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| artist = [[Billy Joel]]
| artist = [[Billy Joel]]
| cover = Billy_Joel_-_The_Nylon_Curtain.jpg
| cover = Billy_Joel_-_The_Nylon_Curtain.jpg
| border = yes
| alt =
| alt =
| released = September 23, 1982
| released = September 23, 1982
| recorded = Winter 1981-Spring 1982
| recorded = Winter 1981–spring 1982
| venue =
| venue =
| studio =
| studio = [[A&R Recording|A&R Recording, Inc.]] and Media Sound Studios, New York City
*[[A&R Recording|A&R]], [[New York City]]
*[[Mediasound Studios|Mediasound]], New York City
| genre = {{flatlist|
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Pop rock]]<ref name="allmusic"/>
* [[Pop rock]]<ref name="allmusic"/>
* [[soft rock]]
* [[rock music|rock]]<ref name="CG80s"/>
* [[new wave music|new wave]]
}}
}}
| length = 41:57
| length = 41:57
Line 26: Line 28:
| type = studio
| type = studio
| single1 = [[Pressure (Billy Joel song)|Pressure]]
| single1 = [[Pressure (Billy Joel song)|Pressure]]
| single1date = 1982
| single1date = September 1982
| single2 = [[Allentown (song)|Allentown]]
| single2 = [[Allentown (song)|Allentown]]
| single2date = 1982
| single2date = November 1982
| single3 = [[Goodnight Saigon]]
| single3 = [[Goodnight Saigon]]
| single3date = 1983
| single3date = February 1983
}}
}}
}}
}}
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r10434|pure_url=yes}}</ref>
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic">[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r10434|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic]</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s]]''
| rev2 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s]]''
| rev2Score = B<ref name="CG80s">{{cite book|first= Robert |last= Christgau |author-link= Robert Christgau |year= 1990 |title= [[Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s]] |publisher= [[Pantheon Books]] |isbn= 0-679-73015-X |chapter=Billy Joel|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=5077|access-date=June 8, 2019}}</ref>
| rev2Score = B<ref name="CG80s">{{cite book|first= Robert |last= Christgau |author-link= Robert Christgau |year= 1990 |title= [[Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s]] |publisher= [[Pantheon Books]] |isbn= 0-679-73015-X |chapter=Billy Joel|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=5077|access-date=June 8, 2019}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev4 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{citation |author=Holden, Stephen |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090220202243/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/billyjoel/albums/album/223020/review/5942738/the_nylon_curtain |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/billyjoel/albums/album/223020/review/5942738/the_nylon_curtain |archive-date= February 20, 2009 |date=February 20, 2009 |title=Music Reviews : ''The Nylon Curtain'' by Billy Joel |work= Rolling Stone |orig-year= October 14, 1982}}</ref>
| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{citation |author=Holden, Stephen |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090220202243/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/billyjoel/albums/album/223020/review/5942738/the_nylon_curtain |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/billyjoel/albums/album/223020/review/5942738/the_nylon_curtain |archive-date= February 20, 2009 |date=February 20, 2009 |title=Music Reviews : ''The Nylon Curtain'' by Billy Joel |magazine= Rolling Stone |url-status=dead |orig-year= October 14, 1982}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[People (magazine)|People]]''
| rev3 = ''[[People (magazine)|People]]''
| rev4score = (Positive)<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20083585,00.html |magazine= People |title= Picks and Pans Review: ''The Nylon Curtain'' |date=November 22, 1982 |access-date= November 11, 2013}}</ref>
| rev3score = (Positive)<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20083585,00.html |magazine= People |title= Picks and Pans Review: ''The Nylon Curtain'' |date=November 22, 1982 |access-date= November 11, 2013}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''''The Nylon Curtain''''' is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter [[Billy Joel]], released on June 28, 1982, and produced by [[Phil Ramone]].
'''''The Nylon Curtain''''' is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter [[Billy Joel]], released on September 23, 1982, and produced by [[Phil Ramone]].


''The Nylon Curtain'' peaked at {{thinspace|No.| 7}} on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard charts|albums chart]], with two million sales in the U.S. It was one of the first albums to be digitally recorded, mixed, and mastered.
''The Nylon Curtain'' peaked at {{thinspace|No.| 7}} on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard charts|albums chart]], with two million sales in the U.S. It was one of the first albums to be digitally recorded, mixed, and mastered.


