I'd still put The Stranger at number one, 52nd Street at two and then Glass Houses at three. While I didn't love everything on An Innocent Man, it probably deserves fourth and The Nylon Curtain should be fifth. I have to admit to never listening in full to the albums before The Stranger. I also dropped out a bit after An Innocent Man, although I did like some of the cuts on River of Dreams. I've never been a big fan of We Didn't Start the Fire either!
Thanks Dan! Always so interesting to hear everyone’s backstory with an artist that I do an album ranking for. Turnstiles is a must in the pre-Strangers catalog.
I was a huge Joel fan in my early/mid teens, but lost interest when Innocent Man came out - it just seemed too corny compared to punk and post-punk stuff I was into at the time - and nothing he subsequently released ever pulled me back in. I can’t say I ever feel the desire to listen to his albums these days, but The Stranger, 52nd Street and Turnstiles were my three big favorites of his back in the day, and I’m happy to see them well-represented here.
Songs in the Attic. It might not qualify for the list but the live performances are better than the studio in my opinion. And that is very rare for me to prefer any live versions of artists if I’m not there. The energy and sounds of that album are amazing
Totally agree, it’s a great live album. I typically stay away from those in these discography rankings, but it merits a shout out and spin for those who have never heard it.
My favorite Joel album is probably Glass Houses by a hair, but my absolute favorite Billy Joel song lives on Turnstiles - and that's "Summer, Highland Falls." The live version on Songs from the Attic is arguably better than the studio version.
I’m not the hugest Billy Joel fan, though his music was ubiquitous when I was a teenager, but it’s always enjoyable to read great writing about music.
One quibble in that I think the residents of Allentown, PA will be surprised to find out that their city is fictional. Unless this is an in joke, as with Finland, that I am not aware of. (Entirely possible.)
I, too, rank 52nd Street as his best, but I'm surprised you didn't mention Rosalinda's Eyes. That is very evocative of the Cuban Jazz that was in favor at the time. It's about my favorite cut on the album.
I somehow wound up getting an Innocent Man for my birthday one year, though I suspect it was really more for my parents than me. I can't say I remember playing it much, though with all the songs being on all the time, I probably didn't need to?
I'd also echo Dan's comment upthread; by the time I was a teenager, I wouldn't have touched this with a 10ft pole. That sort of stance usually lessens with time, and I think that "Keep the Faith" is a pretty solid track. very much of its time, but that's okay, too.
Also, hands held up; I love "We Didn't Start the Fire." What can I say? lol.
Haha you can like what you like, Kevin. Thanks for reading! Also: Is “An Innocent Man” going to be the divisive one in the comments on this article? Looking that way so far.
The staggering thing for me is that there was only five years between 52nd Street and An Innocent Man.
At the time, it seemed like a long musical journey. From where we are now, it’s almost fifty years since 52nd Street. And yet, 52nd Street is early Joel and Innocent Man a later mature Joel who is looking back. Mind blowing.
Matt - fine essay. I particularly agree that "We Didn't Start the Fire" is "gratingly mediocre" (perfect) and "Miami 2017" is underrated. I live in NYC and the song is as fitting today as it was in the 70's.
You might enjoy this tongue-in-cheek rant I did about "Piano Man," which many people took much too seriously.
I wish you had included “Songs in the Attic,” which is not a conventional greatest hits, but rather a re-envisioning of the early material. I think it’s the best combination of his writing & singing and the band”s playing. But you are definitely right about 52nd St - as much as I love the rest of the catalog, it stands above them all.
“I hate this guy, I hate this album, I hate this song” That was me having a hissy fit over listening to Piano Man for the umpteenth time. My best friend was head over heels in love with everything Billy Joel and that album had grooves in it from being played to death. I wanted to listen to Manfred Man’s Earth Band instead. Fast forward to 1977 and The Stranger and my best friend, still, sat gobsmacked while I played that record over, and over, and over again! It was then the lightbulb moment lit up for me and I became a fan. I’ve always thought of Billy as a musicians musician. Great piano player, great voice, and in the same vein as Freddy Mercury, always the consummate showman. I also love the fact that as he got older he didn’t succumb to youthful necessities like Rod Stewart and Kenny Loggins who’s almost unrecognizable. Maybe because Billy was never going to be on the cover of GQ anyways. His voice hasn’t changed, his piano playing hasn’t changed, he’s the same guy I hated all those years ago. And to my friend who had to endure my temper tantrum all those years ago, I’m sorry I ever doubted your taste in good music. I had to be a Big Shot!
The Stranger was my first Billy Joel album, and contains Vienna, one of my favorite songs in the universe. I love the song The Stranger too, it would be great re-covered in a more slow quieter mysterious way, kinda like what Clapton did to Layla. That was also my first year on my own, I could still count on two hands all the records I had ever bought. Now I need to listen to that album again ...😍
I'm just impressed that you do this, Matt....and, from where I sit, you do it very well! From The Beatles to Aretha, and now Billy Joel! I have no dog in the fight to the point of nit-picking with the order; every time I scrolled down and saw the placement of an album, it didn't seem at all "out of place." I DO appreciate your research, and everything I was aware of, myself, in his career arc, you seemed to not only nail, but add a lot more color and perspective!
