Reviews (page 6 of 15)
Absolute classic album. The whistle on the stranger is iconic. Scenes from an Italian restaurant is also probably one of his best songs
Excellent album
Good stuff, really enjoyed.
A superb album by a national treasure
Extremely good
Comincia di sicuro molto bene. Bellissima 'Just the way you are', il resto dà delle Elton John vibes. Wow: un album stupendo!
5/5. Although the last song isn’t my favorite, every song after another is a classic. I can choose any song and be fine with listening to it.
Just bangers.
Outstandingly beautiful. Every song was masterfully crafted, im glad I got to listen to this.
An interesting album from the cover, like many artists the magic of Joel is in their lyrics, some more complicated than others, but also a lot of magic it's in the music itself. A strange combination of relaxing rythms with some acoustic rock, a really enjoyable album.
Decent.
"Art decorates space, music decorates time". This album was from a well decorated period of my life and the songs herein are from back when I was alive and love was new and life itself was large. Great kick-off for the week
Best album he has recorded
meh
It was a pleasure revisiting this album again. I keep forgetting how many good songs are stacked in here ranging from pop, ballads and even a multi-part suite. Joel's piano and the sax plus woodwind goes hard too. Just a great time.
Stone classic.
Brilliant album. So varied and each song is excellent. Really enjoyed one of the best so far
Great all the way through
Rating: 10/10
Billy Joel, what a legend. I know so many of these songs but never listened to the full album! Great stuff honestly. Big fan.
When it comes to Billy Joel I know some people get a little sick of it, stuff like Piano Man seemingly playing wherever you go, and a lot of his other songs being so well known that they seem to be heard at least once a week, but doesn't that just show the man's talent for this sort of thing, especially when the songs you don't hear everyday have that same level of quality? That level of quality doesn't shine brighter than The Stranger. Every single song on this album is excellent, even the longer ones which any other artist of the time would have caused it to feel as though the song is a drag, but not on this album. The album even flows well from song to song, with each placement just making sense. Sure, some of Joel's songs may be a little cheesy, but the musicality and enjoyment from each song on this album gives me no other choice but to give it five stars.
I love Billy Joel!!! What a great writer.
Any billy joel album is an easy listen on my 61 mile commute
Billy Joel made this album as an early 20-something on Long Island. As a fellow 20-something on Long Island, a lot of the themes still stand the test of time.
I had a wierd Billy Joel phase when I was about 10, this brings back good memories. He's a great storyteller / song writer
LOVE THIS ALBUM
Never really done Billy Joel, surprised how many songs I recognised, this was fabulous
Fabulously nostalgic. It feels crazy, but Billy Joel nails the feel of longing for the past while also sounding youthful. Old soul, young body maybe.
this one has so many of my fave songs by him
I can't help it, I love this album.
Loved this ‘80’s Goth.
highlights: -movin' out -the stranger -just the way you are -everybody has a dream liked: kinda yeah, my dad would listen to this
It is blasphemous that this album only has a 3.75 star average at the time of writing (Jun 27, '22). Such an incredibly strong album from start to finish. Almost every song was a hit or recognizable. One of the easiest perfect scores I've give yet. 10/10
Ya got me billy
One of the greatest albums ever made, without a doubt.
Pretty cool
It was fun from the get-go. I liked his voice.
I’ve always liked billy Joel but this album so far surpasses my expectations. He’s really like an Elliot Erwitt with his compelling narratives and playful barbs at the American condition. And then on top of that the sax rocks and there’s a random boss’s nova background band for get it right the first time. Just fantastic
What a great album! I knew if Billy's legend status but had never really heard anything of his music. This is how I expected and wanted Elton John's music to sound: pompous, sophisticated yet easy listening, meaningful lyrics yet catchy songs
Undeniably Billy Joel's best
Wow, I quite enjoyed this album. I remember being a fan before I developed my own music taste and never revisited Billy since then so it was nice to reminisce a bit but also these are great songs. Faves: Movin' Out, Vienna
I kinda hate and love Billy Joel at the same time. It’s so cheesy and corny, but I also crank every song and jam to it. Same with Bon Jovi. Plus I think every song on this album charted excepted for like two. That’s impressive.
não estava preparado para gostar tanto desse álbum. baladinhas românticas com ótimos arranjos, numa pegada que me lembrou algumas obras do paul mccartney. merece estar em todas as compilações de soft rock e eu já devia ter ouvido antes.
really enjoyed this, a lot of hits and classics
oh my god! this album! THIS ALBUM!!!!! i really grew up with this, with my parents playing this album a lot. it's perfect, from start to finish. "movin' out (anthony's song)" is one of the greatest opening songs. the tires screeching on the pavement! "just the way you are" is one of the all-time greatest romantic songs. with lyrics like "i couldn't love you any better/i love you just the way you are"--are you kidding me? "scenes from an italian restaurant," a song that creates such a vivid picture in my mind. "vienna" contains a wonderful life lesson. the whistling in "the stranger" in the beginning and end, tying the song together in a neat bow--then the melody and whistling returns in "everybody has a dream." billy joel, his melodic voice, his beautiful piano playing. every song is unique and contains beautiful lyrics. you couldn't stop me from giving this 5 stars. a joy to listen.
absolutely fantastic
Billy Joel is fantastically talented. The lyrics in this album are great stories and woven with the instrumentals in a catchy way, making hit after hit. Great album.
Really holds up well. The songs are all mini-masterpieces and my amazement at its quality seems as fresh 40+ years on. The songs are interesting and accessible and the playing suggests the band is having fun and there are just enough barbs, bitterness and irony to elevate it above commercial pop. The pure New Yorkiness is great, too – think early years of SNL and Woody Allen and the Big Apple’s bankruptcy. We know “Only the Good Die Young” is a great rock n roll song because Catholic mothers all over the country were warning of its evils in the late ‘70s. Only dud for me is the snoozefest “She’s Only a Woman.” The reprising whistle ending is a nice touch to close out a fun and musically substantive ride. 4.5 for 5.