==Background==
==Background==
The album is among Joel's most ambitious efforts, and Joel has openly acknowledged that it is one of his personal favorites, calling it "the recording I'm most proud of and the material I'm most proud of."<ref name="youtube.com">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqc4U8uWTRU Billy Joel Interview on Nylon Curtain]</ref> When he recorded the album, he said in an interview that he wanted to "create a sonic masterpiece." Joel spent more time in the studio, crafting the sound of the album, than he had on any previous album.<ref name="youtube.com"/> He said that the process of making the album was "exhausting."<ref name="youtube.com"/> Critics have interpreted the album to be, in part, an homage to the music of [[The Beatles]] and the, at the time, recently deceased [[John Lennon]].<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/album/r10434 Nylon Curtain Album Review]</ref>
The album is among Joel's most ambitious efforts, and Joel has openly acknowledged that it is one of his personal favorites, calling it "the recording I'm most proud of and the material I'm most proud of."<ref name="youtube.com">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqc4U8uWTRU Billy Joel Interview on Nylon Curtain]</ref> When he recorded the album, he said in an interview that he wanted to "create a sonic masterpiece." Joel spent more time in the studio, crafting the sound of the album, than he had on any previous album.<ref name="youtube.com"/> He said that the process of making the album was "exhausting."<ref name="youtube.com"/> Critics have interpreted the album to be, in part, an homage to the music of [[The Beatles]] and the then-recently deceased [[John Lennon]].<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/album/r10434 Nylon Curtain Album Review]</ref>


Saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist [[Richie Cannata]] left the band prior to recording, so Joel, bassist [[Doug Stegmeyer]], drummer [[Liberty DeVitto]] and guitarists David Brown and [[Russell Javors]] recorded the album mostly by themselves, thus making it Joel's first album since ''[[Streetlife Serenade]]'' not to feature a regular saxophonist, although [[Eddie Daniels]] plays saxophone on the closing track "Where's the Orchestra?" alongside Charles McCracken on cello and Dominic Cortese on accordion. Saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist [[Mark Rivera]], formerly of the band [[Tycoon (band)|Tycoon]], joined the band to replace Cannata for the Nylon Curtain Tour and he remains with the band to this day.
Saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist [[Richie Cannata]] left the band prior to recording, so Joel, bassist [[Doug Stegmeyer]], drummer [[Liberty DeVitto]] and guitarists David Brown and [[Russell Javors]] recorded the album mostly by themselves, thus making it Joel's first album since ''[[Streetlife Serenade]]'' not to feature a regular saxophonist, although [[Eddie Daniels]] plays clarinet on the closing track "Where's the Orchestra?" alongside Charles McCracken on cello and Dominic Cortese on accordion. Saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist [[Mark Rivera]], formerly of the band [[Tycoon (band)|Tycoon]], joined the band as of The Nylon Curtain Tour to replace Cannata.


Regarding the album's themes, Joel has stated "It was during the [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan years]], and the diminishing horizons in America at the time [meant that] all of a sudden you weren't going to be able to inherit [the kind of life] your old man had."<ref name="youtube.com"/> This pessimism about the American dream, in Joel's view, permeates most of the songs on the album. Joel also said that the theme of the album was "an American dilemma, specifically of people born after [[World War II]]."<ref name=campbell>{{cite news|title=Bill Joel Uses Seven Fingers at the Piano|author=Campbell, Mary|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19821030&id=ROwwAAAAIBAJ&pg=2285,7152035&hl=en|newspaper=[[Daytona Beach Morning Journal]]|date=October 30, 1982|access-date=April 12, 2016|page=12D}}</ref> He said that although he doesn't provide solutions to the dilemma, he "hope[d] the record speaks like someone in that age group, if only just to tie us all together as people, as an entity."<ref name=campbell/>
Regarding the album's themes, Joel has stated "It was during the [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan years]], and the diminishing horizons in America at the time [meant that] all of a sudden you weren't going to be able to inherit [the kind of life] your old man had."<ref name="youtube.com"/> This pessimism about the American dream, in Joel's view, permeates most of the songs on the album. Joel also said that the theme of the album was "an American dilemma, specifically of [[Baby Boomers|people born]] after [[World War II]]."<ref name=campbell>{{cite news|title=Bill Joel Uses Seven Fingers at the Piano|author=Campbell, Mary|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19821030&id=ROwwAAAAIBAJ&pg=2285,7152035&hl=en|newspaper=[[Daytona Beach Morning Journal]]|date=October 30, 1982|access-date=April 12, 2016|page=12D}}</ref> He said that although he doesn't provide solutions to the dilemma, he "hope[d] the record speaks like someone in that age group, if only just to tie us all together as people, as an entity."<ref name=campbell/>

