This dude. When he got stadium-sized huge, he'd refuse to sell the tickets to the first 2 rows because they were always sold to scalpers. He'd have his people go to cheap seats with the enthusiastic fans, and give the front rows to THEM.
He just retired from touring. His last show was at Madison Square Garden to a sold out show. It was his 150th show there. 60 years of performances. He was awesome.
I consider Billy Joel the greatest songwriter of our time. You'll find out if you do more that he did storytelling in almost all his songs, wrote all the music and lyrics, and...wait till you hear him play the piano. Yes, you haven't anything yet. "Prelude / Angry Young Man" shows his incredible virtuosity. "Ballad of Billy the Kid" is a western-feel story about Billy the Kid. "Root Beer Rag" is a killer instrumental that requires a virtuoso concert pianist to play, but Billy does it. "Travelin' Prayer" is a country-ish romp down virtuoso-ville. And you'll find that each one is different.
YASSS, Long Island in the house! "Vienna" "Only the Good Die Young" "Captain Jack" "New York State of Mind" "Good Night Saigon" "The Stranger" "Piano Man" - Too many great songs!! So many different vibes. He IS the piano man!
1977. This is a kick-ass album. Billy Joel's music reaches into so many styles and genres that it's hard to make recommendations; but you almost can't go wrong with anything of his. I'll recommend a basic selection that has some variety for a further intro into Billy: Goodnight Saigon, An Innocent Man, Matter of Trust (really fun video), River of Dreams and Tell Her About It. Also, We Didn't Start the Fire (though I recommend pulling up lyrics for this).
Makes me laugh "Brenda" comes out as "Brender" with Billy Joel's New York City accent. I always loved this song as the "Brenda and Eddie" meet at the Italian restaurant and they have both moved on in life. Eddie compliments Brenda about losing weight and Eddie has divorced....then, Billy Joel goes into their story (the faster section) and wraps it up back at the restaurant where they are sharing wine and are reconnecting. That is my interpretation of the story. Great honest reaction. As some of the comments state...this whole album is fire.
Billy is very eclectic in his musical styles. He loves all types of music and has written it all. You can’t go wrong with any of his songs. Jazzy New York State of Mind and the 52nd Street album. The Stranger Album is absolute perfection. His rocking album is Glass Houses. Try River of Dreams, Still Rock and Roll to Me, Pressure, You May Be Right, New York State of Mind and She’s Always a Woman for some of his different styles.
I really enjoy seeing young guys like you finding music from the seventies, eighties etc. No auto tune you had to be able to actually sing!!! Billy Joel was a huge hit in the seventies to the early nineties and a huge hit during my High school days. Another great artist from the early seventies is Jim Croce. We unfortunately lost him in a plane crash in 1973 at the age of thirty just when his music was really hitting it. Try the song "I Got a Name" or "Time in a Bottle" for starters. Thank you again for your reactions and I will be looking for your Jim Croce reactions soon.
Back in the day the songs on the radio were pretty short, so a longer song like this never got played on air. The fans who bought the album loved it and played it over and over. We can all still remember every word and sing along to this day. Loving your channel. I just subbed!
@@MollyBoyTV As someone who grew up listening to Billy Joel and love his music, I can tell you Joel hates "We Didn't Start the Fire" as do most his his large group of hardcore fans -- its has no melody, the music is a snooze, and it's mostly popular with people who aren't avid fans of Joel. But Joel has a prolific number of hits as he was a brilliant composer, musician and lyricist, literally dozens of hits an in diverse musical styles because his talent let him play and sing in so many ways. Some of his best: From the same album as Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, The Stranger, which reach 2 on the American charts: * Only the Good Die Young (absolute banger with incredible lyrics) * Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) * She's Always a Woman * Vienna * The Stranger * Vienna From his next album, his jazziest, 52nd Street, which topped the American charts: * Big Shot * Honesty * My Life * Zanzibar * Stiletto * Half a Mile Away From his next album, his most rock-edged, Glass Houses, which also topped the charts * You May Be Right * Don't Ask Me Why * It's Still Rock and Roll to Me * Sometimes a Fantasy" (likely the first song about phone sex) * All for Leyna Earlier hits: * She's Got a Way * Tomorrow Is Today * The Ballad of Billy the Kid * Captain Jack * New York State of Mind (liver version - at the Whistle Stop) Early songs best performed in concert in Songs In the Attic: * Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway) * Say Goodbye to Hollywood Later hits in very varies styles: * Allentown * Pressure * Goodnight Saigon * Tell Her About It * Leave a Tender Moment Alone * The Longest Time * Uptown Girl * Baby Grand (with Ray Charles)
This song always brings me back to riding in a convertible, in San Diego singing as loud as i could with my mom and newly found step-dad after they were married. He was the only dad i ever knew, and i loved him very much. He said once he was always looking for my mom and me, he just didn't know it until he met us. He passed a few years ago, i got breast cancer months after. This song, and all of Billy's songs evoke an emotion. It changes often, but this song in particular will always hold a special place in my heart. It brings me back to a place of home.