7/9 tracks are unmistakeably brilliant, only the last couple falling off a bit. Still an easy 5 for me, just can't believe I've gone so long without listening to this.
divota!! Dva puta san ga poslušala
Svidia mi se baš jako! Baš zabavno
Amazing. I'm a sucker for Mr. Joel. "The Stranger" goes hard!
Billy Joel! Classic!
A lot of great tracks off of this album. Billy Joel is at the top of his game.
Hell yes!
I love this MAN
Top five of Billy Joel's albums. It's weird how I have moved on from his stuff, but it's nice to come back to it, like an old friend. Every song on this one is a singalong, as opposed to some of his other albums which are really good, but you just don't have that feeling to sing along with them. Billy Joel himself seemed to push Vienna a LOT in later years, and it's easy to see why, it is an underrated gem. Even the songs that are the hits do not feel overplayed to me (I'm looking at you, "Piano Man." God if I hear that song one more time...) This one really put him out there in the mainstream. And rightfully so, it's a great album.
Another tough one. For sure a 4 given its singles. Just the Way You Are and She's Always a Woman are two beautifully written and sounding classics (as beautiful as Let it Be or Hey Jude). Only the Good Die Young is one of my favorite Joel tunes - super fun and great lyrics. Movin' Out is almost as foot-tappingly fun and good, but there's always been something about it that didn't quite compute (is it all the ack's?). Of his apparently beloved other songs, I really enjoyed Scenes from a Restaurant (especially the more sombre start) but was a bit ho-hum on Vienna. The latter definitely got better and better the more I listened (10 times?). But I found title track and the last two tracks a bit meh. So, what do you give an album with 5.5 great songs and 3 so-so's? I'm at 4.5 so which way to tip? I'm going to round up for the start of both Get it Right the First time and Everybody has a Dream - the former reminded me of Paul Simon's work (a good thing) and the latter opened soft and sweet even if the last 2 minutes was unnecessary.
It's like listening to a greatest hits album. There are 9 tracks on this album and at least 6 are greatest hits (Movin' Out, The Stranger, Just the Way You Are, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Only the Good Die Young, She's Always a Woman). Crazy. The remaining tracks are all good but simply not as great as the other six. Bottom line is Billy Joel is a great songwriter, so this album is an easy 5.
Fantastic album! Don’t know what else to say about it. I listened to this album already many times and it’s still great! Favourite songs: - Scenes from a Italian restaurant - Vienna - She’s always a woman
i love elton john <333 not to be basic but vienna <3333333 also scenes from an italian restaurant is literally piano man...still hits tho!!!!
This album is great, especially Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. One of Billy Joel’s best.
Such a delightful album with good variation in the tunes, beautiful vocals, fun songs. Songs like Scenes from an Italian Restaurant has nice progressions and changes in tune combined with nice saxophone! And Billy's songs are good at brining my friends together which adds to the Joy. I can only ask: when will you realize, Billy waits for you?
So many tunes I just absolutely love!
jos ugodinije i jos relaxije, 5
My first 8 track. Great songs!
Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while
Dit album is een feest der herkenning. Volgens mij had ik vroeger een kopie op cassettebandje. Billy Joel is een van mijn favoriete artiesten, maar heb dit album zelf al heeeeel lang niet meer geluisterd. Verbaasd me hoeveel leuke nummers er eigenlijk staan! ****** Helaas zijn er maar 5 sterren uit te delen :-)
Masterful. Gorgeous songwriting. A true classic. So many wonderful tracks that it's nearly impossible to pick a fave. But...if I had to choose...it would be either "The Stranger" or "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant".
Every song is a classic on here, can't hate on Billy Joel
genieten, ga ik nog vaak luisteren. de cover alleen als is mooi
Great Album
Listened to Billy Joel's Greatest Hits endlessly on car trips as a kid so I'm familiar with 90% of these songs but whenever one comes on I've never heard I'm always like "wtf is this?"
Class album
I'd consider this the quintessential Billy Joel album
Wow
Responses to music are so subjective. This reminds me of my father, so it’s an automatic 5 stars.
This is a classic. Doesen't even have pianoman, uptown girl or we didn't start the fire, but the album just flows so well. Wait I know "Just the Way You Are" so well, haha. I forgot tha name. I love this. Yeah the lyrics are not the best, but damn are the tunes catchy! Very easily digestible, and that is not always a bad thing. 5
I didn't know that I knew a good chunk of the album already, it was a good listen, but I won't come back to it any time soon.
One of my favorite albums ever, I know the lyrics to nearly every song. New discovery: Everyone Has a Dream
I have loved this album for years. Joel’s voice, his melodies. Fantastic.
Incredible Album!
Cool album, interesting choice of songs to put under a unified group.
Had to throw on my vinyl copy for this one. One the best $1 records I ever bought. Hands down my favorite Billy Joel album. Starts strong with Moving Out. Then goes all over the place for the rest of Side 1. Feel like "Just The Way You Are" is a response to 10ccs "I'm Not in Love" but more positive and sincere. "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" is like Showtune-Prog. Wouldn't be surprised if an actual full blown Broadway musical is made out of this song someday. Then onto Side 2, beginning with my all time favorite Billy Joel track, "Vienna." Feel like you gotta have some mileage behind you to appreciate that tune to it's fullest, but it's really a message for the young - so listen up kiddos! This ain't cheese, it's a rich and complex flavor best appreciated by a refined palette.
Not a bad track on this album. Even the less popular/well-known tracks are great.
Loved this! Some fantastic songs in there, never listened to a BJ album start to finish. Glad I have. What a great song writer
Vraiment un album excellent. Une super belle écoute. Je n'avais jamais entendu cet album et je le regrette. un classique vraiment en plein dans mon syle ! 5* :)
Супер альбом
loved every song in this album. groovy beats let the lyrics stand out. there's a lovely, special energy here
I'd forgotten how brilliant this album is. Five absolute belters and the other four are bloody good, too. He said some nasty things about Christie Brinkley, but his music is wonderful.
classic
incredible showstopping never been done before will make me cry like a baby
C L A S S I C
I don't even have to think about this one. Five stars with a bullet. One of my favorite albums of all time.
