Dave Grohl and Greg Kurstin kept the Hanukkah Sessions train rolling on Friday with a cover “Big Shot”. This take on Billy Joel‘s 1978 52nd Street hit song follows previous covers of Lisa Loeb, Ramones, Barry Manilow, Van Halen, and Amy Winehouse.
Grohl and Kurstin mostly played this one straight, abstaining from some of the hijinks that surfaced in previous Hanukkah Sessions videos. The duo didn’t stray too far from the original, beginning with Kurstin sitting behind the grand piano (and marimba), and Grohl playing from the comforts of his trusty drum kit. Channeling his inner piano man, Grohl matched Joel’s energy while delivering the song’s timeless lyrics. The two-piece did make a minor adjustment, however, exchanging the horns in the original for a succinct kazoo solo before bringing the arrangement to its conclusion.
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“While he claims a secular Long Island upbringing (and has songs full of Catholic and Italian imagery),” Grohl and Kurstin wrote in the video’s description, “Billy Joel remains one of the great Jews of musical scripture—here’s his ultimate ode to a true Macher: ‘Big Shot!'”
Watch Dave Grohl and Greg Kurstin cover Billy Joel’s “Big Shot” for night six of the Hanukkah Sessions. Head to the Foo Fighters’ YouTube channel for more videos as they become available.
Dave Grohl, Greg Kurstin – “Big Shot” (Billy Joel) – Hanukkah Sessions Night Six