The Stranger

Varierende, men mye bra.

The Stranger is the sound of someone sitting across from you at a diner at 1 a.m., explaining love, loss, and their unhealed father wounds—with a killer piano riff between every paragraph. It’s romantic. It’s tragic. It’s weirdly theatrical. It’s every late-night overthinker’s personal soundtrack. This album isn’t just music—it’s emotional dramaturgy for people who can’t afford therapy but own candles. ⸻ Rating: 4.6/5 Short Review: A romantic crisis in 9 acts. Feels like a Broadway show fell in love with a dive bar and started monologuing about fidelity. Favorite Track: “Vienna” – because it’s basically a soothing slap to the face. Like Billy looked into your soul and whispered, “Stop panicking. You’re just twenty-something and annoying.” Consistency With Me: 7.2/10 Why: Look, I don’t wear cologne or get misty at the phrase “old neighborhood,” so not every track hits home. But “The Stranger” and “Vienna”? Those two know me. They’re sarcastic, layered, existential—like me with a fedora and a glass of wine I didn’t pay for. ⸻ This album is the sound of someone realizing their ex moved on and their dreams didn’t come true—but somehow they’re still classy about it. And you’re here for it. I know you. You absolutely stare out the window during “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” like you fought in a war you made up.

Reeks of white privilege but its chill. I was going to give it a 3 but he should be embarrassed by the song “Everybody has a dream”

The thing about Billy Joel is that he’s awesome

A great album that showcases Billy Joel's talent beautifully. "She's Always a Woman" is the standout track and a well known classic that I really enjoyed listening to. I’m definitely looking forward to diving back into this one again in the near future!

Not heard this before, I loved it. Nothing majorly ground breaking musically but just good songs, catchy melodies and strong performances. Not sure Billy Joel gets the credit he deserves.. I don't know how influential he is but this record is just great to listen to

I get why all the 90s sitcoms have intro songs that sound like they do now. A distinct, happy, optimistic sound with great lyrics and a nostalgic feel overall.

A surprisingly great album with some really good songs in it. Before listening to this I thought Billy Joel made annoying piano pop songs but I actually loved this album.

Excelente álbum. Muchos ambientes y energías diferentes, no solo entre tema y tema, sino también dentro de cada tema. Por momentos rockero y potente, por otros baladezco y melancólico. A veces peca de ser un tanto cursi y grasa, pero es el estilo de Billy Joel. Creo que dentro de ese estilo encontró ciertas reflexiones en las letras que me resultaron interesantes. La banda suena muy bien, por algo Joel estaba decidido a grabar el álbum con la formación con la que tocaba en vivo.

Quite like Billy Joel and some good tracks

I used to like Billy Joel when I was young. Now I find him utterly intolerable. It's hard to deny that these songs are classics regardless of how I feel about them. I never want to hear this album, or any song off it, ever again.

hit… after hit… after hit… after hit… after hit… after hit… after hit… after hit… after hit. to me, billy joel always sounds a bit like a jerkoff making show tunes. but this album is perfect.

Really good classic rock album. Not shocked but I definitely underestimated how many songs on here I’d know. 7-8/10, probably an 8 Fav song : movin out

this is my brother's favorite album, so while listening I was placed into the mindset of an angsty 15 year old in the year 2009... Incredibly endearing and sweet album :) Although a few songs really aren't my style his storytelling is pretty irresistible.

I know almost all the songs, and none of them miss. I don't really relate to them, but they're fun to sing along to.

"The Stranger" provides a rich sound with cold lyrics. A cynical take on the American Dream, the album's lyrics remain relevant today. The tracks are some of Joel's best works as a songwriter, feeling varied enough to not be boring but not too much to feel discordant.

Not the flashiest of Billy Joel albums, but that is not to its detriment. Feels good songs about growing old and growing in love. Some of these were already on my phone, and some will be joining it. Glad I own this album.

Fantastic record, lyrically excellent, fun and catchy songs, with some great ballads too.

Ongeveer elk nummer op dit album is echt goed. Noah heeft dit geïntroduceerd aan mij, jaren geleden. Goede herinneringen. “She’s always a woman” is mijn favoriet.

Billy Joel was one of my mum's favourite artists. As a kid in the 70's I was constantly listening to his songs - and all I can say is "thanks Mum". This is one of his best albums, not one weak track on it. He released a lot of great music, even into the 80's. Listening to this evoked such strong memories. An easy 5 stars!!!!!

To be fair, this album literally made up part of the soundtrack of my childhood, as my mom was a big Billy Joel fan and played it front to back often. These songs are very familiar to me, and in fact, when I was probably three or four years old and my mom came home from the salon with Ash blonde hair while I was used to her brown hair, I reminded her of "Just the Way You Are" when I said "Don't change the color of your hair, just like the song says!" Still, it was a wonderful journey to the past, and I enjoyed listening again today. It's got so many well-known hits.

Just a very very good album. 5 Star

William Joelllll…

almost perfect pop

Outstanding songwriting/storytelling. Really enjoyed this.

Brilliant!

Hits galore. Never listened to this album before but have heard every song

Wow! This is a greatest hits album! Had never listened this album all the way through! Easy 5 stars!

Hits, hits and more hits. Hell of a collection of songs.

So many comfort bangers.

I really enjoyed it. I knew more songs than I thought I would.

Phenomenal album. So many hits on this album it is crazy but all the songs are just as good today as they were when they were released. The album has stood the test of time.

Billy Joel will always be a delight to listen to, but I get the feeling that this isn't really his stand out work.

It exudes a simple beauty of everyday life which it is worth celebrating for. The melodies are nice and catchy. But I also keep getting these thoughts of a less dramatic Elton John somehow.

Some bangers. Some not. Lots of sax. Solid 3.