Joel z lat 70 to moj ulubiony Joel, a wlasnie tym albumem zapewnil sobie sukces jako topowy popularny spiewak lat 80, ale chyba pierwszy raz sluchalem calego albumu od deski do deski, bo poza zaslyszanymi gdzieniedzie kawalkami najczesciej dowiadywalem sie o tworczosci joela z dorobku murzynskich raperow lat 90 i takie zdziwienie, gdy odkrywasz w samplach snoopa czy xzibita kawalki joelowe, nawet nie mowie o genialnych pianinkach ktore potrafi on przemycic w swych aranzacjach, ale u niektorych murzynskich artystow pojawiaja sie nawet doslowne covery jak u brand nubianow czy ATCQ, a to pokazuje jak bardzo influencyjne jego albumiki byly, jak dlaa mnie hajlajtami albumiku otwierajacy moving out oraz vienna, prosto w feelsy, pierwsza piatka z 1001 albumow zaliczona
Clásico volver a escuchar
O cara é BOM, excelentes música e ótima voz
Amazing album, one of my personal favorites this past year. Each song is a banger even though they can get a little corny.
Heart attackackackackackackack
good
Enjoyed with Max in the car!
Good album. I like Billy Joel unironically.
Solid album. "The Stranger" is my favorite track.
*Great songs: Only the Good Die Young, Movin' Out, The Stranger *The other songs aren't nearly as strong to bring the album up higher than a 4
This was a pretty decent album with lots of hits.
great
Chill album
Didn't realize how many of these songs came from the same album.
I honestly think I never gave Billy Joel a fair chance: this is *really* good. I kind of cast Billy Joel aside as someone who makes uninteresting, somewhat theatrical music. But it turns out that Billy Joel's theatrical stylings are powerfully based in his amazing songwriting and storytelling. The drama of Movin' Out, the earnestness of The Stranger, and the philosophy of Only The Good Die Young are just a few examples of what makes this great. Even Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, a pretty ridiculous song, manages to be excellent on it's own terms. And better yet, doesn't cheapen the real, weighty wisdom on songs like Vienna. The Stranger manages to stand as a perfect object to defend Billy Joel's place in pop culture and the pantheon of American songwriters, while leaving the listener with an onslaught of wonderful tunes. I was very pleasantly surprised here.
Listens: 3 Standout Tracks: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Only the Good Die Young I mean, this is one of the GOATs right? Timeless classics with at least some tracks transcending multiple generations. I am not sure that I am personally, subjectively convinced it a 5, but it's a remarkable album with a lot of heart and soul. I am kind of shocked to see Only the Good Die Young only has 36 million listens. This album - Billy Joel too - reminds me of a buddy I knew that I worked with at summer camp. He was a year or two older than me. When I first met him he was a dick - that's not the right word... we eventually became good friends, but... Maybe more like a turn-of-the-century punk white kid who wore his baggy pants below his ass, listened to that extra hardcore rap music and you know.... tried to look the part of suburban white kid cosplaying as a hoodrat. Where's this story going.... Well, after knowing him a year or two, he quickly grew out of that phase (or at least dropped the attitude and clothing style) and was like "yea, Billy Joel fucks"; We'd listen to songs from this album, New York State of Mind, Piano Man, We Didn's Start The Fire, the hits, and it was just hilarious because I knew of this weird transition, him going from whatever was Top 50 popular hits in 2004/2005 to... this.
I did not think of myself as a Billy Joel guy, but this album was a vibe and it sucked me in.
Fantastic songs on here. Great tunes and the songwriting is brilliant, as expected from a Billy Joel album. I don’t love all tracks on here but lots of highlights.
OH BILLY MY HIGH SCHOOL IDOL. Part of my rating is influenced by parents who loved his hit songs, but also mostly by personal experience. As I listened to more of his albums, I found a website that lore dropped so much about his life (https://www.onefinalserenade.com/notice-page.html). If it wasn't for his albums and the lore I sought out, I probably wouldn't have further branched out into the world of music. I'd just be content in this pop bubble, but ironically enough his accessible music made me want more. Anyways, the Stranger probably ties with Glass Houses as my favourites. I always found "Movin' Out" and "Scenes" to be my favourite "storytelling" songs. And ya looking back it's pretty schmaltzy but to this teenager I thought it was pretty well executed. It made sense why this was Billy's most critically acclaimed album: the melodies, the simple lyrics. This was a good record for me to wean off and explore different music.
Incredible performance on this album from Billy Joel. The Stranger has one of my favorite songs from Billy of all time, Vienna, which will always have a place close to my heart.
Surprisingly enjoyable.
Precioso Disco, tranquilo . . con una apertura sonora de Cancion que vale la pena disfrutar en un sillón !
Kinda good
true story: i'd never heard Movin' Out but i *have* listened to a shitload of the mouth quadrilogy, so i did a double take. turns out that song mashes up well with a lot of things. The Stranger sounds a little familiar too Scenes from an Italian Restaurant would be great if i was drunk at karaoke i bet. there's nothing really wrong with this album it's just not really my thing with the exception of a few songs obviously everybody loves Only the Good Die Young ah fuck She's Always a Woman kind of getting me though idle thought now that i'm most of the way through: is it possible that 80% of all musicians have stolen a melody from billy joel full disclosure gamers i was going to give this one a 3 but i think i've been swayed into a 4
Listened
gostei bastante, pretendo voltar pra escutar melhor. qualidade total
is the even-more-pop version of the kinks village green era
I sure loved learning anything from this album when I should have been practicing the classical repertoire I'd been assigned for my piano lessons. No regrets.
