Billy Joel A to Z: Recent Episodes
David Juskow, Elon Altman
A funny and informative podcast discussing every Billy Joel song from A to Z.
I'm Elon Altman -- and I'm Dave Juskow -- and this is the Billy Joel A to Z Podcast. We're two comedians who love Billy Joel. We enjoy praising his great songs and ripping on, well, you know, "All You Wanna Do is Dance" đ
We are going to review and talk about every song Billy Joel has ever written. We had the idea to do this podcast because we wanted to talk about "Zanzibar," but, unfortunately we decided to go through Billy Joel's catalog alphabetically, so expect our "Zanzibar" discussion in two years. Every episode we do a deep dive into a particular song. We talk rankings, make fun of Billy's hilarious music videos, tell funny stories, and do trivia and song parodies too.
So join us on this fun journey with new song episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.
The final album wrap up is one of the greatest Billy Joel Albums in 1978's 52nd Street. We have a great time today welcoming our third co-host in as always, the great Paul Loren to discuss the terrific nine songs off of this grammy winning album. 52nd Street is the incredible follow up to Billy's break out album, The Stranger and it delivers. So join us today and for the next few episodes as we discuss songs like Big Shot, Honesty and the fan favorite, Zanaibar. And of course, wrap up the wrap up with the rankings and parodies for the very last time. đ
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The final album wrap up is one of the greatest Billy Joel Albums in 1978's 52nd Street. We have a great time today welcoming our third co-host in as always, the great Paul Loren to discuss the terrific nine songs off of this grammy winning album. 52nd Street is the incredible follow up to Billy's break out album, The Stranger and it delivers. So join us today and for the next few episodes as we discuss songs like Big Shot, Honesty and the fan favorite, Zanaibar. And of course, wrap up the wrap up with the rankings and parodies for the very last time. đ
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The final album wrap up is one of the greatest Billy Joel Albums in 1978's 52nd Street. We have a great time today welcoming our third co-host in as always, the great Paul Loren to discuss the terrific nine songs off of this grammy winning album. 52nd Street is the incredible follow up to Billy's break out album, The Stranger and it delivers. So join us today and for the next few episodes as we discuss songs like Big Shot, Honesty and the fan favorite, Zanaibar. And of course, wrap up the wrap up with the rankings and parodies for the very last time. đ
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This is it: The last song in the alphabet by Billy Joel. Today is Zanzibar. The absolute fan favorite off of 1978's 52nd Street. Elon and Dave find out today that the song is about a sports bar and not some exotic place in Tanzania. It kind of ruins the song a little bit BUT, it still grooves so. . . join the boys today on their final song episode - and remember - when we started this podcast a new song wasn't even a hope of thought but . . . times have changed in Billy Joel world. We just hope it's a song that starts with a "Ze". đ
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Once again, we haven't had a Wrap Up for a long time so we can keep you posted on everything going on in Billy Joel and Billy Joel A to Z land, so it's great to Wrap up these six songs and multiple album wrap ups on this episode. And, of course, the brand new Billy Joel song (still can't believe we're saying that). So here we go pretty much one last time, with rankings and listener feedback. And, most excitingly, Billy talking about Winter's Crossing on Sirius XM. Oh we're not kidding.
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We were really thrilled to have Tony winner, David Yazbek be our obvious "Y" guest for Billy Joel A to Z this episode. David has composed the Broadway musicals, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Tootsie and The Band's Visit, with which he won the Tony Award for Best Musical of the Year. His new play is entitled, Dead Outlaw and he's here today to talk about that, his musical influences and, of course, Mr. William Joel. Fascinating episode for someone who has run the gamut in beginning as a writer on the Late Show with David Letterman, creating tv themes you may know and reaching the pinnacle of his field.
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Hi everyone. There's no reason to make a wrap up of a Greatest Hits Album BUT, this was a special day as Elon, Dave and Paul were all together in the same room for the first time in 3 years and over 200 episodes. We usually record on zoom together so this was a special occasion and since we had just finished, "You're Only Human" we figured, why not just talk about everything, which is technically a greatest hits album. Of course there's the controversy of what is a "hit" and all that but don't worry - no rankings or anything tedious, just 2 fans and Dave talking about Billy Joel. đ
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Hi everyone. There's no reason to make a wrap up of a Greatest Hits Album BUT, this was a special day as Elon, Dave and Paul were all together in the same room for the first time in 3 years and over 200 episodes. We usually record on zoom together so this was a special occasion and since we had just finished, "You're Only Human" we figured, why not just talk about everything, which is technically a greatest hits album. Of course there's the controversy of what is a "hit" and all that but don't worry - no rankings or anything tedious, just 2 fans and Dave talking about Billy Joel. đ
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As we bring you our second to last Billy Joel song, we oddly bring you a big hit YET not on a standard album. Today we discuss "You're Only Human". A big hit for Billy Joel in 1985 off of his mega selling Greatest Hits Volumes One and Two albums. Go figure an upbeat ditty about teenage suicide would be such a smash, but it was and all of the proceeds went to National Committee for Suicide Prevention. We're glad we saved a few classics for the end of the podcast. đ
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This was one incredible album that really had never been attempted before. An artist doing a live album of basically deep cuts off of his first 4 albums you may have forgotten about after he became a superstar.
That's what Songs in the Attic is. Released on September 14, 1981 this album got his first song, "She's Got a Way" on people's radar. In many ways you can look at Taylor Swift's (Taylor's Version) albums as a similar plan - since she was unhappy with her manager as well - except that Billy did it 40 years earlier. The idea for this album is unprecedented and a real gutsy thing to do after being on top of the charts for three albums in a row.
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Hello everyone and here we are to talk about Billy Joelâs second album â technically first album since no one knew where to find the first one. Recorded in September of 1973 and released on November 14, 1973 Piano Man would be Billy Joelâs âbreakthrough albumâ and of course where he would record his signature song and receive his moniker that would follow him to this day. Released exactly 50 years ago and yet, not one person doesn't know how to join in singing "Sing Us a Song, You're the Piano Man". So, listen to this terrific episode where we'll talk about this very interesting album, the weird album cover and where it ended up; the rankings; and, of course, the parodies. đ
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Hello everyone and here we are to talk about Billy Joelâs second album â technically first album since no one knew where to find the first one. Recorded in September of 1973 and released on November 14, 1973 Piano Man would be Billy Joelâs âbreakthrough albumâ and of course where he would record his signature song and receive his moniker that would follow him to this day. Released exactly 50 years ago and yet, not one person doesn't know how to join in singing "Sing Us a Song, You're the Piano Man". So, listen to this terrific episode where we'll talk about this very interesting album, the weird album cover and where it ended up; the rankings; and, of course, the parodies. đ
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Today we discuss the final song (alphabetically) off of Billy Joelâs second album, Piano Man, entitled, Youâre My Home, released November 14, 1973. Youâre My Home was also recorded for the Songs in the Attic album in July of 1983 in Washington, D.C. This is a terrific song that was almost single-handedly ruined by Ms. Helen Reddy and we let Billy know we're on his side with his disgust of Ms. Reddy as well. You're welcome Billy. I mean if this doesn't get him on the podcast. . . .đ
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Glass Houses was the final part of the trilogy of legendary albums in Billy Joel's "hey day" catalogue and the first album with a number one hit for the legend in "It's Still Rock & Roll to Me". The album was nominated for album of the year and he won best Male Rock Vocalist at the Grammys. The first side is all classics and the second side are all fan favorites and he continues to play at least three of the tracks off the album (sometimes 4) at every concert 40 years later. Join Dave, Elon and the great Paul Loren as we go through it all: 1980 album reviews; album cover comments, song breakdowns and, of course, the parodies.
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Glass Houses was the final part of the trilogy of legendary albums in Billy Joel's "hey day" catalogue and the first album with a number one hit for the legend in "It's Still Rock & Roll to Me". The album was nominated for album of the year and he won best Male Rock Vocalist at the Grammys. The first side is all classics and the second side are all fan favorites and he continues to play at least three of the tracks off the album (sometimes 4) at every concert 40 years later. Join Dave, Elon and the great Paul Loren as we go through it all: 1980 album reviews; album cover comments, song breakdowns and, of course, the parodies.
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Glass Houses was the final part of the trilogy of legendary albums in Billy Joel's "hey day" catalogue and the first album with a number one hit for the legend in "It's Still Rock & Roll to Me". The album was nominated for album of the year and he won best Male Rock Vocalist at the Grammys. The first side is all classics and the second side are all fan favorites and he continues to play at least three of the tracks off the album (sometimes 4) at every concert 40 years later. Join Dave, Elon and the great Paul Loren as we go through it all: 1980 album reviews; album cover comments, song breakdowns and, of course, the parodies.
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We don't even know what to say. This is incredible. After exactly 30 years - a brand new Billy Joel song. You're welcome.
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On Tuesday January 23, 2024 Billy Joel released a small sample of his new song entitled, Turn the Lights Back On. The first REAL song since Famous Last Words in August of 1993. Elon, Paul and Dave huddled together live on Saturday January 27, 2024 to make predictions of what we all might expect or desire from a new Billy Joel song 31 years in the making. We'll see you all next week, when we all get to hear the release of the full song this Thursday February 1, 2024.
It has been said that it is because of THIS podcast that this song (and possible new ALBUM release) came to fruition. To all of our listeners, you are welcome in advance. đ
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As we thought we were done with the unreleased tracks, this one pops up, but was actually released as an old fashioned B Side to "All About Soul". "You Picked a Real Bad Time" was apparently written with Eric Clapton in mind. In fact, Billy was hoping he'd sing it. Of course, he always says that and it never happened so. . . . You're welcome in advance that Billy Joel A to Z exists, otherwise this song would be "Erased From Existence" đ
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It's a Billy Joel encore classic today on the podcast as we finish up the final song (alphabetically) off the Glass Houses Album with, You May Be Right. This is actually one of Billy Joel's personal top 5 songs he's written. In fact it's so popular even the Chipmunks did a cover on their "Punk Album" - and that's clearly the catalyst of popular. Fitting to put this out right after the New Year as whenever Billy performs on New Year's Eve, this is the go to song when the clock strikes midnight (after Auld Lang Syne of course).
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Happy New Year everyone. Welcome to the home stretch of the Billy Joel A to Z podcast as we open the brand new year with the oldest and the first of Billy Joel's album, Cold Spring Harbor. The Cold Spring Harbor Album was released November 1, 1971 and holds 2 songs that have been Billy Joel staples over the years. She's Got A Way is how we all may have discovered Billy Joel but Everybody Loves You Now has, now that he has relaxed on the horrors of this album's release, become a concert staple. This is an incredibly interesting album in how it shaped Billy Joel's career and holds some hidden gems that he should think about revisiting. But don't worry, we revisit them here thanks to the great Paul Loren who joins us as usual, with songs, rankings, parodies and talking our favorite singer songwriter, Sir William Joel.
