With all the influx of “talent” (and I use that word loosely) coming into the singing world, I don’t think we can forget about one of the all-time greats. With people like Sanjaya taking over the world (who by the way STILL did not get voted off), I think Billy Joel is worth talking about.
Who’s with me on this?? Can I get a Holla????
No? Yeah, I know, people think I’m old. I’m not really, I swear it! Billy Joel just has this great quality about him as a singer, it is relaxing, and it holds so many memories for me. Granted I was in the prime of my early teenage years during his rather “blah” phase – think Uptown Girl, I Go To Extremes, The River of Dreams, and so many more that I could talk forever about. But, it was his 1985 Greatest Hits Album Vol 1&2 that really had me hooked.
How great are these songs?? My absolute favorite is New York State of Mind. OMG I could listen to that like a million times. It reminds me of driving back and forth from PA to MA when I was in my early 20’s. I would get wicked nervous driving through New York City, even though I have seriously driven through it like 1000 times in my life, but the constant speeding traffic totally freaked me out every time. So, I would pop in the “tape” because CD’s weren’t an option yet for most people, lol, and I would listen to him from New Jersey to Connecticut. Every song – every word – and most of them I would sing as loudly as I could.
There is still a little part of me that gets VERY happy when I turn the channel on my radio and hear “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant” – also one of my all time favorites. Or when I get to a juke box and see “Pressure”, that is just the best.
With all the music that is out now, I still love my Billy Joel… call me old, but he is still the best around :)
#2409!!
Oh man! I am SO with you on this. I love him!!! So many memories, and his voice is beautiful, I went broke downloading his songs to my iTunes, lol!
I holla!!!!
Billy Joel is a songwriting genius and amazing on the piano. the109 loves him and sings me Billy Joel songs a lot :-)
Piano Man, enough said.
By the way, you are a winner of the “Thinking Award” come to my site to collect.
Some lady was playing Piano Man on the piano in the cafeteria at work, and I had to stop and listen. Love,love,love his music. Hate,hate,hate Sanjaya.
I wouldn’t call myself a fan, but there are definitely some songs that I really like, mostly from Glass Houses.
I am totally down with the Vote for Sanjaya movement though. It’s the only thing making this season watchable. This has to be about the worst batch of contestants they’ve ever had.
He’s awesome. My favorite is “the longest time” Once a guy put that on a “mix tape” for me, and it made me cry. It’s not even a sad song. Its just sweet. oh, memories.
Oh yes I love Billy Joel too! Pressure is on of my favorites.
My husband and I both voted. I’ll have the kid vote when he gets home from school. You should advertise!
I agree with Jose–Piano Man.
“Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” is one of the greatest songs ever. I saw Billy Joel live once and he was amazing. Oddly enough, I almost got into a fight at that show. Something you’d expect at a Motley Crue show or something, but I guess Billy Joel brought out the beast in me.
I LOVE Billy Joel. My husband was a huge fan when I met him and has all of his albums (yes….record albums, lol). We went to a concert of his when we were first married and had a blast.
Oh, I forgot to mention. My FIL was on a plane with Billy Joel and sat next to him. He didn’t even know it was him, lol.
They introduced themselves to each other, and when he said his name was Billy Joel, my FIL recognized his name only because my husband was such a fan.
I think he got his autograph for my husband. I’ll have to ask him if he has it still. I think it says, “Hi, Rob. I sat next to your father on a plane.” LOL
If I can get him to dig it up, I’ll take a picture of it and send it to you.
Holla! Old schmold! Billy Joel is timeless.
I must be out of the loop. I don’t even know who this is, but I love your blog!
I’m sorry – you don’t know who Billy Joel is?????
It says you live in L.A., are you sure? I’m teasing a little bit, but seriously, you have to have heard some of his songs, the guy has been around forever! Not to mention that they play him at least a couple of times a day on the radio… you really don’t know who Billy Joel is???
Wow, I’m in a state of shock! :)
I can’t say that he is my favorite…but when he sings “In the middle of the night, I walking….” Love that song…
Have a great weekend.
I love Billy Joel as well. His songs remind me of sitting in the back seat of our station wagon with my siblings in the early 80’s. My favorites of his:
Say Goodbye to Hollywood
Movin’ Out
She’s Always a Woman
My Life
It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me
She’s Got a Way
Honesty
An Innocent Man
A Matter of Trust
I am so with you on this one. In fact one week from tonight I will be in the same room with Billy Joel…I am finaly going to see him in concert!
Just one of those artists you can never tire of.
My favourites are Scenes From an Italian Restaurant, and Goodbye Saigon. Lots of memories there boy…
I saw him in concert once and he was amazing! He’s a true entertainer!
Ah, Billy Joel, one of the best. When I was in university my roommate had all his stuff and we spent many hours listening to him. Of course this was over 20 years ago and at that time “all of his stuff” was maybe half of what he’s done.
Anyway, great singer and very talented.