The Stranger

What a great album. Sooo many great tracks in one place.

Album kida, kupiti ovu plocu i pustati svaki dan <3

Good.

Not even a Billy Joel fan necessarily but I’m excited for this one. To have an album where a non-Billy Joel fan would know almost every song, impressive. It’s gonna be cool to listen to this on the good headphones. It always feels like you’re listening to things for the first time. “Movin’ Out” love it. “The Stranger” is one of the songs I haven’t heard before. Opening piano is great and then his falsetto in the chorus! “Just the Way You Are” I’ve heard before, but hearing his voice on this one so clearly is great. “Vienna” is actually one of my favorite songs of all time. It’s just. So. Good. Okay I’ve listened through and into the live concert that’s a part of the Legacy Edition, just finished “New York State of Mind.” Which omg. Incredible. I almost enjoy the live part more. It’s amazing HOW GOOD he is when he’s playing live. So, I’m now a Billy Joel fan. Haha. I still find he has a little bit of theatre kid energy. I knew he was great at playing piano, but what I’ve enjoyed most is his singing. Might be the best male vocalist I’ve listened to so far? Other than Rufus Wainright? I could also just be dumb and stoned…forgetting other male vocalists I’ve loved. The musicians featured and the arrangements are also very beautiful. Officially a Billy Joel fan over here fr.

Classic

Great album. Full of hits, and the ones that aren’t hits just miss.

****A good album, fun and upbeat music

I previously knew over 50% of this album. And to be completely fair, I wasn’t missing much by not knowing the other ones. But… Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song), Vienna, Just the Way You Are, Only the Good Die Young, and She’s Always a Woman KILL ME. They are so good. What a great album.

Really good record.

Obviously Movin Out or Only the Good Die Young are the tracks everyone knows...but for me its: The Stranger and Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. 7/10 - short album - Scenes is a 7 1/2 min ripper...Otherwise most songs clock in at 3 mins. Everybody Has a Dream is a nice ending to the album.

Really good stuff Billy

Going 40 years as a white male resident of Long Island I was in danger of having my citizenship revoked for having never listened to an entire Billy Joel album so this came up just in time. Been hearing these songs my entire life to the point that I hate some of them but the good ones are good.

Не знаю чому, але мені подобається цей альбом.

Really enjoyed this - must listen to more of his work

What an album! It's one of those rare recordings that you know every single track of without ever listening to the album itself.

Actually not bad. I always think of Billy Crystal when I hear is name.

Love Billy Joel. Lots of energy for a guy just banging on the keys.

Some people absolutely love Billy Joel, others completely despise him.. I don't have a dog in this fight. All I can say is that while yes, he hasn't always put out incredible music, this album strong from start to finish. It's chock full of superbly-written songs (many of his best) that put Joel's singing and piano abilities on full display. As a drummer, I also gotta give a shoutout to Liberty DeVitto for his fine performance across the album.

Moving on and the stranger were bops as well as many others. This is one of the first ones where I’m like yeah I’ll listen again!

I love Billy Joel. While this is a good album, it's not quite a 5.

I enjoyed this, definitely a classic.

I never have known what to think of Billy Joel, but it sounds like I should listen to him more often. Favorite Song: "Everybody Has A Dream".

I could be cool and talk about how lame Billy Joel is and all but I do like these tunes. Are they super dark and edgy man? No, but they are beautiful songs. So smoke that in your hipster pipe!

Like Bob Marley, I had a BJ greatest hits CD in high school. I’d say I was a BJ fan when I first started developing my musical tastes, but that dropped off as I got older. I don’t begrudge the many, many people who get enjoyment from his music, though. He’s brought joy to a lot of people, and that has value. One of those people is Shea. She loves Billy Joel. This was good. Billy Joel seemed to be able to craft a good pop song of no consequence or real substance. There’s just something about him that makes me think he’s trying so hard to make good music. I’m not sure why that’s a knock against him, but it is. This gets a four for how good he was at what he did, and how much people like him. BJ is alright in my book.

Banger

Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought. First three tracks were absolutely amazing, especially with the piano and saxophone additions. They compliment his voice really well. Some songs were a drop off, going on for longer than they needed to, like She's Always a Woman. Ended on a really high note though.