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Happy New Year everyone. Welcome to the home stretch of the Billy Joel A to Z podcast as we open the brand new year with the oldest and the first of Billy Joel's album, Cold Spring Harbor. The Cold Spring Harbor Album was released November 1, 1971 and holds 2 songs that have been Billy Joel staples over the years. She's Got A Way is how we all may have discovered Billy Joel but Everybody Loves You Now has, now that he has relaxed on the horrors of this album's release, become a concert staple. This is an incredibly interesting album in how it shaped Billy Joel's career and holds some hidden gems that he should think about revisiting. But don't worry, we revisit them here thanks to the great Paul Loren who joins us as usual, with songs, rankings, parodies and talking our favorite singer songwriter, Sir William Joel.
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As we continue our journey down the Y's we make a final stop off of the Cold Spring Harbor Album in the 7th song entitled You Look So Good To Me. You Look So Good To Me is the fastest song on the album and even faster if you listen to the original pressing. It's a happy and peppy and bursting with love song. Where's the happy go lucky music video for this one? Should we make one ourselves? đ
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Oh my goodness 2 letters left as we begin our journey into the Billy Joel songs that begin with the letter "Y". We kick off with a terrific song off of the first album entitled, "You Can Make Me Free". This song is over 50 years old and reminds us that Billy Joel has been around a really long time and is still amazing and selling out stadiums.
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Hello everyone and happy holidays. This is a special podcast for the Letter "X". Obviously since there are no Billy Joel songs that begin with the letter "X" AND the great Paul Loren was in town, the three of us decided to get together and just jam. So, recorded live at the Williams Center in Rutherford, NJ, we put together a little sing along with good cheer and good tidings and a little holiday magic as well. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed recording it. đ đ
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It's been a long long time -- as the song goes - since we've done a letter wrap up but here we are wrapping up the letter "W" as we get down to only 2 letters left. We've got the rankings and listener feedback of course. Plus, finally, what everyone's been waiting for - we get to hear how Scenes From an Italian Restaurant sounded going from part 1 to part 2 on 8-Track Tape so many years ago. Spoiler alert -- it is not pleasant. đ
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From his comedy specials Super Crazy, Spicy Honey, or his brand new one entitled, Domestic Short Hair to his television appearances on Bobâs Burgers, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee or Comedy Bang Bang you may wonder why we have legendary comedian Todd Barry on our Billy Joel podcast. Well, many years ago Todd was in a Billy Joel cover band that only played the song that the band was called. I can't tell you anymore until you hear the episode but I will tell you it's pretty hilarious - like today's podcast.
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Today we discuss a great song off the Piano Man album entitled, "Worse Comes to Worst". Worse Comes to Worst kicks off the second side of Piano Man and was actually released as a single as the follow up to the song "Piano Man" all the way back on November of 1974. It didn't do very well on the charts and he never plays it live but we sure would like him to. This song live is unbelievable as you will hear us talk about today. đ
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Why Judy Why is the first song we've covered in an entire year from Billy Joel's first album ever entitled, Cold Spring Harbor. Totally worth the wait. This beautiful song (now at the correct speed) is apparently about Billy Joel's sister. And why not? We've already heard about his wives, mother and childhood sweetheart - Judy was due. Again, another song where at the ripe old age of 20, he feels like he's missed out. Oy.
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Hi everybody and thank you for listening to Billy Joel A to Z. In this episode we decided to do the hilarious task of wrapping up all of Billyâs unreleased tracks that weâve done an episode on. That's right all 15 songs ranked and packaged and to never be spoken about again after this episode anywhere. Some we say, "Why didn't he put this on an album?", and some we say - "Thank goodness he didn't put this on an album." But mostly, it's great stuff to realize his beginnings and how he became the unbelievable icon he is to this day.
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Today on Billy Joel A to Z we discuss our FINAL Unreleased track in a tune Billy Joel A to Z has decided to call Where Was I. Thereâs no real actual title to this song, but itâs a beautiful unreleased track circa, 1970, 71. Once again Billy questions, how he's missed out on life at the ripe old age of 20. A theme he would hilariously continue into his 40's.
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Today on Billy Joel A to Z we come down to our final Unreleased Tracks. This one is entitled "Where's the Revolution". We estimate it to be circa 1971, perhaps part of the Cold Spring Harbor sessions. In this song Billy asks the question, what is the part of the musician during war time - of course he kind of answers that question 10 years later with Goodnight Saigon, so that makes this song, kind of cool. Plus, for some reason, his obsession with the Spanish Civil War continues. Find out why today on Billy Joel A to Z.
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The Nylon Curtain was released on September 23, 1982 - wow 40 years ago. And with 40 years behind it has become an absolute fan favorite. Besides the massive hit of Allentown, this album is a very strange, and yet very musically complex masterpiece for the true Billy Joel fan. Considered Billy Joel's "Sgt. Pepper" The Nylon Curtain is a concept album that was nominated for Album of the Year and a critical favorite 40 years ago and now. So let's dissect it as we bring in the great Paul Loren who will do some amazing covers from the album and break down the beauty of what could be considered, in a different way of The Stranger, Billy Joel's OTHER masterpiece.
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The Nylon Curtain was released on September 23, 1982 - wow 40 years ago. And with 40 years behind it has become an absolute fan favorite. Besides the massive hit of Allentown, this album is a very strange, and yet very musically complex masterpiece for the true Billy Joel fan. Considered Billy Joel's "Sgt. Pepper" The Nylon Curtain is a concept album that was nominated for Album of the Year and a critical favorite 40 years ago and now. So let's dissect it as we bring in the great Paul Loren who will do some amazing covers from the album and break down the beauty of what could be considered, in a different way of The Stranger, Billy Joel's OTHER masterpiece.
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The Nylon Curtain was released on September 23, 1982 - wow 40 years ago. And with 40 years behind it has become an absolute fan favorite. Besides the massive hit of Allentown, this album is a very strange, and yet very musically complex masterpiece for the true Billy Joel fan. Considered Billy Joel's "Sgt. Pepper" The Nylon Curtain is a concept album that was nominated for Album of the Year and a critical favorite 40 years ago and now. So let's dissect it as we bring in the great Paul Loren who will do some amazing covers from the album and break down the beauty of what could be considered, in a different way of The Stranger, Billy Joel's OTHER masterpiece.
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Where's the Orchestra? Possibly considered Billy's best work by a multitude of musicians and fans. The final song off of 1982's The Nylon Curtain. A brilliant song about an idiot who goes to a Broadway show and didn't realize it's a musical. I mean. . . . Come On!! BUT, that being said, it sure is a terrific pretty song with lots of different meanings. A true Billy Hidden Gem.
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Today we wrap up another one -- and this one is Billy Joel's 1989 and pen-ultimate album, Storm Front. Storm Front is definitely an odd one but it certainly sold alot of albums and turned over almost 7 singles. I mean, they're not classics but We Didn't Start the Fire is still a completely a bona fide hit even today almost 40 years later. So, we wrap up the ten songs that Paul Loren makes us re-think, go over the rankings, of course, and top it off with the questionable Weird Elon parody's. đ But as usual, it's lots of fun.
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Today we wrap up another one -- and this one is Billy Joel's 1989 and pen-ultimate album, Storm Front. Storm Front is definitely an odd one but it certainly sold alot of albums and turned over almost 7 singles. I mean, they're not classics but We Didn't Start the Fire is still a completely a bona fide hit even today almost 40 years later. So, we wrap up the ten songs that Paul Loren makes us re-think, go over the rankings, of course, and top it off with the questionable Weird Elon parody's. đ But as usual, it's lots of fun.
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If Billy Joel could take songs back -- he insists When in Rome would be the song he did. Although it's not a bad song and certainly moves the lyrics are a little bit silly for someone who can rhyme Nikita "Khrushchev" with the "Suez" Canal and have it be a number one hit so. . . . -- Either way we always have lots of fun talking about, as Paul Loren calls them, "the turds" as well so there's no way to lose. đ
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Another album in the books and this time it's Billy Joel's 1974 album, Streetlife Serenade. The extremely little known album just before he'd become the Billy Joel we all know and worship. Billy himself has made it very clear that this isn't his greatest work -- even going as far as to admit he put two instrumental songs on the album because he ran out of material. BUT, over the years the true fans love this album so Elon, Paul and Dave will cover it all in this episode. We are, as always, fortunate to hear Paul play 3 of the songs off of the album, the shocking rankings and -- the parodies. It's all the stuff you've come to love in a Billy Joel A to Z album wrap up.
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Another album in the books and this time it's Billy Joel's 1974 album, Streetlife Serenade. The extremely little known album just before he'd become the Billy Joel we all know and worship. Billy himself has made it very clear that this isn't his greatest work -- even going as far as to admit he put two instrumental songs on the album because he ran out of material. BUT, over the years the true fans love this album so Elon, Paul and Dave will cover it all in this episode. We are, as always, fortunate to hear Paul play 3 of the songs off of the album, the shocking rankings and -- the parodies. It's all the stuff you've come to love in a Billy Joel A to Z album wrap up.
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Billy Joel's biggest song ever -- is not this one. đ Weekend Song is the third song off the second side of 1974s Streetlife Serenade album. A semi-rockin' song that tells the classic story of a Friday night after a week of work and let's get ready to party. Of course in Billy Joel world, that means 'pick me up at the train station in Long Island and let's get something to eat'. You gotta love the guy.
It's the podcast AND the album nobody wanted -- but we had to. Billy Joel's Greatest Hits Volume III. A lackluster collection of songs that mostly includes the entire album of Stormfront so -- just buy Stormfront if you're such a huge Stormfront lover. Yipes.
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Billy's Joel's hugest, oddest, final number one hit that for some reason or another brings the crowd to its feet when he performs it as an encore on every single show for the past 15 years. You may love it, you may hate it, and if you do love it, you just can't figure out why. Billy himself says it's the worst melody he's ever written so WHY, is this 1989 song STILL popular 35 years later? Let's try and figure it out on this two parter of Billy Joel A to Z's, We Didn't Start the Fire.
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Well this is it. Billy's Joel's hugest, oddest, final number one hit that for some reason or another brings the crowd to its feet when he performs it as an encore on every single show for the past 15 years. You may love it, you may hate it, and if you do love it, you just can't figure out why. Billy himself says it's the worst melody he's ever written so WHY, is this 1989 song STILL popular 35 years later? Let's try and figure it out on this two parter of Billy Joel A to Z's, We Didn't Start the Fire.