For some reason feels so close to really sticking for me without ever doing so. Maybe worth a re-listen. RYM: Y (#613) Saved a song: N
Fav song: Movin’ Out
Una obra maestra
A lot of good songs, and a generally good vibe, but I felt like a couple were misses and/or went on too long. I knew a couple of the songs already, but most were new to me (Moving Out was a standout). Favourite song: Vienna (mostly for nostalgia reasons) Least favourite: Just the Way You Are Ratings for every song: 543455543
descobri que pessoal não gosta de billy joel. sim, para os dias de hoje é kinda cheesy, mas não tira a beleza da musica.
I liked most of the songs, my favorite is Vienna
I don't love Billy Joel but he is growing on me. You can't deny his song writing skills. Some amazing tunes on this record.
The way he jams with the saxophone on, Scenes From an Italian Restaurant, is just amazing! It's closer to 3.75 stars so it's getting 4!
Nice
Top
HOLY SHIT THE GUITARS, DO YOU HEAR THE GUITARS?!???? Billy might be the coldest to do it! Ok he lost me with the 7 minute song about Italian restaurants in the middle but I know he’s gonna turn it around. I told you! Brother turned it back around the next damn song. I’ve heard this one before too and it hits harder within the inner workings of the album. And that was my live reaction, shoutout to the god Billy Joel. I understand it now.
Hackensack er bra navn på en by. Ellers overrasket over at Vienna er den soleklart mest hørte sangen på Spotify. Vokst opp med Billy Joel, så liker dette.
Jeg synes det er veldig fint å høre på Billy Joel. Han har vel blitt en douche (tror jeg), men stemmen er fløte og pophitsene er evergreens.
Great album
There are good things, very cohesive, catchy, he sings quite well. I just find the whole thing not that impactful, its nice and well made, enjoyable, I don't now if it's a must listen
Por algún extraño motivo quiero mucho a Billy Joel
he's actually really goood....and this has some of his best on it!
Has a strong set of tracks that kept me interested all the way through. Will be worth the relisten later down the road. 8/10
Some songwriting class. Love the harmonic style. Love that it's a fairly stripped back singer songwriter delivery without tons of orchestration or effects. Sometimes maybe the lyrics or production basics date it a bit - that feels very harsh though
Ask me if I like Billy Joel and I'll answer "fuck no!" Make me listen to this album and ask me if I like it...."FUCK YEAH!"
A classic for Scenes from an Italian Restaurant alone
What an album, just great blue-collar rock and roll with some beautiful love ballads in the mix. It is well produced, the storytelling and imagery are fantastic. And it is just hit after hit. There are two songs that are meh and it's the last two which brings down my rating. Cut those two and this is an easy five star record.
A great one, classic Billy Joel.
His first of many excellent albums.
Oikein toimiva levy loman korotuksella. Levollista palata koneen ääreen
Excellent shit for about 80% of the thing, then it falls off hard at the end. Vienna has a billion listens on Spotify because of TikTok. Should be because it's great.
--Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)...ack-ack-ack --The Stranger...vanilla funk. head bopper --Just the Way You Are...sweet cheese --Scenes from an Italian Restaurant...well placed clarinet. this is sprawling, epic fun --Vienna...appreciate the accordion. song is fine --Only the Good Die Young...I forced my short-lived and terrible garage band to cover this. that's the highest praise I can give --She's Always a Woman...a very pleasant canticle quality to this --Get It Right the First Time...this moves. good stuff --Everybody Has a Dream...sounds like Tom Waits
J'aurais mis 4,5 si c'etait possible. Super album juste y en a d'autres que j'aime +
(Listened up to Vienna) As a whole: interesting music and instrumentals used, it’s definitely one of the more varying type of album, the lyrics seem to tell a story and the pace is usually quite slow, the moods also switch Time without a screen: 42 min
oli tosi hyvä! hyviä tiluja ja hyviä sooloja ja hyviä vihellyksiä. jotenki liikuttava.
Hyviä biisejä ja mukavasti vaihtelua levyn varrella. Kokonaisuutena tosi hieno levy, vaatii lisäkuunteluita!
Miksei ollut vihellysväliosaa joka biisin jälkeen? Kysynpä vaan! Muutama hiton kova biisi, mut ei musta sit kuitenkaan ihan eheä kokonaisuus. Kova lätty silti!
Fantastic album, every other song is an earworm. Movin' Out, The Stranger, VIENNA, Only the Good Die Young. I think the album is front loaded with greatness it's overall so very solid.
Nice songs, music and vocal
Mittwoch, 09.09.2026 Im UG der philologischen Bibliothek bei der Recherche für meine Descartes Hausarbeit
7/10 Best songs: The Stranger, Vienna, Only the Good Die Young At times this album falls into easy listening territory (ugh), but it always manages to dig its way out and wander into more interesting genres - such as jazz and rock. I like it more than expected (particularly after the string of mediocre albums I've been dealing with recently) so I'm pleased.
Being honest, my only experience with Billy Joel before this album was Piano Man. Movin Out was a very interesting track. I honestly really loved the big moments when the band would fully come in. The stranger was quite pretty at the beginning. It did morph into a fantastic song, but I really liked the serenity of the start. Just the way you are was quite sweet. Scenes from an Italian restaurant was amazing. I always love a good narrative piece but this one is particularly great. I really really liked Vienna. I thought it was gorgeous track and it was one of the ones added to my playlist. Only the good die young was actually really fun! She’s always a woman was pretty good too. I liked how it ambled along and held itself up. Get it right the first time was enjoyable! I had a lot of fun with it. The last track was absolutely gorgeous and a lovely way to end things off. 4/5 ⭐️ 204/1089
People love to hate, but dude can write a song.
nostalgic to me
There are a lot of classic songs on this album, including some of Joel's best ballads in Just The Way You Are and She's Always a Woman. The latter is a song that's stuck with me over the years even though I'm not the hugest Billy Joel fan. I've always really loved that hummed melody after the choruses. The ballads are the exception to the overall vibe on this album, though. It's otherwise a collection catchy soft rock and some funkier jams. The stand-out for me here is Movin' Out. It's such a fun listen, both in the stories being told and in how ear wormy the verses and choruses are. I doubt I'm the only one out there who can't help but mime the final line of the chorus, regardless of where I happen to be listening to the song. I'm a big fan of the variety in instruments used on this record. We've got an iconic sax solo, accordions, clarinets, horns, and synths, in addition to the regular rock band fixtures and Joel's trademark piano of course. How seamlessly and effectively they're all used here speaks to Joel's talent as a songwriter for sure. The only song I really don't like on this album is Only The Good Die Young. I know 'corny' is a descriptor the gets unfairly thrown at a lot of Joel's work by his detractors, but it's the most apt word I can think of for that trite, bore of a song. Favourite Tracks: Movin' Out, Just The Way You Are, She's Always a Woman, Get It Right The First Time
Finding back to back Elton and Joel albums that I might put on again is surprising.
