When I was growing up, Billy Joel was a indelible part of the musical landscape. I was a kid from Long Island and Billy Joel was ours. His songs were everywhere. On tape decks, turntables and radio stations -- the pop stations and album-oriented rock stations. The first album I ever owned was Piano Man (I bought it on cassette at the CBS "nice price" of $3.99) and I played it constantly. From early on, I was struck by the connection between Billy Joel and another artist who would become a favorite - Bruce Springsteen: They're the same age, they both signed to Columbia Records in the early 1970s, they both wear their New York bridge-and-tunnel outsider status on their sleeve, and they were both thought to be Jewish (mistakenly in Springsteen's case).
But alas, Bruce Springsteen plays that most iconic of rock and roll instruments, the electric guitar. Billy Joel plays piano. Other than perhaps Elton John, it's hard to think of a contemporary pop artist who is so indelibly linked to the piano. It's one reason Billy Joel never had the same street cred with rock critics and purists. Unless you're Jerry Lee Lewis or Little Richard, rock and roll has the piano relegated to an accompanying instrument. But then Billy Joel had always been cut from a different musical cloth. He draws upon a rich musical pedigree, has a unique songbook and influences ranging from George Gershwin and Cole Porter to the Beatles. From the Drifters and Phil Spector to Elvis Costello. He also hasn't released an album in over 30 years. And while that may be disappointing to those fans who expect perpetual artistic growth (I was hoping for a rock opera), most fans don't seem to mind. Before the year is up, he'll play his 128th sold-out concert at New York City's Madison Square Garden. He really is an idol of our age.
In one of my favorite songs by The Hold Steady, Craig Finn sings:
I guess you're old enough to know.Kids out on the east coast.
Roughly twenty years old.
Got coaxed out by a Certain Perfect Ratio.
Of warm beer to the summer smoke.
And the meat loaf to the Billy Joel.
Certain songs they get so scratched into our souls
They do, and Billy Joel had a ton of them. Here are my top 50:
50. Big Shot – 52nd Street
When I was a kid, I borrowed the 52nd Street LP from the public library and, with lyric sheet in hand, I sang along to every song. I enjoyed the snarl and bite of “Big Shot” but the lyrics perplexed me. I had never heard of Dom Perignon or Elaine’s and I couldn’t understand why on earth anyone would have “a spoon up her nose.”
49. Leningrad – Storm Front
As another pop star famously observed, it turns out the Russians love their children's too. Maybe it's not the deepest insight, but Billy's cold-war-parallel-lives tale of a Russian circus clown is surprisingly poignant
48. Sometimes a Fantasy - Glass Houses
A convincing rocker from Joel's most rocking album. It's one of the better songs you'll ever hear about phone sex.
47. Uptown Girl – An Innocent Man
44. Laura - The Nylon Curtain
36. She’s Right on Time – The Nylon Curtain
A catchy rocker about Billy’s erratic nature (or manic depression?) It’s probably his best song of the last 35 years.
So before we end
And then begin
We'll drink a toast to how it's been
A few more hours to be complete
A few more nights on satin sheets
A few more times that I can say...
I've loved these days
20. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) – The Stranger
An Italian-American New Yorker striving and struggling to find his way. Picture Saturday Night Fever's Tony Manero contemplating a move to the suburbs. It's quintessential Billy Joel.
As a rock-obsessed teenager, I was initially dismissive of An Innocent Man. It struck me as soft, satisfied, married-guy music and fully deserving of that most damning of epithets: Adult Contemporary. But now, having passed the age of consciousness and righteous rage, I’ve come to appreciate the craft of these songs, an homage to the vocal groups of the 50s and 60s. This one is Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. And that MTV video, where he’s an auto mechanic and dwarfed by Christie Brinkley, is a true 1980s period piece
46. Honesty – 52nd Street
A heartfelt ballad and one of Joel’s finest vocal performances.
45. Somewhere Along the Line – Piano Man
Piano Man was the first album I ever owned and, as a kid, I listened to it constantly. There was something so evocative about that opening line: "Well, it's a rainy in Paris, And I'm sitting by the Seine….”
A heartfelt ballad and one of Joel’s finest vocal performances.