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It's the exciting V's Wrap Up. Our 5 episode series that. . . . just kidding. We're wrapping up the only V song in Billy's catalogue, our just becoming doctors guests and the Stranger Album. But what you'll really want to listen carefully for is the rankings. Oh, whatever, we'll just tell you -- we both rank Vienna as our number 1 V song. đ¤Ş
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This is it -- The Stranger Album Wrap Up. Billy Joel's greatest album AND one of the greatest albums of all time. Every song is a groundbreaking gem. Five of the nine songs are still played at every concert every month almost 50 years later. This three part Billy Joel A to Z episode includes the usual rankings and Weird Elon parodies and, of course, the magic of Paul Loren. As they say in the 1977 radio ad for the album - "you oughta know by now, Billy Joel on Columbia records and tapes". đ
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This is it -- The Stranger Album Wrap Up. Billy Joel's greatest album AND one of the greatest albums of all time. Every song is a groundbreaking gem. Five of the nine songs are still played at every concert every month almost 50 years later. This three part Billy Joel A to Z episode includes the usual rankings and Weird Elon parodies and, of course, the magic of Paul Loren. As they say in the 1977 radio ad for the album - "you oughta know by now, Billy Joel on Columbia records and tapes". đ
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This is it -- The Stranger Album Wrap Up. Billy Joel's greatest album AND one of the greatest albums of all time. Every song is a groundbreaking gem. Five of the nine songs are still played at every concert every month almost 50 years later. This three part Billy Joel A to Z episode includes the usual rankings and Weird Elon parodies and, of course, the magic of Paul Loren. As they say in the 1977 radio ad for the album - "you oughta know by now, Billy Joel on Columbia records and tapes". đ
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On May 5, 2023 Billy Joel played his monthly show at Madison Square Garden. However, for some reason he clearly heard our cries and went crazy and played multiple deep cuts that he rarely plays - AND, if he does - he certainly doesn't play them all in one concert. Dave's niece Dory and her roommates, Desi and Victoria, from medical school all went to the concert. Only one had ever been to a Billy Joel concert before. We decided to interview them to explain to them that they were witness to a most thrilling evening in Billy Joel concert history. An adorable podcast that needed to be put out immediately! đ
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Although never released as a single, people worship this song that kicks off the second side of Billy Joel's greatest album of all time. Vienna has reached new heights of popularity through Tik Tok, movies and TV and Billy plays it most every night at the MSG residency. It's constantly a favorite song choice of contestants on American Idol and the Voice as well. This song is going nuts and if that's not all - 40 years ago it got a big push from the TV Show Taxi and then 30 years after that from the classic RomCom 13 Going on 30. This song is all THAT.
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Yes it's a lovely Wrap Up show for the letter "U". We'll talk Liberty DeVitto; the concert Danny, Dave and Elon attended; our "U" guest, Bob Golden; listener feedback and of course the two songs that begin with the letter "U". It's always a good time on Billy Joel A to Z.
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Today on Billy Joel A to Z we are talking to Bob Golden. Bob writes many of the television themes you may have heard of including the early 2000's classic for comedian Dave Attell's Insomniac show. If you have children you may know him as the zany drummer in the Laurie Berkner band. But the reason he's on this episode is because in 1982 a cocky 19 year old Bob interviewed Billy Joel on a plane to St. Barts - neither of them knowing that trip would change both of their lives. Classic.
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Elon and I went to our second residency show together but we also found out that our friend Danny Vermont (Real Time with Bill Maher) went to the Sofi Stadium double bill show with Stevie Nicks. This episode was an absolute must to compare notes and figure it all out since the pairing is so odd. Do they sing together, do they do each other's songs? Who's the guest at MSG this month? Let's get the story from both coasts. đ
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And. . . the Album Wrap-Ups continue as we bring you Parts 1 and 2 of An Innocent Man Album Wrap-Up. This mega-smash album that came out in 1983 shouldn't have been popular at all. Where would it make sense that a 70's rock star would make hits referring to 50's doo wop music in the 80's. But it worked and it worked big. We've got the rankings, the parodies and, of course, our ace in the hole, Paul Loren playing many of the songs off the album and breaking them down to where even Dave could like a song he hadn't before. đ
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And. . . the Album Wrap-Ups continue as we bring you Parts 1 and 2 of An Innocent Man Album Wrap-Up. This mega-smash album that came out in 1983 shouldn't have been popular at all. Where would it make sense that a 70's rock star would make hits referring to 50's doo wop music in the 80's. But it worked and it worked big. We've got the rankings, the parodies and, of course, our ace in the hole, Paul Loren playing many of the songs off the album and breaking them down to where even Dave could like a song he hadn't before. đ
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It's time for the legendary song that kicks off side 2 of 1983's An Innocent Man album, Uptown Girl. This song is and was a smash hit and is performed at every single concert as one of the encore numbers. The music video was an MTV Classic and the Royal Family even knows about it, although they refer to him as Billy Jo-el, as if he's from Krypton. But, whatever the case may be, it is a Billy Joel staple.
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Our first song in the "U's" is a little known song off of 52nd Street entitled, Until the Night. It's a whopping Six Minutes and 35 seconds that is a pretty good song BUT probably could have been cut down to 3:05.  đ In this episode find out what Phil Ramone and James Bond have in common. Exciting!
After 7 months it all comes to an end today as we wrap up the wrap up and the T's. We just love the word Wrap Up obviously. Anyway, this episode has all your favorites in a Wrap Up - rankings, the whistling contest, lots of music and listener feedback. The usual Wrap Up stuff. There, I think we said Wrap Up a good five or six times.
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Probably the most exciting guest we can ever have on, sans Billy himself -- The legendary drummer and co-captain of every important Billy Joel album ever recorded. Liberty DeVitto is our guest in this incredible episode. He is extremely fun and forthcoming and we had a blast interviewing him. When you have a guy who, thank goodness, told Billy "you've GOT to finish" Summer Highland Falls after Billy played a piece of it for him, well -- you know that's going to be a fun interview. It's Liberty DeVitto week on Billy Joel A to Z đĽ
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Probably the most exciting guest we can ever have on, sans Billy himself -- The legendary drummer and co-captain of every important Billy Joel album ever recorded. Liberty DeVitto is our guest in this incredible episode. He is extremely fun and forthcoming and we had a blast interviewing him. When you have a guy who, thank goodness, told Billy "you've GOT to finish" Summer Highland Falls after Billy played a piece of it for him, well -- you know that's going to be a fun interview. It's Liberty DeVitto week on Billy Joel A to Z đĽ
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It's Billy Joel's final studio album today on Billy Joel A to Z entitled, River of Dreams, released August 10, 1993. The one where he decided to call it quits and retire at the ripe old age of 44.
The album debuted at #1 on the charts, went 5x Platinum and was nominated for Album of the Year. Join Elon, Dave and musician supreme Paul Loren as we have an absolute blast going through the rankings, parodies and live performances of all of the songs on this final album.
It's Billy Joel's final studio album today on Billy Joel A to Z entitled, River of Dreams, released August 10, 1993. The one where he decided to call it quits and retire at the ripe old age of 44.
The album debuted at #1 on the charts, went 5x Platinum and was nominated for Album of the Year. Join Elon, Dave and musician supreme Paul Loren as we have an absolute blast going through the rankings, parodies and live performances of all of the songs on this final album.
Today's episode finds us at the 24th and final "T" song in Billy Joel's catalogue entitled, Two Thousand Years. Two Thousand Years is not only the pen-ultimate song off of Billy's 12th and final studio album, River of Dreams BUT his pen-ultimate song EVER. It was played live on New Year's Eve 1999 just before the year 2000. It's like We Didn't Start the Fire but covers alot more time. A fitting end and a pretty good song no one remembers. đ
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Turn Around kicks off the second side of Billy's first album, Cold Spring Harbor, and when I say, "kicks off" that may be the wrong way to use the term. It is the only song on the album to feature Sneaky Pete Kleinow -- who? Exactly. Although he created the theme song for an epic show just before he recorded this. So -- good trivia today.
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In this episode we are discussing the song that kicks off the Piano Man album entitled Travelin' Prayer. It's a country blue grass song that doesn't really fit in the Billy Joel catalogue BUT when Dolly Parton covered it in 2000, she was nominated for a Grammy so. . . it definitely showcases his masterful songwriting. Anyway, we have alot of fun with this one since the instrument showcased is called a jaw's harp, or a juice harp, or a mouth harp OR the way we refer to it -- a Jew's harp. It's actually called that so we don't feel bad. You can look it up. Epic.
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Well this is a heck of a song with so many different reasons of what could make it great or what could make it bad if you listen to Glen Gamboa from New York Newsday. Tomorrow is Today is the 8th song off of the legendarily poorly recorded first album. If you listen to the 1971 recording it has an entire orchestra. If you listen to the 1983 re-recording it's only piano. Which one do you like best? And who is Bobby Rydell? Find out in this episode. đ
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Today's odd episode we discuss one of Billy Joelâs first songâs ever written and unreleased entitled, Time and Time Again, which is credited to his membership from 1964 to 1967 in The Lost Souls. Certainly not a Billy Joel classic in anyway, but we thought it was a good idea to cover in our podcast Joel Journey as it reminds us that Billy Joel was around quite a long time before The Stranger. đ
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Happy New Year everyone. Today on this episode of Billy Joel A to Z we are discussing the song Through the Long Night, which is the tenth and final song on the great 1980 album, Glass Houses. This Beatlesque song could be a pre-cursor to the entire next album, which is The Nylon Curtain. The song is based on a Picasso painting which means it's a big old mess. đ Not really though -- it's a terrific song that no one every thinks about and why we do the podcast.
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The perfect time of the year to discuss the fourth song on the first side of The Innocent Man album entitled, This Night. We think it sounds a little holidayish BUT, it's definitely a 50's themed song. In fact, we go as far as saying - this is the song Billy Joel based the entire Innocent Man album on. AND, this one we finally have confirmation that it is absolutely about Elle MacPherson and NOT Christie Brinkley. Uh oh. Cat fight!
Today we wrap up Billy Joel's 10th studio album, The Bridge, and we bring in the amazing musician Paul Loren again to do it. We never thought there'd be this much to discuss on this particular album, but there was. Plus, we have the rankings, Paul sings Elon's parodies and Paul sings a few songs from the album. It's a super fun time when three fans get together to discuss their hero's worst album. Billy says so too, so. . . we don't feel that bad.
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Today we wrap up Billy Joel's 10th studio album, The Bridge, and we bring in the amazing musician Paul Loren again to do it. We never thought there'd be this much to discuss on this particular album, but there was. Plus, we have the rankings, Paul sings Elon's parodies and Paul sings a few songs from the album. It's a super fun time when three fans get together to discuss their hero's worst album. Billy says so too, so. . . we don't feel that bad.
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This is the Time is the second track off the album, The Bridge and was released as the third single off of the album on November 15, 1986 peaking at Number 18 on the charts. This is the Time has become a huge anthem for the 80's or especially 1986 when it came out. It appears in many documentaries from the 80's, especially for the 1986 New York Mets. This episode has everything you want in a Billy Joel A to Z podcast, Billy talk, Mets talk, Stones talk and Christopher Walken imitations. What more are you looking for in a podcast?
