I look at some of the songs I wrote years ago and I can’t believe I wrote such crap.
“I look at some of the songs I wrote years ago and I can’t believe I wrote such crap.” Billy Joel
Some of the stuff I’m writing is almost like hymns, some of my first singing and choral experiences were in church, the Church of Christ in Hicksville.
“Some of the stuff I’m writing is almost like hymns, some of my first singing and choral experiences were in church, the Church of Christ … Read More
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 listening to stuff and I realized that I’ve had a lot of different lives. You know the theory [that says] every seven years, … Read More
I’m kind of putting my toe back in the water and seeing how it feels. We’re going to be doing stuff we haven’t done for years and years and years. So I’m looking forward to seeing how this stuff flies.
“I’m kind of putting my toe back in the water and seeing how it feels. We’re going to be doing stuff we haven’t done for … Read More
I’m writing new music all the time. I’m just not writing pop stuff. It’s not my goal.
“I’m writing new music all the time. I’m just not writing pop stuff. It’s not my goal.” Billy Joel
If you’re a very unfulfilled person you might have a tendency to turn to crime.
“If you’re a very unfulfilled person you might have a tendency to turn to crime.” Billy Joel
I never stopped writing music, I just stopped writing songs. I’ve been writing music continually ever since the last album of original tunes, “River Of Dreams” in ’93.
“I never stopped writing music, I just stopped writing songs. I’ve been writing music continually ever since the last album of original tunes, “River Of … Read More
One of the last times that we played in the area before I wrote “Allentown,” I remember a guy coming up to us and saying, “You’re never coming back here.” I said, “Why do you say that?” He said, “Well, you’re probably gonna become a big star. Nobody who ever becomes big comes back here.” And I felt so sad for this kid, he seemed so bitter about it. I said, “Well, I’m coming back, no matter what.”
“One of the last times that we played in the area before I wrote “Allentown,” I remember a guy coming up to us and saying, … Read More
I’m a piano player. I never thought of myself as a singer, at all. I was always trying to sound like somebody else. I don’t like my own voice, I like Ray Charles, Robert Plant, I like Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, people that have an edge in their voice.
“I’m a piano player. I never thought of myself as a singer, at all. I was always trying to sound like somebody else. I don’t … Read More
I run into people from the Lehigh Valley and Allentown all over the world, and they’re obviously doing pretty well. They say, “Oh, it’s pretty nice there now and there’s a lot of new businesses that have come into the area.” Nobody’s telling me, “Yeah, I left.” Everybody says, “You know, I’m there. It’s great. It’s really nice there, and you made our town famous.”
“I run into people from the Lehigh Valley and Allentown all over the world, and they’re obviously doing pretty well. They say, “Oh, it’s pretty … Read More
I always wrote the music first, and the music gave me the mood and the lyrics were pretty much put in to give you a map, where that mood came from and where it’s going. But my first love was really the music itself, and I guess I’ve gone back to that.
“I always wrote the music first, and the music gave me the mood and the lyrics were pretty much put in to give you a … Read More
I had a melody and a rhythm and chords, but nothing to talk about. I remember reading about how the decline of the steel industry had been affecting the Lehigh Valley, and I decided that’s what I was going to write the song about.
“I had a melody and a rhythm and chords, but nothing to talk about. I remember reading about how the decline of the steel industry … Read More
I’m not the kind of guy who wants to be on a pedestal.
“I’m not the kind of guy who wants to be on a pedestal.” Billy Joel
Musicians know all about unemployment. You’re unemployed a lot, and I think there’s a great deal of empathy between musicians and people who are out of work.
“Musicians know all about unemployment. You’re unemployed a lot, and I think there’s a great deal of empathy between musicians and people who are out … Read More
I always wanted to try to be a teacher even before I was in the music business. I liked history, and good teachers made an impact on me.
“I always wanted to try to be a teacher even before I was in the music business. I liked history, and good teachers made an … Read More
Even though I’m in love, sometimes I get so afraid.
“Even though I’m in love, sometimes I get so afraid.” Billy Joel
I actually wrote the song first as “well, it’s 9 o’clock on a Saturday.” That bit. Then I said, You know what? It needs some kind of an introduction to kind of set the mood and set the flavor. So I just played this kind of cocktail lounge thing, the hustle and bustle of waitresses going by – that kind of thing.
“I actually wrote the song first as “well, it’s 9 o’clock on a Saturday.” That bit. Then I said, You know what? It needs some … Read More
The biggest regret? This may be one of those years I have no regrets.
“The biggest regret? This may be one of those years I have no regrets.” Billy Joel
Move to California – my first impression of the Wild West.
“Move to California – my first impression of the Wild West.” Billy Joel
I would say the songs that have different lyrics. I always write the music first, and there’s a couple of songs on this box set that have different lyrics from what ended up on the final recording.
“I would say the songs that have different lyrics. I always write the music first, and there’s a couple of songs on this box set … Read More