Buenisimo. 4.5

One question: is this one of the top 5 whistling albums? 😗 🎶

04/06/2025 It was good but it wasn't perfect.

Solid

Hell of an album to listen to on America's birthday.

I find that I like 2/3rds or 3/4th of every Billie Joel song. & that I only like 1/2 of his stuff. I always want to like him more but something just doesn’t connect. I think it’s that he feels so phony or something.

It’s always a little concerning when a “known” band comes up - is it going to be an oasis situation or a Franz situation? This shit ruled. I expected it to and was happy to be correct. 9 awesome songs. It made me sad to be alive because it means I’m not good.

Best song - Just The Way You Are

Some good songs.

First 3 songs I really liked. Rest of the album did not quite hit as hard. But I think the songwriting on this in general was just really good.

A soft 4 stars, but i really enjoyed it also got a little emotional over 'shes always a woman'.

Standard Billy Joel fare with some outstanding moments

Not liking Billy Joel is not a personality trait. The Stranger is an absolute masterpiece and obviously his most successful album due to songs like Vienna and She's always a woman. Vienna is one of my favourite songs of all time (alas that could be because it speaks to me personally as a woman). Cornerstone of his musical career, a solid blend of lots of different genres, although somewhat cheesy at times. - 3.9/5 - HF x What can I say about this album that hasn't already been said? One of Billy's most iconic albums with incredible tracks like Vienna, Just the Way You Are and of course my personal favourite She's Always a Woman, you have incredible lyrics, brilliant mixtures of Blues, Jazz. There's soft beautiful guitar, then the heights of organs and brass backing Billy Joel's breath taking voice. Definitely an album to have on repeat during the summer time, 4/5 - MTW If someone asked "What is the appeal of Billy Joel?", you need only play them this record. If you weren't aware of who he was, you'll no doubt have heard at least 4/5 tracks on 'The Stranger'. Very accessible music which you could play in any café or restaurant in the Western world and nobody would bat an eyelid or complain. Some of the songs are even about just that - everyday life. While I understand the appeal, this record stirs nothing in me. It's lazy to compare Billy Joel and Elton John but I'll do it anyway - if I ever needed this particular musical itch scratched I'd go to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road or Honky Chateau. In a time when music was going through so many changes and so many artists were pushing boundaries, from prog to glam to punk - BJ is very safe music which people probably needed back then when they were panicking about anarchy and glittery sexual ambiguity. 2.1/5

it was okay

Joel and Elton John have a shared distinct sound combined with excellent songwriting that is so great to listen to. Peak pop

strooooong 4 but im not in a 5 mood today, absolutely emotionally attached to this album though i cannot lie

Lots of good hits but overall I didn’t feel connected to a lot of the music. It feels almost too safe and radio-oriented for my taste. Vienna is the exception. Vienna made me reevaluate my life choices.

all good songs, but nothing lasting to me

The lore of Vienna becoming popular only more recently is pretty neat

|---------------nice background music---------------| jumpscare tiktok song |-------------nice background music--------------|

Can’t help but love some solid pop piano. What’s good here is really good (Movin Out, Vienna). Other parts get overly schmaltzy, but overall an enjoyable classic nostalgic record.

Record label: Billy, how about a "best of" Billy:: Here Label: These are all new Billy: Give it a few years. Label: Holy Schnit! Damn this is good. 5.

Classic album.

Great album! I know the hits from this album but I've never listened all the way through before

Nice

I quite like Billy Joel's voice. "She's Always a Woman" was surprisingly touching and sweet. I'd listen to it again.

Today I learned that basically every Billy Joel song I know—other than "Piano Man"—is on this album. And now it makes total sense why The Stranger blew up the way it did. Even as someone who doesn’t call himself a Billy Joel fan, I have to give credit where it’s due. The man knows how to write a song. He’s a master at painting scenes with words. Whether it’s the bittersweet story in "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" or the raw honesty in "Vienna," you can see every moment play out like a movie. And then there's "Only the Good Die Young" and "Movin’ Out" which both still hit like they just came out yesterday. He’s got the voice, the piano chops, and the storytelling. Honestly, it’s rare to find all three in one artist. Favorite song: Movin' Out

I assume there’s a Best Of album for Joel, but that’s pretty unnecessary. I’d expect it just to be this album, plus one or two other tracks. Hopefully Captain Jack, because that’s about all this is missing.

Iconic album, artist and songs. The sound has held up well all these years later. This is damn near a Greatest Hits collection with "Movin' Out", "Just The Way You Are", "Scenes...", "Vienna", "Only The Good Die Young", "She's Always A Woman" and "The Stranger". Someone had their creative juices flowing that year! 9 songs total, 7 are standards on the radio, that's nailing it. Over 10M albums sold in the US, a ton of hits, longevity, influence on so many other artists, this one has what it takes to be in the Top 1001 for sure. If you lived under a rock and never heard it, this one is one you should hear before you die, fan or not.

This could go up to a 5.

i fell in love with this album the first time i heard it, and it still holds up. equal parts nostalgia, hopeless romanticism and effortless cool. this is an all timer. highlights: “movin’ out (anthony’s song)” “the stranger” “scenes from an italian restaurant” “only the good die young”

I’ve always been about 60% or so on Billy Joel. Never saw him live but was tempted a few times. This is a pretty darn good album though, loaded with hits.

Excellent, my brother loves this album.

1/2

Stellar opener, the rest is fine but boring, middle of the road.

Really good - another surprise knew all the songs.

