Billy Joel is an extraordinarily diverse musician with an almost 40 year career. In the 1970s and 80s, he was well known for his snappy rock and roll ballads. In the 90s, he switched styles, releasing what can best be described as jazz inspired choir hymnals. And, later still, following his true musical dreams, he wrote and played a steady stream of classical piano music. Finally, after the turn of the century, his music came full circle and returned to do concert tours featuring his rock and roll. As much as ever he likes to mix his music up and his modern concerts are known for showcasing music from his entire career. With 33 Top 40 hits, 23 Grammy nominations and 6 Grammy wins, he has an enormous catalogue of amazing music. The following are the best of his best.
10. Tell Her About It (An Innocent Man, 1983) – Released at the height of his popularity, this catchy tune perfectly captures the core of Joel’s music. Like many of his songs, it tells a story, has an entrancing rhythm, and showcases the range of Joel’s vocal skills.
9. This is the Time [to Remember] (The Bridge, 1987) – A staple of graduations and proms everywhere, this is one of Billy Joel’s more classical pieces from his rock era. This heart touching love song seems to be inspired by an earlier generation of music, with just a touch of rock flavor to give it a personality that is all Joel.
8. Captain Jack (Piano Man, 1973) – Billy Joel’s association with the Big Apple is well known, due to his hit song New York State of Mind. On the other side of the Garden State, this song has become Joel’s unofficial anthem in Philadelphia. Showcasing darker lyrics similar to Allentownand The Downeaster Alexa, this song is Joel’s protest against the growing 70’s drug culture. Rarely played, few but his devoted fans know of this powerful and still relevant song.
7. You May be Right (Glass Houses, 1980) – This song is the closest Joel ever got to releasing a hard rock song. With just the slightest hint of metal in the bass, the music and lyrics combine to create a pulse pounding rock anthem to living life fast and furiously.
6. Only the Good Die Young (The Stranger, 1977) – Billy Joel is no stranger to controversy with his songs. Yet despite a song with drug references and a Vietnam song, this is by far his most controversial. Combining soft rock with something of a barbershop quartet feel, this song exhorts Virginia, a Catholic virgin, to have sex. Upon release it was quickly banned on many radio stations, which only increased its popularity. To add to the controversy, in recent years, Joel has publicly opened a high school year book, pointed to a picture, and stated that the picture was Virginia.
5. Goodnight Saigon (The Nylon Curtain, 1983) – Vietnam was a very sore subject for many Americans in 1983. Most songs referencing the war espoused strongly anti-war sentiments and, as such, were the target of controversy. This epic power ballad simply told a surprisingly true story of the life of a Marine in the war. The song certainly hinted at disapproval of the war, but the poignant imagery and truth of its lyrics belayed most controversy.
4. The River of Dreams (River of Dreams, 1993) – The first major departure from Joel’s rock style, this song was the title track of his 1993 album of the same name. The deep choral tones showed his growth as a musician and few other songs show how powerful and deep a voice he has.
3. It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me (Glass Houses, 1980) – This song is Billy Joel’s statement of purpose and just about defines his music. Singing to an appropriately powerful rock beat, Joel professes his love for rock and roll, no matter how unusual or unlikely the style. The fact that he does it with a truly traditional rock and roll rhythm is just the kind of statement that makes this singer and songwriter so impressive.
2. We Didn’t Start the Fire (Storm Front, 1989) – With the Cold War still ongoing and recent decades filled with social and political turmoil, it is no surprise at the amount of history Billy Joel was able to include in this fast paced anthem to social responsibility. Joel pulls no punches as he includes historical moments as dire as the Cuban Missile Crisis to moments as ridiculous as the Cola Wars of the 80s. His message is simple and clear, the current generation is suffering for the mistakes of the past and unless people learn to consider the future, that will never change.
1. Piano Man (Piano Man, 1973) – Billy Joel has actually publicly professed his dislike for this signature song that tells of his early days in a piano bar. He considers the music derivative and the rhyme scheme is little more creative than a limerick. Despite this, it is by far his most popular song and the reason that he is known as the “Piano Man”. Derivative or not, it has a catchy tune and memorable lyrics that tell an exaggerated but entertaining story.
