Billy Joel songs

[dr doofie]

Anthony’s Song
Well anything predating Christy Brinkley....

 

[bassliner50]

Always! "but the restlessness was handed down"
But what effect makes a piano sound out of a vagabond's guitar?

As long as you have that relentless 1/8th note feel, you can approximate Allentown. Better yet, get a real pianist. so much better than an everyday guitarist.

 

[The Owl]

It's Still Rock and Roll To Me" is a good one too.

 

[RocknRay]

Only the Good Die Young has some pretty sacrilegious lyrics, so depending on where you are playing and whether anyone is actually listening this could be a problem. Our little North TX party band phased it out.

 

[akrachanko]

Huge fan of Billy, but can tell you from experience playing his music live is hit or miss. Sometimes the crowd loves it, sometimes not. I can tell you that at the end of a bar gig where the alcohol was really flowing, Piano Man is ALWAYS a hit. Other than that though, it's a chance.

"You May Be Right" would be a solid choice, as would any of Billy's 'Rocker' tunes:
It's Still Rock and Roll
We Didn't Start the Fire
Shameless
No Man's Land

 

[bizzybass]

Really, nobody went here?!?!
Only 80s Billy Joel man!!

 

[David Jayne]

I always thought 'The Stranger' would be fun to do.

 

[BassGuyFL]

Also people come to see us strictly to hear Billy's music YMMV in the context of a standard cover band...

 

[Madhouse27]

I always liked the Italian Restaurant song.

 

[higain617]

This deep cut will get the place rocking.

 

[LaklandLaksNADA]

Only 80s Joel. And exclusively at the Catalina wine mixer.

 

[Richland123]

I played and sang lead on "We Didn't Start The Fire" when it was a new song. Fun song to play but learning all the words ad getting them out while playing was a challenge.

 

[HardNHeavy]

I love his "River of Dreams" CD...."No Mans Land is a great song as well as "Famous Last Words" are not his typical mainstream songs that everyone and their mother cover all the time...He's got so many great hits tho

 

[Richland123]

When Billy was in his new wave phase he did "Sometimes A Fantasy".

 

[Richland123]

I always thought "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" was a good tune. Plus, it was a big hit.

 

[kevindahl]

I have to ask. Why another BJ song? You guys do one already. There are so many great dance/party songs. I would do another one only if your singer is a perfect ringer and you guys play the music flawlessly.

I have played in cover bands most of my life and it always made sense to me to be able to cover more artists than multiple songs by one artist. It gives you a wider appeal to the audience.

 

[MegaSwing]

The inherent 'problem' with Billy Joel songs is that, overall, they are not 'party' records or dance grooves, although there are a few that qualify somewhat. His repertoire lends itself to cabaret-type showbiz, where the stories and emotions matter most, and perhaps most importantly, the audience is invested in listening to the words and getting into the stories. And where sad songs are okay. That's not a typical music gig for me. The music is quite theatrical and content-oriented. However, there's no doubt that rock is at the core of it.

He was never a rocker per se, never a jazz guy, never a crooner. 'Billy Joel' is self-contained genre unto itself for a single, idiosyncratic singer-songwriter. For me, more often than not, it was 'brilliant song, but what can you do to it besides listen?'

 

[BassGuyFL]

One more thing is there's a ton of sax stuff in there a lot more than you think...

 

[covermego]

"WE DIDN'T START THE FIRE" !!!!!! Now That's a song that get's 'em movin, one way or another.
Also, "Pressure" is another good one. As for "Allentown", it's always fun to get folks to do the "ooomph-ha, ooomph-ha" with the band. "It's still rock n roll to me" is great, too.
We do Billy Joel and Elton John covers. Amazing how much folks like these.

 

[bikeplate]

My trio does “You may be right” and “we didnt start the fire”. We have the whole thing sequenced for the 2nd song. Killer