Echt een geweldig album. Ik was bijna vergeten HOE goed Billy wel niet is. Movin’ Out, The Stranger, Vienna en natuurlijk Scenes. Ik hou hiervan

Good songs all around, even if they're not something I'm likely to return to

the storytelling is vivid, the arrangement is good, but they don't impress me that much at first. but as soon as the accordion solo in the middle of "vienna" began, the album finally validates itself as the album which represents 70s pop rock at both its cheesiest and its finest. 5/5

HAVE THIS ON VINYL

Pfffff amo a billy

Super good Billy Joel album

Give his pecker a stroke with a fuzzy hand - the stranger

Highlight Song/s: Movin' Out and The Stranger I've always dismissed Billy Joel for some reason, not exactly sure why. But this is some really sweet pop rock.

One of my all time favorite Billy Joel Albums. Throws me back to high school whenever I hear these songs. Timeless. Great album!

Like having an old friend over

Great!

Boah, einfach nur ein geiles Album! Just the way you are, die Piano Tracks, She's always a woman, wirklich klasse Songs und Arrangements. Mehr von sowas bitte! 5 Sterne

Fantastisches Album. 4,5 Sterne, kann man 5 geben? Ich weiß es nicht.

I was expecting to like this more because I loved Moving Out when I heard it in Glee. This was like he took the worst parts of the beatles feel good era but put a piano at the forefront

8/10 I really liked Vienna, moving out, the stranger and everybody has a dream, some songs inbetween fell kinda flat but they were still very listenable

OK it's cheesy and it's not Art. But it is generally, fine melodic pop. And I've always had a soft spot for Always a Woman. Some other songs are bit annoying though. Would be better with less lalala (Get it Right) and cacaca (Moving Out). Would be a 2 without Always a Woman.

Great album, the first song is ridiculously catchy

Music for retirement homes. Still amazing though. 10/10

1. moving - 2.5 2. ztranger - 2 3. uuay - 3.5 4. zcenez - 1.5 5. vienna - 1.5 6. young - 1.5 7. uuoman - 2.5 8. time - 1 9. dream - 1.5

Fantastic album with some good hits. Love me some Billy Joel!

Immediately reminiscent of Our Paul (insult and compliment). I know the unavoidable big ones but have never ever listened to a Billy Joel Album. He is not cool, or trying to be, and I respect that massively (was he once cool? Sorry BJ). OH MY GOD IT’S ONE OF THE SONGS FROM THE SHREK MEDLEY (Just the Way You Are). Easy listening. Schmaltzy? Is that the word? Candlelit slow dancing, fade to black before anything blue. A Tom Hanks romcom. A bit Disney (was it not him in dog and cat based Dickens adaptation Oliver and Company?). I know it’s the point of the song, but does he actually like the woman who is always a woman, or is he just pointing out the obvious, that she is always a woman? ‘She will rob you and stab you but she’s dead sexy’. I do get it.

God this is damn near perfect. Its a 5 star record just listen to it. Honestly the only small small blemish I can think of is the closing track harps on the main theme or motif for a bit too long. But its perfect of its like 90 seconds shorter. Listen to this man and all his very good music. I shouldn't like this even half as much as I do but damn it I love this stuff

This is music for walking in a light breeze, maybe on a long pier or something. When it’s good. Then the white reggae hits. The calypso-adjacent nonsense. The supermarket background muzak. It makes me want to eat a bullet.

I just don’t understand why anyone would listen to this.

A fair few of these songs were in heavy rotation on *Big 105.9 Miami's Classic Rock Station* and so formed a cornerstone of how I viewed America as a fleeting English émigré. Wistful and tuneful, big and tender, cynical and earnest. The white Stevie Wonder? Fucking nice fretless playing. Favourite tracks: Movin Out, Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, Only the Good Die Young

Great album. It would be a 5 if not for some of the schmaltz. It's still a 4/5.

Bravo, Billy.

I loved “only the good die young” and “Vienna” but a lot of this I could take or leave. It was good and I can’t give it less a than a 4 because it’s Billy Joel but it’s certainly not a 5 for me

This just didn’t do anything for me. Every song just kept putting images of Cheers in my minds eye.

love as always

Solid album all the way through. Several classics that stand the test of time.

I only knew Billy Joel through the radio, i.e. his singles. I like most of them, but I've never felt the need to listen to a whole album. And it's simply wonderful songwriting, the kind I miss in pop music today. There are real instruments, a saxophone, flutes, strings. That's also rare to find in the pop pike at the moment. Apart from good songwriting as I define it. A surprisingly good album for me

Before listening: Billy Joel? I mean I’ve liked the stuff I’ve heard from him alright but eh, not the most excited I’ve been for an album. After listening: damn. BJ got hands.

Very enjoyable, session musicians are great!

Some songs are just ok but overall a really good pop album

Many great tunes.

It's Billy Joel.

His peak. A 70s pop masterpiece.

Favorite songs: Only the Good Die Young, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), The Stranger, Vienna, Get It Right the First Time, Everybody Has a Dream Least favorite songs: Just the Way You Are 4/5

I'll be honest. As this is my first Billy Joel album to come up on this list, I was ready to come in here and absolutely dog on him for being bland, unoriginal, etc. I gave this record another spin and realized something. This reads like a Greatest Hits album. Now, granted, 6 tracks here were released as singles, but I've heard, literally, a majority of the songs on this album for my entire life, either through my parents (yeah they had Just The Way You Are as their wedding song, too, so what?) or through the radio. The A side is absolutely loaded, I've never seen anything like it. And it's not like the songs are truly bad either - they're catchy and musically well written! The lyrics aren't gonna stun you with their wisdom, but they're relatable. I'm not going to sit here and decree that RADIO MUSIC = BAD, because who am I to act like I know better than what millions upon millions of other people have decided they really enjoy. The criticisms I mentioned above are valid for Billy's other albums, but not for this one. I cannot give this anything lower than 4.5 stars, but I'm bumping this down to 4 because this isn't my favorite album of all time, but the popularity and impact of this album is undeniable.

