Ditch that pitch corrected single and release this one instead. This is the real Billy, the one we’ve loved for decades. He doesn’t need some producer deciding to make the pitch perfect and suck all of the feeling an emotion from Billy’s voice. This version gave me goosebumps. The “official release” didn’t.
Who in the FUCK waits 30 years between releasing pop songs and then CRUSHES it with an instant classic? Billy frikkin' Joel, that's who. What an all-time great song from an all-time great musician, performer, and song-writer.
To think Billy Joel hasn't written a song in 30 years, and now he has released a brand-new song that is already amazing and shows he never lost his touch. The Piano Man's still got it and I love every minute of this epic live performance of "Turn the Lights Back On".
He didn’t wait too long to turn the lights back on, and I’m glad he did! I’ve been listening to his music since 1977 when I was four years old. I’m now 51, and this song was more than I could have ever asked for.
A big difference between Billy Joel and today's modern singers is that he stays true to himself, good or bad, and he sings from his heart. No BS. I can say that a lot of people who are in a relationship or married, can relate to this song. He went through a lot in his private life and it shows in this song. It took him 17 years till he finally turned the lights back on but I'm glad he did. I think he held on to a small hope and a piece of passion somewhere in his heart but he never gave up. When he saw a light at the end of the tunnel, it's show time! And at his age, his voice is still surprisingly good and I hope he's found a new passion for song writing again. Billy Joel, I wish you nothing but a good health and another round of success. God bless you!!
As a person he stands out as normal amongst all those show ponies with their perfect teeth, glamour, and vacant brains. Hollywood and stardom seems increasingly to have grown in vanity and veneer over substance They eother fawn of each other or make political statements on issues they know nothing about. But not Billy or those of his era. Not only that but more importantly the music then was 10x better and of utmost importance. What a brilliant performance and his vocal is just amazing. Have a great weekend.
I agree with your comment about anyone in a relationship or marriage can relate to this beautiful song. I read the lyrics the day it "dropped" and was stunned at what the song says and how it completely reflects a struggle my husband and I find ourselves in. I showed my husband the lyrics and we read them together. He said, "Did Billy write these words for me to say to you?" And, literally two seconds after he said that, "Turn The Lights Back On" began playing on our car radio. It was the most eerie and beautiful/painful thing; I'm still trying to believe it happened, but it did. I've been a loyal fan of Billy's since Piano Man. His music (along with Elton, Boz and others) truly has been the sound track of my youth. Just love the guy and this song.
A big difference between Billy Joel and today's modern singers is that he can actually sing. Even in his diminished state, he's far better than most out there. No comping, quantization, etc required.
@@joe-vz6hx -- But see, that's just not true. Do you ever watch Fil's channel here? He talks about how pop singers today CAN sing, and sing well. Yet production still dictates the use of pitch correction. There were PLENTY of bands of the 60's through 80's who had singers that were far from great, in a technical sense, but their expression was what made them great. I love the Beatles, but do you think John had a beautiful voice?
I love the raspiness of his voice here. This is amazing and I like it better than the produced version. Way to go Billy. Your performance brought me to tears.
ugh, I don't. A song like this does not lend itself to raspiness or "grit".....but I guess he was trying to compensate because he can't sing "pretty" like he used to...the control, the vibrato, etc just isn't there much anymore. Not his fault of course, it's just an aging thing. Still, hearing anything new from Billy Joel is a welcome surprise.
@@joe-vz6hx Who are you to determine what his song lends it's self to? I'll put my trust in the artist himself to determine what his song lends itself to, thank you very much.
His live voice is his true voice and has soul, character, emotion and strength. The studio version is so autotuned to try and sound like he did 20 years ago that it is terrible. Billy should fire the producer!
Sweet Jesus! Thank you Billy Joel for rescuing so many of us that started out with you, struggled through life’s changes, faced the sadness but pulled back and found the need and desire to continue despite the hazards yet brilliance. Truly…. I THANK YOU ❤
His voice is still so good compared to everyone else of his vintage. Fabulous. This is even better live than the studio version. The guy is one of the best ever.
I totally agree! I saw him 2 years in Charlotte North Carolina! It was a sold out concert 60,000 strong and he was magnificent! And when you factor in his age he was absolutely stupendous. BTW I love the live version better too. His heart is all the way in it. Full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes. 👍👍❤️
I don't know what it is about Billy Joel in particular, but he is that one artist who somehow captures that "magic in the bottle" live performance. He does it so well, there are live versions of his songs that fans consider the "standard" for that song. I listened to the studio version of this and enjoyed it, but didn't think it was all that special. And then..... the Grammys. LOL. This is SO much better than the studio version.