I graduated high school the year "Piano Man" came out ('73), and Dad brought that home from the radio station he worked at. For every other '70s album he released, I was either in radio myself (2 years college, 2 pro FM rockers), or at a record store (Houston, late-'70s; L.A. early-'80s), and thru the '70s, I'd stop by the regional CBS sales/promotion office in NW Houston to pick up promos, and Joel's when they came out.
As I think you know, I find label careers a fascinating obsession, and Billy, like Springsteen and Streisand, to name two, are lifelong CBS label-mates, of course, and to see how careers progress with artists at one label (especially a major), and not dancing around to several different label-homes, you know that career decisions aren't necessarily only made by the artist! C-suite conference tables are well-used!
My more "personal" Billy takeaways/opinions: He's an amazing songwriter from the standpoint of stylistic arrangements. He's done songs that "sound like" a '50s doo-wop, a Spector treatment ("Say Goodbye to Hollywood," a Four Seasons-like song, and several others. His knowledge of rock history and incorporating it into his compositions without stooping to parody is impressive.
Plus, if you've ever heard him on his periodically returning Sirius/XM satellite radio channel, he's eager to talk about his songwriting process, and far from an ego-driven power trip: He's really generous in taking us behind the scenes in his thought processes for composing and recording, which I think is well worthy appreciating! We have so many closed-mouth musicians who couldn't be bothered, but I appreciate Billy's generosity towards his fans to give us a peek!
I'm anxious to see who'll be next in your continuing cavalcade of album rankings, Matt! Thanks again (and especially for your generous allowance of BMOAT page-space!)💪😁👍
Thank you Brad! Appreciate the support and encouragement, as always. Your comment gave me nostalgia for my days as a radio host (albeit brief), which I look back on with such fondness. I miss the format a lot. Cheers!
I'd still put The Stranger at number one, 52nd Street at two and then Glass Houses at three. While I didn't love everything on An Innocent Man, it probably deserves fourth and The Nylon Curtain should be fifth. I have to admit to never listening in full to the albums before The Stranger. I also dropped out a bit after An Innocent Man, although I did like some of the cuts on River of Dreams. I've never been a big fan of We Didn't Start the Fire either!
Thanks Dan! Always so interesting to hear everyone’s backstory with an artist that I do an album ranking for. Turnstiles is a must in the pre-Strangers catalog.
I've heard other people say they love it too. Time for me to dive in!
Love these album rankings.
I was a huge Joel fan in my early/mid teens, but lost interest when Innocent Man came out - it just seemed too corny compared to punk and post-punk stuff I was into at the time - and nothing he subsequently released ever pulled me back in. I can’t say I ever feel the desire to listen to his albums these days, but The Stranger, 52nd Street and Turnstiles were my three big favorites of his back in the day, and I’m happy to see them well-represented here.
Thank so much Dan! +1 for 52nd Street woohoo
Songs in the Attic. It might not qualify for the list but the live performances are better than the studio in my opinion. And that is very rare for me to prefer any live versions of artists if I’m not there. The energy and sounds of that album are amazing
Totally agree, it’s a great live album. I typically stay away from those in these discography rankings, but it merits a shout out and spin for those who have never heard it.
My favorite Joel album is probably Glass Houses by a hair, but my absolute favorite Billy Joel song lives on Turnstiles - and that's "Summer, Highland Falls." The live version on Songs from the Attic is arguably better than the studio version.
Another great one!
I’m not the hugest Billy Joel fan, though his music was ubiquitous when I was a teenager, but it’s always enjoyable to read great writing about music.
One quibble in that I think the residents of Allentown, PA will be surprised to find out that their city is fictional. Unless this is an in joke, as with Finland, that I am not aware of. (Entirely possible.)
Thanks Joe!
This is so good.
Thanks Mike!
I, too, rank 52nd Street as his best, but I'm surprised you didn't mention Rosalinda's Eyes. That is very evocative of the Cuban Jazz that was in favor at the time. It's about my favorite cut on the album.
Great choice right there, excellent track. Thanks Tom!
I somehow wound up getting an Innocent Man for my birthday one year, though I suspect it was really more for my parents than me. I can't say I remember playing it much, though with all the songs being on all the time, I probably didn't need to?
I'd also echo Dan's comment upthread; by the time I was a teenager, I wouldn't have touched this with a 10ft pole. That sort of stance usually lessens with time, and I think that "Keep the Faith" is a pretty solid track. very much of its time, but that's okay, too.
Also, hands held up; I love "We Didn't Start the Fire." What can I say? lol.
Haha you can like what you like, Kevin. Thanks for reading! Also: Is “An Innocent Man” going to be the divisive one in the comments on this article? Looking that way so far.
Could be, though my guess is that it came out right as the people in this thread were shifting to other bands/genres.
Sounds about right 👌
The staggering thing for me is that there was only five years between 52nd Street and An Innocent Man.
