Billy Joel, the Piano Man himself, hasn’t graced us with a new studio album in nearly two decades, yet his musical legacy continues to flourish. His timeless hits resonate across generations, filling stadiums and earning him ever-growing respect. Few songwriters have crafted as many iconic tunes as Joel, which is why we asked our readers to weigh in on their absolute favorites. The response was overwhelming, with votes cast for seventy different songs, showcasing the breadth and depth of his incredible catalog. From beloved classics to deep cuts, the choices were varied and passionate. Dive in as we reveal the top 10 Billy Joel songs that truly stand the test of time and continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
10. ‘Goodnight Saigon’
Alt text: Billy Joel passionately performs Goodnight Saigon live on stage, bathed in dramatic stage lighting.
While Billy Joel himself didn’t serve in the Vietnam War, the conflict profoundly impacted him and his generation. He considered evading the draft, but ultimately received a high lottery number, exempting him from service. However, the experiences of his friends who returned from Vietnam deeply resonated with him. As Joel recounted, after sharing beers and war stories, his friends encouraged him to write a song about their experiences. He emphasized that firsthand experience wasn’t necessary to capture the essence of their stories, as long as he thoroughly researched and listened to those who were there.
Rejecting the notion of creating a simple anti-war anthem, Joel aimed to depict the soldiers’ experiences with empathy and understanding. The result was “Goodnight Saigon,” a powerful track from his 1982 album The Nylon Curtain. Despite not achieving high chart success upon release, peaking at Number 56 in the US, “Goodnight Saigon” has evolved into a concert staple and one of his most enduring and emotionally resonant songs, honoring the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans.
9. ‘Summer Highland Falls’
Alt text: Billy Joel intensely playing the piano and singing Summer Highland Falls, capturing the song’s emotional depth.
By the time Turnstiles was released in the spring of 1976, Billy Joel faced the daunting prospect of being labeled a one-hit wonder. “Piano Man,” his breakthrough hit, was three years in the past, and subsequent releases had failed to replicate its success. “Summer Highland Falls,” a standout track from Turnstiles, poignantly encapsulates Joel’s emotional landscape during this uncertain period. The song reflects a time of personal and professional volatility, a period defined by both “sadness and euphoria,” as the lyrics suggest.
“Summer Highland Falls” is a beautifully crafted song that Joel himself often cites as one of his all-time favorite compositions. Even the song’s wistful piano intro immediately sets a contemplative and introspective mood. For many fans, the definitive version of “Summer Highland Falls” is the dynamic rendition featured on Billy Joel’s 1981 live album, Songs in the Attic, which injects a raw and passionate energy into the already emotionally charged track.
8. ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’
Alt text: Energetic live performance of Billy Joel singing We Didn’t Start the Fire, with historical event images projected in the background.
The 1950s are often romanticized as an era of peace, tranquility, and cultural homogeneity. However, Billy Joel, who grew up during this decade, sought to challenge this simplistic view with “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” This rapid-fire, encyclopedic song methodically catalogs a barrage of significant events and cultural touchstones from the 1950s onwards, highlighting the underlying turbulence and dynamism of the era.
“We Didn’t Start the Fire” became an unexpected hit, captivating audiences with its sheer informational density and catchy rhythm. It resonated particularly strongly with younger listeners, many of whom were unfamiliar with figures like Liberace, Nasser, and Roy Cohn before hearing the song. For many, it transformed history class from a dry recitation of facts into a vibrant exploration of interconnected events. Suddenly, references like “trouble in the Suez” and “Edsel is a no-go” gained context and relevance. Ironically, despite its success, Billy Joel has expressed reservations about the song, citing its perceived lack of a strong melodic structure compared to his other works.
7. ‘Just the Way You Are’
Alt text: Billy Joel in concert singing Just the Way You Are, accompanied by a saxophone player adding to the song’s romantic atmosphere.
