Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joelis an American pianist, singer-songwriter and composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States. His compilation album Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2 is one of the best-selling albums in the US...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionRock Singer
Date of Birth9 May 1949
CityNew York City, NY
CountryUnited States of America
I was listening to stuff and I realized that I've had a lot of different lives. You know the theory [that says] every seven years, you have a different life? I think that's true.
I was thinking of the Four Seasons, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and when I was thinking "Uptown Girl!" I was trying to sing like Frankie Valli. They had a song called "Ragdoll," which was about a poor girl and a rich guy. So I just flipped it around and made it about a rich girl and a poor guy.
I can't think of one person I've ever met who didn't like some type of music.
Hope you don't think this is Billy Joel unplugged. I'm a piano player. I'm already unplugged.
I really wish I was less of a thinking man and more of a fool not afraid of rejection.
I look in the mirror and think, 'I don't look like a rock star.' I talked about this with Bono and we looked at each other and decided we look like a pair of bricklayers.
I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity.
I think historically America has been pretty tolerant. It seems when there's a mass influx from one place, that's when it becomes problematic for Americans.
People always think I was just playing in a piano bar, but I only did that for about six months. The rest of the time I was playing in bands.
Musicians now find themselves in the unlikely position of being legitimate. At least the IRS thinks so.
I thinking of people like Phil Ramone or George Martin,
I've only felt content a few times in my life, and it never lasted. I'm very discontented right now. There are situations in my life that didn't pan out. I'm like most other human beings. I try and I fail.
I see the winos talking to themselvesAnd I can understand.
They all want your white body, and they await your reply.But, between you and me, and this Staten Island ferry... so do I...