Great album with varied melodies throughout, including one of his most underrated classics (Scenes from an Italian Restaurant)

Billy Joel is for the masses

I really like Billy Joel, and this is a solid album. I don't think it is quite a 5/5 for me though, not every song hits. Fav tracks: Only The Good Die Young, Movin Out

very cool pop album

Really nice album, I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did

Billy Joel might be one of the easiest musicians to make fun of, but The Stranger proves there was a time when he deserved to be taken seriously. It’s packed with big, bold melodies, sharply written working-class vignettes, and that undeniable Joel knack for crafting a tune that sticks in your head whether you want it to or not. Songs like Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song) and Scenes from an Italian Restaurant show his ability to blend storytelling with pop hooks, while Only the Good Die Young bounces along with just the right amount of rebellious charm. Even the mega-hit Just the Way You Are—overplayed to death at weddings—still holds up as a well-crafted ballad, even if it’s not the album’s strongest moment. But for all its craftsmanship, The Stranger can’t quite shake a certain glossy, overly polished quality that makes it feel just a little too eager to please. Joel’s theatrical delivery sometimes pushes things into cheesier territory, and tracks like Everybody Has a Dream try to hit big, emotional heights but end up feeling forced. Still, the production is slick, the melodies are undeniable, and even when the album leans into its more saccharine tendencies, it’s hard to deny that it’s all executed with precision. The best moments, like the title track and Vienna, show a depth and sophistication that make you wish Joel leaned into his subtler side more often. For all the criticisms Joel gets, one thing’s for sure: he’s a better version of Elton John. He may not have the same flamboyance, but his songs are sharper, his lyrics more grounded, and his music less reliant on bombast for impact. The Stranger isn’t a perfect album, but it’s proof that, at his peak, Billy Joel was more than just a pop hit machine—he was a songwriter who could hold his own, even if he sometimes played it a little too safe.

This album is definitely a classic, but one I haven’t listened to much, especially in its entirety. I appreciated the intro and outro harkening back to his piano bar days. I’m not a huge fan that I appreciated the tone and style.

fun stuff

Solid album. Favorite song was probably 'Movin' Out', and then 'The Stranger' and 'She's Always A Woman' are tied.

After one of the all-time classic blistering openers of Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song) and the title track, this album unfortunately descends the mediocre route of piano rock, with such songs as Just the Way You Are and Vienna being the, still loved, but ultimately uglier and less desirable little brothers of the opening tracks. This probably helped its acclaim, in its ‘something for everyone’ approach. Lure the music elitists in with some stereo-shattering intricate piano-blasting ballads, and invite radio play from such singles as Vienna. I suppose I fit into the former group, especially with how I felt listening to this. Those opening tracks alone are worthy of a ‘great’ rating, or any equivalent high-up but not quite five-star rating.

Great album. Amazing song-writer of course as always. Probably enjoyed the title track the least out of all of them lol. But rest of album is great and I enjoyed all of them. Favorite is "She's Always a Woman" which I think musically is just incredibly written. Absolutely LOVE the way he does main chorus 2 downward parts starting with the "oooh...she takes care of herself..." and then the 2nd he jumps up and does it again. So much fun to play. I do not find this album crazy 'exciting' but I do enjoy it and he has some great songwriting on it. This album I don't feel like was a common style around the time it came out (but I could be wrong) with the piano at the head of everything. But pretty cool he did it. Lot of rock and crazy stuff in late 70's so how this found a way to make it and get him recognized is pretty cool. Good to say real talent get ahead over a lot of the pop stuff that's getting shoved out to everyone. Great song-writer, great early introduction to his talent. Enjoyed most the whole album and great representation of Billy.