The song "[[Allentown (song)|Allentown]]", which brought attention to the plight of America's declining steel industry, spent an unprecedented six weeks at No. 17 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] in early 1983.<ref name="bb19820205">{{cite web |title=The Hot 100: week of February 5, 1983 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1983-02-05 |website=billboard.com |publisher=Billboard / Prometheus Global Media |access-date=March 2, 2019}}</ref><ref name="bb19820212">{{cite web |title=The Hot 100: week of February 12, 1983 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1983-02-12 |website=billboard.com |publisher=Billboard / Prometheus Global Media |access-date=March 2, 2019}}</ref><ref name="bb19820219">{{cite web |title=The Hot 100: week of February 19, 1983 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1983-02-19 |website=billboard.com |publisher=Billboard / Prometheus Global Media |access-date=March 2, 2019}}</ref><ref name="bb19820226">{{cite web |title=The Hot 100: week of February 26, 1983 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1983-02-26 |website=billboard.com |publisher=Billboard / Prometheus Global Media |access-date=March 2, 2019}}</ref><ref name="bb19820305">{{cite web |title=The Hot 100: week of March 5, 1983 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1983-03-05 |website=billboard.com |publisher=Billboard / Prometheus Global Media |access-date=March 2, 2019}}</ref><ref name="bb19820312">{{cite web |title=The Hot 100: week of March 12, 1983 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1983-03-12 |website=billboard.com |publisher=Billboard / Prometheus Global Media |access-date=March 2, 2019}}</ref>


Pop-culture journalist [[Chuck Klosterman]] praised songs from the album, specifically "Laura" and "Where's the Orchestra?", in his book ''[[Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto|Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs]]''.
Pop-culture journalist [[Chuck Klosterman]] praised songs from the album, specifically "Laura" and "Where's the Orchestra?", in his book ''[[Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto|Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs]]''.


==Production==
==Production==
Joel stated in an interview that most of the songs on the album were written in the same sequence in which they appear on the album. The album's production schedule was slightly thrown off near the end of production due to Joel himself getting into a motorcycle accident.
Joel stated in an interview that most of the songs on the album were written in the same sequence in which they appear on the album. The album's production schedule was slightly thrown off near the end of production due to Joel getting into a motorcycle accident.


The album opens with "[[Allentown (song)|Allentown]]", which despite the name is actually about the nearby town of [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=LivingDedGrrl|title="Allentown" - Billy Joel, 1982 (rock)|url=http://www.rockremembers.com/2009/03/allentown-billy-joel-1982-rock.html|access-date=2021-01-19|language=en}}</ref> Bethlehem, largely based in the production of steel for automobiles, was experiencing economic difficulties in the midst of the [[early 1980s recession]] which impacted the steel industry. Joel wrote the melody for "Allentown" eight years before finishing it, later completing the lyrics in time for inclusion on ''The Nylon Curtain''. According to Joel, the titular character from the song "[[Laura (Billy Joel song)|Laura]]" was supposed to represent anyone who knows how to "push your buttons" and make you feel guilty. He also explained that the character, despite having the female-oriented name "Laura", could represent anybody, regardless of sex. "[[Pressure (Billy Joel song)|Pressure]]" is about reaching a certain age and realizing the real-life responsibilities one has to deal with.<ref name="interview"/> The song was recorded with eight different overdubbed synthesizer tracks, as well as a segment with four people playing the [[mandolin]].<ref name="interview">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD2lrLB777E</ref> The closing song to Side A, "Goodnight Saigon", is about American soldiers fighting in the [[Vietnam War]], and was written by Joel at the request of his veteran peers who fought during the war. Joel wanted to avoid creating a political song that took sides, instead opting to describe things entirely from the soldiers' point-of-view in the midst of the action. Although Joel never fought as a soldier in Vietnam (Joel explained in an interview that he was a [[draft dodger]] during the time of the war<ref name="Bryant Gumbel">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgWoGim2uWo</ref>)", he had several peers at the time who did, some of whom never returned, and received input from many of his friends who had served in the army in order to accurately depict what it was like being stationed in Vietnam.<ref name="interview"/><ref name="Bryant Gumbel"/> The song opens and closes with the sound of the rotors spinning on a [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois]] (or "Huey"), a military helicopter which was heavily used during the Vietnam War.
The album opens with "[[Allentown (song)|Allentown]]", which despite the name is actually about the nearby town of [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=LivingDedGrrl|title="Allentown" - Billy Joel, 1982 (rock)|url=http://www.rockremembers.com/2009/03/allentown-billy-joel-1982-rock.html|access-date=2021-01-19|language=en}}</ref> Bethlehem, largely based in the production of steel for automobiles, was experiencing economic difficulties in the midst of the [[early 1980s recession]] which impacted the steel industry. Joel wrote the melody for "Allentown" eight years before finishing it, later completing the lyrics in time for inclusion on ''The Nylon Curtain''.