It’s understandable why Billy Joel reportedly resisted playing “Just the Way You Are” for a significant period. This deeply personal ballad is a tender and moving tribute to his former wife, Elizabeth Weber. In the song’s lyrics, Joel pledges unwavering love and acceptance, promising to cherish her “just the way you are,” regardless of future challenges. He even vows to love her eternally, a sentiment that adds to the song’s poignant and bittersweet nature.
Despite the song’s heartfelt declaration, their marriage ended five years later. Adding another layer of complexity, Joel made the unfortunate decision to retain Elizabeth’s brother, Frank Weber, as his manager, a mistake that would later prove costly. “Just the Way You Are” became the first major hit from the album The Stranger, catapulting Joel to a new level of fame. By the 2000s, with the passage of time offering perspective, Joel reintroduced “Just the Way You Are” into his concert setlists. Interestingly, he resumed performing “Uptown Girl” relatively soon after his divorce from Christie Brinkley, suggesting a different emotional timeline for those relationships and songs.
6. ‘Vienna’
Alt text: Billy Joel at the piano singing Vienna with emotive expression, in a softly lit, intimate performance setting.
Billy Joel’s 1977 album The Stranger was a transformative moment in his career, irrevocably altering his trajectory. It spawned an impressive five hit singles, songs that have remained in constant rotation on radio stations for decades, solidifying their place in the popular music canon. “Vienna,” however, was not among those initial chart-topping singles. Positioned on the album between the epic “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant” and the controversial hit “Only the Good Die Young,” “Vienna” initially received less attention compared to its album counterparts.
Yet, in a fascinating twist, “Vienna” has experienced a remarkable resurgence in popularity and critical appreciation over time. Today, Billy Joel himself identifies “Vienna” as one of his two personal favorites from his extensive catalog, alongside “Summer Highland Falls.” This sentiment is now echoed by a significant number of fans, who have come to recognize the song’s subtle beauty and profound emotional depth. The song was inspired by Vienna, a city where Joel’s father spent a significant portion of his life. During his visits to Vienna, Joel was struck by the city’s different pace of life, a more relaxed and contemplative rhythm compared to the frenetic energy of New York. He sought to capture this distinct atmosphere and feeling of Vienna in his music.
5. ‘Captain Jack’
Alt text: A young Billy Joel with long hair passionately performing Captain Jack on stage, showcasing his early rockstar persona.
“Captain Jack” never achieved the commercial success of a single release, yet it holds an undeniably pivotal position within Billy Joel’s body of work. A live recording of “Captain Jack,” captured at a Philadelphia radio station in 1972, gained significant local airplay. This unexpected radio exposure proved to be a crucial turning point, attracting the attention of Columbia Records, who subsequently signed Joel to their label. In essence, “Captain Jack” served as Joel’s breakthrough moment, paving the way for his future stardom.
Joel penned “Captain Jack” in 1971, drawing inspiration from the stark realities he observed from his Long Island apartment window. Across the street, in a housing project, teenagers were purchasing heroin from a drug dealer known as Captain Jack. Joel crafted the song from the perspective of a disillusioned and lost young person, grappling with feelings of alienation and despair. Notably, “Captain Jack” might be considered a groundbreaking pop song for its candid and explicit use of the word “masturbate,” pushing lyrical boundaries within mainstream music and reflecting the raw honesty of its subject matter.
4. ‘Only the Good Die Young’
Alt text: Billy Joel mischievously grinning while singing Only the Good Die Young, capturing the song’s playful yet rebellious spirit.
“Only the Good Die Young” boasts one of the most instantly recognizable and provocative opening lines in popular music history: “Come out, Virginia, don’t let me wait / You Catholic girls start much too late.” This audacious opening alone was enough to trigger controversy, leading some radio stations to ban the song upon its release in 1977. The song was inspired by Billy Joel’s real-life infatuation with a Catholic girl named Virginia. As often happens with controversial works, the ensuing furor surrounding “Only the Good Die Young” only amplified its popularity and sales, further boosting the success of the album The Stranger.