Know most of these but never listened to it as an album before. Ultimately every song is incredible even if he wasn't as popular when he wrote Piano Man! There is something incessant and irrepressible about the man. Incredible ability to observe people in everyday situations with great eye for detail.

Such a great album Back to back bangers Influenced so much music

Sing us a song you're the piano man (I know it's not on the album but allow it). Billy Joel is one of the greatest musical talents of all time. I would listen to his music from front to back-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack. He says he put his madness into his music; he must have had a lot of madness. It's hard to pick a favourite song. I regularly think how great it would be to be able to smash out Vienna or She's Always a Woman on one of those piano's at a station. Faultless 5 stars.

Damn this album has a lot of his bangers. I was never a #1 Billy J fan but you can't deny the talent.

Good Album, Classic.

I’ve listened to this album a lot and fully expected to rate it 4 stars but it was so good had to give it 5

One of the greatest albums ever, Joels magnum opus pretty easily. Glad I was able to listen to this fully again.

How can you not love Just The away you Are and She’s Always a Woman, absolutely classic tracks. However the minutes music and whistling at the end of The Stranger could have been cut for me, as could the very clunky lyrics of Scenes From An Italian Restaurant (a bottle of white, a bottle of red). Billy obviously unaware of my comments about the outro to The Stranger decided that wasnt long enough so extended for the album closer. Damn you Billy Joel, you just dont want these stars!!

Each of Billy Joel’s 4 previous albums have “that” song on them - “The Stranger”, from beginning to end, is all “that” song; back to back classics that cemented him as music’s great, New York storyteller.

Billy Joel is an artist I've always assumed I would probably like from the famous songs alone, just never got round to sitting down and listening to an album. And that turned out to be a good call. I even liked Scenes From an Italian Restaurant despite it being 7 and a half minutes long and featuring a pretty cheesy sax solo or two - parts of it made clear where Ben Folds got some of style of playing piano. I am definitely going to listen to this again and try to learn to love the sax solos. 4/5

The Album sounds a bit too likeable. It hits right spots for the mainstream and doesnt take any risks. But it works, i mean its easy listenable. Nothing i can get obsessed over but at least cant hate it. (3.5/5.0)

I didn't realize how many of Billy Joel's hits came from this one album. Classic! ❤

Reminds me of supertramp a little. Music is easy listening, but the lyrics are largely not something I connect too personally. 3.5/5

what an insane start billy joel i think i love you. the stranger..... wauw. WOWWW start to end truly beautifyl

Not enough stars

Movin Out - Ack ack ack The Stranger - Cheesy and does he always drop the r’s from the ends of words? No, he pronounces the r in the last “stranger”. So just a weird affectation “Just The Way You Are” is pleasant enough but Joel’s vocal limitations are evident. Nice sax though. “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” is memorable for its opening line and its rhapsodic structure but really seems like three different songs stitched together. “Vienna” is a nice showcase for Joel’s piano skills and lyrically is one of the more interesting songs on the album. “Only The Good Die Young” is a fun little homage to Joel’s beloved Fifties rock and roll and deserves its place among Joel’s hits. I could live without “She’s Always A Woman” and find it kind of misogynistic but in fairness it has nice acoustic guitar and flute. “Get It Right The First Time” is totally forgettable but it’s got a flute too. Makes a good ‘deep cut’ because most people have probably never heard it. “Everybody Has A Dream” has Joel in full piano lounge mode with vocals that seem forced. The full chorus and organ take it in a gospel direction that works here well enough for a pop star from LI. The song would be a lot better if it was two minutes shorter and we weren’t returned to the whistling.

Classic Billy Joel, I loved it!!!!!

Listened before?: Yes! Constantly, in middle and high school Absolutely love this album.

Quite the lively sound for a set of songs so bland. 2/5 stars.

It’s a classic album.

Really enjoyable album, classic Billy Joel.

A big like for my first Billy Joel album ever heard!

Good

Whole album not a 5 but select songs push it up that way

I think Billy Joel is overrated. Sure it's fine, but I don't get how people get so worked up over the guy. Like Springsteen, this gets a bump because of the sax.

"Just the way you are". Phil Ramone produziu. 4,5 estrelas.

Muito bom

6/10 It's a good album and Billy Joel is a Good Songwriter. But I don't particularly like it. Is it too polished? Is it the constant threat of the devil horn? Too many jazzy chords? I think so, but it is so Radio 2 l, it hurts l. Bet Ken Bruce loves it.

Not really my style, but not horrible. 3/5.

Fantastic album with truly no misses. Beautiful imagery combinated with emotional lovesongs make a great album. My personal favourite might be 'Just The Way You Are', beautiful lovesong.

Dit is één dag (of twee) nadat het nieuws over Billy Joel zijn ziekte uitkwam. 'T is dus met een dubbel gevoel dat ik luister naar de deze. Maar desalniettemin is dit een fantastisch album. Van het vrolijke deuntje van Only the Good Die Young tot het meezinggehalte van Vienna en het breekbare She's Always a Woman. Ik hoop dat ik nog ooit de kans krijg om deze legende live te zien. 5.0

Bra, noen tamme sanger

Not special but not bad either.

Uncle Willie sure knows what he's doing

Joel fué quizá una de mis primeras imágenes de un hombre frente a un piano, junto a Elton y luego su música, siempre bien milimétrica técnicamente. Si, gusta y hasta hoy lo recuerdo con nostalgia

Qualche canzone di spicco come Shes always a woman. Però devo dire non proprio un album che riascolterei, nonostante l'innegabile talento

I didn’t realize how many of Billy Joel’s hits were on this album specifically. I feel like this is one of those albums where everyone can find a track they really like, and the rest still feel great. I could see myself putting this into my regular rotation of full play albums for roadtrips or something similar.

