‘It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me’
This track, a highlight from Billy Joel’s 1980 album Glass Houses, delivers a cynical commentary on the ever-shifting landscape of the music industry. Joel, through his lyrics, embodies an artist resisting the pressure to constantly reinvent himself for fleeting trends and younger audiences. He asserts that genuine music transcends superficial changes in style or image, maintaining its relevance regardless of fleeting fashions.
This song emerged as a direct response to the burgeoning diverse music scene of the late 1970s, encompassing genres like punk, funk, and new wave. The inspiration struck Joel after he encountered a review of an unnamed band, realizing he couldn’t even imagine what their music sounded like, highlighting the sometimes ephemeral nature of musical trends versus lasting artistic merit.
Billy Joel in a white suit performing "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" on stage, showcasing his energetic performance style from the Glass Houses era.
‘Tell Her About It’
Featured on the album An Innocent Man, “Tell Her About It” is a song deeply rooted in Billy Joel’s appreciation for the soulful sounds of the 1950s and 1960s. The song serves as heartfelt advice to a young man navigating the complexities of love. Joel passionately urges him to be open and communicative with his feelings and aspirations to his partner, emphasizing the importance of emotional expression in a relationship.
The song’s popularity resonated widely, propelling it to the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in September 1983. This achievement marked Joel’s second time reaching the coveted top spot, solidifying his status as a leading figure in popular music.
Billy Joel performing "Tell Her About It" in a live concert setting, dressed in a stylish suit reminiscent of the 1980s, with a microphone stand in front of him.
‘Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)’
“Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” captures Billy Joel’s frustration with the relentless pursuit of material success prevalent among working-class and lower-middle-class New Yorkers. The song critiques the societal pressure to work excessively to project an image of affluence and “making it,” often at the expense of personal fulfillment and genuine happiness.
The enduring appeal of “Movin’ Out” extended beyond music charts. In 2002, a stage musical, aptly titled Movin’ Out, premiered in New York. This production creatively wove together this song and other iconic Billy Joel tracks, running for over 1,000 performances across three years, demonstrating the song’s cultural impact and narrative potential.
Billy Joel performing "Movin' Out" on the Old Grey Whistle Test, a classic performance showing him at the piano in a more intimate setting.
‘The Longest Time’
Another gem from the 1983 album An Innocent Man, “The Longest Time” continues the album’s theme of homage to Joel’s musical influences. This song specifically pays tribute to the doo-wop style popularized by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. Joel masterfully captures the essence of that era’s vocal harmonies and romantic sensibilities.
While it achieved a modest chart position of number 25 in the UK, “The Longest Time” has grown significantly in popularity over the years. It stands today as one of Billy Joel’s most beloved songs, frequently featured in his concerts and on classic hits compilations, proving its lasting appeal beyond initial chart performance.
Billy Joel singing "The Longest Time" with a microphone, in a close-up shot highlighting his vocal performance and the song's doo-wop style influence.
‘Goodnight Saigon’
“Goodnight Saigon” is a deeply poignant song born from Billy Joel’s conversations with friends who had served in the Vietnam War. Despite not having served himself, Joel chose to focus on the lived experiences of soldiers rather than crafting a generalized anti-war anthem. This approach lent the song a powerful sense of authenticity and empathy.
Joel explained, “A lot of my friends did go. I felt bad. I disagreed with the political reasons for that war.” Years after their return, these friends shared their war stories, encouraging him to translate their experiences into music. Joel recounted, “They said, ‘We’ll tell you what happened to us and you write a song about it.’ I realised you don’t have to have lived it as long as you researched it and talked to people that were there.” This collaborative approach resulted in a song that resonates deeply with veterans and anyone seeking to understand the human cost of war.
Billy Joel performing "Goodnight Saigon" live on stage with a full band, emphasizing the song's powerful and emotional narrative about the Vietnam War.
‘New York State of Mind’
Although Billy Joel is intrinsically linked to Long Island, he spent a period of three years in Los Angeles in the mid-1970s. However, he never truly felt at home on the West Coast, longing for the energy and spirit of his native New York. He penned “New York State of Mind” during a bus journey back to New York, traveling along the scenic Hudson River line. This song became more than just a personal reflection; it evolved into an unofficial anthem for New York City, capturing the city’s unique allure and resilience.
Following the tragic events of 9/11, “New York State of Mind” took on even deeper resonance. It was memorably performed at The Concert For New York City in October 2001, a benefit event honoring the New York City Fire and Police Departments and the families affected by the attacks. The song served as a powerful symbol of unity and remembrance in the face of adversity.
Billy Joel singing "New York State of Mind" with a microphone, in a studio setting, showcasing the song's intimate and reflective mood.
‘Only the Good Die Young’
“Come out, Virginia, don’t let me wait/ You Catholic girls start much too late.” These opening lines of “Only the Good Die Young” are undeniably provocative. Released in 1977, the song immediately stirred controversy, leading to bans on some radio stations due to its lyrical content exploring themes of youthful rebellion and religious boundaries. However, this very controversy ironically fueled the song’s popularity and sales.
The inspiration behind the song was rooted in Billy Joel’s personal experience – a real-life crush on a Catholic girl named Virginia. The song’s narrative explores the tensions and allure of forbidden romance, capturing the complexities of youthful desire and societal expectations.
‘Scenes from an Italian Restaurant’
Despite its length and enduring popularity among Billy Joel’s fanbase, “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” was never released as a single. This song unfolds as a narrative about Brenda and Eddie, high school sweethearts whose relationship falters under the pressures of adulthood. Their story is relatable, reflecting the challenges many face in transitioning from youthful romance to the realities of the “real world.”