Billy Joel just has melodic sense. The way the music drives the emotions so well is remarkable. The song structures range from very simple to a little out of the ordinary, but the harmonies are actually surprisingly deep. I would love to hear more contemporary pop artists write songs the way Billy Joel did. These aren't wild compositions, they're just well written pop songs.
Billy Joel cooking straight heat here Fave track: Only the Good Die Young
Great album
Han är fin, Billy Joel. 4a eller stark 3a.
4 stars I had never listened to a Billy Joel album before today. I probably was familiar with enough Billy Joel songs to fill a greatest hits album, but if you put a gun to my head I wouldn’t remember half of them. He struck me as cheesy and I had no interest in diving into his catalog based on what I did know (with “Uptown Girl” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire” as shining examples of songs I can’t stand, with a side of hearing my share of drunken karaoke renditions of “Piano Man”). But in looking at the track list from this album, the only song I was certain I knew was “Movin’ Out,” and that’s one that I came to recognize in more recent years. I came to recognize “Just the Way You Are” but it never struck me as a song of note. However, in going through the album, it all came together. It was consistent and fairly tight. There wasn’t anything particularly annoying about it, which was what I had assumed I would feel about a Billy Joel record, and in fact I found myself rather enjoying it. “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant” is a definite highlight. This album quickly went from just another Billy Joel record I see in the bargain bin at record stores, which had always been interchangeable in my mind, to perhaps one I’ll pick up.
It's a beautiful thing.
4.5. I was really torn on this one, because there are three absolutely iconic songs on this record: Movin Out, Vienna, and Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. I love the contrast between Scenes and Vienna, because it shows that Billy Joel can write a piano ballad and make it beautiful, but also stretch his legs and do something more theatrical. Very few writers can do both things well! But, the last two songs on the record fall very flat for me, so as a complete work I can't give it five stars.
*The Stranger* is a decent late-70s cultural artifact from a solid (but not exceptional) singer/songwriter who knows how to play to his strengths. Sonically, the record is very well put together - Joel's band is tight but not stiff, and the production is both clean and uncluttered, and includes interesting touches such as the "I'm Not In Love"-style wall of voices on "Just The Way You Are". Lyrically, the album is a vivid (and fairly unironic) portrait of the lives and concerns of American adults during the time of the Me Generation. (Your tolerance for this record may depend on how long you can stand to be around narcissists.) The record runs out of gas in the last 20% but it's still a good ride most of the way.
An album full of hits. Great voice, great music.
A great album with some of Joel's greatest songs (Just the Way You Are, She's Always a Woman to Me, Vienna & Scenes from an Italian Restaurant) and absolutely filler free. Just short of being a stone-cold classic. Why 4/5 instead of 5/5? While there is absolutely no filler some of the songs (Get It Right the First Time, Everybody Has a Dream) are simply very good instead of instant classics. Would give it a 4.5/5 if I could.
i had an arguement with my wife this morning, then listened on my commute. The quality of the music was sufficient to break through my gloom and fact that i enjoyed it despite my mood is praise enough.
Such a good opening track. In general, the lyricism is crazy good, effortlessly moving from the banal to hyper specific feelings related to self-doubt, vulnerability and uncertainty. Great album. 4.0
Listening session: july 6th, while getting ready in the morning Listened to before: listened to most songs before Thoughts: this album contains a few very special songs for me so it was great to listen to this album today. Billy Joel is a great songwriter and his voice is really comforting Favourite tracks: Just the Way You Are, Vienna & She’s Always a Woman
Classic and much loved.
Billy Joel has never failed me before and he didn't fail me here.
I know a few of his songs. Some I like some I don't so this was a first time listen to a full album start to finish. I have to say it was bettter than expected. It's has a 70s fell about it. Good songs mostly. Good production and the band are tight. An American Elton John. Not quite but I did enjoy this and will investigate further
I quite enjoyed this. Ended listening a second time and enjoyed more the second time. As a totality it is okay, but then I found myself thinking about individual songs. I really like Scenes in an Italian Restraunt. 3.5 stars which I'm rounding up.
"The Stranger" by Billy Joel being the first ever album this website generated for me is truly a blessing. I was familiar with five of the nine songs before doing a full run-through, so I had a great vibe session and possibly frightened some of my neighbors. For lack of a better description, this album was an emotional rollercoaster. Many of his songs feel like novels, his imagery transporting me to the streets of Vienna or to an Italian restaurant—but then the next song could be a wedding song or something to listen to in the car with the windows down. Each song is a different track on the album, obviously, but every song feels like a part of an intertwined story. Instrumentally, this album would be a perfect 5/5 if it weren't for the verses and choruses of "The Stranger" and "Only the Good Die Young" (please don't hate me), since they’re a bit monotone and repetitive for my taste. Despite this, Billy is a musical genius throughout the album. His ability to combine piano, acoustic guitar, saxophone (I live for these solos), drums, flute, and harmonica into one record and still make it sound near-perfect is a talent. And I guess "The Stranger" does deserve a little bit of merit, because the extremely satisfying ending would not be possible without the song. No matter how much you hate him, it is undeniable that this album as a whole is a work of art. I don't know if I will listen to the album straight through again, because I feel like each song is suited for a different environment, both physically and emotionally. I wish this site had half-star ratings like Letterboxd does, so my rating could be more accurate. But in the meantime, please listen to "Scenes"; it hurts to see the absolute best track on the album have fewer streams than five others. 4/5
#44 No doubt that most of these songs have been overplayed and beaten into the ground over the years. Nonetheless, this album is a good listen and is very exemplary of Billy Joel's body of work. The title track is the best song here, but I might feel that way just because I haven't heard it a thousand times. Surprised to see this is his only album on the list, I feel that Piano Man deserves a spot as well.