According to Joel, the titular character from the song "[[Laura (Billy Joel song)|Laura]]" was supposed to represent anyone who knows how to "push your buttons" and make you feel guilty. He also explained that the character, despite having the female-oriented name "Laura", could represent anybody, regardless of sex.
The B-side of ''The Nylon Curtain'' opens with "She's Right On Time", an uplifting love song, to contrast with the more serious tone of the preceding "Goodnight Saigon." The song details the anticipated reunion between two lovers, told from the point-of-view of the man in the relationship waiting for the woman to arrive. Since the song was written by Joel around Christmas time, the preparation of a [[Christmas tree]] was used as an analogy throughout the song. "A Room Of Our Own" thematically opposes "She's Right On Time", detailing a couple who needs time away from each other; the song lays out numerous differences between the two. The song "Surprises", described by Joel as a "grand metaphysical statement", is about how one shouldn't be surprised by their inability to control things, though the song is open to several different interpretations according to Joel. "[[Scandinavian Skies]]", which prominently features string parts inspired by the songs "[[I Am The Walrus]]" and "[[Strawberry Fields Forever]]" by [[The Beatles]], was inspired by a horrifying drug experience Joel went through during a flight trip. The closing song, "Where's The Orchestra?", is about a man who goes to see a live play expecting a musical, only to realize that it's a regular stage show; according to Joel, this is a metaphor for life, specifically the realization that it's not as grand and over-the-top as it is sometimes made out to be. Joel tried to make the song feel reminiscent of musical plays. In the studio recording, Joel's vocals play from the left speaker channel, whereas the orchestral backing is in the right speaker channel, to emulate a man sitting in a theater seat and watching a play. The song closes by reprising the melody of "Allentown", thus bringing the album full-circle.<ref name="interview"/>

"[[Pressure (Billy Joel song)|Pressure]]" is about reaching a certain age and realizing the real-life responsibilities one has to deal with.<ref name="interview"/> The song was recorded with eight different overdubbed synthesizer tracks, as well as a segment with four people playing the [[mandolin]].<ref name="interview">{{cite web| url-status = live| archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/oD2lrLB777E| archive-date = 2021-12-05| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD2lrLB777E| title = Billy Joel 'Behind Nylon Curtains' Interview - 1982 | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The closing song to Side A, "Goodnight Saigon", is about American soldiers fighting in the [[Vietnam War]], and was written by Joel at the request of his veteran peers who fought during the war. Joel wanted to avoid creating a political song that took sides, instead opting to describe things entirely from the soldiers' point-of-view in the midst of the action. Although Joel never fought as a soldier in Vietnam (Joel explained in an interview that he was a [[draft dodger]] during the time of the war<ref name="Bryant Gumbel">Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/kgWoGim2uWo Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210308190203/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgWoGim2uWo Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgWoGim2uWo| title = Billy Joel interview with Bryant Gumbel | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>), he had several peers at the time who did, some of whom never returned, and received input from many of his friends who had served in the army in order to accurately depict what it was like being stationed in Vietnam.<ref name="interview"/><ref name="Bryant Gumbel"/> The song opens and closes with the sound of the rotors spinning on a [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois]] (or "Huey"), a military helicopter which was heavily used during the Vietnam War.

The B-side of ''The Nylon Curtain'' opens with "She's Right On Time", an uplifting love song, to contrast with the more serious tone of the preceding "Goodnight Saigon." The song details the anticipated reunion between two lovers, told from the point-of-view of the man in the relationship waiting for the woman to arrive. Since the song was written by Joel around Christmas time, the preparation of a [[Christmas tree]] was used as an analogy throughout the song.

"A Room Of Our Own" thematically opposes "She's Right On Time", detailing a couple who needs time away from each other; the song lays out numerous differences between the two.

The song "Surprises", described by Joel as a "grand metaphysical statement", is about how one shouldn't be surprised by their inability to control things, though the song is open to several different interpretations according to Joel.

The first three songs on side B all display a relationship theme. “She’s Right On Time” describing the reunion, “A Room Of Our Own” describing the decline as the lovers drift apart, and “Surprises” with the inevitable separation.

"[[Scandinavian Skies]]", which prominently features string parts inspired by the songs "[[I Am The Walrus]]" and "[[Strawberry Fields Forever]]" by [[The Beatles]], was inspired by a horrifying drug experience Joel went through during a flight.