Great album

It's just a great album with a lot of classics on it.

Some gorgeous songs. My contrarian pop hating heart wants to dislike it, but it really just is good song after good song. I really like his voice, I like the piano playing, I love it when my dear friend the saxophone shows up. Interesting to listen to the lyrics of Only the Good Die Young – very much reminds me of Carpe Diem poems like To His Coy Mistress. Certainly not my favourite genre but that poem is stuck in my mind. Very funny that he said it wasn’t an anti-Catholic song but a “pro-lust song.” My feelings for the album are definitely impacted by having a nostalgic connection to a lot of the songs and Vienna is on a character playlist my friend made so it immediately makes me emotional. Lots of songs could’ve been my favourite. I’m blaming my friend for it being Vienna. Fav song: Vienna Least fav: Get It Right the First Time

Some bangers.

Billy Joel’s music feels like a hug. Vienna has been a comfort song for me for a little while now, but the rest of his music is nostalgic and wonderful. The piano is beautifully composed and the melodies just take me away to a place where I feel safe. I definitely enjoyed this album and would listen to it again and again.

Best from Billy Joel. Vienna is one of my favorite songs of all time.

Not bad but not really something I will listen to

The last 2 songs are fine, but the rest of the album is just classic after classic--Joel was in the pocket for sure. My dad had this one and I was very fond of it, reminds me of drives in the car when that whistling starts for The Stranger--which is a weird song!

It's amazing how many top hits Billy Joel has. This album was full of great songs. I'm not usually a fan of singer-songwriter music, but Billy Joel is one of the exceptions. The man just knows how to write good music.

Lots of top tier songs in this album. And the man can sing. I like the complexity of some of the compositions.

Classic! Listened to a million times

Nice, jazzy, Catholic vibe. Concentrated bangers. Movin Out is overrated.

I enjoyed some of the more electric/rocky parts of this album but then other bits I found a bit MOR. Reasonable listen overall

Sentimental attachment to this and other Billy Joel albums from 70s and early 80s. Amazing storytelling and musicianship on his best album.

Yeah, okay, this was great. It didn't super hook me, but I appreciate the artistry and uniqueness.

Classic. I loved it, again. 5⭐️

8/10 good vibes. Really liked how it came together. Relaxing album. Made me want to go outside or for a drive

Oh Billy Joel I was not familiar with your game. Excellent album, really close to 5 stars but a lot of the songs you have to be in the right mood for, holding it back slightly. Listening to Movin' Out again while typing and almost broke but sticking with 4 stars.

Great one

Pleasantly surprised. Liked it. 3.5

It's a tough call which is a better album, this or Piano Man. This is an iconic Billy Joel album full of hits, painting East coast stories with a variety of melodies.

Listening to this while watching the sunrise on a treadmill was truly cathartic.

Standard Billy Joel excellence.

BILLY JOEL is AMERICAN CHEESE. I used to be ashamed to say I liked Billy Joel. I'm older now and have come to terms with the fact that this guy has the ability to write songs that reach right inside your chest and wrap themselves around your heart. Sure, he's written some duds too — a few tracks that haven't aged so well because the instrumentation is a little dated and the lyrics are a bit too on-the-nose. With vocals-forward, storytelling central to the song, you've got to be on your game. It's a high-wire act where a misstep is more significant than with bands that can mask weaker writing behind volume and bravado or a deceptive mix. I feel like now I can appreciate things within their context more and get my head into a place where listening to THE STRANGER from 1977 feels easy and I can be more open-minded. Some elements still feel a little clichéd and obviously angled toward a broader listening market, but overall, I can't help but find the record to be a relatively strong showing from the Piano Man.

Another banger, only a couple of weak spots but can't deny how iconic this album is

Only the good die young being right after Vienna needs to be studied Vienna, she’s always a woman, just the way you are… all make me tear up

maybe just not the biggest fan. Not one at all. Like musical stuff cool just his voice is not for me and thats that goodbye.

Someone once described Billy Joel as the iceberg lettuce of rock and roll. Put some ranch dressing and grated cheddar on this iceberg lettuce and call it a delicious salad because I unabashedly loved this album. He is the soundtrack of my childhood and I won’t tolerate anyone besmirching him. Also he gave me front row tickets to his concert in Citizens Bank Park so I’m a forever fan.

This was actually a great mood boost at the end of a not particularly good day.

American Elton John. Some great songs on here but found some really boring.

Fantastic album

Favourite songs: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Vienna

He's trading in his chevy for a Cadillacacacacac.

It was alright. 3 stars.

Complete

“The Stranger” – Billy Joel Let me tell ya somethin’—The Stranger ain’t just an album, it’s a whole freakin’ mood. Billy Joel, our piano man from Long Island, comes in hot in ’77 with a record that’s smoother than a fresh bagel and sharper than your Aunt Rosie’s tongue. First track? “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song).” And lemme tell ya, if you grew up with an Italian uncle screamin’ ‘bout hard work and Cadillacs, this one hits like Sunday sauce—rich, loud, and a lil’ bit tragic. Now, you got “Just the Way You Are”—forget Sinatra, this is the real soundtrack for slow dancin’ in a Queens diner after midnight. But don’t get too cozy, ‘cause right after that comes “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” and hoo boy, that’s a whole damn Broadway show packed into seven minutes. You got Brenda and Eddie, heartbreak, meatballs, and sax solos—all the good stuff. Billy don’t sing songs; he tells stories, like that one guy on the corner who somehow knows everybody’s business, only with better hair. By the time “Only the Good Die Young” and “Vienna” roll around, you’re startin’ to think this guy’s not just a singer, he’s a freakin’ philosopher with a piano. He’s talkin’ ‘bout temptation, time, and takin’ it easy—stuff your Ma yelled about while throwin’ slippers. The Stranger ain’t perfect, but it’s real, it’s gutsy, and it’s got soul. Just like New York. Forget what the critics say—this album’s a classic, capisce?