Banger after banger
Finally, I've got a great album. I was expecting something disappointing to end the month. "The Stranger" isn't the best album out there, but I'd rather have that over Nico's solo outing. I think the greatest song on "The Stranger" has to be "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant". May July be better than last month. 4 stars for "The Stranger".
If I was being a Negative Norman, this album is just AOR fodder, but, by god, it's top quality AOR. A perfect reminder that 1977 was an outstanding time for quality music.
Pretty nice album, really like the first 5 songs but it felt like it fell off a bit from there. I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would, and it's very nice and groovy, I really like the bass work on here.
Every other song is classic
7/10
I’ve been meaning to give Billy Joel a shot. When I was a kid Uptown Girl was waaaay overplayed. My only other real exposure to him has been people singing his songs in karaoke. This is really good! Not something I’d listen to often, but a lot of these tracks are undeniable classics that belong in some playlist or other.
4.5
Steely Dan’s Dad Rock equivalent made for a mom near you. Billy Joel is awesome, he’s really grown on me the last year. Yeah it’s really basic at times, but I cannot deny his ability to make a fuckin hit. The first track on the record is so punchy and catchy in all the right ways. I just wanna be on a pontoon right now. #NACHTYACHT IFYKYK. The stranger obviously is a banger, I specially gravitate to that one because it’s one of his more rockier records here. Honestly the only offensive track here to me is “she’s always a woman” why? It’s just so overplayed and honestly really corny the more I hear it. I’m totally not venting because I have no woman to think about to this song to currently🤓
I had never heard anything from Billy Joel aside of 'Piano Man', but this album was so good!
I know that it's not cool to like Billy Joel, but fortunately I've never been cool and never cared about being thought cool. I've generally enjoyed the Billy Joel singles and greatest hits albums I've heard, but this was my first time listening to one of his studio albums all the way through, and it's crazy how many great songs are on here. There's 9 tracks and only the last 2 are weak. Best track is hard to determine but I think "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" just shades it.
Very cool album. I LOVE that little whistly interlude that keeps playing.... its very moving
Billy J is my dad's fav guy sorta randomly and this album just is a bit unusually good... it has a lot of hits and nostalgic songs for me... i really love She's Always a Woman and Movin Out is obviously the best and strange in awesome ways... das racist moment too remember guys
Heard before?:❌️/✔️(not entirely) Will listen again?:✔️ Fav: The stranger, Vienna Least fav: Just the way you are, Only the good die young
vienna best song of all time
A bit surprised seeing only one entry on the list from Mr. Joel, but I will give my best shot. If you have asked me 10 years ago I would probably have easily given this album 5 stars. This is still great, great songwriting, great lyricism, great piano playing. So fur sure at least 4 stars no doubt, perhaps 4.5 on RYM we will see after today
it was fine
Great album. Haven’t really been a fan but taking the time to listen to a complete album, my view has changed
Surprisingly enjoyable and some absolute classics on here. She's Always a Woman was a particular highlight.
C'est top billy
Solid 8
A classic Billy Joel record.
yup
Love me some Billy Joel
Joel's piano-rock melodies remind me of McCartney-led Beatles tracks. "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" feels like his take on the second side of Abbey Road in how built different songs into one complete package. These songs are well-produced and Joel's lyrics paint a picture. Joel's lyrics aren't as complex as Bob Dylan's, but they don't need to be. He tells everyday stories about everyday people and it becomes clear why he became such a huge deal. I'm sure that love song "Just The Way We Are" found its way onto many mixtapes back in the day. This song and other moments on the record tread dangerously close to feeling corny, but Joel's earnestness saves the day. I've always known of Billy Joel, but had no desire to listen to him as I was only aware of the dreadfully cheesy "Uptown Girl". I can now say that I'm a fan after hearing today's record.
Love the beginning of Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)
enjoyed
Love this album. Brought back fond memories with my best friend ❤️
vienna
Pleasantly surprised by this. Billy Joel’s voice is unique. The lyrics are good. The only thing I wonder, if at the time people were calling him the 1970’s equivalent of temu Elton John. I suppose it really doesn’t matter because this was a great album. Pop music used to have a bit of soul and skill, now it’s just maths equations
This is the kind of classic Billy Joel that you'll hear in any piano bar around the world. Incredibly easy to listen to and overall enjoyable.
I would say a dramatic side Beautiful instruments, jazzy and pop even groovy in a way Not too much with the voice (doesn’t scream) I appreciate that
It's okay;;; I would give three or four stars.
Banger after banger.
great
Leuk album
Iconic, but overplayed. Everyone knows the hits. We've all heard them on so many different commercials and movies and TV shows and the radio and anywhere else music is used and heard. We all know what we're getting with Billy Joel. The songwriting is tight, he's filling a Broadway stage with his voice, it's really good music. Because it's really good, it's used everywhere, so now everyone thinks it's just generic boring Dad Rock. If it had been the first time I heard any Billy Joel without weddings and the radio, I might give it a five. Today, it's a 4. Sorry, Billy. You're a victim of your own success. My Rating: 4/5
There was a lot of good songs
every song on this album is an absolute banger, too bad Billy Joel is a colossal dick. 4/5
Quite enjoyed the 70s sound
3/4 stars
Hate if you want to, but this is a great album. Side A is very strong! No bad songs.
I always like Billy Joel.
Classic. With some timeless songs thrown in.
primera vez que escucho un disco de billie joel. esperaba menos sinceramente, pero me gustó, no hay ningún tema del que quieras adelantar. aunque se me hizo un poco comercial, fue una escucha agradable, lo recomiendo bastante. 8/10
A classic. A good place to start.