45. Somewhere Along the Line – Piano Man
Piano Man was the first album I ever owned and, as a kid, I listened to it constantly. There was something so evocative about that opening line: "Well, it's a rainy in Paris, And I'm sitting by the Seine….”
44. Laura - The Nylon Curtain
The Nylon Curtain is the closest Joel came to a true concept album. The play on "iron curtain" reflects the specter of the Cold War, the constant backdrop of the suburban life he chronicles (And "nylon" recalls "plastics" from The Graduate.) "Laura" is an homage to the Beatles psychedelic period. And it has Billy's first F-bomb: Here I am, feeling like a fucking fool. On the hill?
43. Zanzibar – 52nd Street
Perhaps Billy’s jazziest offering. The middle section especially – the rhythm, keyboard and trumpet solo – is a fun ride. It may be the only song that references both Muhammed Ali and Pete Rose. (Dan Bern has both Ali and Rose, but on on different tracks).
43. Zanzibar – 52nd Street
Perhaps Billy’s jazziest offering. The middle section especially – the rhythm, keyboard and trumpet solo – is a fun ride. It may be the only song that references both Muhammed Ali and Pete Rose. (Dan Bern has both Ali and Rose, but on on different tracks).
42. Streetlife Serenader – Streetlife Serenade
A moody, evocative number from Joel’s third album. I became familiar with the powerful live version, on Songs in the Attic. I loved the idea of a “midnight masquerader.”
A moody, evocative number from Joel’s third album. I became familiar with the powerful live version, on Songs in the Attic. I loved the idea of a “midnight masquerader.”
41. The River of Dreams - River of Dreams
It’s hard to believe that Billy Joel’s last album of songs is now almost 30 years old. The title track, with its gospel feel, has a joyful exuberance.
It’s hard to believe that Billy Joel’s last album of songs is now almost 30 years old. The title track, with its gospel feel, has a joyful exuberance.
40. And So it Goes – Storm Front
As a songwriter, Billy Joel is usually at his best when he's wearing his heart on his sleeve. This is a grownup love song, and a beautiful one.
39. Until the Night – 52nd Street
The penultimate track on Joel’s New York City album, “Until the Night” recalls the Drifters - a romantic track with a soaring chorus.
As a songwriter, Billy Joel is usually at his best when he's wearing his heart on his sleeve. This is a grownup love song, and a beautiful one.
39. Until the Night – 52nd Street
The penultimate track on Joel’s New York City album, “Until the Night” recalls the Drifters - a romantic track with a soaring chorus.
38. Baby Grand – The Bridge
A classic ode to Billy Joel’s true love – the piano. It’s a good thing he convinced Ray Charles to sing on this track. Otherwise, we’d be wondering why Billy Joel wrote a Ray Charles song.
37. You’re My Home – Piano Man
Piano Man is a kind of drifter’s album. Joel’s narrator is always on the move and searching for some connection. On "You’re My Home" he finds it. I’ve always had a soft spot for this sweet song.
A classic ode to Billy Joel’s true love – the piano. It’s a good thing he convinced Ray Charles to sing on this track. Otherwise, we’d be wondering why Billy Joel wrote a Ray Charles song.
37. You’re My Home – Piano Man
Piano Man is a kind of drifter’s album. Joel’s narrator is always on the move and searching for some connection. On "You’re My Home" he finds it. I’ve always had a soft spot for this sweet song.
Another Beatles-influenced track and probably his most underrated song on perhaps his most underrated album.
35. My Life – 52nd Street
This bouncy anthem was Joel's biggest hit after “Just the Way You Are”.
This bouncy anthem was Joel's biggest hit after “Just the Way You Are”.
34. The Stranger – The Stranger
The title track of Billy Joel’s biggest album explores the duality and darkness of human nature. Most memorable is the haunting piano and whistling in the intro (and outro).
The title track of Billy Joel’s biggest album explores the duality and darkness of human nature. Most memorable is the haunting piano and whistling in the intro (and outro).
33. This is the Time – The Bridge
Sentimental ballads are a specialty of Joel’s. This is one of his best.
Sentimental ballads are a specialty of Joel’s. This is one of his best.
