@@jamiepasquariello2652 Yes. From Somgfacts: Joel did all the vocal tracks himself, which required him to cover a lot of range. The original plan was to bring in a vocal group to sing it with him, but that didn't work out. Joel's producer, Phil Ramone, told Billy their best option was for him to do it all himself. Joel was hesitant because he didn't want all the voices to sound like they came from one person, so he envisioned himself as various characters and gave them different vocal styles. "I did what I call method singing," he told Sirius XM in 2016. "I imagined myself as a skinny Italian kid from Newark, and then I did another voice and I thought of myself as a big Black football player with a real deep bass voice. And then I thought of myself as a Pat Boone kind of singer. Mix all those voices together so it doesn't all sound like one guy.
I've always liked this song, but after reading the comments and finding out that all the backup singers are actually Billy Joel himself, the song is even more fun to listen to. Thanks Harri, and Harri's RU-vid friends.
From Billy's 1983 album, "Innocent Man", this wonderful song is a tribute to the 50's doo-wop style. Unbelievably Billy does all the singing parts and provides the clapping and finger snaps. The only accompaniment is a bass guitar and a snare drum with brushes so wonderfully 50's. While singing the different parts Billy would see himself in their build, personalities, different people etc. to sing the different parts. This a Cappella song opened the doors for groups from 90's like Boyz ll Men who had a big a Cappella hit. Great reaction Harri.Thanks Harri and Jami. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Great reaction, Harri, and great request, Jami A. This was Billy Joel's fourth single released from his 1983 album "An Innocent Man." It reached No. 14 on the Billboard pop singles chart. The whole album paid homage to the early doo-wop, R&B and rock performers of the late 1950s and early 1960s. This song was a tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The first three songs from the album were "Tell Her About It" (No. 1), "Uptown Girl" (No. 3) and the title track "An Innocent Man" (No. 10). In addition, the fifth and sixth singles to crack the top 40 from this album were "Leave a Tender Moment Alone" (No. 27) and "Keeping the Faith" (No. 18). "An Innocent Man" was nominated for a Grammy for album of the year.
This song is a tribute to the 60's R&B group The Tymes song SO Much In Love. Notice how often the word Time in is the lyrics. Uptown Girl was his nod to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.
Not trying to be a dick here but the whole An Innocent Man album that this song comes from was a homage to the music Billy grew up listening to from the 50s and 60s and Uptown Girl was his nod to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons The Longest Time was more a nod to doo-wop groups like Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. Harri has also already reacted to the title track too, that was a homage to Ben E. King and The Drifters.
@@seanscanlon9067 THIS is what I was referring to, saw an interview with Billy where he talked about the album and the influences behind the music. He had a tremendous respect for Frankie growing up in Jersey and performing still to this day.
to me it makes more sense what someone else replied here, that it’s a tribute to The Tymes, specifically their “So Much In Love”, as it’s definitely reminiscent of that song.
I remember when this came out and thought to myself Billy Joel has taken Doo-Wop to another level after all the years had surpassed it because it was so fresh and a rebirth of fantastic nostalgic Greatness.
Aha, I learned something new today, I thought it was a tune from an old group as well, goodness that man is so talented. Billy Joel is in a category all his own. Thanks Harri
Thank you so much Jami. You are providing Harri with nearly every amazing song by Billy Joel and we all get to enjoy watching him. Harri, you are a joy to watch. 🌺✌️
Great reaction Harri 🙂Thank you for the trip down memory lane. I've been a Billy Joel fan for over 30 years. His song writing is so diverse and clever. It would be hard to choose a favourite.
No two albums are the same with Billy Joel but always consistently good. I've been a fan since 1977 when The Stranger was released, and the first time I saw him in concert was in 1984 at Wembley Arena, the one that was shown live on TV. We were 11 rows from the front and it was a superb concert. I've seen him 10 more times since then and every show was fantastic, but I have a feeling he won't be touring for too much longer, so if you get a chance to see him live, don't hesitate.
Billy Joel has a classical background from his early piano lessons and there is a video on here where he plays this as a classical piece if you search for: Billy Joel on Song Melody (1993) You can also hear it in classical style in full (although not Billy playing it) if you search under the title: Billy Joel, The Longest Time, Piano.
Ho visto tutto che riguarda Billy joel e ti ringrazio per riproporlo spesso ... Lui ha solo gioielli nel suo repertorio.... Consiglio Leave a tender moment alone ... Live duet Wuth Tielemans all'armonica .... A Wembley... Fantastico 👏🎹👏
i have been searching Billy Joel reactions for years... yours are by far my favorite... This Night (doo wop interpretation) paired up with with the second movement of Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata would be amazing.. (beethoven first)
I believe Billy played all the instruments as well. Although there was never any claim of infringement, listen to the Tymes song which I believe is entitled So Much in Love from the 60s which in my opinion sounds a lot like this song.
Billy conceived and released so many tributes to his inspirations. Always so self effacing, he simply says well I was thinking a bit of.... Anyone with a Hispanic mem brain...knows what cooing! Great reactions to a superlative gift of an artist. I swear Billy and Bruce are my tug of war in the love of music.
Billy is a musical AND lyrical genius. And as others have noted, he puts on an incredible live show. And speaking of lyrical genius, I'd suggest you give a listen to "Matter of Trust". It's a pretty good semi-rocker with Billy playing guitar, and a perfect example of his amazing lyrics. Very deserving of a reaction imo.😁
I love watching you go through Billy Joel’s catalog. His music has been with me my whole life. I could sing so many of his albums all the way through by the time I was 9 or 10. I’d love to see your reaction to Billy the Kid… but the live version off Songs in the Attic. One of my favorites.
My Husband told me in 1984 right after he proposed to me, that he chose "For the Longest Time" to be our song. We've been married for 38 years. My song suggestion for another great Bily Joel song. "A Matter of Trust" Love this reaction.
Great comments, Harri. Have you checked out "Where's the Orchestra?" from the album "Nylon Curtain"? short but sweetly profound, and a little sad. Different from some of the Billy Joel songs you have covered.
I like Billy Joel. Unfortunately, I dated a lady who thought he was the greatest artist in history and played his stuff nonstop. It kinda ruined it for me…🖖🏼
If you haven't seen this, please look. Boys II Men joined in and sang background on a live version of this song. I mean, who else?!!! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-t_YUnxqamgc.html