At the time, it seemed like a long musical journey. From where we are now, it’s almost fifty years since 52nd Street. And yet, 52nd Street is early Joel and Innocent Man a later mature Joel who is looking back. Mind blowing.
Agreed, thanks for reading!
Matt - fine essay. I particularly agree that "We Didn't Start the Fire" is "gratingly mediocre" (perfect) and "Miami 2017" is underrated. I live in NYC and the song is as fitting today as it was in the 70's.
You might enjoy this tongue-in-cheek rant I did about "Piano Man," which many people took much too seriously.
https://brianhoward.substack.com/p/billy-joel-is-a-deranged-psychopath?r=c50dd&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
I enjoyed that — thanks for reading and sharing Brian :)
I wish you had included “Songs in the Attic,” which is not a conventional greatest hits, but rather a re-envisioning of the early material. I think it’s the best combination of his writing & singing and the band”s playing. But you are definitely right about 52nd St - as much as I love the rest of the catalog, it stands above them all.
Thanks for reading Mark!
“I hate this guy, I hate this album, I hate this song” That was me having a hissy fit over listening to Piano Man for the umpteenth time. My best friend was head over heels in love with everything Billy Joel and that album had grooves in it from being played to death. I wanted to listen to Manfred Man’s Earth Band instead. Fast forward to 1977 and The Stranger and my best friend, still, sat gobsmacked while I played that record over, and over, and over again! It was then the lightbulb moment lit up for me and I became a fan. I’ve always thought of Billy as a musicians musician. Great piano player, great voice, and in the same vein as Freddy Mercury, always the consummate showman. I also love the fact that as he got older he didn’t succumb to youthful necessities like Rod Stewart and Kenny Loggins who’s almost unrecognizable. Maybe because Billy was never going to be on the cover of GQ anyways. His voice hasn’t changed, his piano playing hasn’t changed, he’s the same guy I hated all those years ago. And to my friend who had to endure my temper tantrum all those years ago, I’m sorry I ever doubted your taste in good music. I had to be a Big Shot!
Lol what a comment, love that last sentence. :) Thanks Gina!
The Stranger was my first Billy Joel album, and contains Vienna, one of my favorite songs in the universe. I love the song The Stranger too, it would be great re-covered in a more slow quieter mysterious way, kinda like what Clapton did to Layla. That was also my first year on my own, I could still count on two hands all the records I had ever bought. Now I need to listen to that album again ...😍
Love it! Thanks for reading.
As soon as he went the doo wop route, I was out. Glass Houses was one of the first albums I ever bought, so it’s my #1 on nostalgia alone.
Lots of love for Glass Houses in the comments, thanks for reading!
I'm just impressed that you do this, Matt....and, from where I sit, you do it very well! From The Beatles to Aretha, and now Billy Joel! I have no dog in the fight to the point of nit-picking with the order; every time I scrolled down and saw the placement of an album, it didn't seem at all "out of place." I DO appreciate your research, and everything I was aware of, myself, in his career arc, you seemed to not only nail, but add a lot more color and perspective!
I graduated high school the year "Piano Man" came out ('73), and Dad brought that home from the radio station he worked at. For every other '70s album he released, I was either in radio myself (2 years college, 2 pro FM rockers), or at a record store (Houston, late-'70s; L.A. early-'80s), and thru the '70s, I'd stop by the regional CBS sales/promotion office in NW Houston to pick up promos, and Joel's when they came out.
As I think you know, I find label careers a fascinating obsession, and Billy, like Springsteen and Streisand, to name two, are lifelong CBS label-mates, of course, and to see how careers progress with artists at one label (especially a major), and not dancing around to several different label-homes, you know that career decisions aren't necessarily only made by the artist! C-suite conference tables are well-used!
My more "personal" Billy takeaways/opinions: He's an amazing songwriter from the standpoint of stylistic arrangements. He's done songs that "sound like" a '50s doo-wop, a Spector treatment ("Say Goodbye to Hollywood," a Four Seasons-like song, and several others. His knowledge of rock history and incorporating it into his compositions without stooping to parody is impressive.
Plus, if you've ever heard him on his periodically returning Sirius/XM satellite radio channel, he's eager to talk about his songwriting process, and far from an ego-driven power trip: He's really generous in taking us behind the scenes in his thought processes for composing and recording, which I think is well worthy appreciating! We have so many closed-mouth musicians who couldn't be bothered, but I appreciate Billy's generosity towards his fans to give us a peek!
I'm anxious to see who'll be next in your continuing cavalcade of album rankings, Matt! Thanks again (and especially for your generous allowance of BMOAT page-space!)💪😁👍
Thank you Brad! Appreciate the support and encouragement, as always. Your comment gave me nostalgia for my days as a radio host (albeit brief), which I look back on with such fondness. I miss the format a lot. Cheers!
Great article but BJ is no Young Thug, at least in the eyes of the NYT Music critic crowd…
If that list did anything, it brought Billy Joel’s talent into even sharper focus based on everyone mentioning that he wasn’t included lol