Allentown Arts Park - Billy Joel - "Allentown" - Allentown, PA
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NorStar
N 40° 36.261 W 075° 28.110
18T E 460363 N 4494943
This song by Billy Joel tells the sad story of the decline of the steel industry in Allentown-Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which is still evident today - though there are bright spots such as this park across the street from the Allentown Art Museum.
Waymark Code: WMMDNW
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 09/05/2014
Views: 9
"Allentown," a huge hit by songwriter and performer Billy Joel, is based on the story of the real city of Allentown, Pennsylvania, located in the Lehigh Valley northwest of Philadelphia.
The song, "Allentown," is generally about the decline of manufacturing and the tough choices young people have to make whether to stay in the town they grew up or leave - illustrated by the specific story of the reduction - and eventual closure of Bethlehem Steel in the adjoining city of Bethlehem, where many of the people in Allentown would work.
The following is a portion of the song's lyrics (from the BillyJoel.com web site):
"Well we're living here in Allentown
And they're closing all the factories down
Out in Bethlehem they're killing time
Filling out forms
. . .
Well we're waiting here in Allentown
For the Pennsylvania we never found
For the promises our teachers gave
If we worked hard
If we behaved
. . .
And we're waiting here in Allentown"
The place selected for the waymark is the Allentown Arts Park. It was actually the only place I found in the downtown area that had Allentown in the name of the building. Most of the others had the county name - Allentown is the county seat of Lehigh County. The Allentown Art Museum is across the street. The park is clean and open and has a large mural at the end. The kiosk shows events happening. It shows the hope and pride that still exists within the city.
When the song was released, there was mixed reaction to the song by the citizens. Some felt it as degrading and full of stereotypes about the working class. However, after it became a hit, Joel received the key to the city by the city's mayor.
It's about Allentown - and many small to large industrial cities in America.
Sources:
Wikipedia (Allentown (song)):
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visit link)
Billyjoel.com ('Allentown' Lyrics):
(
visit link)