Today our Billy Joel journey take us to another unreleased track entitled, The Winter Crossing. The Winter Crossing is unlike any Billy Joel song youâve ever heard before. Itâs about ships and oceans and sailing and --- oh wait. Sorry itâs about every Billy Joel song youâve ever heard before. Still though, it's really good and it turns out it's Danny Kortchmar's fault you've never heard it before. Â
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The title track from Billy's greatest album of all time - The Stranger is the second song of the album released on September 27th, 1977 and it is one of the most intriguing songs Billy Joel has ever written. It starts off one way and leads you another and most of all, it's got whistling. That doesn't happen much on legendary rock and roll albums. Dave, as usual, thinks he may have gotten the idea from a 70's television show open so -- this ought to be interesting. Also, the big whistling contest. Can you do better than Elon and Dave? Let us know. đ
The Siegfried Line is another Unreleased Track that actually appears on the good for nothing My Lives compilation album. A demo from 1973 this may be the only Billy Joel song that is only played with an acoustic guitar. If released on the "Piano" Man album we guess it could have gotten quite confusing so. . . .Anyway, this episode has everything you could ask for in a Billy Joel podcast -- you know -- like clips from the TV Show Get Smart. I mean. . . how could it not.
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Well, who knew River of Dreams would be in the "Ts" but it's apparently entitled, "The River of Dreams" from the album, "River of Dreams". Stop messing with us Billy!!
Today, Billy's final top ten hit released September 1, 1993 and went all the way to Number 3 on the charts. Why only number 3 you say? Cause good luck beating "Whoomp There it is!" Gotta love those 90's. Anyway, tune in today to find out what that scamp Billy the Kid did at the Grammy's that year AND how Billy Joel has a connection to the Highlander movie franchise. Now THAT's a podcast!!
Well hello there. It's the big songs that begin with the letter "T" Wrap Up show today. But wait, this is just Part 1. Today we'll be discussing the 12 songs we've done including "Tell Her About It", "THE Downeaster Alexa" and everyone's favorite, "Tell Her You're In Love". BUT, we will also be talking about the songs you may not know and the covers Billy has done either by himself or in duet form. And, of course, listener feedback. It's a jam packed show that kicks off with the first 12 medley, which is always the best. Next episode: River of Dreams - oh sorry, THE River of Dreams. ELON!!!!!
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Greetings all. Today we are discussing a song no one remembers yet -- it was king of a hit. You won't find The Night is Still Young on any album as it was one of two hits only available on Greatest Hits Volume Two. The song peaked at 34 in October of 1985 and has mostly been forgotten over the years. That's why it's up to us to bring it back to ya. đ Billy wrote this specifically for the Greatest Hits album, which we believe, makes it pretty cool. However, some of the lyrics are a bit cringe worthy.
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The third and final instrumental song Billy officially put out and the second one that ends his third album, Streetlife Serenade - today we discuss The Mexican Connection. Although the song is pretty good, we're all over the place today as our tangent's include, The Goodbye Girl movie, John Tesh and Richie Valens. I mean - it's an instrumental so. . . đ
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Today we discuss the hit acapella song, The Longest Time. No, you heard correctly -- the HIT acapella song. It's a true miracle that Billy Joel was able to write a modern acapella song that was not only a smash when it came out in March of 1984 but was covered hundreds of times during Covid in 2020.
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Well even though we swore against talking about Elizabeth Webber anymore, unfortunately we have to talk about her evil brother today for the song that's written about his evil doings in The Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China is the second song off of River of Dreams and was released on September 1, 1993. These Webbers need to be help responsible for Billy Joel's retiring from music. Let's Get 'em!!
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Today on Billy Joel A to Z it's The Great Suburban Showdown. The Great Suburban Showdown is the third song of Billyâs third album released October 11, 1974. It's about -- well suburbia of course -- you know, where fathers "never let the crabgrass grow too high". Awe. Awesome hidden gem off the Billy Joel Songbook.
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Turns out Billy Joel was wrong and even though he's been off the charts since the 90's no one's forgotten his name and he's never been in the discount rack. Today we are discussing the song, The Entertainer. An absolute classic. And we really get into it. The lyrics are amazing and rhyme like it's nobody's business. The Entertainer is the first song off the second side of 1974's Streetlife Serenade album and went to number 34 on the charts all the way back in 1975. AND, even though you've gotta cut the song down to 3:05 - it's 3:21. But that's alright, those 16 extra seconds are pretty great.
If you're just finding our podcast, this could be one of the songs you scroll down to checkout first (mostly to find out why it wasn't in the "Ds"). The Downeaster Alexa is an extraordinary Billy Joel song from his later catalogue and was released May 5, 1990 from the Storm Front album. It is the sea shanty Billy had been waiting to make for 11 albums and he did a pretty great job. It's a terrific song and we've got lots to say about it. Especially, that line about "I've got bills to pay and children who need booze". Or maybe we heard it wrong. Tune in to find out.
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Well -- here we go. The long awaited songs that not only start with "T" but the word "THE". And we open with an absolute classic in The Ballad of Billy the Kid. The Ballad of Billy the Kid is the final song off of side one of Piano Man released November of 1973 AND appears again, of course, on Songs in the Attic. From a town known as Oyster Bay Long Island comes Billy the Kid yet apparently, it's NOT about Billy Joel. What does he take us for?!!
I read the news today, Oh boy -- Apparently Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley are an item. Or at least they certainly were one of the most popular news stories when this episodes song came out entitled, That's Not Her Style. That's Not Her Style is the first song off of the Stormfront Album and was released as a single on August 4, 1990. While the media may think Christie jets across the country and "wines and dines with Argentines and Kuwaitis," she is actually much more down to earth -- so Billy says. Hmmm.
Believe it or Not. . . Our Greatest American Hero also writes about his kid sometimes. Turns out this song is about that and NOT Christie Brinkley as everyone ASSumed in the 80s when this came out. Another "classic" from The Bridge Album, Temptation. It's not a song anyone remembers and for any other musician, this probably would have been a hit, but when you're Billy Joel and you're a hit factory. . . . Still, they're all fun to discuss so listen in. đ
It's been awhile but today we discuss another Unreleased Track entitled, Tell Them You're in Love. No one knows about this one except us. Recorded clearly in the 80's and could have been completely sung by Daryl Hall, this song is, in Dave's opinion, awesome and in Elon's opinion, just ok. Usually the consensus goes with Elon so. . . I guess it's your turn to decide.
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Greetings all and welcome to another season of Billy Joel A to Z as we begin the exciting venture into Billy Joel's catalog of songs that begin with the letter "T". Today we talk about the song, Tell Her About It, which is the fifth track on the first side of the album An Innocent Man and released a month before the album came out as it's first single on July 28, 1983. This was Billy's second number one hit. He would only have one more in his illustrious career and the weird part is. . . he chooses never to play this happy, peppy, fun song in concert anymore. Why you ask? Well, listen boy it's good information . . . .Â
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We finally wrap up the letter "S" today on Billy Joel A to Z. From Somewhere Along the Line to Surprises and Summer Highland Falls in between. We've got song medley's, rankings, "viewer mail" đ and other songs with the letter "S" Billy has performed by other artists AND, most importantly a new unbelievable unreleased track entitled "So Long Reverend Ike" which is amazing. Laughs, fun and nonsense along the way, we wrap it all up like we always do and get you extremely excited about the "T" songs coming up, which include Elon's "THE" songs. There a comin' folks!
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Today we invite our new friend, Joel Ozborn, to talk with us a little Billy Joel. As we find out Joel (Ozborn, not Billy) used to work very closely with the late comic/magician The Amazing Jonathan (who hated Billy Joel music). But, Joel made his boss (and friend) listen to it anyway, which is awesome. Joel O. discovered Billy Joel by way of Australia, where he lives now. So, a different perspective across the globe on how Sir William brings the planet together in his greatness. If you are one of our Australian listener friends, go see either of the Joel's perform live. đ
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Greetings friends. Elon and Dave finally get to go to the residency at MSG as we are invited by the great Steve Mandel from the Tonight Show. We had such a great time, yelled out December Song and 3:05 multiple times and tried to poach new listeners. So -- there was no way we weren't doing a special podcast about our experience at the July 20, 2022 Billy Joel Concert at Madison Square Garden.
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Welcome to the finale of the letter "S" in Billy Joel world. Today's episode is entitled Surprises and it is the 7th track of of 1982's The Nylon Curtain. Break all the records, burn the cassettes - Elizabeth Webber gets Nothing! Yes, another EW song but this is it. After she bought papers for him to sign everything over to her in the wake of a horrific motorcycle accident Billy wrote this song about how people's eventual true colors shouldn't surprise you. Following She's Always a Woman, you'd think he'd be prepared. But. . . . This is a great hidden gem.
Hello everyone and welcome to our first of 13 Billy Joel Discography album wrap-ups. On today's episode we are discussing, the 1976 Billy Joel album - Turnstiles. This is such a milestone album and such a fan classic it takes 2 episodes to tell. And fortunately we are completely excited that musician Paul Loren will join in on the conversation on this one. In Part 2 we are so fortunate to have Paul play Miami 2017 AND sing some of Weird Elon's parodies as well, which makes Elon look like a brilliant lyricist. Who knew.
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Hello everyone and welcome to our first of 13 Billy Joel Discography album wrap-ups. On today's episode we are discussing, the 1976 Billy Joel album - Turnstiles. This is such a milestone album and such a fan classic it takes 2 episodes to tell. And fortunately we are completely excited that musician Paul Loren will join in on the conversation on this one. Watch Paul impress Elon and Dave with explaining why All You Wanna Do is Dance is a Billy Joel Classic. Really? Ranking and placement of songs, album cover info and most of all -- Paul plays some of the tunes on the album. It doesn't get any better than this. Turnstiles. Today on Billy Joel A to Z.
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Billy's greatest song ever and apparently it's about manic depression. Summer Highland Falls is the second song off of Billy Joelâs legendary fourth studio album, Turnstiles, which was released on May 19, 1976. AND, it is also the second song off of Billyâs 1981 live album, Songs in the Attic. The song, although not a hit in the classic sense, has gained its reputation simply from all of us knowing what Billy Joel is capable of as a musician, a lyricist and a singer with a magical vocal range. What do Billy Joel and Charles Dickens have in common? Find out on today's episode.
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Streetlife Serenader is the first song and the 'kind of' title track off of Billy Joelâs third album Streetlife Serenade. Apparently he decided to put an âRâ at the end of the album name, which makes sense since the album Streetlife Serenade is considered a pretty lazy album. HOWEVER, the song also appears on 1981âs Songs in the Attic album so I guess Billy likes it. He calls it a celebration of the unsung a cappela street corner choirs. Well, if that's what floats your BOAT. See what I did there? đ
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Today we discuss the title track that kicks off the second side of the 1989 and Billboard Number 1 selling album entitled, Storm Front. The song Storm Front is all about Billy's other favorite topic besides girls, food and Long Island. It's about meteorological awareness. Yeah that's right, low pressure systems, falling barometers and of course the Beaufort scale. All the stuff rock 'n roll is based on.
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Stop in Nevada is the seventh song off of Piano Man released in November 9, 1973. Billy can say it's about a woman trying to get a quicky divorce in Reno back in the 70's but we all know it's Li'l Lizzy Weber again up to her old tricks.