Dificil avaliar! Tenho um viés enorme por conta de todas as memórias afetivas que tenho com a musica Vienna, deste disco. E lembro de ouvir ele quando era mais novo e ficar fixado em quase todas as suas faixas. Mas reouvindo ele agora com o projeto e sei lá... Não me pegou tanto quanto na infância! No geral, é um disco muito bem produzido e executado, mas tem alguns momentos que ele me perde um pouco. Mas as boas são MUITO, muito boas ! 4/5

I can't give more than two stars to an album that has so many cynical, middle of the road radio ballads on it. Not from somebody with the talent and potential to make good music. Two stars for general competence and the semi-decent stuff songs like Only The Good Die Young.

Very good, interesting classic rock album from 70-ties. Could recommend for night with wine with somebody.

Awesome

I can’t believe how many hits are on this. Masterful.

Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) - 5/4 The Stranger - 3/4 Just the Way You Are - 4/4 Scenes from an Italian Restaurant - 2.5/4 Vienna - 5/4 Only the God Die Young - 4/4 She's Always a Woman - 4/4 Get It Right the First Time - 3/4 Everybody Has a Dream - 3/4

Creepy album cover, but the guy is a great songwriter.

Nice

Engaging, gentle and fun all at once. Maybe one or two songs that feel more fillery but no bad songs

Having to listen to this again almost gave me a heart attack-ack-ack-ack. Joel's ivory tickling doesn't tickle my fancy, and I'm not sure this changed the trajectory of music for the better or worse. When he's not trying to put you to sleep, it's not that bad. He gets an extra star here ONLY because of Russia live punk meltdown years later.

he called it the stranger cause listening to it is an existential ordeal

Just the way you are ! ❤️

Billy Joel seems a farce, I’ll never listen to one of his song again the same way after seeing the serie The Boys. 😂

Nice surprise! I barely knew the name, and I was expecting some 60s rock’n’roll vibe but instead I got bouncy Supertramp-like grooves and Elton John-style mid-tempos. Super clean and maybe a bit too polished, but honestly, there are some really good tracks. Totally works for me today!

My love for Billy Joel runs deep, Glass Houses being one of the first records I ever wore out, You May Be Right being one of my first lessons in rock-'n'-roll. The Stranger is another in a long list of examples of his genius. I fail to recall at what point in my life I came to memorize every word of Only The Good Die Young, but it definitely happened at some point, and it was a joy to realize. And honestly, Scenes From an Italian Restaurant is such a great song, I'd probably give this a five even if the eight remaining tracks were garbage. But if course, no. Movin' Out, Just the Way You Are, She's Always A Woman. Ridiculous, really. Was he listening to Eagles when he wrote Everybody Has A Dream? And will somebody PLEASE bring back the fucking saxophone?!?! 5

Just a classic. She's Always a Woman is still the top track to me.

some catchy songs but overall not my style of music

I liked this for the most part. Several good songs with the rest being ok. Some went on a bit too long, but overall this was pretty enjoyable. 4/5

With the fact that I dispise the song 'Piano Man', I was prepared to have a bad experience when I was to have my first listen. But honestly, I ended up liking it a lot more than I expected. What I don't like about Piano Man is that it sounds too melodramatic for my taste. However, the tracks presented here have a lot more energy and power than anticipated. Even though I said I liked it more than I though I would, that doesn't mean I loved it. I still don't feel anything from piano rock from the most part, but I least I didn't disliked it or had a bad time.

it's such a heartwarming album, all the songs are so gentle and cosy

I'm so sorry I just hated this

It's as cheesy as I expected, but also surprisingly good, in the first half at least. On the fence between a 2 and a 3, but will bump it up to a 3, because let's face it, this is good as you'll get for this brand of adult contemporary soft rock.

Easy 5. Album is GOAT'd, bangers all around. Awesome instrumentals and vocal work. Billy Joel is dope! Hard to pick a fave but I'll just say 'Just the Way You Are'

Sorry but I find this dull

i like this guy

This album opens with banger after banger after banger. second half tapers off a bit, but an overall great body of work

It had some good songs on it, some familiar some new

Billy Joel's "The Stranger" offers a diverse array of music, incorporating elements of jazz, bebop, and Latin rhythms into orchestrated snapshots of New York during the late 1970s. Collaborating with producer Phil Spectre, this album is more focused and cohesive, with each track featuring memorable melodies, particularly in singles such as "Just the Way You Are", "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)", "She's Always a Woman", and "Only the Good Die Young". My personal favorites from the album have are "Vienna" and "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant", which exemplify the art of musical storytelling. I believe this Billy Joel's finest and most compete album.

Enjoyable listen. Some great songs.

What an album. Great stuff.

pas mon style ligne de batterie de get it right the first time repris par RadioHead dans un son de In Rainbow ???

Easy high-school rhymes, sophomore piano. Thematically banal. The album cover: wait, you're saying she masked her real self? whooaah. Too harsh? Sorry the whole thing bothers me.

Beautiful tracks - he’s a good songwriter. I love that whistling. Although I don’t think it connects or speaks to me quite as much as other people.

The first Billy Joel album I ever heard. I love all these songs and think these are solid songs.