I like a bit of Billy Joel, but before today I had only listened to Greatest Hits compilations, so this was a bit of a deeper dive and it was enjoyable. I had heard quite a few of these - Just The Way You Are and Movin' Out are standard Joel tracks and She's Always A Woman might well be my favourite Joel song. There's not much in the way of filler on the rest of the album as Joel weaves his New York stories beautifully. At 7 and a half minutes Scenes from an Italian Restaurant ran the danger of being overlong, but it's crafted so well it's more like 2 songs blended together. Only The Good Die Young is another high point, and slightly Paul Simon-esque. Everybody Has a Dream overdoes it on the cheesiness scale for me - sounds like peak Gary Barlow! - but this is a perfectly enjoyable, easy as hell to listen to album and gets a high 4 stars from me.
Better than I thought it would be! Most of the songs were fun.
4,1 1. "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" 2. "The Stranger" 3. "Just the Way You Are"
I do love me some saxophone
My overall impression of Billy Joel is that he makes some good music and some really quite annoying music, and it seems like ‘The Stranger’ has a high concentration of his good stuff on it. The composition and instrumentation throughout is really high quality with some really cool, almost jazzy parts that I don’t necessarily expect from his brand of… soft pop-rock. Throughout the album is a theme of disillusion with the American dream, most evident on “Movin’ Out” (also undoubtedly the best song to namedrop Hackensack) and “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant”, that is really thoughtful and well done. I found “Just The Way You Are” to be a bit sappy and saccharine. An enjoyable listen with surprising depth.
The Ora of this album resembles a good time Christmas album, something you look forward to. Best described as a non threatening young hipster Elton John- even though I know it’s not. A very nice upbeat listening album.
nisam znao da billy joel ima takozvanog "psa" u sebi
3.75. All the hits but feels a little dated.
This brought back long buried memories as I am pretty sure I had this on vinyl back in the day. Some lovely songs on here. Swear I used to listen to She’s Always A Woman on repeat lol. It does verge on the schmaltzy at times, especially on some of the less well known tracks which tend to meander a bit. Still, a decent listen. 3.5 I think, rounding up
Review - what a great album - only ever really listened to greatest hits from The Bard of Long Island but this album is basically a greatest hits in its own right. First 7 tracks all bangers. Score - 9/10 Need to listen? YES
Fun pop album. It felt a lot like Elton John at times, and sometimes I thought I was listening to him instead of Billy Joel. Billy Joel certainly has a knack for songwriting; the songs are catchy, and each one feels distinct while still being tied together. His vocals and piano playing are excellent as well. Before listening to this album, I only knew “Movin’ Out” and “She’s Always a Woman,” and while those songs still made the biggest impact, the others were good too. “Vienna” especially impressed me (which, now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure I had heard before). This might become a 5-star album after a few more listens, but for now I’ll settle on a strong 4.
Big sigh when this popped up, and then I went on to thoroughly enjoy every track. Guess I’m the fool here! Favourite track: The Stranger
I mostly dislike Billy Joel's music as adult-contemporary pop rock, but I can't deny that this album has what I think is his best set of songs with a lot of classics that rise above most of the rest of his discography. Yes, it is still radio rock for older folks, but I think the songwriting is solid and catchy and does surprise.
Great listen, some classic songs. 8/10
Great storytelling, tight rifs, great groove. Hit after hit, pretty great. Dripping with talent and depth.
SO GOOD only ones I'm not a fan of are Vienna (PATRONISING) and Everybody Has a Dream (BORING). Otherwise it's wall-to-wall bangers.
Billy Joel (especially at this point in his career) is the north eastern version of Ben Folds. Joel's songwriting and piano playing bring a resonant presence to his singles and deep cuts while his lyrics are solid... at least emotionally. What I appreciate most about this album is that feels less commercial than his later work despite the fact that some of his most notable hits are on this album. Solid listen.
I don't care if it's cheesy, it's fun! Movin' Out is an absolute banger
Vienna a standout!
Govs shall remember this one
William Joel can write a good song. He gets caught in cheesiness and leans into the musical fashions of the day, which leaves some of his less successful songs feeling dated, but when his lyrics and melodies land, they are powerful and this album is full of great examples.
I expected to hate based on my dislike of Piano Man, but this is actually pretty good. 3.5/5.0: Very Good
The songs were pretty great. My favorites were Vienna, Movin Out, and Just The Way You Are with an honorable mention from The Stranger. I've never really listened to Billy Joel before this so its a nice introduction into his music.
ΗEY, listen MOTHERFUCKER, we only sing '80s Joel!
Billy Joel today is just that guy your Boomer parents listen to and had that long term MSG residency and has a terrible brain disease and was married to Christie Brinkley, and had all those car accidents. But once upon a time he put out classic albums and this is the best of them. Side 1 is all great and the tracks 1-7 are all technically "hits". An insane run
yk I mean its like I see it being popular, and it is good, I especially like the more let's say 'active' songs and not just laid-back but it's entirely due to mood ig, I would say in total its 3.5 but I can't put 3.5 so I'll let the coin decide (tails is 4/5, heads is 3/5) and it's heads, I honestly don't mind it being 4/5 (the saxophone was pretty good too in the album)
Some standout songs listened to it in parts. One on a morning walk which brought out the brilliance of the album for me
Great album, probably my favorite by him
so many of the songs i was like- oh! THAT’S billy joel?!
Not a Billy Joel fan, but I can't deny it's a classic. Fave Songs: Anthony's Song, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Just the Way You Are, Vienna, Only The Good Die Young
An easy listen, a few drags but overall catchy tunes.
First time listening to a full album by billy joel and i just know its gonna be peak. And it was
Overall a solid 8, not rating it more because is the first album I listen and if I liked are even better than this one I wouldn't be able to rate it higher. But so far amazing
Great Album!