This is one of those albums that could easily be mistaken for a greatest hits album. There's no filler here at all. And it perhaps isn't the most thematically cohesive, but who cares? Joel brings this sort of theatre to his songs that's hard for me not to like. As expected, they're largely piano-driven, but there's also more guitar here than I expected. Also, "Movin' Out" is straight fire. Fav tracks: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), The Stranger, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Vienna, Only the Good Die Young

Sort of naff but also v talented

my first billy joel record & i had a rly good time! cleverly paced, does not overstay its welcome, rich palette of sounds & textures, thoughtful lyricism... can't rly ask for much more than this. i might come back to it eventually!

great songs, didn't hit me incredibly hard. but very fun

Classic

This is again of these thing where I obviously heard of Billy Joel and know his big hits, but can’t say I ever purposely listened to his music. I was surprised by the cool, almost heavy metal sounding, guitar work. I knew Joel for his piano playing. The title track has really cool guitars apparently being played by a session musician. After hearing the whole thing, this is just a great pop record top to bottom. Every single song is a banger, great songwriting, Joel’s vocals are incredible, great arrangements and instrumentation, great emotional range. Just awesome. Only four stars because I’m not a big fan of this type of music and unlikely to listen to this again.

Billy präsentiert mit seinem Album "Stranges" eine ruhige, reflektierte Sammlung von Songs, die sowohl musikalisch als auch lyrisch überzeugt. Mit seinem charakteristischen Gesang und der beeindruckenden Klavierbegleitung schafft Joel eine Atmosphäre, die die Hörer in eine andere Welt entführt. Die klaren Melodien und eingängigen Refrains sind das Herzstück dieses Albums. Jeder Song erzählt eine Geschichte, die authentisch und emotional ist, ohne jemals übertrieben oder aufdringlich zu wirken. Insbesondere die Balladen sticht hervor; sie sind mit feinen Nuancen und einer tiefen Verletzlichkeit gesegnet, die den Hörer sicher auch zu erneutem Nachdenken anregt.

Reading the reviews I didn't realize Billy Joel was so controversial! I mean is he mainstream, yes but really there is nothing to be offended by in this music. He has a great ability to tell a story and the music surrounding it is pretty. It is borderline yacht rock sound but the stories are deeper and prettier. I will admit an ex really introduced me to Billy Joel so some songs are a little tainted in terms of personal experience, but Vienna is so pretty and Scenes from an Italian Restaurant tells such an interesting story. Then there are so many singles that are great. I don't know how this could be offensive.

I wouldn’t call myself a Billy Joel fan, but this album was shockingly good! Maybe it’s because it has all the hits- which is, in a way an indicator that it is a good album! I would give it a 4.5- rounding down.

An eye opening experience, mostly due to past ignorance of Billy Joel - my only association with his music was Piano Man, so, when I saw him come up, I was not excited, as I figured I am sitting down for a ballad. However, this album was suprisingly upbeat and rather enjoyable - a good listen overall. On top of that, Spotify radio later autoplayed some more songs that I knew, but had never realised they were Billy Joel songs, making me feel like I should check out some more of his albums in the future!

Classic

One of my favorite musicians, and my first concert! Billy Joel rocks. Great songwriter and musician. He has a good voice, too. This isn't my favorite of his albums, 52nd Street wins that. It does have one of my favorite songs, She's Always a Woman. Billy Joel's albums are all slightly different, changing with the times, yet timeless. He's really great live, too. Super performer. Favorite deep cut on this one, Get it Right the First Time. Again, not my favorite album of his, but I'll give this a 4 because of the hits and my favorite song from him.

Wow Billy is funky man. I enjoyed this album. Good song structure and musicianship. It took me back to the days of playing in a steel band as an early teen and attempting to read written music for bass guitar, before I abandoned reading it and opted to start playing by ear. We used to cover Just The Way You Are. Boy did Billy do his Paul McCartney homework though! His vocal tone is so much like Paul and you can hear the Beatles influence on guitar tones and background vocals. The Stranger and Get it Right the First Time are jamming!

Only the Good Die Young is grossssss.

Billy made some hits.

not bad

A little funky to start out. Just the Way You Are is an all time ballad. A lot of classic bangers on this album. Get it Right the First Time was a surprise that I don't believe I have heard before. Everybody has a dream was a climactic ending for sure, but not my favorite song. 4 Stars.

Not my cup of tea but deserving nonetheless

7.8 Some VERY good songs on here. Moving Out, Vienna, and Everybody Has A Dream, specifically. Some bad filler ones as well. But overall? Really enjoyed!

Fav: Get It Right The First Time Least Fav: Just The Way You Are

Solid album. Amazing the number of hits. The best of Billy Joel on one studio album. 4.5

Listened Before? Y One of my favorite Joel albums! Lots of hits and great album tracks. A classic. Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: Scenes...