32. Souvenir - Streetlife Serenade
Clocking in at two minutes, "Souvenir" is a lovely picture postcard of melancholy. It's a song from a different age.
31. Allentown – The Nylon Curtain
He's not Bruce Springsteen, but Billy Joel also sings about the distance between the American Dream and the reality he sees on the ground – most convincingly, in postwar Long Island suburbia. But if you want to broaden the picture from tract housing to the closing of steel mills, it helps to move the setting from Levittown to Allentown.
30. The Longest Time – An Innocent Man
Billy’s lovely tribute to 1950s doo-wop has Joel singing each track of vocal harmony.
Billy’s lovely tribute to 1950s doo-wop has Joel singing each track of vocal harmony.
29. You May Be Right – Glass Houses
The sound of broken glass announced something new – Billy’s first hit song with no piano.
The sound of broken glass announced something new – Billy’s first hit song with no piano.
28. I Go to Extremes – Storm Front
A catchy rocker about Billy’s erratic nature (or manic depression?) It’s probably his best song of the last 35 years.
27. The Entertainer - Streetlife Serenade
Billy’s jaded take on the music business is clever and loads of fun. The only real weakness of the song is that it’s 3:40 instead of 3:05.
Billy’s jaded take on the music business is clever and loads of fun. The only real weakness of the song is that it’s 3:40 instead of 3:05.
26. Half a Mile Away – 52nd Street
A big, brassy pop song with a great sing-along chorus. I’m not sure why this one didn’t become a bigger hit.
A big, brassy pop song with a great sing-along chorus. I’m not sure why this one didn’t become a bigger hit.
25. It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me – Glass Houses
Billy Joel’s first ever number one hit. It's a solid rocker but the highlight is that great sax solo.
Billy Joel’s first ever number one hit. It's a solid rocker but the highlight is that great sax solo.
24. I’ve Loved These Days – Turnstiles
I’ve always been drawn to that final verse:
So before we end
And then begin
We'll drink a toast to how it's been
A few more hours to be complete
A few more nights on satin sheets
A few more times that I can say...
I've loved these days
23. She’s Always a Woman – The Stranger
One of my favorite of Joel’s ballads, because it was easy enough for me to learn on the piano when I was a kid. I was always struck by the line “she’ll carelessly cut you and laugh while you’re bleeding.” Ouch.
One of my favorite of Joel’s ballads, because it was easy enough for me to learn on the piano when I was a kid. I was always struck by the line “she’ll carelessly cut you and laugh while you’re bleeding.” Ouch.
22. Everybody Loves You Now – Cold Spring Harbor
Bitter but catchy. From early on, Billy worked in those New York references - his confidant, the Staten Island Ferry and the place she left behind, Cold Spring Harbor.
Bitter but catchy. From early on, Billy worked in those New York references - his confidant, the Staten Island Ferry and the place she left behind, Cold Spring Harbor.
21. Summer Highland Falls – Turnstiles
There’s that familiar Billy Joel theme again of extremes (it’s either sadness or euphoria). But what makes the song is that gorgeous piano part.
There’s that familiar Billy Joel theme again of extremes (it’s either sadness or euphoria). But what makes the song is that gorgeous piano part.
20. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) – The Stranger
An Italian-American New Yorker striving and struggling to find his way. Picture Saturday Night Fever's Tony Manero contemplating a move to the suburbs. It's quintessential Billy Joel.
19. I Don't Want to Be Alone Anymore - Glass Houses
This could be his most underrated song -- a cool reggae-influenced beat, great horn part and catchy chorus. There's a definite Elvis Costello vibe here.
18. Stiletto – 52nd Street
What’s up with Billy Joel and these dangerous women who keep cutting him? But oh man, what a groove.
What’s up with Billy Joel and these dangerous women who keep cutting him? But oh man, what a groove.
17. Say Goodbye to Hollywood – Turnstiles
16. She’s Got a Way – Cold Spring Harbor
A timeless ballad recorded when he was just 22 years old.
Turnstiles was transition album for Billy Joel. It marked the end of his Los Angeles period and a New Yorker coming home. Terrific use of the Phil Spector beat (the sound of California). The live version on Songs in the Attic is especially good.
