After finally watching a Youtube clip of Billy Joel's National Anthem performance at the Super Bowl from the other night, I have been put into a nostalgic Joel mood again. This happens to me somewhat often, at least twice a year, where I go back and visit his music, the music that taught me to love music. In terms of pop music icons, nobody goes back farther with me in life than Billy. I had bought all of his albums by the time I was twelve and at that time there wasnt a song that I couldnt sing along with by heart. Billy Joel, despite having imperfections, has been and will always continue to be my favorite musical performer.
Over the years Ive had to suffer some disillusionment and disappointment when it comes to his music. Ive had to realize that his music doesnt consitute the creative critical peak of 20th century pop music, Ive had to realize that he is not the most technically proficient piano player in the world, and Ive had to realize that, yes, some of his songs are just kind of bad. Ive also had to come to terms with Billy as a human being. I used to think he was perfect, no kidding. But now Ive come to see that Billy, though he writes great music, also drinks too much and crashes into trees. But the disillusionment I have encountered with Billy is the same disillusionment that I have felt throughout all of life as I have grown older. Life isnt perfect. It doesnt always come together as nicely as a well orchestrated pop concert. As Ive watched Billy fail, Ive watched myself fail and Ive come to forbear with us both.
But even now, I have an incredible amount of respect for Billy Joel. I continue to love his music in all phases of life, and I continue to like him as an artist. I have seen a lot of interviews with him, and he is always a delightfully sharp, witty, and funny guy. I think hes possibly one of the most, if not the most brutally honest performers in the industry. He knows who he is, just a mediocre looking guy who writes catchy pop songs that in the grand scheme of life arent that important. He's managed to stay uncommonly normal. And I always see and hear in his music a very realistic appraisal of the temporality and finitude of human life. I think at the end of the day, if I ever got to meet Billy Joel, he might shrug me off. I think he does that to a lot of people, because hes just not interested in pleasing everybody. But I like him for that. And I think thats what has given so much longevity to his career. I do hope he'll record at least one new album of original material before he dies. But that might be wishful thinking at this point.
The video in this blog is of Billy at a 1982 Long Island performance, and I consider it to be "vintage" Billy, his most classic period. It was the point in his career where he had written the majority of his most popular songs, and so he was able to fill a night with just hit after hit after hit. And I loved his look back then, the unkempt suit with the tennis shoes. Thats how I always think of Billy Joel in my mind. In the video, watch out also for the wild drumming of Liberty DeVito and the hot sax playing of Mark Rivera. I was able to see both of these guys up close along with Billy when I saw them live in Nashville a few years ago from the front row. It was amazing. Billy walked up and shook my hand after peforming "Piano Man." The song posted above is "Angry Young Man," a favorite of mine. Ive always liked the following lyrics:
I believe I've passed the age
Of consciousness and righteous rage
I found that just surviving was a noble fight.
I once believed in causes too,
I had my pointless point of view,
And life went on no matter who was wrong or right.
So enjoy.