The closing song, "Where's The Orchestra?", is about a man who goes to see a live play expecting a musical, only to realize that it's a regular stage show; according to Joel, this is a metaphor for life, specifically the realization that it's not as grand and over-the-top as it is sometimes made out to be. Joel tried to make the song feel reminiscent of musical plays. In the studio recording, Joel's vocals play from the left speaker channel, whereas the orchestral backing is in the right speaker channel, to emulate a man sitting in a theater seat and watching a play. The song closes by reprising the melody of "Allentown", thus bringing the album full-circle.<ref name="interview"/>


==Accolades==
==Accolades==
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==Track listing==
==Track listing==
{{tracklist
All tracks written and composed by Billy Joel.
| headline = Side one
| all_writing = Billy Joel
⚫
| title1 = [[Allentown (song)|Allentown]]
| length1 = 3:52
⚫
| title2 = [[Laura (Billy Joel song)|Laura]]
| length2 = 5:05
⚫
| title3 = [[Pressure (Billy Joel song)|Pressure]]
| length3 = 4:40
⚫
| title4 = [[Goodnight Saigon]]
| length4 = 7:04
}}


{{tracklist
'''Side one'''
| headline = Side two
⚫
#"[[Allentown (song)|Allentown]]" – 3:52
⚫
| title5 = She's Right on Time
⚫
#"[[Laura (Billy Joel song)|Laura]]" – 5:05
| length5 = 4:14
⚫
#"[[Pressure (Billy Joel song)|Pressure]]" – 4:40
⚫
| title6 = A Room of Our Own
⚫
#"[[Goodnight Saigon]]" – 7:04
| length6 = 4:04

| title7 = Surprises
'''Side two'''
| length7 = 3:26
⚫
#<li value=5>"She's Right on Time" – 4:14</li>
⚫
| title8 = [[Scandinavian Skies]]
⚫
#"A Room of Our Own" – 4:04
| length8 = 6:00
#"Surprises" – 3:26
⚫
| title9 = Where's the Orchestra?
⚫
#"[[Scandinavian Skies]]" – 6:00
| length9 = 3:17
⚫
#"Where's the Orchestra?" – 3:17
| total_length =
}}