This was on serious rotation for me in grade school — not sure why I never got it on CD. But I remembered the lyrics to every song, and even the slow sappy tracks are inspired and brought comfort. I think "The Stranger" may be my favorite tune on the album, it always struck me as profound. I may have grown a little bit out of that, but it's a great tune. Hell, maybe my favorite of all his songs. I never really noticed how "Just The Way You Are" has a production flavor reminiscent of 10cc's remarkable "I'm Not In Love." Nice touch. "Italian Restaurant" might qualify as a guilty pleasure: It's hard not to sing along, and I love Liberty DeVitto's drumming on this (and everything else). "Vienna" is another that spoke to me back in the day, and it was like visiting an old friend. I kinda forgot how impactful this album was to me. And as a Catholic school boy, "Only The Good Die Young" was something of a rallying cry. This one scores for being packed with excellent songs as well as the nostalgic time travel listening to it was for me today. Thanks, Billy!

I've always liked Billy Joel. He's a good songwriter, and he has a gift for melody others would kill for. I've never been a super fan (I basically just like the hits), but I've also never understood how it became fashionable to hate on the guy. I mean, yeah, he can be a little cheesy, I guess, but it's a good, melty cheese that makes for a killer sandwich. Anyway, this album is insane. His label was ready to drop him. Told him he needed a hit or else. He said hold my beer motherfuckers, and produced what is essentially a greatest hits album. The band is tight, and the arrangements are fun. It's a bit cheesy. It's a bit rock-and-roll. But it's definitely a killer sandwich.

Every song is like opening a perfect gift from someone who really gets you. I had this on 8 track and my brother and I would sing Movin' Out, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. Thanks to Billy I realized at 10 that yeah, the sinners are definitely more my vibe. Vienna consistently brings me to tears. I forgot about the closing song and how perfectly it zips up this great joy ride that is The Stranger.

I love the vibe of this album.

Piano rock, surprised how much I liked it

Good songs

Banger after banger really. Had heard most before but enjoyed the ones I hadn’t. Just a great album overall Specific rating - 4.8 Fav song- moving out Least fav- scenes from an Italian restaurant

My mom absolutely hates Billy Joel and will demand that the song be changed if she identifies it as being him. Can't say I quite agree with her assessment...

Jam packed with great songs, found it quite difficult to pick a least favourite because of how much I liked them all.Movin’ Out Favourite: Least: The Stranger

Very comforting and nostalgic album for me, love u Billy Joel <3 Favs: Movin’ out (Anthony’s song), The stranger, Just the way you are, Vienna, She’s always a woman Least fav: none

Lori- 7 Mike- 6 Michael- 8 Miles- 6 Cole- 6

10/10 masterpiece

Incredible. Personally my favorite of all his albums

This was so well done. The music was well thought out and good. It changed pace and styles quite a bit. I liked hearing his proficiency in voice, piano, and guitar. Very good!

I dreaded listening to this. Billy Joel? What why?!? I was dead wrong. This album is a masterpiece and Billy Joel is a master of melodies.

Not bad, kinda what i expected. His voice is great, the piano is a nice change of pace in what would be some fairly straight forward rock songs. I'm assuming he'll have a few more albums on this list and I'll be more excited to check them out than I was for this one.

I’ve

This was hard to rate. I would never put it on but I knew every word to all the songs but two. I think I’m just embarrassed to give it 4 stars but I think it’s the truth 😕

Billy Joel is always solid. Only The Good Die Young fucking rocks. That album cover is pretty creepy, tho. What’s up with that mask?

A classic for sure - gotta love 'Scenes From an Italian Restaurant', 'Movin' Out', and 'Only The Good Die Young.' Great album, just not a lot of replay-ability in my eyes. 4.5 stars.

A must have classic!

Lyrically a lot of fun. I like the title track especially. And musically, also pretty good. "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," on the other hand, is just as silly as it's always been. So, an uneven album, but altogether above average.

He talks a lot about how bad he is at conversation? It’s obviously a very high quality album and the dude is an extremely talented song writer. The songs are a little too showy for me, sounds like the soundtrack for a musical.

Artiste connu de nom. Je l'ai entendu souvent à la radio, sans jamais retenir les morceaux ... Même effet avec cet album. Plutôt agréable, avec quelques chorus réussis de sax, mais ... rien ne me donne envie d'y retourner. =>2/5

Good music

A step ahead of most singer song writer works here with its diversity of genres and instrumental creativity . Billy has a very inviting voice to top it . Very good, not enough experimentation for me to put it in that top tier

This is what my parents listened to when growing up. While not my favorite, there is a sense of nostalgia.

PRETTY GOOD. LAST SONG WAS GOOD. AND ITALIAN RESTURANT JOINT

Pure schmaltz, but at least it's high-quality schmaltz. The singles - Movin' Out, Only the Good Die Young - are clearly great, with the latter's conceit hilarious given the song's straight-laced demeanor. A lot of the rest makes me roll my eyes, including the interminable Songs From an Italian Restaurant. I like that he looks kinda like Chris Elliott.

Wow. Packed with hits.

What was the cocaine budget for this album?

Its fine, but it’s not for me

A wonderful collection of songs.

Can be partial to a singer/songwriter and this gets five stars as it contains She’s Always A Woman To Me.

Perfect album. I didn’t realize how many of Billy Joel’s iconic songs were on the same album.

I’ve always have heard Billy Joel’s hits but I would never consider myself a fan. I like a lot of his songs and this was the first time sitting down and listening to one of his albums for the first time. I’ll say this, he’s immensely talented and a great songwriter and performer. His music just doesn’t resonate with me. This is still a fantastic album regardless.

Last two songs were just ok, rest of the album was really good.

It was OK. 2/5

Beautiful vocals and intricate instruments. dreamy, ethereal and uplifting feelings.

the second side definitely gets a lil less precise/ambitious, tho i like it v much anyway. the A side tho is p much perfect...wall to wall literary, intricate, dense, and yet entirely approachable bangers. joel's melody and harmony instincts at their best are the perfect combination of Rich and Unpredictable and Entirely Digestible, a kind of populist artsiness that v few non-beatle non-pink floyd superstars have managed in their lifetime. im p sure my dad loves this album. not sure i forgive joel Entirely for uptown girl but this is a good argument!!