For years, fans speculated about the specific Italian restaurant referenced in the song. Billy Joel eventually revealed that it was inspired by Fontana di Trevi in New York, adding a layer of local authenticity to this evocative and narrative-rich song.
Billy Joel performing "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" at the piano, in a live setting, capturing the song's storytelling nature and musical complexity.
‘My Life’
“My Life” first appeared on Billy Joel’s acclaimed 1978 album 52nd Street. The song resonated widely, achieving significant chart success, reaching number 3 in the US and number 12 in the UK. Its themes of independence and self-determination clearly struck a chord with audiences.
A notable detail about “My Life” is the involvement of members from the band Chicago. Peter Cetera and Donnie Dacus contributed backing vocals to the track, even singing alongside Billy Joel during the memorable bridge section with the line “Keep it to yourself, it’s my life,” adding a unique collaborative element to the recording.
Billy Joel performing "My Life" live in concert, with a dynamic stage presence and band behind him, emphasizing the song's energetic and anthemic quality.
‘A Matter of Trust’
“A Matter of Trust” is a track from Billy Joel’s 1986 album The Bridge. This song gained particular attention in the Soviet Union during the Cold War era. It was featured in a state-sponsored TV promotion showcasing Joel’s music in anticipation of his groundbreaking 1987 concerts in the USSR, representing a cultural bridge during a time of political division.
The music video for “A Matter of Trust” offers a personal glimpse into Joel’s life at the time. His then-wife, Christie Brinkley, makes an appearance, holding their baby daughter, Alexa, adding a touch of family warmth to the song’s themes of commitment and relationships.
Billy Joel performing "A Matter of Trust" with an electric guitar, in a live concert, showcasing the song's rock-oriented sound and his guitar playing.
‘She’s Always a Woman’
“She’s Always a Woman” is a tender love song dedicated to what Joel describes as a ‘modern woman,’ specifically inspired by his then-wife, Elizabeth Weber. The song celebrates a woman for her complexities, embracing both her strengths and vulnerabilities. Joel admires her quirks and flaws as integral parts of her identity.
At the time, Elizabeth Weber had taken on the role of managing Billy Joel’s career, effectively reorganizing his financial affairs after he had entered into unfavorable contracts. She proved to be a formidable negotiator, capable of being both sharp and assertive. While her assertive business style might have been perceived as “unfeminine” by some in the business world of that era, Billy Joel saw her as unequivocally “always a woman,” admiring her strength and multifaceted personality.
Billy Joel singing "She's Always a Woman" at the piano, in a dimly lit, intimate setting, emphasizing the song's romantic and personal nature.
‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’
Is “We Didn’t Start the Fire” one of popular music’s most engaging history lessons? This US number one hit is structured around rapid-fire lyrics referencing over 100 significant headlines and cultural touchstones that occurred between 1949, Billy Joel’s birth year, and 1989, the year the song was released. It’s a whirlwind tour through recent history set to music.
Despite its chart-topping success and cultural impact, Billy Joel himself has expressed a less enthusiastic view of the song, citing its perceived lack of melodic strength. This surprising perspective from the artist himself adds an interesting layer to the song’s legacy and reception.
Billy Joel performing "We Didn't Start the Fire" live on stage, with dynamic lighting and energy, capturing the song's fast-paced historical references.
‘Uptown Girl’
In a conversation with Howard Stern, Billy Joel revealed that “Uptown Girl” was initially conceived with the title ‘Uptown Girls.’ The song’s initial inspiration came from a moment when Joel found himself in the company of Christie Brinkley, Whitney Houston, and his then-girlfriend Elle Macpherson. This sparked the initial idea, but the song ultimately evolved to focus on his burgeoning relationship with Brinkley.
“Uptown Girl” is musically inspired by the sounds of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, capturing that era’s upbeat and romantic pop sensibilities. The song became a massive hit globally, notably giving Billy Joel his only UK number one single in 1983, solidifying its status as a signature song.
Billy Joel performing "Uptown Girl" in the official music video, with a playful and energetic performance alongside dancers, reflecting the song's upbeat and romantic theme.
‘Just the Way You Are’
“Just the Way You Are” marked a significant breakthrough for Billy Joel. It was his first single to reach the US Top 10 and the UK Top 20, introducing him to a broader audience. The song’s accolades extended to the Grammy Awards, where it earned him prestigious awards for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1979, cementing its place as a classic.
Ironically, this enduring love song was written by Billy Joel as a tribute to his then-wife, Elizabeth Weber. In the lyrics, he expresses unwavering love and acceptance, promising commitment regardless of future challenges. Despite the song’s hopeful message, their marriage ended five years later, and Joel reportedly refrained from performing it for a considerable period afterward, highlighting the complex interplay between art and personal life.
Billy Joel performing "Just the Way You Are" live in 1977, a vintage performance showing him at the piano with his band during the song's early popularity.
‘Piano Man’
“Piano Man” holds a special place in Billy Joel’s discography as his debut single, and for many, it remains his quintessential song. It has become his signature piece, instantly recognizable and deeply associated with his musical identity.
The song’s narrative is drawn from Billy Joel’s own experiences playing piano at the Executive Room bar in Los Angeles. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the bar’s regulars and the atmosphere he encountered there. During this period, he even adopted the pseudonym “Bill Martin,” adding a layer of personal history and transformation to the song’s origins.
