A jazz-influenced follow-up that won Album of the Year at the Grammys. It’s packed with hits like "My Life," "Big Shot," and the sophisticated "Zanzibar" . The Experimental 80s
💬 Is The Stranger his best, or is An Innocent Man the ultimate feel-good record? Let me know in the comments!
Widely considered his masterpiece. Produced by Phil Ramone, it is a "no-skip" album featuring "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" and "Just the Way You Are" . billy joel albums in order of release
He hasn't released a pop studio album since 1993, and honestly, he didn't need to. The catalog is bulletproof.
| Year | Album | U.S. Certification | Key Single | |------|-------|-------------------|-------------| | 1971 | Cold Spring Harbor | Gold | “She’s Got a Way” | | 1973 | Piano Man | Diamond | “Piano Man” | | 1974 | Streetlife Serenade | Platinum | “The Entertainer” | | 1976 | Turnstiles | Platinum | “New York State of Mind” | | 1977 | The Stranger | Diamond | “Just the Way You Are” | | 1978 | 52nd Street | 8× Platinum | “My Life” | | 1980 | Glass Houses | 7× Platinum | “You May Be Right” | | 1982 | The Nylon Curtain | 2× Platinum | “Allentown” | | 1983 | An Innocent Man | 7× Platinum | “Uptown Girl” | | 1986 | The Bridge | 2× Platinum | “This Is the Time” | | 1989 | Storm Front | 4× Platinum | “We Didn’t Start the Fire” | | 1993 | River of Dreams | 5× Platinum | “The River of Dreams” | A jazz-influenced follow-up that won Album of the
This serves as Billy Joel’s final rock/pop studio album. It explores themes of aging, spirituality, and parenthood. The title track was a global hit, and the album’s cover was painted by his then-wife, Christie Brinkley. 13. Fantasies & Delusions (2001)
Often seen as a transitional work, this record captures Joel’s frustration with the Los Angeles music scene. It features the biting industry critique "The Entertainer" . The Golden Era: Creative Peak Let me know in the comments
We’re taking a trip through the Piano Man’s studio discography today. Everyone knows The Stranger , but are you sleeping on Turnstiles ? Here is the timeline:
Responding to the rise of New Wave and punk, Joel stripped back the jazz and piano-heavy ballads for a harder rock sound. It worked—the album stayed at #1 for six weeks and gave him his first #1 single, "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me." 8. The Nylon Curtain (1982)
After a brief hiatus playing lounge piano in L.A. under the name "Bill Martin," Joel signed with Columbia Records. The title track, "Piano Man," became his signature song and an instant classic. The album also features "Captain Jack" and "The Ballad of Billy the Kid." 3. Streetlife Serenade (1974)