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Today on Billy Joel A to Z we head back to the best album of 1979 in 52nd Street and the song Stiletto. In this uptempo track from Billy's sixth studio album, Billy Joel sings about an irresistible but dangerous woman who wields emotional manipulation like a sharp blade. It comes complete with a funky bass line, finger snaps, and cliffhanger breaks. And it's the only song where Liberty DeVitto plays the umbrella. Oh, I'm not kidding. đ
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Welcome back to another quality episode of Billy Joel A to Z. Today we discuss the one of three songs NOT to be released off of the Stormfront album entitled, State of Grace. State of Grace is the third song on side two or the 8th song off of the CD. Billy says this song may be about Christie Brinkley slipping away BUT Christie Brinkley says it's the opposite. Of course she doesn't have a forum to say it in song so. . .
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A few episodes we let you know that She's Right on Time was Billy's "Xmas" song. Well, Souvenir is Billy's "New Year's Song". Souvenir has the distinction as being the shortest song in the Joel cannon, which is followed by an instrumental on the 1974 album Streetlife Serenade, an album that was pretty much 'phoned in' as Billy had run out of material. In fact his producer, Michael Stewart, told him it was very short, Billy answered in his best Forrest Gump - well, that's all I have to say. Still though -- a beautiful song.Â
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Somewhere Along the Line is the ninth song, just before Captain Jack, on the Piano Man Album released November 9, 1973.   This one's definitely a strange one, as Billy talks about 4 things that will catch up to us somewhere along the line. Of course, Billy made it through all of those things so -- now the songs irrelevant. Good for him. đ
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Well, the S's had so many songs we've decided to double up on the wrap up and wrap up the first ten songs. Confused? We're not used to having so many songs in one letter. In this episode we also talk about Johnny Cash's unfortunate 80's period and why Jew's miss out by not having a Xmas tree - after talking about She's Right on Time of course. Also, listener feedback as always and a preview into the next 9.
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Sometimes a Fantasy is the second song off of the first side of Glass Houses and was released as a single on October 11, 1980 peaking at 36. For some reason the single version is 39 seconds longer. That never happens so -- right there - classic podcasting. But, there's also a hilarious video for this one, made way before anyone heard the name MTV so . . . that's not fantasy. It's the real thing. Oh also, we called the number the touch tones reveal at the beginning - spoiler alert - we just left a message asking for Billy.
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Today is a great day as we talk about the amazing, underrated song beloved by all true Billy fans, Sleeping with the Television On. Sleeping with the Television On is the seventh track off of Billy's seventh and Grammy nominated album, Glass Houses, which was released on March 12, 1980. We love this song but most of the episode is talking about how television used to sign off before it went 24 hours. It was a horrid time to be alive. We don't like to think about it. GGBJ (God Bless Billy Joel) đ
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Today we tackle our third song in a row that begins with the pronoun âSheâ. AND, our third song in a row about Billyâs first wife, the good time Charlie that is Elizabeth Webber. Sheâs Right on Time kicks off the second side of The Nylon Curtain, which came out on September 23, 1982.
Billy wrote this song with a Christmas theme instead of making an entire schmaltzy holiday album. Although never released as a single, there's is an amazing music video for it. Billy Joel himself says this is his second favorite song of all time behind Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. Really?
In 1971 the world got introduced to Gene Hackman, Willy Wonka and Dirty Harry and in November of that year that dude from the Hassles went solo and put out his first album as a singer songwriter, entitled âCold Spring Harborâ. She's Got a Way is the first song from the first album anyone ever heard from Billy Joel and today we discuss the heck out of it. Billy re-recorded a live version of the song on his album Songs in the Attic so people could hear it without the chipmunk sound off Cold Spring Harbor and thank goodness for that. Unfortunately, it's another song about his ex-wife Elizabeth Webber so -- here we go again. But don't worry, on the next episode is "She's Right On Time" and that's a song about -- oh wait -- Elizabeth Webber. Oy.
Today we get to talk about a Billy Joel classic in Sheâs Always a Woman. This beautiful ballad is the seventh song of a perfect album that is, âThe Strangerâ. Sheâs Always a Woman was the fifth and final song released off of the album on August 12, 1978 and peaked at 17 on the Billboard charts on October 14, 1978. Is it She's Always a Woman or She's Only a Woman? A slight change makes a huge difference in this often misunderstood love song. And, is it about Elizabeth Webber or Elizabeth Warren. Dave makes all these mistakes in one episode. It's epic.
The only song in the Billy Joel catalogue that is better known by someone else who sings it - today's episode is the song "Shameless". Shameless is the fifth song of Billy Joel's 11th album, Stormfront. It was Garth Brooks who took this song to number 1, but that's only number 1 on the country charts so, who cares. As we say in this episode, a weird Elon parody could make it to number 1 on the country charts. We went there. đ
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The only way to word this one is, once again, the way they title "Friends" episodes - "The One after Scenes from an Italian Restaurant". âShades of Greyâ is the fifth song off of Billy Joelâs twelfth and final studio album, River of Dreams â released August 10, 1993.  Billy's reflection on writing this song is that he (and we're quoting here) became "more rabbinical". The song is a little better than the blessing over the wine but, not by much.Â
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The explosive conclusion of Billy Joel's greatest song. Scenes From an Italian Restaurant. We really go into some detail about this one. Why wouldn't we? It is the fourth track on the first 'perfect album' side of The Stranger and came out on September 29, 1977. It was never released as a single, which makes it even more epic that this is Billy's most famous song. Today we talk about the final four and a half minutes and parts of composition and analysis. The Ballad of Brenda and Eddie and the epic outro, trivia and the weird Elon parody. It's another good week to be a listener of Billy Joel A to Z.
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This is it folks. The ONE. Scenes From an Italian Restaurant. Obviously in two parts. We really go into some detail about this one. Why wouldn't we? It is the fourth track on the first 'perfect album' side of The Stranger and came out on September 29, 1977. It was never released as a single, which makes it even more epic that this is Billy's most famous song. Today we talk about the first three minutes and parts of composition and analysis. Introduction (or Italian Restaurant), Things are ok in Oyster Bay (wait'll you hear this), and the piano solo. It's a good week to be a listener of Billy Joel A to Z.
Scandinavian Skies, as Billy himself says, is the weirdest one and the 8th track off of 1982's The Nylon Curtain. It is a clear nod to John Lennon and the Beatles that even someone who wasn't a fan of the Beatles can figure out from the first note. Complete with flight announcements and plane landings. Whatever. Next episode is Scenes from an Italian Restaurant so. . . .
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Today we begin the songs beginning with the letter "S" and we get to start with a biggie. Say Goodbye to Hollywood, the clear tribute to Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes song "Be My Baby", kicks off Billy Joelâs incredible fourth studio album bomb, Turnstiles. It also kicks off the second side of the the live album, Songs in the Attic.  Ronnie Spector ended up covering the song herself and was a big hit in 1977 with the help of the E Street Band. Billy may say he hates Hollywood and L.A., but he certainly ran back quick when they offered him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Who wouldn't but. . . .just sayin.
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Another letter crossed off and the 5 Billy Joel songs that we've gone over that begin with the Letter "R" are on the agenda today. More Marvin Hamlisch/Billy Joel drama, more Rosalinda Eyes ads and lots more nonsense and informative information from our listeners and, of course, getting ready for the "S"s, which include some of the biggies. Also, a little tidbit from Billy Joel's unreleased studio version of the Beatles, Revolution.
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After our "Rosalinda" episode (not "Rosalinda's Eyes") we spoke about a man named Denny Somach who is the only person who booked and subsequently recorded Billy Joel at a show at the Roxy Theater around Allentown Pennsylvania. Well, we were able to track him down and today he is our guest on Billy Joel A to Z. Denny may own the only known recording of "Rosalinda" on the planet. So there's that. Denny is also a music historian. He has written 2 books on the Beatles and created the show "Get the Led Out" - the Led Zeppelin Radio Show. He also created a legendary NBC show when MTV wasn't everywhere called, "Friday Night Videos", which Dave can even remember the theme song. đ
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Running on Ice kicks off The Bridge album released on July 9, 1986.   It's a fun strange song that is rarely played, thought of or ever mentioned in Billy Joel circles. Sometimes we refer to it as "Pressure 2" - which is another song that is rarely played, thought of or ever mentioned in Billy Joel circles. Who's running these Billy Joel circles?
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Rosalinda's Eyes is the 2nd track on side 2 of Billy's Grammy winning sixth album, 52nd Street, released October 11, 1978. Rosalinda's Eyes completes the Rosalind Joel trilogy of Billy Joel songs about his mother. Why anyone would write three songs about their mother is confusing, but if you're going to, this is a good one that, one would think, would make Mama Joel proud. One can always find their Cuban skies, In Rosalinda's eyes. đ
Not to be confused with Rosalinda's Eyes, which is our next podcast, Rosalinda is an unreleased track, circa 1972. It's a very dark song about Billy's mom and how she's now an "Empty Nester". It's not the usual good time like Allentown or Pressure that are depressing but fun, so to liven things up, we talk mostly about the 80/90's show, Empty Nest. You're welcome.
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Root Beer Rag is the 4th song on side one of Billy Joelâs third studio album Streetlife Serenade, which was released October 11, 1974. It is one of three instrumental album tracks on Billy Joel studio albums. Since Marvin Hamlisch's Piano instrumental, The Entertainer from the 1973 Oscar Winning Movie, The Sting was the most popular song in the nation, we think Billy had a sense of jealousy and set out to teach Marvin a lesson with this ridiculously fast paced piano piece.
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Roberta is the fifth and final song on Side One of Billy Joelâs third studio album entitled Streetlife Serenade, which was released October 11, 1974.  Billy's version of "Pretty Woman". Trying to save a lady of the evening. Starting the R's with an R Rated song. Ooooooooo. Exciting.
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Hi everybody. We've been doing the podcast now for exactly one year -- SO. . . since there are no Q songs in Billy Joel's collection, we thought we would do a show where we could all get together on one Saturday Afternoon and talk some Billy Joel. We were fortunate to get musician Paul Loren to join as well and play some songs live, which really made it feel special. Hopefully you'll enjoy the conversation AND join us as we continue our endeavor to discuss every Billy Joel song every written as we pick up with the songs in the "R" catalogue next episode. Thank you to all of our listeners around the world and special thanks to the ones that took the time to join us on Saturday.
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The big P's Wrap Up Show includes the 1 biggie, Piano Man and the medium hit, Pressure and of course, viewer mail and other nonsense. We also trying to get to the bottom of what happened to Billy during the River of Dreams Tour Pressure song. And speaking of River of Dreams -- unfortunately, it's called The River of Dreams -- so it's NOT next. Ugh. Elon đĄ
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This episode we speak a little Billy Joel with our friend comedian Mike Vecchione. Mike has appeared on The Tonight Show multiple times, including being the first comic asked back after Covid. But what we didn't realize, is that Mike is a big Billy Joel fan as well. Mike talks to us about growing up Italian and that his workout choice music is Billy Joel. Then, of course, Dave chimes in with his work out choice, Uptown Girl. Hmmm. Of course, we guess the joke is that Dave works out. Hope you enjoy the episode.