Billy Joel is always entertaining. Many fun songs on this one, starts with a banger in Moving Out. Just The Way You Are has some good sax music. Only The Good Die Young is always a classic. Everybody Has A Dream is a nice ending to a great album. Best song: Only The Good Die Young

I really enjoyed the vocal performance on this album.

3.5

banger!

It’s fine

This is a very good album but not quite 5 stars for me. So 4 stars or B+ is my rating.

Some classic songs on here. Maybe a little too played out on the radio for my taste but good nonetheless.

This starts off so insipidly that I thought I was going to hate it But it won me over by Vienna and Scenes … and by the end I was fully on board

Super! Noget jeg vil høre igen få shå!

Liked this more than I realised at first thought - was disappointed when I finished and went to the top again. How something can sound so old and so fresh at the same time…stories aren’t a candle to Springsteen’s, but couldn’t hold that against anyone.

81% Best: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song); The Stranger; Scens from an Italian Restaurant; Get It Right the First Time Must-Hear? Almost

Thoughts before listening: I used to hate Billy Joel. Or at least I thought I did because he seemed so cheesy. However, the older I get the more I appreciate his brand of catchy pop rock with easily relatable lyrics. Maybe you have to be a middle class 40-something to truly appreciate what he offers. Anyway, I know this is typically considered his best album and looking at the tracklist, it definitely has a lot of bangers. Review: Ok this album is great, but probably not a 5-star. While "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" and "Vienna" are some of the best songs by Billy Joel, the true hits on this album like "Only the Good Die Young" and "She's Always a Woman" tend to tip over to the schmaltz a bit much. Still though this is a very nice listen that I will give 4-stars.

The exact reason I started this list: filling in blanks in my music knowledge. I know some billy Joel but never listened a full album. I'm really glad I discovered this one. Some more time with his album will probably bump it up to a 5 star rating.

Bops

A very very good album

I thought with so many hit songs, this would rate a 5. But each song has just a bit of cheese from overproduction.

Recently while taking inventory, I realized that I own more records by Billy Joel than any other artist. This is a great album, but still only ranks as my third or fourth favorite of his works.

3 seems too low. 4 seems too high. I'm going to round up cuz the title track and Movin Out are bangers.

Growing up a Hebrew child in NYC, one learns this album like one learns one’s Bar Mitzvah Torah portion. So I felt that I’d heard it enough, and, especially if I never heard “Just The Way You Are” or “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” ever again, it would be too soon. That being said, these really are beautiful, exciting, passionate songs, for the most part. The last two aren’t impressive. However, it was enjoyable to hear it all again, after so much time has gone by.

4 stars

Great album, solid production, excellent songwriting. Favourite tracks: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), The Stranger, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Vienna, She's Always a Woman, Everybody Has a Dream.

Only The Good Dye Young is a huge favourite!

Very solid album overall with some really great songs. Listened to Billy Joel a lot as a kid so some serious nostalgia here as well. Good one.

strange that there are 6 songs with 70m+ listens on spotify but i had only heard and really enjoyed the three lesser ones. Guess i'm just not Billy's target audience

Makes me want to listen to more of him.

I was definitely not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. It’s not my style, but there's clearly some great songwriting work on this one.

There are no bad Billy Joel songs (I don't just mean this album). I love this guy

Billy Joel is a fantastic story teller and singer. With plenty of catchy tunes and famous songs, I sang all to quite a few songs from this album. Excellent

awesome album, very close to a 5

Joel at his finest. Great album.

8/10. I've had a very good streak with great albums, and this album continues that streak!!! Billy Joel knows how to make great soft rock music. This is such a pleasant album!!! :)

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this album that much. One negative thing is it being too American. The other is lyrics. I mean they are good, but yesterday's album was a Leonard Cohen. So, you know...

Absolutely packed with bangers

Billy Joel’s two-disc Greatest Hits was one of the first CDs I ever really loved. All these years later, I still enjoy singing along to “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” when it comes on the radio. Billy Joel was never, and will never be, cool. That may be what I like best about him.

Great album

A lot of great hits that are cover magnets. 4.

I feel like I should dislike this album, but it's full of bangers. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5

Cool album.