A timeless ballad recorded when he was just 22 years old.
15. Don’t Ask Me Why – Glass Houses
A near-perfect pop song with a great Latin rhythm. I especially love that piano interlude.
A near-perfect pop song with a great Latin rhythm. I especially love that piano interlude.
14. Rosalinda’s Eyes – 52nd Street
A tender song with a Latin theme and and great chorus. Check out this jazz version by John Pizzarelli
A tender song with a Latin theme and and great chorus. Check out this jazz version by John Pizzarelli
13. An Innocent Man - An innocent Man
Billy's homage to Ben E. King and the Drifters is a beautiful song and one of his most impressive vocal performances.
12. The Ballad of Billy the Kid - Piano Man
Sweeping and cinematic. I've always been a sucker for this kind of epic Western theme and there's also some great piano playing here.
11. Prelude/Angry Young Man - Turnstiles
Yes, that self-righteous angry young man is someone we all know (or were) but the highlight here is the opening of Prelude -- Billy Joel's most epic piano riff.
10. Goodnight Saigon - The Nylon Curtain
Maybe he was feeling guilty for dodging the draft or maybe he just saw in the returning Veterans a story that needed to be told. Either way, "Goodnight Saigon" (released two years before Springsteen's Born in the USA), was ahead of its time in powerfully detailing the experience of Vietnam Veterans.
9. Sleeping with the Television On – Glass Houses
I take it all back. Upon reconsideration, this is the most underrated Billy Joel song ever.
I take it all back. Upon reconsideration, this is the most underrated Billy Joel song ever.
8. Just the Way You Are - The Stranger
A sappy ballad made for elevator music and cocktail hour? Or a timeless melody that transcends genre and the kind of song which humans will be listening to hundreds of years from now? It's both.
7. Miami 2017 - Turnstiles
A delicate piano intro followed by a rocking fiery, post-apocalyptic, dark fantasy. But hey, we survived. It's amazing to think that 2017 (like those other dystopian years, 1984 and 2000) is now in the rear view mirror.
6. Captain Jack - Piano Man
Yeah, it's dark and depressing. There's heroin, masturbation and, perhaps most powerfully, the ennui and existential dread of suburban adolescence. But then that chorus kicks in...
5. Only the Good Die Young - The Stranger
If "Captain Jack" is the dark side of being young and bored in suburbia, here comes the fun. Billy Joel is a secular, ethnic Jew who was baptized at Church of Christ in Hicksville. This is the libidinous rebellion of a Catholic.
4. Vienna Waits for You - The Stranger
When I listened as a teenager, I didn't understand the title or what Vienna was supposed to signify. But it's a place whose history and musical legacy captured my imagination. I always loved that opening line, "Slow down you crazy child..." and then, "don't you know that only fools are satisfied." The melody is beautiful and feels timeless as a waltz.
3. New York State of Mind - Turnstiles
These top 3 (along with "Just the Way You Are") are Billy Joel's most iconic songs. People will be listening to them for decades, if not centuries. (Though parents may have to explain to their kids what The New York Times and The Daily News were.) If "New York State of Mind" sounds like it was written for Ray Charles, it's because it was.
2. Piano Man - Piano Man
My favorite song when I was a kid. I wasn't talented enough to play it on the piano, so I learned it on the harmonica. Sure, it's been played out, but it's got some of Billy Joel's finest songwriting elements: Quirky, but familiar characters (Paul, the "real estate novelist"), a beer hall sing-along chorus, a melancholy feel and a timeless melody.
1. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant - The Stranger
The quintessential Billy Joel song. Scenes plays like a Long Island operetta or suite in three musical parts, capturing a time and place, invoking reminiscence, romance and life's dreams and disappointments. It's melodic, musically ambitious and first-rate storytelling.
Honorable Mentions: (I picked one from each album): Falling of the Rain, Worse Comes to Worst, The Mexican Connection, James, Everybody Has a Dream, 52nd Street, All for Leyna, Where's the Orchestra, Leave a Tender Moment Alone, Running on Ice, The Downeaster Alexa, Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)