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The One After Piano Man -- Pressure was the first single released off of The Nylon Curtain and entered the Billboard Charts on September 25, 1982. Pressure is a great song and not very often remembered or thought of. The music video is one of the first concept music videos of it's time and was directed by the person that directed the first music video ever played on MTV - all those years ago. đ
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As we completely hit our stride on the Billy Joel A to Z podcast, we discuss another instant classic today in Piano Man. Piano Man is the Piano Man's second song off of the album of the same name and was released as a single one week before the album was released on November 2, 1973. Piano Man was Billy Joel's first major hit and has become his signature song.  In 2015 the Library of Congress selected Piano Man, out of 25 songs, for preservation in the National Recording Registry for its "cultural, historic, and artistic significance. Piano Man may be the most significant song in Billy Joel's collection AND, today we get the privilege to talk about it. Â
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Today we wrap up yet another letter and the three songs that begin with "O". One superb unreleased track, one throw away and one absolute Billy Joel classic. As we did with our guest, Michael Reidel, we continue the discussion of Billy's Broadway Movin' Out show and how we're not sure if fans of Billy Joel's actually liked it; the worst way to kick off an album with the Russian band "Journalist"; Elon gets called out on a parody; and, of course, listener comments. Of course if you know your alphabet, we all know what song is next - so get ready. đ
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Michael Riedel is a New York living legend. At one time he could close a Broadway show with one bad review OR keep one running with a rave. But mostly, he just tells it like it is. Michael joins us today to talk about what happened with Billy Joel's Broadway Musical Movin' Out. A fascinating insight into how the show was gossiped to be a disaster and how somehow it ended up nominated for Best Musical. Michael talks about dining with Billy Joel and many other things on this great edition of Billy Joel A to Z. You can hear Michael Reidel everyday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with his co-host, the legendary Len Berman, on 710 WOR here in New York City or on iHeart Radio around the globe.
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Another Unreleased Track of Sir Billy Joelâs collection, this one entitled, -- get ready â itâs quite the departure for Billy -- Oyster Bay. An autobiographical song that tells the story of how he is sick of fame and wants to go back to Oyster Bay. Oddly though, at the time of this recording, he wasn't famous yet. How do you like this guy. Â đ Â
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Another absolute classic today as we discuss Only the Good Die Young. Only the Good Die Young is the sixth song off Billy Joelâs mega sensation fifth studio album, The Stranger. It was released as a single on May 13, 1978 and peaked at number 24 on the billboard charts. This is the first song Billy Joel ever played on his first of four appearances on Saturday Night Live. He missed his 10 year High School Reunion to be there. Also, if anyone knows Virginia Callaghan, who is the Virginia he is referring to in the song, we'd love to have her on the podcast so. . . .we already missed out on Anthony from Movin' Out darn it!
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Uh oh, another song you've never heard of BUT, it's a good one. Only a Man was recorded in between Cold Spring Harbor and Piano Man. Oh it's Beatlesesqe of course, but what Billy Joel song isn't (or so he says)? We think you'll like this song too, and if you don't -- our next episode is Only the Good Die Young and if you don't like that -- you're listening to the wrong podcast đ
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4 songs that could not be more different in the Billy Joel Universe conclude the letter "N". One that will never be heard of again, one absolutely beautiful instrumental, a moderate hit and an epic classic that could be argued may be one of the best songs EVER written (depending on who you talk to đ). BUT, most importantly Billy Joel A to Z will exclusively bring you a brand new unreleased track called Numbers that you're going to love on this episode.
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Today we get to talk to musician/singer/songwriter AJ Smith. We found AJ because he wrote a beautiful song called, "Billy Joel", which is about a bonding between him and his fiancee over her favorite Billy Joel song. Which one is it? Find out in today's episode. -- Ooooo. Exciting.
But besides that song, AJ has so many more songs available and really terrific music videos as well. As we record this podcast his new song "Grammy" has been getting extra attention and voted one of the 10 Cool New Pop Songs to get you through the week from Billboard magazine. He's a terrific guest. We think you'll think so too.
Nocturne is a beautiful instrumental song by Billy Joel and the 9th track on the album Cold Spring Harbor released November 1, 1971. You can actually find a bootleg version of this song with lyrics on YouTube and it may be one of the few songs in history where making it instrumental was DEFINATELY the way to go. Yipes! đ
Well, we have to cover them all. Nobody Knows But Me is a children's song off of a 1981 Sesame Street related album entitled, In Harmony 2. Billy uses the Little Richard term that has been argued, defines rock and roll - Wop-bop-bop-a-lup-bop-a-lop-bam-boom. BUT, what was the phrase intended to mean and should it be in a children's song? Ooooo -- drama.
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No Manâs Land kicks off Billyâs 12th and final album River of Dreams. No Manâs Land was released in December of 1993 but never placed on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. However, No Man's Land does have a special place in history as it was the first song ever played on The Late Show with David Letterman in 1993. Way cool. It also brings us back to simpler time - a time in 1993 when everyone somehow knew the name Joey Buttafuoco. Hilarious.
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New York State of Mind is the fourth and final song off the first side of Turnstiles. The album was released on May 19, 1976. This may be the most covered Billy Joel song of all time. You figure if Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra and Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem all think it's great then you've really got something. One of our newspaper rankers has it as Number 1. Who will it be? It's a Billy Joel Classic today and the kind of song this podcast was based on. đ
We're so sorry to see the "M"s go. These were the true classics in the Billy Joel catalog; Movin' Out, My Life, Miami 2017 and Dave's favorite for some reason, Money or Love. Also, another awful Paul McCartney cover and of course, everyone's favorite song, The Motorcycle Song. And, as always, listener feedback and a preview of the "N"s.
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Today we are fortunate enough to talk with Steven Mandel, the producer/engineer for Questlove and The Roots and in that aspect is the musical engineer for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Steven found us by telling us a few Billy Joel A to Z "easter eggs" to look for that he had placed on The Tonight Show recently so we were really excited to talk to him. We also became fascinated with the fact that he as been working and writing songs with Elvis Costello. It's a great time and Steve's a great guy.
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This week's podcast is the awesome song, My Life.   My Life is the third track off Billy Joelâs sixth studio album 52nd Street. Officially released as the first single off of the album on October 28, 1978. The song peaked at Number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Who is the friend who closed the shop, sold a house, and bought a ticket to the west coast that now gives them a stand up routine in L.A.? Find out today on the podcast (spoiler alert - it's not that exciting). And, of course, there will be Bosom Buddies talk.
The third track off 52nd Street. Who is the friend who closed the shop, sold a house, and bought a ticket to the west coast that now gives them a stand up routine in L.A.? Find out today on the podcast (spoiler alert - it's not that exciting). And, of course, there will be Bosom Buddies talk.
Today we tackle the extremely unreleased track entitled âMy Journeyâs Endâ, which is actually Billy's 60's band "The Lost Souls" song. So why are we talking about it? My Journey's End happens to be the first song Billy Joel ever wrote at the ripe old age of 14. We wonder whatever happened to that kid from The Lost Souls.Â
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Movinâ Out (Anthony's Song) kicks off Billy Joelâs masterpiece and fifth studio album, The Stranger. It was released as the first out of four singles released from this album in early September of â77 and boy is it great!! If you want to hear who Anthony is based on -- we are the only ones who have the official scoop so we suggest listening. Here's a hint -- Wednesday is Prince Spaghetti Day - and don't you forget it.
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Money or Love is an unreleased track from the Stormfront era. It's about the guys in Billy's band and it is catty so look out. Rrrrow!
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Modern Woman is the 4th song off Billyâs tenth studio album entitled, The Bridge and peaked at Number 10 on July 26, 1986. From the Judge Reinhold classic film, "Ruthless People". Cause remember, Rock and roll just used to be for kicks and nowadays it's politics and after 1986 what else could be new? So there.
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Finally! We made it to an absolute, no one can argue, Billy Joel Classic. Miami 2017 is the eighth and final song off Billy Joel's fourth studio album released May 19, 1976 entitled Turnstiles. Written as a response to President Gerald Ford telling New York City to "Drop Dead", this enduring classic is even more relevant today. He was thinking of making it into a movie but they already had Escape from New York - which is way awesome. đ
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And so it goes. . . that we wrap up the 6 songs that begin with the letter "L". We talk about the listeners disdain with Dave's review of Lullabye of course; the Leonard Cohen and Paul McCartney covers; our new theme song and a song that's never been heard BUT there are lyrics for entitled, Let Your Heart Show You the Way. Plus more listener feedback, a preview of the "M"s and for some reason, Jurassic Park.
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Part 2 of the Scott Aukerman interview really has nothing to do with Billy Joel. We decided to put it up because we found it fascinating. In this episode Scott regales us with tales of directing a major movie special effects flood to make sure Matthew McConaughey doesn't drown on set; playing Michael Caine's son in Austin Powers 2 AND directing then president Barack Obama at the White House appearing in an episode of Between Two Ferns. Hope you like -- we'll be back when we start the Letter "M" next week. đ
Scott Aukerman is a journeyman of sorts in the business of show. He began as a comedian and an actor, began producing and directing and then hosting an extremely successful podcast on the podcast platform he invented called Earwolf. He was the creator and host of Comedy Bang Bang and creator and director of the legendary, Between Two Ferns show and movie with Zach Galifianakis. But, of course most importantly, he is a big Billy Joel Fan. In Part 1 we learn his favorite Billy song, seeing Billy Joel at the Hollywood Bowl and hanging around with his pals U2.
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Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) is the seventh song on River of Dreams. Lullabye was released as the fourth and final single from the album and only made it to number 77 on the charts. Everyone loves this song except Dave who compares it to the scene in "A Clockwork Orange" where it make him physically sick. Which, of course, makes this, an epic episode.
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Los Angelenos is the second song on Streetlife Serenade and the 4th track on Songs in the Attic. The song was originally written with Rod Stewart in mind. If anyone can hook us up with Porchfest 2022, we'd greatly appreciate it. We didn't know what it was either until we recorded this episode. Now, it's all the rage.
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Long Long Time is Unreleased Track that was recorded at the legendary Sigma Sound Studios at WMMR Radio in Philadelphia in April of 1972. This was the same session that made Captain Jack the legendary song it became and launched Billy's career. We were surprised he didn't call it Long Long Island - since he's OBSESSED!
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Leningrad is the 7th song on Stormfront. Leningrad was oddly released as a follow up single to âWe Didnât Start the Fireâ in October of 1989. Apparently it's about a Russian Clown named Viktor. And, apparently, Viktor has no idea who Bozo is. Bozo!!! I mean. . . . Viktor's living in the past man!Â
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If you enjoy continuing to say the word "Toots" then you'll love our Leave a Tender Moment Alone episode. This song is the ninth track off of Billyâs ninth album, entitled, âAn Innocent Manâ. Leave a Tender Moment Alone was the fifth song to be officially released as a single from this album in July of 1984 â almost a full year after the album was released. The song was on the billboard charts for 10 weeks and peaked at 27 on September 1, 1984. This "Toots" fella is the harmonica player you hear on the theme to Sesame Street. OMG.