Not my first time listening to Billy Joel, but this album convinced me I need to listen to more. 4 stars
Whilst there are some moments that feel slightly too cheesy for me on this album, there's absolutely no denying the quality of the songwriting and the sheer quantity of “hit” material packed into the record. There are 4-5 standout tracks that I've heard countless times throughout my life without even realising they were Billy Joel songs. The vast majority of the album is really enjoyable and I'll definitely be listening again.
Love Billy Joel
Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song) The Stranger Vienna Only the Good Die Young She’s Always a Woman
Movin’ Out The Stranger Vienna Only the Good Die Young
Surprisingly enjoyable
Borders on cheesy at times but mostly manages to work for me. I've always mixed up Billy Joel and Elton John but I enjoy this more than anything I've ever heard from the latter Fav tracks: Scenes From an Italian Restaurant, The Stranger, Get It Right the First Time
- I don't mind a red - I liked it better than piano man - I don't think everyone is dreaming, what about the sleepwalkers
I loved it, it's not the type of music I usually listen to, but it surprised me, another favorite album
The album have emotional song but also reflexive songs like viena or the stranger that talks about de Duality of a man represented by masks
Dit is zo'n net geen 5 sterren album voor mij. Echt geweldig goed, maar nét niet die 5e ster. Misschien ergens in de toekomst na een relisten.
Wat een gigantische hoop meezingknallers vinden we hier. Soms een beetje irritant, maar onder aan de streep gewoon goed.
Several of these sound like sitcom themes from the 80s. Pretty good album. The style is firmly rooted in time and aged well in this case!
i was today years old when i found out i like billy joel lol.
Great album
Paul Mccartney
Pretty solid album. Has a few of his better known songs on it and honestly the rest of the album is pretty good
Pretty damn good. Very nice musical details throughout, and at times not what I expected from the Piano Man and Uptown Girl guy. Didn’t love every track, but I appreciate the sheer competency and musicality on display here.
Che bello merda
extra star for being an inspiration to some of my favorite artists
Late-stage Boomer music aside, this is a very good album. Movin' Out, Just the Way You Are, and Only the Good Die Young are fantastic songs. Even though Scenes from an Italian Restaurant kind of wanders and She's Always a Woman kind of sounds like someone trying to justify staying with a crazy girlfriend, they are both good songs. Looking back almost 50 years (no way it's almost 50 years), it's hard to appreciate just how popular Billy Joel was in the late 70s/early 80s, and this album was his breakthrough to big success. Definitely worth listening to. Wonderful album by a very talented artist. Ack-ack-ack-ack-ack
nice
Very good
Really fun listening to Billy Joel from this era.
Classic
Pretty sweet. Low romactic vibes. I dig it.
a corker of a pop-rock record, really. vocals and lyrics front and center, and strong, but the band isn't exactly slacking and are offered plenty of opportunity to show off. great diversity of sound within the parameters.
3.75. Some solid songs on here. I don’t regularly listen to Billy Joel, but I’m usually not disappointed if one comes on.
Some pretty classic songs on this album. I kind of want to work up a hard rock/metal version of "Movin' Out"
4.25 - Moving Out is by far my favorite Billy Joel song. I don't really recognize the rest of the album, but there are a lot of good parts there. I could see this being a five star album with enough listens.
It was good. I knew a lot of it already but there were some I didn't know
Lovely atmosphere and instrument combinations. Was a great listen!
Full Album Thoughts: Album Rating: 3.8 (A) Elton John for the less flamboyant. Its still Billy Joel to me (positive). There is ONE skip on the album, and then I just end it early on a high note? I think this is actually an album of back to back to back bangers... thats enough to round up a rating? Track Thoughts: "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" A+ Turns out Billy Joel has some riffs in him. Goddamn does this song just thrum along. I am ack-ack-actually not too into the stutter punctuation, but you know, its iconic! "The Stranger" A Thematically, I think I really like that the intro and outro sound like a completely different style of song. I also happen to like both styles, but I may find it tedious to just 'throw on' if im in the mood for one or the other. "Just the Way You Are" C+ A slow ballad I dont really care for, that rockin sax solo or two doesnt really salvage. "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" A- I think I am going to argue this is prog rock? Its long, meandering, constantly evolving, absolutely rocking... I think its an excellent sometime food. "Vienna" A This falls in the extremely rare case where a Ballad works for me, and I think the trick is to be slightly biting. The lyrics are chiding. The music is more melancholy than sad, the accordion is wistful. Having the bass kind of punctuate a slow plod helps. "Only the Good Die Young" B- We have the "Escaped Containment" song for this album. I generally like organ on a song, but something about the bright guitar here... I dont know why I feel like ive listened to a different cover or recording of this, where it just 'goes harder'. Maybe familiarity has dulled it over the years, but I think there are already better songs on this album! "She's Always a Woman" B This is feeling... uh... Simon and Garfunkel to me? I actually haven't listened to much of them come to think of it. But it feels like like this song has escaped from a completely different album. I like this, its folksy, but it absolutely cuts the momentum of the album. "Get It Right the First Time" B+ Funky! I wasn't expecting funky... I dont know why, the bass on the songs have always been pretty grooving. We are back into upbeat, bright songs, and hey why not shove in some la-la-las. Its weird to think there might be a "Deep Cut" on a Billy Joel album but I feel like this is it? I am absolutely guilty of ending my own songs with a single note trill on a mandolin and I am so mad that I have found out I was doing an unintentional Billy Joel homage. "Everybody Has a Dream" C- He knew he had gold with that slower part of "The Stranger". Its such a great way to end this album. Shame there is a whole other song preceding it that does nothing for me. I think if it sounds like gospel music I just check out.
I mean it’s a classic
Love this album.
Brilliant shit
This is a really strong album, with a bunch of high quality tracks. It may or may not be your cup of tea but it has a lot going for it. Good songwriting, musicians, and vocals.
how good is the last song of this album? not to mention the obvious "The Stranger" and "Vienna", but what a way to finish it with "Everybody has a dream" and it's also... so true!