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
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* [[Phil Ramone]] – producer
* [[Phil Ramone]] – producer
* Laura Loncteaux – assistant producer
* Laura Loncteaux – assistant producer
* Jim Boyer – engineer, remix
* [[Jim Boyer (audio engineer)|Jim Boyer]] – engineer, remix
* [[Bradshaw Leigh]] – associate engineer
* [[Bradshaw Leigh]] – associate engineer
* Michael Christopher – assistant engineer
* Michael Christopher – assistant engineer
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|-
|-
!Chart (1982–83)
!Chart (1982–83)
!Peak<br>position
!Position
|-
|-
|align="left"|Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name="auchart">{{Cite book|title=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]]|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, NSW|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
|align="left"|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=156}}</ref>
|4
|4
|-
|-
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|align="center"|6
|align="center"|6
|-
|-
|align="left"|Japanese Albums ([[Japanese Albums Chart|Oricon]])<ref name="Jachart">{{cite web |url= http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~yamag/album2012/al_billyjoel.html |title= a-ビリー・ジョエル – Yamachan Land (Japanese Chart Archives) – Albums Chart Daijiten – Simon and Garfunkel |publisher= [[Original Confidence]] |language= ja |date= December 30, 2007 |access-date= August 17, 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref>
|align="left"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon Albums Chart|Oricon]])<ref name="Jachart">{{cite web |url= http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~yamag/album2012/al_billyjoel.html |title= a-ビリー・ジョエル – Yamachan Land (Japanese Chart Archives) – Albums Chart Daijiten – Simon and Garfunkel |publisher= [[Original Confidence]] |language= ja |date= December 30, 2007 |access-date= August 17, 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref>
|2
|2
|-
|-
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|27
|27
|-
|-
|align="left"|US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="USchart1">[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=the-rhythm-of-the-saints-r10434/charts-awards|accessdate=12 July 2011|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic – The Nylon Curtain > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums]</ref>
|align="left"|US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="USchart1">[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=the-rhythm-of-the-saints-r10434/charts-awards|access-date=12 July 2011|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic – The Nylon Curtain > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums]</ref>
|7
|7
|-
|-
|align="left"|West German Albums ([[German Albums Chart|Media Control]])<ref name="dechart">{{cite web
|align="left"|West German Albums ([[German Albums Chart|Media Control]])<ref name="dechart">{{cite web
| url=http://www.officialcharts.de/album.asp?artist=Billy+Joel&title=The+Nylon+Curtain&cat=a&country=de| title=Album Search: Billy Joel – ''The Nylon Curtain''| language=de| publisher=Media Control| access-date=March 3, 2012}}</ref>
| url=http://www.officialcharts.de/album.asp?artist=Billy+Joel&title=The+Nylon+Curtain&cat=a&country=de| title=Album Search: Billy Joel – ''The Nylon Curtain''| language=de| publisher=Media Control| access-date=March 3, 2012}}{{dead link|date=December 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
|34
|34
|-
|-
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!Position
!Position
|-
|-
|align="left"|Australian Albums Chart<ref name="auchart" />
|align="left"|Australian Albums Chart<ref name="auchart">{{Cite book|title=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]]|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, NSW|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
|49
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!Position
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|align="left"|Australian Albums Chart<ref name="auchart" />
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==Certifications and sales==
==Certifications and sales==
{{certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|artist=Billy Joel|title=The Nylon Curtain|relyear=1982|award=Platinum|certyear=1982|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/aNf84lX.jpg|title=Kent Music Report No 453 – 28 February 1983 > Platinum Albums 1982 (Continued)|publisher=[[Kent Music Report]]|via=Imgur.com|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref>|salesamount=50,000}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|artist=Billy Joel|title=The Nylon Curtain|relyear=1982|award=Platinum|certyear=1982|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/aNf84lX.jpg|title=Kent Music Report No 453 – 28 February 1983 > Platinum Albums 1982 (Continued)|publisher=[[Kent Music Report]]|via=Imgur.com|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref><ref name="aus83">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/CB-1983-02-05.pdf|title=CBS International Certifications |magazine=[[Cash Box magazine|Cash Box]]|via=World Radio History|page=19|date=February 5, 1983|access-date=December 7, 2021}}</ref>}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=The Nylon Curtain|artist=Billy Joel|type=album|relyear=1982|region=Canada|award=Platinum}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=The Nylon Curtain|artist=Billy Joel|type=album|relyear=1982|region=Canada|award=Platinum}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan (Oricon Charts)|nocert=yes|salesamount=356,000|salesref=<ref name="Jachart" /><ref name="JPCB">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=Oricon Entertainment|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan (Oricon Charts)|nocert=yes|salesamount=356,000|salesref=<ref name="Jachart" /><ref name="JPCB">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=Oricon Entertainment|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9}}</ref>}}
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{{Billy Joel}}
{{Billy Joel}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Nylon Curtain, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nylon Curtain, The}}

Revision as of 11:11, 2 July 2024

The Nylon Curtain
Studio album by
Billy Joel
ReleasedSeptember 23, 1982
RecordedWinter 1981–spring 1982
Studio
Genre
Length41:57
LabelFamily Productions/Columbia
ProducerPhil Ramone
Billy Joel chronology
Songs in the Attic
(1981) 		The Nylon Curtain
(1982) 		An Innocent Man
(1983)
Singles from The Nylon Curtain
  1. "Pressure"
    Released: September 1982
  2. "Allentown"
    Released: November 1982
  3. "Goodnight Saigon"
    Released: February 1983
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Christgau's Record Guide: The '80sB[2]
Menschen(Positive)[4]
Rolling Stone[3]

The Nylon Curtain is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released on September 23, 1982, and produced by Phil Ramone.

The Nylon Curtain peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard albums chart, with two million sales in the U.S. It was one of the first albums to be digitally recorded, mixed, and mastered.

Background

The album is among Joel's most ambitious efforts, and Joel has openly acknowledged that it is one of his personal favorites, calling it "the recording I'm most proud of and the material I'm most proud of."[5] When he recorded the album, he said in an interview that he wanted to "create a sonic masterpiece." Joel spent more time in the studio, crafting the sound of the album, than he had on any previous album.[5] He said that the process of making the album was "exhausting."[5] Critics have interpreted the album to be, in part, an homage to the music of The Beatles and the then-recently deceased John Lennon.[6]

Saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist Richie Cannata left the band prior to recording, so Joel, bassist Doug Stegmeyer, drummer Liberty DeVitto and guitarists David Brown and Russell Javors recorded the album mostly by themselves, thus making it Joel's first album since Streetlife Serenade not to feature a regular saxophonist, although Eddie Daniels plays clarinet on the closing track "Where's the Orchestra?" alongside Charles McCracken on cello and Dominic Cortese on accordion. Saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist Mark Rivera, formerly of the band Tycoon, joined the band as of The Nylon Curtain Tour to replace Cannata.