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Laura is a five minute and five second song and the second track off Billy Joelâs 7th album entitled, The Nylon Curtain. This is the song where Billy drops a career shocking "F" bomb. Also, we finally find out who "Laura" is. Oh, who cares, we'll just tell you, it's his mom. đŽ
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After 51 songs we have our first song off of the album Street Life Serenade. Last of the Big Time Spenders is the 7th track off of the album. It may not be his best song but with lyrics like "Then I'm the last of the big time spenders, Cause I've been spending time on you" it's still Billy Joel. Awe. And, Oh yeah, Elon's wife sings. It's epic.
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Since there was only one "K" song -- we decided to do something fun and have our listeners log in and either make a request or try and stump our resident Billy Joel master musician, the great Paul Loren. It was such a great time and we thank everyone for taking time out of their weekend to listen to a little Billy Joel together. And, of course a big thanks to Paul Loren for making it happen. Download his new album "Betwixt" here: https://ffm.to/paulloren_betwixt
See you in the "L"s.
Since there's only one song in the "K"s we thought we'd bring back two of our favorites and talk about Billy and the songs so far. Bringing back Christopher Bonanos from New York Magazine and whose rankings we use every single episode was a no brainer. Bringing back Family Guy Executive Producer Alec Sulkin was an easy choice as well since he's super funny and super Billy knowledgeable. A lively discussion as we await our next episode - The Stump Paul Loren phone in show. đ
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The only song with a "K", Keeping the Faith is the tenth and final song off of An Innocent Man. Keeping the Faith was released as the SIXTH single off of the album in September of 1984 and peaked at 18 on the Billboard Charts. That's all fine and good, but the big news will always be Christie Brinkley as a redhead. Whaaaaa!!!Â
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The J's Wrap Up Show -- includes our three songs, the very rare never released "Jericho Lines" and more "Mr. Jaws" talk. đAlso, how terrific Paul Loren was and how great it will be when we play "Stump Paul". And, of course, listener feedback and a preview of, well, I'll just say it, "Keeping the Faith".
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Fresh off the release of his new album entitled, "Betwixt" singer, songwriter, and producer Paul Loren joins us to talk a little Billy Joel today. And we got real lucky. He is kind enough to play us two songs today on his keyboards and boy do they sound terrific. My guess, like Elon and I, is this episode will make you smile ear to ear. He's terrific.
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Just the Way You Are is the third track off of Billyâs fifth and unbelievable album, âThe Strangerâ and the song that made Billy Joel an International Superstar. It was released as the albumâs lead single in September of 1977 and went to #3 in February of 1978. Just the Way You Are became Billy Joelâs first gold single AND garnered two Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1979. He was also playing it on Saturday Night Live when Chevy Chase and Bill Murray were having a fist fight backstage. Oh score!
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Josephine is an unreleased song originally written by Billy Joel in 1972 for the Piano Man Album. This song is so rare it can only be found on the My Lives compilation album BUT not on the album itself, only on as a bonus track on iTunes. So. . . you're welcome? The name Josephine is no Little Geo so we're not all in.
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We open up the "Js" with -- James. James is the fifth track off of Billyâs fourth studio album, Turnstiles. James, was released as the second single off of the album in July of 1976 and reached #77 on Australian charts, but did not chart in the United States. Like everyone has done since 1976, we try and figure out who James actually is in Billy's life and why he thinks it's necessary to keep reminding him how great he's doing. "I guess it didn't work out, huh James?" Wow -- that's cold.
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A time sensitive Wrap-Up as Billy Joel went back to his residency at Madison Square Garden the day before we recorded this podcast. Dave had a chance to go but (spoiler alert) had a date with Larry Dallas from Three's Company. (If you're a regular listener, you probably realize that's true). đ Also, Dave finds himself in the exact location he told Billy Joel to be quiet 30 years ago while he was trying to use the phone. Elon reads the first post-covid MSG awesome set list, which makes Dave even more upset. Also, other unreleased "I" songs and one's that didn't make the podcast cut, listener feedback and a preview of the "J"s.
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Kyle Dunnigan is an unbelievable impressionist and you'll be able to hear a bunch of those impressions today. But that's just an added bonus to the fact that he "storm fronted" đ the stage at the legendary Yankee Stadium concert and then got asked back to dance the Uptown Girl dance at Wrigley Field a few years later. That story and much more with Super Fan Kyle Dunnigan. Oh, and he plays the Angry Young Man open. Wow.
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Itâs Still Rock and Roll To Me is the fourth track off Billyâs 7th studio album âGlass Housesâ. It was released as a single on May 12, 1980 and became the number one hit in the nation on July 19th. This is one of Billy Joel's biggest song ever and yet, it has the words Beau Brummell Baby. I guess that's when you know people love you whatever you do.
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If I Only Had the Words (To Tell You) is the eighth track off Billyâs second studio album âPiano Manâ. Modulating to a different key? What? That's nothing, wait until you see one of Billy's heroes completely ripping off this melody 10 years later. Ooooo. Controversy. Fun times on Billy Joel A to Z.
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Iâve Loved These Days is the seventh track off Billyâs fourth studio album Turnstiles. It's sandwiched in between Angry Young Man and Miami 2017 so who remembers it. So, mostly we focus on the Glen Campbell classic, Rhinestone Cowboy. They came out at the same time and Billy was going to call the song, "These Rhinestone Days". Close call.
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I Go to Extremes is the fourth track off Billyâs eleventh studio album âStorm Frontâ. The song went all the way to Number 6 on the Billboard Charts on March 17, 1990.  The song appears on numerous other compilation albums and Billy plays it live all the time. Also, I'm pretty sure our logo comes from the video of this song. So it's pretty popular. So why don't we like it? Ooooo, controversy. đ¤Ł
I Donât Want to Be Alone kicks off the second side of Billy Joelâs seventh Album Glass Houses, if, of course, you were listening on Vinyl way back in 1980. Another fun loving song about loneliness that for some reason seems to rock. Gotta love this guy.
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It's the always exciting Wrap-Up episode - this time for the letter "H". We finish our discussion of the great "Half a Mile Away", the medium "Honesty" and the awful "House of Blue Light". Later, we discuss the new "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" official video that just came out, the new 9 pack Vinyl compilation that is coming out AND the apparent sketch by Andrew Dice Clay and Billy Joel that happened recently. Of course, a preview of what's coming up in the "I's" and listener feedback (even the bad ones). đ
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Stacey and Avery Lender are mother and daughter. Stacey used to be an actual "Roadie" for Billy Joel back in the '90's and that led to her daughter, Avery, becoming a super fan. Avery is an up and coming Stand-Up Comic who is still in college for the time being. Stacey, like Elon, used to run the student music concert committee at Cornell University and parlayed that into working for Billy Joel, among other things. She is also an author and has retained all the "merch" from working with Billy and handed it down to her grateful daughter. They're hilarious. Super fun times at Billy Joel A to Z.
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House of Blue Light was only available as the B-side to the single of the legendary We Didnât Start the Fire released on September 27, 1989. It is the second instance of a Billy Joel single being backed by a non-album track (the other one being Elvis Presley Boulevard). It now officially appears only on Disc 2 of the My Lives Compilation Album. It is what one critic called, "a blues song like the kind seen in a Hollywood approximation of a blues club".
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The second song off of Billy Joelâs sixth and Grammy Winning Album of the Year, 52nd Street and released as the third single from the album on April 21st 1979. Honesty spent 11 weeks on the charts and peaked at number 24 on May 26, 1979. A predecessor to what would become the Power Ballads of the 80's and 90's.
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The H's begin with the fast moving Half a Mile Away song. Half a Mile Away is the seventh song off of Billy Joelâs sixth and Grammy Winning Album of the Year, 52nd Street and was released only as a B-Side, depending on what country you live in, on the 45 RPM of Big Shot, which came out on January of 1979. And, in trivia this week -- which Billy Joel album covers were shot "a half a mile away from each other"? Exciting! We are also making Little Geo a permanent friend of ours.
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It's the G's Wrap Up everybody. Who isn't excited talking about the 5 songs with the letter G? Well, at least there's 5 this time. đ. Just wrapping up the greatness of Get It Right The First Time -- cause, you know, that's the main thing. And, of course, reminiscing on the awesome interview with Gary Gulman. Also, more Karen Carpenter and that weird Hammond B3 Organ. What is that all about? Listener feedback and rankings to. See you in the H's.
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It turns out Gary Gulman is a huge Billy Joel fan. And who better to have after we wrap up the "Gs" then Gary G. Gary has, among other things, an amazing comedy special/documentary on HBO Max entitled, The Great Depresh, which is now a new comedy album as well. He is also scheduled to play Carnegie Hall November 13, 2021 -- so it's a HUGE deal that he was able to take a few moments and talk a little Billy Joel. đ
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Great Ships & Great Oceans is an unreleased song originally written by Billy Joel in 1972 for the Piano Man Album. A really interesting song that a songwriter almost has to get out the way to achieve greatness so it's great to see the process. Most of us just gargle with salt water but Billy has written like 20 songs about it. Now that's productivity.
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Got to Begin Again is the tenth and final track that completes Billyâs first album Cold Spring Harbor which was released on November 1, 1971 and, famously rereleased, in December of 1983. In this episode find out why certain songs on Glass Houses may sound like Carpenter's songs. Yes, the musical group. I know. A fascinating discovery in the world of what is Billy Joel A to Z.
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Goodnight Saigon is the fourth track of Billy Joelâs eighth studio album, The Nylon Curtain. Goodnight Saigon was released as a single in February of 1983 and spent 7 weeks on the billboard charts. So then, what do this song, Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd and comedian Artie Lange have in common? Find out on this episode. Exciting! Â
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Another final track - this time off The Bridge album. Getting Closer was only released as a B-Side to our first podcastâs song, A Matter of Trust and released on July 9, 1986. The third and final duet off of the album -- this time with Li'l Stevie Winwood, who can't get enough of the Hammond b3 organ. Whatever that is. Like Ray Charles, Steve Winwood was one of Billy's heroes starting out.
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The eighth and penultimate song of Billy Joelâs epic sensation, The Stranger. Get It Right the First Time was released only as a B-Side of Dave's favorite wrong song title, "Donât Go Changingâ (Just the Way You Are). Possibly, the only Billy Joel song with a full on Disco Beat. Yay 70's!
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Another letter wrap up, this time for the "F"s. In this episode we talk about having two more ending album songs; what a great time our Live Watch Party was and continuing to thank everyone for showing up so a good time could be had by all; and talk about our amazing guest Alec Sulkin and the great revelations he bought up about how the show Family Guy indeed feels about Billy Joel. Also, listener feedback and rankings. And, of course, a preview of what's coming up in the "G"s letters, including the crazy fact that two of the "G" songs will ALSO be album ending songs. What is happening!!?? đ
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Alec Sulkin is the show runner from the epic show Family Guy on Fox and is also the co-writer of the movies, Ted, Ted 2 and
A Million Ways to Die in the West. Of course, he is also a tremendous Billy Joel fan, as is evidenced in almost every season of the 20 year old Family Guy. We had such a good time talking to him we can't wait to already have him back. In this episode we find out if Billy is actually a fan of Family Guy since many episodes are named after his music, let alone the songs he's let them use for the show.