I enjoy the studio version as well, but it's fantastic to hear the contrast. He also took it down a whole step here to Bb, as it likely felt more comfortable to him live.
@@user-xv3bl4xl6t Just watched Wings of Pegasus analysis of the video versus the live performance. You're spot on, the studio version was needlessly pitch corrected IMHO. Blame Freddie Wexler for that, as that is something pretty much expected of a modern producer. Video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OkM0Or6ZG6o.htmlsi=Dxuz-VM895DTAuPe
I haven't watched the Grammy's in probably 20 plus years since there isn't anyone worth a crap to watch for. Had I known he was going to be on, I would have tuned in with eager anticipation to see this performance. Thank you for posting.
For someone who is 74 years old, it’s bonkers how well his voice has aged. Obviously everyone’s voice when they get older declines. Compared to his contemporaries like Elton John and Bruce Springsteen, this is off the charts. Hell, even when compared to singers who are the generation younger than him (e.g. Bono) he sounds fantastic.
@@MarkNeko Yeah, he's not someone who spent every moment of the last 30 or 40 years smoking constant cigarettes, downing the booze, or even doing the hard drugs. He's also openly spoken about actively doing things to maintain the strength of his voice. So he really did things the right way. It's amazing how smooth the voice still sounds. You could tell people this song was recorded by never released in the mid 1980s and I think they'd believe it.
@alexandriaocasio-smollett5078 obviously everyone's singing voice improves with age. You have got that the complete opposite of facts. As everyone knows that your voice improves with age as your experience and technique increases. You are very ageist.
The man's definitely still got it! One of the few artists who transcend generations with immortal songs and elegant poetry. BJ - may you continue to live a very long productive life.
I remember going to study in Paris in 88 and my first purchase there was a cd player. Had just enough money to buy one cd. It was a Billy Joel CD. It was my companion for the whole period I was there.. Tks Piano Man for making me remember why I fell in love with you and your music all those years ago...
Where you been Billy Joel, I only remember Piano Man and Only the Good die young. In the 70s, I was a young mom and didn't have too much time to listen to music aka records. I'm happy to start listening to your music now. Your music brings me happiness. Glad you rested and are doing your music, again. Blessing to you, your family and your band.
And that, my young friends, is what's called music. The great Billy Joel proving that real talent doesn't die or go out of style, it just is... forever.
Listening to this as someone born in 1995 is insane. Grew up with Billys songs because of my mother but never witnessed a new release in my lifetime yet. Already in love with the new song.
The main man ,, no one will ever match sir billy Joel,, best musician songwriter ever , genius ,,, this world would never survived without your input and brilliance ,,, love u ♥️♥️🇮🇪🇮🇪☘️👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you so much for posting!! Billy sounds fantastic. I love the new song, it's such a Billy tune. My mom and I teared up the first time we heard it. We've both love Mr Joel for many years. We never thought we'd hear a new song from him together again.
I grew up on Long Island, and was lucky enough to see Billy from the early days, and to me , he was always a legend. His songwriting , performances and catalog of music is hard to comprehend. He is a gift to our generation.
I thought Billy would never release a song in my lifetime and I’m 24 and to see this is Just a treasure to behold and I’m glad he made this song for the new generation ❤️❤️❤️
Instantly better than 95% of the new stuff out there. Interesting chords, terrific melody, great lyrics. No drum machine, no autotune, not written by 15 producers.
I saw him open for The Michael Stanley Band, a popular band in Cleveland, Ohio, back in the late 70s. All these years later I can still recall seeing him play The Piano Man on that stage in Akron, Ohio. I have remained a fan. Living in Japan now, I had only heard about this performance. Thank you for posting. It was just spectacular. Stay safe. Smile. ❤
We all got old together with Billy Joel. Now this comes from him and once again we can relate, like we did with his other songs for a long time. Nice to have a new one from him. He's still with us. Y'all take care and enjoy yourself. His songs can always help.
So happy to see Billy Joel perform again...loved his performance and the song..thank you Mr. Billy Joel! I've been a fan of yours since I was 12 years old..bought your record "Piano Man" Luv ya fellow New Yorker! 😎💖
He typically keeps it down to earth (with exception of the sci-fi Miami 2017), and as he cajoles someone in 'Pressure': "I'm sure you'll have some cosmic rationale..."
I've been waiting for 30 years for new Billy. I never expected anything on this level. All I can say is, Thank you so very much for this, and all the best to you.
The man is a Genius: "Turn The Lights Back On" An instant song classic, adding to his catalogue of many other great Billy Joel song classics. "Travelling Prayer", "Stop in Nevada", "Souvenir", "Your My Home", "Leave A Tender Moment Alone", "The River Of Dreams" just to name a few . There needs to be a PhD Thesis written about him.