We were so lucky to have this music when we were growing up, I was late teens when this came out. Most of us were listening to FM or AM Radio and catching up on new albums, singles and different styles of music pop, rock, hard rock, new wave. I wish it was still the same as it was but things change. Sorry to say but today’s music just doesn’t stand up to that time.
The sax (both Alto and Soprano are used in this song) in this is played by Richie Cannata. I believe he also has co-writing creasing on the song. Look up Old Grey Whistle Test New York State of Mind to see him live and Billy’s reaction to him. He left the band around 79 so most live performances of Italian Restaurant are not with him playing the sax.
WhenI was growing up in the middle 70's onwards the artists didn't bind themselves to one genre of music. Most had a variety of songs & styles because they were real "artists", experimenting with different ideas & sounds. That's why there were so many unique songs
Billy Joel has a prolific number of hits as he was a brilliant composer, musician and lyricist, literally dozens of hits an in diverse musical styles because his talent let him play and sing in so many ways. Some of his best: From the same album as Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, The Stranger, which reach 2 on the American charts: * Only the Good Die Young (absolute banger with incredible lyrics) * Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) * She's Always a Woman * Vienna * The Stranger * Vienna From his next album, his jazziest, 52nd Street, which topped the American charts: * Big Shot * Honesty * My Life * Zanzibar * Stiletto * Half a Mile Away From his next album, his most rock-edged, Glass Houses, which also topped the charts * You May Be Right * Don't Ask Me Why * It's Still Rock and Roll to Me * Sometimes a Fantasy" (likely the first song about phone sex) * All for Leyna Earlier hits: * She's Got a Way * Tomorrow Is Today * The Ballad of Billy the Kid * Captain Jack * New York State of Mind (liver version - at the Whistle Stop) Early songs best performed in concert in Songs In the Attic: * Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway) * Say Goodbye to Hollywood Later hits in very varies styles: * Allentown * Pressure * Goodnight Saigon * Tell Her About It * Leave a Tender Moment Alone * The Longest Time * Uptown Girl * Baby Grand (with Ray Charles)
Wine comes in basically two shades Red and White, so the first time Billy sings a bottle of Red , a bottle of White, ok..but what he does with the same line throughout the rest of song he says "whites" pills.( Disclaimer I'm in no way condoning the use of opioids ) My comment is to Billy's songwriting skills. Great reaction young man.
I listened for the first time with you. I can appreciate the musicianship and talent in this song, but it would probably need to grow on me. I doubt I'd playlist it. For some more "pop"-ish Billy Joel. try "Uptown Girl" (the model in the video got married to him after they met on set) or "We Didn't Start The Fire" (bars for days) or maybe "She's Always a Woman" or "It's Still Rock n Roll to Me". All of them are different and all of them are masterpieces.
If you're liking Billy Joel so far, then you've GOT to check out “Movin' Out (Anthony’s Song)”. Trust me, you won't regret it. **Edit - I can't believe I forgot, but I also can't recommend enough that you check out "The Stranger". Both songs are pretty much what I would consider essential Billy Joel songs if you're going to check out more of his work.
Always reminds me of the band "Madness", and dangerously close to being ska, on its own. The breakdowns at the end of measure and phrase, but emphasizes on the new one instead of the tail of the last.