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After last week's episode, fascinatingly another Final track on an album, this one on the album of the same name - 52nd Street. 52nd Street, the song, was only released as a B-Side to the classic song My Life on October 28, 1978.  The final song off of the album that won it all in 1980 by beating out Donna Summer and Supertramp. Based on this song, it may not have been a classic year. đ
The last song every written on an album by Billy Joel released August 10, 1993. "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn anymore." Oh Burn!!!
The fifth track and final song on side one of Billy's debut album Cold Spring Harbor released November 1, 1971. And, as we begin the F letters, after waiting so long for a song from Cold Spring Harbor, we go back to back this time with Falling in the Rain. Will Dave like this one as much as he liked Everybody Loves You Now? Billy is even known for mocking this one. đ Epic.
A recap of the E's, a preview of the F's, plus listener feedback and rankings. Also, recapping Dave's first reaction listen to anything (amazingly) off Cold Spring Harbor. AND, of course reiterating how our E's guest, Dennis Blair, inspired the entire An Innocent Man album.
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Dennis Blair is a living legend in the comedy world BUT for this podcast's importance he is the writer of the classic Rodney Dangerfield movie, Easy Money, which as you know contains the theme song of the same name. So, if Dennis Blair, wrote the movie Easy Money and Billy Joel was asked to write the song Easy Money and then he said, "I like this song, let's do an entire album of songs like Easy Money" -- then Dennis Blair technically inspired the An Innocent Man album. So there!
Dennis is also an accomplished musician whose new album is entitled Music from Big Brick and can be found here:
https://www.amazon.com/Music-Big-Brick-Dennis-Blair/dp/B082VNZ1M6
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The third track off of Billy's debut album Cold Spring Harbor and released as the B-Side to She's Got a Way in January of 1972. The Billy Joel A to Z Podcast's first song off of Cold Spring Harbor AND the song on the album that uses the title Cold Spring Harbor. AND, since I'm clearly trying to see how many times I can use Cold Spring Harbor in a sentence, now Billy Joel's worst nightmare, as he never wants to be reminded of this album.
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The finale to the masterpiece of what is The Stranger. After 39 episodes, our first song off of the legendary album that is one of the most successful and important albums in pop music history. This episode also includes an exclusive track only found on The Billy Joel A to Z Podcast. We also recommend NOT singing this song on Indonesian Idol, cause it's already been done.
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The B-side to the legendary Allentown released in September of 1982. The rare occurrence of a Billy Joel single being backed by a non-album track. It now officially appears only on Disc 2 of the My Lives Compilation Album. Billy may not talk about politics often, but when it comes to the commercialization of Elvis -- he's pissed! We all have our Cross to Bear!! HEY NOW!!!
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The track that kick's off and inspired the entire An Innocent Man album released as a B-side to Tell Her About It on July 28, 1983 AND --most importantly for Dave, the theme to the classic Rodney Dangerfield movie of the same name. "My Mother-In Law -- For Years I wouldn't kiss her on the face". . . . (or something like that) -- listen to see what comes next đ
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A recap of the Ds, a preview of the E's, plus listener feedback and rankings. Also, the creepy keyboards of the Don't Ask Me Why Demo. Plus pressuring Elon again to answer the ultimate "D" question -- Where is Downeaster Alexa?! Oh you can say it's called, "The" Downeaster Alexa a hundred times but nobody's buying it.
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Julian Velard is an amazing musician who has been heavily influenced by Billy Joel, as is indicated by his digital album entitled, Play Piano Man. Julian, however, has a great sense of humor (like Billy) and subsequently entitled his follow-up album that came out last year, Please Don't Make Me Play Piano Man. For all the joking around we do this was a really terrific sit down with someone who can explain more about the greatness of Billy Joel from a musician's perspective. Later, Julian actually plays the song from the album, Please Don't Make Me Play Piano Man, which was pretty much made for listeners of this podcast. đ
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The 3rd track off Glass Houses and released as a single on July 24, 1980. It spent two weeks at number 1 on the adult contemporary charts. Another song off Glass Houses where Billy speaks French. Uh oh.
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This is an UNRELEASED track from 1971 written for the Cold Spring Harbor album. There's also a discussion of whether legendary director Robert Altman's son actually wrote the theme from MASH* at 13. Elon says it's true but Dave says no way and everyone's high.
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A recap of the Cs, a preview of the D's, plus listener feedback and rankings. Also more Cass Dillon and C'etait Toi French talk. We clearly weren't finished.
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Well, when you decide to go alphabetically, even in the best musician's catalogue, there are lots of lulls SO, we had to spice things up and bring in Sarah Silverman to regale us with her stories of her and Dave singing Code of Silence together years ago and her fascinating story on SNL when Billy was the guest. It's a great time.
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This is an UNRELEASED track from the Piano Man/Streetlife Serenade Era. It appears on the My Lives album only. There's really not much to say so we basically end up talking about Ringo Star and Bond ~~Girls~~ Women đ But our next episode has Sarah Silverman in it so. . .
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The 8th track off The Bridge released as a âBâ side only in November, 1986. The second and only other ever duet off The Bridge album with Dame Cyndi Lauper. Cindi has always worked with the greats, Billy Joel, Captain Lou Albano and Pee Wee Herman. Now that's just a well rounded career.
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The 9th track off Glass Houses released as a âBâ side only in March 7, 1980. Billy's tribute to 1977 New York City including the blackout, heatwave, gas shortage, Son of Sam and Sammy Hagar's favorite, changing the speed limit to 55. Oh, and more references to Billy's love of television. Yay!
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Christmas in Fallujah is one of two songs Billy officially put out in 2007 but this is the only one EVER with someone else singing on it. Rockville Centre native, Cass Dillon gets the golden ticket to sing on a Billy Joel song but we feel the song would have been a big smash if everyone's real favorite Rockville Centre native son, comedian Dave Attell, sang it instead.
The 8th track off An Innocent Man released as a âBâ side only in March of 1984 and is an homage to Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. It's still a mystery who Billy's writing about here. Who is this Christie Lee character? Is she pretty?
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The 7th track off An Innocent Man released as a âBâ side only on September 29, 1983. A little ditty about tabloid gossip involving Elle MacPherson, Christie Brinkley and Dave Juskow. Just wanted to see what my name would've looked like in that sentence. Sigh.
The breakthrough song that started it all thanks to a few loyal fans and a Philadelphia Radio station -- and, of course, the realization of what goes on when your sister's on a date. Uh oh.
The eighth track off the Glass Houses album and released only as a âBâ side to Donât Ask Me Why on July 24, 1980. What did Rick Springfield pick up from Billy Joel on this song? Let someone else speak the French!
A recap of the B's, a preview of the C's, plus listener feedback and of course Dave having to relive Big Man on Mulberry Street again. Oy
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Danny Vermont is a legendary New York and Los Angeles comedian, who, for the past 20 years, has been working with Bill Maher. He currently writes on Bill's HBO Show, Real Time. The thing about Danny is -- he's a humongous Billy Joel fan. Dave has known him since college days and could not, in good conscious do a Billy Joel podcast without having him on. We talk about the time Dave, Danny and Sarah Silverman performed Code of Silence on stage and the time Danny and Dave went to Saturday Night Live and had a private audience show watching Billy warm up. You'll love the conversation đ
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This is an UNRELEASED track from the Cold Spring Harbor Era. It's so rare -- we're not even sure if that's the name of the song. Spoiler alert! Dave likes it - Elon doesn't.
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The third track off the River of Dreams album and released August 10, 1993. A great hidden gem. And remember, in hell there's a big hotel - and the TV works, but the clicker is broken! Noooooooo!!!!!
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The epic song that kicks off the album 52nd Street and was released in January 1979. The time capsule song that encompasses all you needed in the late 70's early 80s. The restaurant Elaine's, Dom Perignon and the spoon up your nose. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no - You had to be a big shot, didn't ya.
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Big Man on Mulberry Street is the 6th track on The Bridge, released July 9, 1986. Dave, very much like Bruce Willis, gets uptight at the mere mention of Moonlighting.
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Baby Grand is the fourth single released in March 1987 off The Bridge album and peaked at No. 3 on the Adult Contemporary Charts. The Jerusalem Post wrote that the song is a "small pleasure". The Jerusalem Post likes two things: Baby Grand and Elon's act. It's a RAVE!
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A recap of the A's, a preview of the B's, plus listener feedback and of course more Maude talk.
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After being completely obsessed by his 2015 New York Magazine ranking of 121 Billy Joel songs, Christopher was kind enough to join us for our first Billy Joel A to Z interview. We were absolutely dying to know why he ranked certain songs so high or vice-versa and today will provide all the answers. đ
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Prelude/Angry Young Man is the sixth track off Turnstiles released on May 19, 1976. What show has the cast of Star Wars, Pete Rose and a performance by Mummenschanz in one episode? The same show that has Billy doing a live performance of Angry Young Man after a song by Petula Clark.
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The final track on Stormfront. Officially released as the sixth single off the album on October, 1990. Everyone seems to cover this song, even the 1998 American League Batting Title Champion, Bernie Williams. Now that's sayin' something.
The second track off the album of the same name. Officially released as a single in December of 1983. The song peaked at #10 because you're just not going to be able to beat 99 Luftballoons
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The legendary track that kicks off The Nylon Curtain album. Released on September, 1982. Billy travels 130 miles west out of his wheelhouse for this one. Warning - cover your children's eyes when watching the video!
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The third track off Turnstiles. Released on May 19, 1976. This was almost "Only the Good Die Young" but -- thank goodness -- cooler heads prevailed.
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The only single of original material since 1993. Released in 2007 exclusively on everyone's favorite platform, People Magazine's online homepage. Oy
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The fifth track off the album Glass Houses, released March 12, 1980.
When you're ready to grow up and go big, you rely on The Yamaha CP80.
The Sixth track from the River of Dreams Album. All About Soul was released as a single in October of 1993 and peaked at #29 on the pop charts on Christmas Day 1993.
It's gonna get dark, it's gonna get cold AND it's gonna last you for the rest of your life.
The third track from the album Piano Man, released November 9, 1973.
The song where he rips off the theme from the tv show Maude and then Blossom returns the favor.
The sixth track from the album The Nylon Curtain, released June 28, 1982.
The lyrical classic with the lines You've got yoga, honey. I've got beer
The fourth track from the album The River of Dreams, released August 10, 1993
Billy Joel may not even like this one. It's never even been released on a B-Side.
The third track from the album The Bridge. The song released July 9, 1986 and peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Charts.
A Matter of Trust - it's Billy Joel, with a new album, a new song -- and a new BABY!
New Episodes Every Tuesday and Thursday
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New Episodes Every Tuesday and Thursday
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