BILLY JOEL 100. Today: #90-86. More- tomorrow.

Caffè Lattè presents:

THE 100 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS BY

BILLY JOEL

William Martin Joel was born in The Bronx, New York in 1949. He grew up on Long Island and began studying the piano in 1953. Billy joined his first band 10 years later. In 1971, he signed a recording contract as a soloist. That year, he released his solo debut album. Since then, his music has been the soundtrack for countless fans.

Here are 100 of his best works…

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90

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

“The Great Wall Of China” was inspired by the litigation between Billy and his former manager Frank Weber. As well as their professional connection, the latter was also Billy’s brother-in-law. The lyrics are stinging, with lines such as: “all the king’s men and all the king’s horses can’t put you together the way you used to be”.

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89

THE MEXICAN CONNECTION

‘Streetlife Serenade’ was rushed. Billy barely had time to construct the songs, which explains why there are two instrumentals on the album. “The Mexican Connection” is one of them.

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88

WHEN IN ROME

Billy is on the Hammond organ for “When In Rome” which evokes the sound of Memphis soul on the ‘Storm Front’ album.

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87

BLONDE OVER BLUE

“Blonde Over Blue” deals with how Billy’s then wife Christie Brinkley could change his mood in a positive way. She illustrated the cover of parent album ‘River Of Dreams’.

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86

ROOT BEER RAG

“Root Beer Rag” is the other instrumental on the ‘Streetlife Serenade’ album, the result of Billy not having enough time to deliver a better album. This track is Billy’s “ragtime” offering.

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