Billy Joel is an American legend. The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has captivated millions with his songs about everything it means to be human. His two greatest songs, “Piano Man” and “The Longest Time,” did just that. These songs had something in them that everyone could relate to. And it is this that makes Billy Joel an American institution.



“Piano Man” was Billy Joel’s first hit song. The song was released in 1973 on his first ever recording entitled “Piano Man” and set the way for his bright career. From the very outset of the release it became a huge selling record. All and all, the album “Piano Man” has sold over four million copies worldwide and the song “Piano Man” has become one of the most recognizable songs in the world. On itunes, “Piano Man” is in the top ninety nine for most downloaded rock song. In fact; “Piano Man” is Billy Joel’s number one downloaded song on itunes altogether. In addition to that, the song has been bestowed the honor of being in the top one hundred rock songs of all time by Blender Magazine and countless others. “Piano Man” is not just a song with a catchy melody and an infectious chorus but a song with deep meaning to it. This song tracks the lives of various customers in a bar through the eyes of the piano man who, at first glance, is there just to play music, but learns a little something about life along the way. He learns that a good song can rid life of its problems and to help each day go by a little bit better for all who wish to hear a song from “…the piano man. / Sing us a song, tonight. / Well, we're all in the mood for a melody, / and you've got us feeling alright." A catchy chorus and a deep meaning, otherwise known as a perfect song.



Another Billy Joel classic is “The Longest Time” written in 1983, on the album “An Innocent Man”. The song is something special because three decades after the disappearance of doo-wop music from the mainstream, Billy Joel brought it back with this song which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.. He sings lead in front of a standard five person doo-wop group and makes this song an instant classic because his gamble to release a doo-wop single in the 80’s paid off. But although in the music video there are 5 other singers, Billy Joel sang all of the back up himself. The people in the music video are essentially just there for show. It took Billy Joel fourteen different mixing sessions to complete the song. This song is essentially just a trip down memory lane for the singer, reminiscing about his times in high school and about his experiences of his youth. All and all this is a song that has all the necessary components for a hit; a catchy chorus, a memorable and fun rhythm, and, most importantly, uniqueness, which really sets this song apart from the rest.



In conclusion, the great American Billy Joel is the man--piano man that is.