Regarding the album's themes, Joel has stated "It was during the Reagan years, and the diminishing horizons in America at the time [meant that] all of a sudden you weren't going to be able to inherit [the kind of life] your old man had."[5] This pessimism about the American dream, in Joel's view, permeates most of the songs on the album. Joel also said that the theme of the album was "an American dilemma, specifically of people born after World War II."[7] He said that although he doesn't provide solutions to the dilemma, he "hope[d] the record speaks like someone in that age group, if only just to tie us all together as people, as an entity."[7]

Pop-culture journalist Chuck Klosterman praised songs from the album, specifically "Laura" and "Where's the Orchestra?", in his book Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs.

Production

Joel stated in an interview that most of the songs on the album were written in the same sequence in which they appear on the album. The album's production schedule was slightly thrown off near the end of production due to Joel getting into a motorcycle accident.

The album opens with "Allentown", which despite the name is actually about the nearby town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[8] Bethlehem, largely based in the production of steel for automobiles, was experiencing economic difficulties in the midst of the early 1980s recession which impacted the steel industry. Joel wrote the melody for "Allentown" eight years before finishing it, later completing the lyrics in time for inclusion on The Nylon Curtain.

According to Joel, the titular character from the song "Laura" was supposed to represent anyone who knows how to "push your buttons" and make you feel guilty. He also explained that the character, despite having the female-oriented name "Laura", could represent anybody, regardless of sex.

"Pressure" is about reaching a certain age and realizing the real-life responsibilities one has to deal with.[9] The song was recorded with eight different overdubbed synthesizer tracks, as well as a segment with four people playing the mandolin.[9]

The closing song to Side A, "Goodnight Saigon", is about American soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War, and was written by Joel at the request of his veteran peers who fought during the war. Joel wanted to avoid creating a political song that took sides, instead opting to describe things entirely from the soldiers' point-of-view in the midst of the action. Although Joel never fought as a soldier in Vietnam (Joel explained in an interview that he was a draft dodger during the time of the war[10]), he had several peers at the time who did, some of whom never returned, and received input from many of his friends who had served in the army in order to accurately depict what it was like being stationed in Vietnam.[9][10] The song opens and closes with the sound of the rotors spinning on a Bell UH-1 Iroquois (or "Huey"), a military helicopter which was heavily used during the Vietnam War.

The B-side of The Nylon Curtain opens with "She's Right On Time", an uplifting love song, to contrast with the more serious tone of the preceding "Goodnight Saigon." The song details the anticipated reunion between two lovers, told from the point-of-view of the man in the relationship waiting for the woman to arrive. Since the song was written by Joel around Christmas time, the preparation of a Christmas tree was used as an analogy throughout the song.

"A Room Of Our Own" thematically opposes "She's Right On Time", detailing a couple who needs time away from each other; the song lays out numerous differences between the two.

The song "Surprises", described by Joel as a "grand metaphysical statement", is about how one shouldn't be surprised by their inability to control things, though the song is open to several different interpretations according to Joel.

The first three songs on side B all display a relationship theme. “She’s Right On Time” describing the reunion, “A Room Of Our Own” describing the decline as the lovers drift apart, and “Surprises” with the inevitable separation.

"Scandinavian Skies", which prominently features string parts inspired by the songs "I Am The Walrus" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" by The Beatles, was inspired by a horrifying drug experience Joel went through during a flight.

The closing song, "Where's The Orchestra?", is about a man who goes to see a live play expecting a musical, only to realize that it's a regular stage show; according to Joel, this is a metaphor for life, specifically the realization that it's not as grand and over-the-top as it is sometimes made out to be. Joel tried to make the song feel reminiscent of musical plays. In the studio recording, Joel's vocals play from the left speaker channel, whereas the orchestral backing is in the right speaker channel, to emulate a man sitting in a theater seat and watching a play. The song closes by reprising the melody of "Allentown", thus bringing the album full-circle.[9]

Accolades

Grammy Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1983 The Nylon Curtain Album of the Year[11] Nominated

Track listing

All tracks are written by Billy Joel

Side one
No.TitelLength
1."Allentown"3:52
2."Laura"5:05
3."Pressure"4:40
4."Goodnight Saigon"7:04
Side two
No.TitelLength
5."She's Right on Time"4:14
6."A Room of Our Own"4:04
7."Surprises"3:26
8."Scandinavian Skies"6:00
9."Where's the Orchestra?"3:17