In many ways, “Only the Good Die Young” functions as a compelling companion piece to Bruce Springsteen’s 1973 classic “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight).” Both songs share a thematic core: they depict a rebellious young man attempting to persuade a young woman to defy her strict parents and escape the confines of her home. This shared narrative of youthful rebellion and the allure of forbidden romance resonated strongly with audiences, contributing to the enduring appeal of both songs.
3. ‘New York State of Mind’
Alt text: Billy Joel playing the saxophone and singing New York State of Mind against a backdrop of a stylized New York City skyline.
Billy Joel is inextricably linked to Long Island, New York, becoming one of its most celebrated figures. However, in the mid-1970s, he spent three years in Los Angeles, a period that, while inspiring his breakthrough hit “Piano Man,” ultimately left him feeling like an outsider. Many songs on the album Turnstiles reflect his deep sense of relief and joy at leaving Los Angeles and returning to his East Coast roots. He began composing “New York State of Mind” during an actual Greyhound bus journey along the Hudson River Line, a landscape that evoked powerful feelings of home and belonging.
“New York State of Mind” has since transcended its personal origins to become an unofficial anthem for New York City. The song captures the city’s unique energy, resilience, and allure, resonating with both long-time residents and those who dream of the city. Its status as the quintessential New York anthem remained largely unchallenged until Jay-Z released “Empire State of Mind,” which offered a more contemporary and hip-hop infused perspective on the city, marking a shift in the city’s sonic representation.
2. ‘Scenes From an Italian Restaurant’
Alt text: Billy Joel performing Scenes From an Italian Restaurant live in concert with his band, creating a vibrant and theatrical musical experience.
“Scenes From an Italian Restaurant” stands out as one of Billy Joel’s most ambitious and beloved songs, despite never being released as a single. Its extended length and multi-part structure allow for a narrative depth rarely found in popular music. The song unfolds the story of high school sweethearts Brenda and Eddie, a couple whose youthful romance ultimately falters under the pressures of adulthood. While the narrative arc of Brenda and Eddie’s relationship is a familiar one, Joel’s masterful songwriting brings it to life with vivid and relatable details. He paints a picture of their lives with specific imagery, describing their “deep pile carpets” and “couple of paintings from Sears,” grounding their story in the everyday realities of suburban life. They become the kind of people everyone recognizes, making their story both specific and universal.
For years, fans speculated about the real-life Italian restaurant that inspired the song. Joel eventually revealed that it was Fontana di Trevi in New York. A waiter at the restaurant famously asked, “A bottle of white, a bottle of red, perhaps a bottle of rosé instead?” This seemingly simple question sparked the creative inspiration for the song, demonstrating how everyday moments can ignite artistic expression.
1. ‘Piano Man’
Alt text: A young Billy Joel in his early career, playing both piano and harmonica while singing Piano Man, showcasing his signature musical style.
In late 1972, a pianist calling himself Bill Martin began performing regularly at the Executive Room bar in Los Angeles. Unbeknownst to most patrons, “Bill Martin” was actually Billy Joel, a New Yorker who had released his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, the previous year. His stint at the Executive Room was relatively brief, lasting only a few months, but it provided the fertile ground for the creation of his signature song, “Piano Man.” Joel has stated that the characters in “Piano Man” were inspired by real individuals he encountered at the bar. However, to this day, Davy from the navy and Paul the real estate novelist have not stepped forward to claim their roles in the song’s narrative, adding to the song’s mystique.
“Piano Man” became Billy Joel’s first major hit, launching his career into the stratosphere. It has since become his signature song, the one he is most identified with, and he has closed countless concerts with its singalong chorus, creating an unforgettable communal experience for audiences. In 2006, Joel experimented with subverting expectations by opening a show with “Piano Man.” However, this deviation from tradition proved less effective, and by the following night, “Piano Man” was back in its customary closing slot, reaffirming its iconic status as the perfect finale to a Billy Joel concert.
