Billy Joel

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Ali dances and the audience applauds
Though he's bathed in sweat, he hasn't lost his style
Ali, don't you go downtown
You gave away another round for free, woah

[Pre-Chorus 1]
Me, I'm just another face at Zanzibar
But the waitress always serves a secret smile, woah
She's waiting out in Shantytown
She's gonna pull the curtains down for me
For me

[Chorus]
I've got the old man's car
I've got a jazz guitar
I've got a tab at Zanzibar
Tonight, that's where I'll be
I'll be

[Verse 2]
Rose, he knows he's such a credit to the game
But the Yankees grab the headlines every time
Melodrama's so much fun
In black and white for everyone to see, woah
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Me, I'm trying just to get to second base
And I'd steal it if she only gave the sign, woah
She's gonna give the go ahead
The inning isn't over yet for me
For me

[Chorus]
I've got the old man's car
I've got a jazz guitar
I've got a tab at Zanzibar
Tonight, that's where I'll be, I'll be

[Instrumental]

[Pre-Chorus 1]
Tell the waitress I'll come back to Zanzibar
I'll be hiding in the darkness with my beer, woah
She's waiting out in Shantytown
She's gonna pull the curtains down for me
For me

[Chorus]
I've got the old man's car
I've got a jazz guitar
I've got a tab at Zanzibar
Tonight, that's where I'll be, I'll be
[Instrumental Outro]

If there's a song that characterizes Billy Joel's journey into the jazz realm, one that attests to his incredible musical versatility, then that's, without a doubt, Zanzibar. Joel released Zanzibar in 1978 as part of the ’52nd Street’ album, a year after hitting it big with 'The Stranger.'

Lyrically, the song illustrates a man's attempts to score with a waitress in a fictional sports bar. The character's attempts to win the woman over provide an enlivening storyline amidst the song's jazzy background.

Zanzibar's musical arrangement is heavily jazz-inspired, evocative of the jazz culture that was at its peak in America through the mid-1970s. The track features many jazz elements, including a fast walking bassline in the bridge and a trumpet solo by Freddie Hubbard.

The song's title itself has a fascinating backstory. In 2016, Joel revealed during an interview on his SiriusXM channel that he initially had the idea to write a jazzy song with the title “Zanzibar” but couldn't come up with a storyline that would fit the name. It was during a conversation with his producer, Phil Ramone, that they decided that “Zanzibar sounds like the name of a bar,” which led to the song's eventual narrative.

About Zanzibar

Joel's Zanzibar is an enigmatic piece of music that provides a perfect example of how the singer-songwriter excels at creating a musical fusion. While the Classic rock sensibilities of his later works still linger, there is no doubt that Zanzibar's jazz-infused musical style is inspired wholly by Joel's artistic vision for the album '52nd Street.'

Jazz purists will appreciate the walking bassline during the bridge, punctuated with an extensive trumpet solo by Freddie Hubbard that gives the song a sense of vibrancy and sophistication. Joel's piano work in Zanzibar is also evident, featuring a series of well-timed chords and subtle fills that project a relaxed and melodic aura.

Lyrically, the song tells the story of a man's unrelenting attempts to win over a waitress, using pick-up lines and various tactics to impress her. The chorus, sung with Joel's characteristic ebullience, highlights his full range as a vocalist:

"So you see your trust in her tortures me, 'cause I'm the one who feels like a prisoner"

Zanzibar's musical arrangement is a huge reason why the song resonates with audiences decades after its first release. Its jazz origins notwithstanding, the song presents a unique fusion of rock and jazz, with Joel's vocal delivery being the perfect link between the two. It's one of those rare moments when a song becomes more than the sum of its parts.

Furthermore, the song introduces an intriguing musical storyline that sketches out a precise ambiance of a particular physical space; a sports bar in Zanzibar, a fictional place where the protagonist goes to take his chances with a particular waitress.

The song's lyrics underscore a sense of urgency and wantonness that is typical of Joel's style, making Zanzibar one of his potent tracks. As with many Joel's songs, there is always a central theme or idea that he tries to explore. In this case, the song's theme revolves around the yearning and hesitation linked with a seemingly impossible love.

The chorus to “Zanzibar” is one of the song's standout moments; it is characteristically addictive and memorable. It serves the purpose of reinforcing the song's central theme while adding a degree of singability to the song.

Joel's artistry had been shaped by the city's live music scene when he released '52nd Street', which was a crucial turning point in his artistic journey. With Zanzibar, he leaves space for the listener to feel different emotions with each listen. The instrumentation in the song is breathtaking, and it attests to how Joel's work is still fresh, vibrant, and relevant.

Final thoughts

In summary, Billy Joel's Zanzibar is a mesmerizing jazz-rock hybrid, characterized by intricate instrumentation, memorable lyrics, and sublime vocal delivery. It tells an engaging story of unrequited love between the protagonist and a particular waitress, set within the unique ambiance of a fictional sports bar.

From its addictive chorus to Freddie Hubbard's trumpet solos and Joel's piano work, Zanzibar remains a tour de force of musical originality and mastery, highlighting Joel's ability to upturn conventions and blend genres, resulting in an immersive and timeless creation that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

• Release Date: October 13, 1978
• Artist: Billy Joel