Personnel

Musiker

Additional musicians
  • Bill Zampino – field snare (4)
  • Rob Mounsey – synthesizer (8)
  • Dominic Cortese – accordion (9)
  • Eddie Daniels – saxophone and clarinet (9)
  • Charles McCracken – cello (9)
  • Dave Grusin – string and horn arrangements
  • David Nadien – concertmaster (1, 3–7, 9)
  • "String Fever" – strings (2, 8)

Production

  • Phil Ramone – producer
  • Laura Loncteaux – assistant producer
  • Jim Boyer – engineer, remix
  • Bradshaw Leigh – associate engineer
  • Michael Christopher – assistant engineer
  • Larry Franke – assistant engineer
  • Andy Hoffman – assistant engineer
  • Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, NYC – mastering engineer
  • Kenneth Topolsky – production manager
  • Paula Scher – artwork
  • John Berg – inner sleeve design
  • Chris Austopchuk – front cover design
  • Benno Friedman – back cover photo

Charts

Certifications and sales

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[33][34] Platinum 50,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[35] Platinum 100,000^
Japan (Oricon Charts) — 356,000[18][36]
Netherlands (NVPI)[37] Gold 50,000^
United States (RIAA)[38] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ a b AllMusic
  2. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (1990). "Billy Joel". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Pantheon Books. ISBN 0-679-73015-X. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  3. ^ Holden, Stephen (February 20, 2009) [October 14, 1982], "Music Reviews : The Nylon Curtain by Billy Joel", Rolling Stone, archived from the original on February 20, 2009
  4. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: The Nylon Curtain". People. November 22, 1982. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d Billy Joel Interview on Nylon Curtain
  6. ^ Nylon Curtain Album Review
  7. ^ a b Campbell, Mary (October 30, 1982). "Bill Joel Uses Seven Fingers at the Piano". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. p. 12D. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  8. ^ LivingDedGrrl. ""Allentown" - Billy Joel, 1982 (rock)". Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d "Billy Joel 'Behind Nylon Curtains' Interview - 1982". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Billy Joel interview with Bryant Gumbel". YouTube.
  11. ^ "Rock on the Net: 25th Annual Grammy Awards – 1987". Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  12. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 156. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  13. ^ "Billy Joel – The Nylon Curtain – austriancharts.at" (in German). Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  14. ^ Library and Archives Canada. Archived May 13, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved March 5, 2012
  15. ^ ( the book ). November 13, 1982. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  16. ^ "dutchcharts.nl Billy Joel – The Nylon Curtain". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  17. ^ "Tonlist Top 40". DV. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  18. ^ a b "a-ビリー・ジョエル – Yamachan Land (Japanese Chart Archives) – Albums Chart Daijiten – Simon and Garfunkel" (in Japanese). Original Confidence. December 30, 2007. Retrieved August 17, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  19. ^ "charts.nz – Billy Joel – The Nylon Curtain". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  20. ^ "norwegiancharts.com Billy Joel – The Nylon Curtain". Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  21. ^ "swedishcharts.com Billy Joel – The Nylon Curtain". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  22. ^ "The Official Charts Company – Billy Joel – The Nylon Curtain". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  23. ^ Allmusic – The Nylon Curtain > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums
  24. ^ "Album Search: Billy Joel – The Nylon Curtain" (in German). Media Control. Retrieved March 3, 2012.[dead link]
  25. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  26. ^ "Top 100 Albums '82". RPM. December 25, 1982. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  27. ^ "1982年アルバム年間ヒットチャート (Japanese Year-End Albums Chart 1982)" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  28. ^ "The Top 20 Albums of Høst 1982". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  29. ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums of 1983". RPM. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  30. ^ "Dutch Charts – Jaaroverzichten Album 1983". Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  31. ^ "日本で売れた洋楽アルバムトップ10 (Top-ten international albums on the Japanese Oricon Year-End Charts 1987)". Archived from the original on September 17, 2007. Retrieved June 4, 2008.
  32. ^ "Top Pop Albums of 1983". billboard.biz. December 31, 1983. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  33. ^ "Kent Music Report No 453 – 28 February 1983 > Platinum Albums 1982 (Continued)". Kent Music Report. Retrieved January 24, 2020 – via Imgur.com.
  34. ^ "CBS International Certifications" (PDF). Cash Box. February 5, 1983. p. 19. Retrieved December 7, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  35. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Billy Joel – The Nylon Curtain". Music Canada.
  36. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  37. ^ "de branchevereniging van de entertainmentindustrie". Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved August 17, 2011.Note: User needs to enter "Billy Joel" in the "Artiest" field and click below "zoek" button.
  38. ^ "American album certifications – Billy Joel – The Nylon Curtain". Recording Industry Association of America.
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