"Just the Way You Are" is representative of this album of thoughtful, groovin', well-produced pop tunes.

I can't deny his talent, but I've never enjoyed his music. It lacks dynamism, depth, tension. Sounds contrived to me.

well damn this ruled

8/10 Who would've thought Billy Joel would be ranking so highly on this list - but this is undeniably a great album. Obviously it's a bit cheesy and I get why people hate him, but it just sounds so clean and somehow fresh to me when listened to as a whole album. Listens: 1

I'd always considered Billy Joel to be a fairly MOR dull American pop rock guy. And, to be fair, he is. But he does it very well. There's a depth to the lyrics and a variety of song styles that really grabs you. Not everything is amazing, but definitely worth a listen. High 3.

Terminei de ouvir esse álbum as duas horas da manhã, mesmo assim ainda queria mais uma faixa para aproveitar mais um pouco dessa obra. Queria poder dar mais do que apenas cinco estrelas.

Intimate, yet grand. It’s one of those albums where every song earns its spot.

First two songs are absolute bangers. The rest is just Billy Joel.

Straightforward classic.

Good album! If there were half stars it would be 3 and a half.

One of my all time favorite albums.

Great 70s pop and ballads. Reminds me of Elton John a lot. I’ve heard the singles but never delved further, enjoyed this, looking forward to more Billy Joel

Whatever you might think of Billy Joel, this is a great album. I'm no expert on his career, but from what I can gather, he's had the occasional hit and some fairly cringeworthy pop songs in the 80s. But "The Stranger" is probably his strongest album. The performances with his choice of backup band is as skillful as it is fun. The songwriting is multi-layered and stays fresh from the first notes until the end. But it's the storytelling that really stands out here. The three part "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" is the standout track to me. For the last several decades, it wasn't particularly cool to call yourself a Billy Joel fan. But for this moment at least, he definitely proved that he could make some great music.

Going into this listen, I did not have the greatest impression of Billy Joel, mainly because of songs like Piano Man and Uptown Girl. But I liked the laid-back, piano-driven atmosphere of this diverse collection of nine.

Buen disco. Tiene un sonido muy familiar, es decir, hay canciones, melodias, partes de piano, que siento que pueden encajar con otros artistas que escucharia. Le encontre ciertas similitudes con la musica nacional, por eso lo del sonido familiar.

Already loved many songs on here. New appreciation for Just the Way You Are this time. Way better than Bruno lol

I’m not into anything that sounds like a secondary school musical production. Especially things that aren’t a secondary school musical production.

Over all, very good album. Great to listen when you are on a road trip.

Pretty good

so good. nothing but bangers

I can't argue Billy Joel. Such a good album that I've never listened through until now. One of those albums I'm recognizing more songs than I thought I would and I appreciate that.

This made me join the Billy Joel hype train Choo-Choo

Billy Joel's music is like Sesame Street music but instead of toddlers singing along it's intoxicated adults. Objectively it's probably a 5 but I honestly can't stand most of the songs on this album.

Of Billy Joel’s early records (his first…7?) this one produced several radio hits that were just not great songs. It’s inconsistent versus varied. Moving’ Out, Good Die Young, Scenes,… all good songs. Cheesy sax solos in Just the Way? Come on now.

A lot of radio hits on this. I know most of these from road trips with my dad.

This is close to what a perfect pop album might. Catchy, fun, and enjoyable to sing along to.

It's alright, I guess. Not really a fan of the vocals but otherwise fine.

Never in my history of listening to Billy Joel would've I understood that he'll prove one of the few singer/songwriter that I like listening to. Apart from the big ones nothing caught my ear too much, but it still was a pleasant experience.

From the opening seconds of “Movin’ Out” the whole album is amazing. The songwriting momentum slows down towards the back half, but even those songs are stellar compared to what most artists produce. I’m a bigger fan of piano being a complimentary instrument as opposed to leading a track, but Joel makes it work. IMO his best album.

Just amazing. Did not want to listen to it today, but it really turned my mood around. Listening to the full album made me have a deeper appreciation for Billy Joel.

One of the best story tellers in the history of music. The tie ins of melodies throughout the album get me every time. This is one I’ve heard many times before but I’ll never turn down the chance to listen again. Would rate higher if I could.

Great album, I’ve never listened to it in its entirety before. Need to listen to more Billy Joel

Поп как поп.

Holy shit, this is good!

Annoying theatrical NYC twoddle

Billy Joel is the Type of music that I never skip when it comes up in shuffle but would never choose to play

Although I am not into Singer/Songwriter stuff, this has been really enjoyable.

Litt irriterande, men ikkje fullt så ille som forventa

I understand why so many people adore Billy Joel, he has quite an emotional way of singing and his songs just feel pretty. Still not my preferred genre, but I can appreciate good music. 4/5

One of Billy’s best, with the track order feeling like the only true flaw.

What a fun and hit filled album. Never listened to Billy Joel, but then while doing research I realized I actually know, and love, a lot of his songs. The album is easy going, with nice, upbeat, melodies, strong and clear vocals, and good and not overly complicated production. What I found interesting is that all of the songs somehow have a positive note. Even when performing ballads, the album manages to sound fun and happy. The music is not complicated, and could even be characterized as simple, but in this case this is perfect, it creates a perfect mood for the vocals. It also goes into the direction of jazz from time to time, which works really well. There are no bad songs on here, the album is a coherent unit and it's not too long. Great album, I listened it for 3-4 times in a row, definitely goes on the favorites list.

One of my favorites