutive Director/CEOCraig PiercyPublicationNuclear News[1]AffiliationsINSCWebsitewww.ans.org The American Nuclear Society (ANS) is an internat...

 

 

Повітряні сили Збройних сил України

Ця стаття потребує додаткових посилань на джерела для поліпшення її перевірності. Будь ласка, допоможіть удосконалити цю статтю, додавши посилання на надійні (авторитетні) джерела. Зверніться на сторінку обговорення за поясненнями та допоможіть виправити недоліки. Мат...

Pili (TV series)

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Pili TV series – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Taiwanese TV series or program PiliOfficial logo since 2020GenreGlove puppetry, action, wuxiaCountry of originTaiwanOriginal languageTai...

 

 

哥伦布 (密西西比州)

密西西比州 哥伦布城市綽號：Possum Town哥伦布位于密西西比州的位置坐标：33°30′06″N 88°24′54″W / 33.501666666667°N 88.415°W / 33.501666666667; -88.415国家 美國州密西西比州县朗兹县始建于1821年政府 • 市长罗伯特·史密斯 (民主党)面积 • 总计22.3 平方英里（57.8 平方公里） • 陸地21.4 平方英里（55.5 平方公里） • ...

 

 

SMP Negeri 3 Depok

SMP Negeri 3 DepokBenteng Barito SchoolInformasiDidirikan3 Maret 1983JenisNegeriAkreditasiA[1]Nomor Statistik Sekolah201022403004Nomor Pokok Sekolah Nasional20223831Kepala SekolahEty Kuswandarini M.PdJumlah kelasVII: 10, VIII: 10, IX: 10Rentang kelasVII, VIII, IXKurikulumKurikulum Tingkat Satuan PendidikanStatusSekolah Standar NasionalAlamatLokasiJalan Barito Raya №3, Baktijaya, Kec. Sukmajaya, Depok, Jawa Barat, IndonesiaTel./Faks.(021) 7709105Situs webSitus ResmiSur...

مقارنة مرجعية

أساس تقييم الأداء[1] أو المقارنة المرجعية (بالإنجليزية: Benchmarking) ممارسة لمقارنة العمليات التجارية ومقاييس الأداء بأفضل الممارسات الصناعية وأفضل الممارسات من الشركات الأخرى. الأبعاد المُقاسة عادةً هي الجودة والوقت والتكلفة. تُستخدم المقارنة المرجعية لقياس الأداء باست...

 

 

Gerardo Chiaromonte

Italian politician and journalist (1924–1993) Gerardo ChiaromonteMember of the Senate of the RepublicIn officeJune 5, 1968 – April 7, 1993ConstituencyCampaniaMember of the Chamber of DeputiesIn officeMay 16, 1963 – June 4, 1968ConstituencyNaples Personal detailsBorn(1924-11-29)November 29, 1924Naples, ItalyDiedApril 7, 1993(1993-04-07) (aged 68)Political partyPDS (1991–1993)Other politicalaffiliationsPCI (1945–1991) Gerardo Chiaromonte (November 29, 1924 – A...

 

 

Gavli

Sub caste of Yadav in Maharashtra Gavli (also spelled as Gawli or Gavali) (Marathi: गवळी) is a Hindu caste in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.[1][2][3] They are a part of the Yadav community.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Etymology The name Gavli may have been derived from gay, meaning cow.[11][12] History Origin Some authorities have suggested that Ahirs (today Yadavs) migrated...

Morelos

State of Mexico This article is about the Mexican state. For the Mexican Independence War leader, see José María Morelos. For the city named after him, see Morelia. For other uses, see Morelos (disambiguation). State in Cuernavaca, MexicoMorelosStateFree and Sovereign State of MorelosEstado Libre y Soberano de Morelos (Spanish) Coat of armsMotto(s): Tierra y Libertad('Land and Liberty') (Coat of arms: La tierra volverá a quienes la trabajan con sus manos [The land will be returned to ...

 

 

Dégagnac

Dégagnac L'église Saint-Vincent. Administration Pays France Région Occitanie Département Lot Arrondissement Gourdon Intercommunalité Communauté de communes Cazals-Salviac Maire Mandat Didier Pugnet 2020-2026 Code postal 46340 Code commune 46087 Démographie Populationmunicipale 642 hab. (2021 ) Densité 17 hab./km2 Géographie Coordonnées 44° 39′ 57″ nord, 1° 19′ 00″ est Altitude 185 mMin. 140 mMax. 306 m Superficie 37,9...

 

 

Bauan, Batangas

Peta menunjukan lokasi Bauan Data sensus penduduk di Bauan Tahun Populasi Persentase 199564.190—200072.6042.68%200779.8311.32% Bauan adalah munisipalitas yang terletak di provinsi Batangas, Filipina. Pada tahun 2007, wilayah ini memiliki jumlah penduduk sebesar 79.831 jiwa atau 15.353 rumah tangga. Pembagian wilayah Bauan terbagi menjadi 40 barangay, yaitu: Alagao Aplaya As-Is Bagong Silang Baguilawa Balayong Barangay I (Pob.) Barangay II (Pob.) Barangay III (Pob.) Barangay IV (Pob.) Bolo C...

Yesha Rughani

Yesha RughaniLahir24 Maret 1992 (umur 32)Rajkot, Gujarat, IndiaPendidikanSymbiosis Institute of Design, MaharashtraPekerjaanaktrismodelTahun aktif2017–sekarangDikenal atasMuskaan Yesha Rughani adalah seorang aktris televisi India.[1] Dia telah memerankan peran Devika Babber di Jeet Gayi Toh Piya Morey dan Muskaan Singh di Muskaan.[2][3] Kehidupan awal dan pendidikan Rughani menyelesaikan sekolahnya dari Rajkot dan mengejar gelar di bidang komunikasi desain...

 

 

Sabina (Ohio)

Pour les articles homonymes, voir Sabina. Cet article est une ébauche concernant l’Ohio. Vous pouvez partager vos connaissances en l’améliorant (comment ?) selon les recommandations des projets correspondants. SabinaGéographiePays  États-UnisÉtat OhioComté comté de ClintonCanton Richland Township (en)Superficie 3,34 km2 (2010)Surface en eau 0,62 %Altitude 320 mCoordonnées 39° 29′ 21″ N, 83° 38′ 06″ ODémographiePopulation...