BILLY JOEL 100. Today: #1. Concludes-  with this post.

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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1

PIANO MAN

“Piano Man” played a fundamental role in the evolution of Billy’s career. It was his first song to be greeted with enthusiasm by the public. To this day, the song is one of his most popular compositions and is often cited as his most streamed track. 

Its lyrics take us back to Billy’s early career; working as Bill Martin (the latter is his middle name) at a bar in Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles. The verses introduce us to a series of characters that congregate there, including John who aspires to be a movie star; Paul who wants to write a novel but is working in real estate instead; Davey is in the navy and the cocktail waitress who is “practising politics”. The latter refers to his wife Elizabeth who was also working at The Executive Room. Billy explains: “they’re sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it’s better than drinkin’ alone”. 

The focus then shifts from these unfulfilled individuals to the piano man himself. Even the manager concedes it is his music that helps the patrons “forget about life for a while”. Our protagonist continues: “they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar and say, ‘Man, what are you doin’ here?’.”

Fortunately, this was not the end for Billy Joel. The release of this track ushered in a more successful phase in his career. “Piano Man” reached #25 in America. The single was a Top 20 hit in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Today, Billy continues touring. He has not recorded a pop/ rock album since ‘The River Of Dreams’ in 1993. Billy released an instrumental classical album in 2001 entitled ‘Fantasies & Delusions’. With his timeless catalogue, the Piano Man remains a popular live performer. 

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