Honestly never been a huge Billy Joel fan and never listened to any of his albums. This is the first. And now I’m a fan.

Bunch of classics

Wow it’s amazing how many of these I was already familiar with despite not knowing they were Joel or otherwise calling myself a Joel fan. Super influential discography. Is the title song a Camus-esque nihilistic exploration of self 👀 or maybe just a banger. Movin out and just the way you are certainly are.

Classic Billy Joel!

Enjoyable. The last 2 songs stink but otherwise, it's like going out to dinner with an old friend.

Geweldige muzikant, diverse nummers, maar toch niet helemaal voor mij.

Nice album, light 4 stars.

A few clunkers, but some good stuff here. Only the Good Die Young and Movin' Out are the highlights. 4 stars

4.5

Ik ben Billy Joel meer gaan waarderen de laatste tijd, maakt over het algemeen gewoon goeie muziek. Dat is ook op dit album weer te horen, ook al staat er volgens mij maar 1 echte hit op blijft het voor de rest ook erg goed.

We strictly play 80s Joel.

Couldn't decide if this was a 3 or a 4. Some songs are really great (only the good die young) but others were too long or two slow. 3.5 it is. 3.5/5

ha da album scho easy lang seeehr gern vorallem movin out und just the way you are. ich lieb movin out ich lieb movin out sooo en ohrewurm soo en guete song es stimmt alles so viel hooks fuuck. piano intro zu the stranger seehr geil und er cha huuere pfiife. song nocher huere fuunky, d bridge au sehr nice mega en bruch zum rest. wieder langsam whistle outro niice. just the way you are isch unglaublich ziitlos und sooo guet. stevie wonder level songwriting, insane. aaaah d bgvs die churze sax iiwürf. d brudge wo d drums mit ihm mitgönd aaaah. sind d gitarre lüüter worde im lauf vom song? aah und d modulation uf de schluss. BOTTLE OF REED. jo scenes from an italian restaurant isch seehr cool au wenn unglaublich cheesy. text suuuper. lost touch long agoo. klarinette iwürf sund soo geil. meh klarinette. "OOH" es sind afoch 3 songs i eim finds suuper aber er het ebe sooo viel hooks uf lager. vienna isch sooo guet. meega cheesy wieder aber soo schön. zitlos. obly the good die young mega happy clappy. finds cool aber fallt bitz ab noch vienna. find alli 3 songs am schluss würkli würkli guet aber s het halt scho abgnoh mit de banger über alles gseh. möcht irgendwie weder es vieri no es füfi geh. 4.5. entscheid am mentig.

ANTHONY'S (THE GOAT) SONG?? guete ahfang, mega cute und upbeat hahaha für das dass stranger de title track isch, ischer sehr ah mier verbi just the way you are sehr herzig, au wenn echlii seicht scenes from an italian restaurant sehr en cool pace wechsel jaaap wunderschöns lied!! ahja vienna kenntmer chli hä es isch sehr es schöns lied aber us irgeme grund stört mich de teil bi "when will you realiiiize" weiss au nöd wiso aber megaa schöns lied only the good die young isch au wieder chli seicht iwie? aber nöd schlecht shes alway a woman langwilig sorry LALALALALALAAAAANGWILIG nei aber ich han lalalalala's eifach nöd so gern everybody has a dream cute hahaha jz ischsmer wieder chli zu dramatisch ok ja ich chegg es isch de closer aber ahh mitem hindergrundgsang es ischmer chli too much de schluss vom lied isch jz aber na cool mitem klavier undem pfiffe ohhhjaa sehr schön hee stabils album, mengisch echli zu dramatisch für min gschmack aber nichtsdestotrotz 1 4

There’s no real low points, but there are some points which are a bit too cheesy (and a bit too ‘Billy Joel’), such as “Everybody Has A Dream”. That being said, solid album.

Hmm never really listened to this before but really not bad

Full of bangers, 4 stars

I don't know how to word it, but I like this album. Joel's vocals and piano playing, and the backing bands playing on each track, come together really well to bring a rocking album to life. "Vienna" is a lovely classic, with my personal favorites being "Moving Out" and "Only the Good Die Young," and each track draws you in to vibe along with. I'd give the album a 8/10.

Pop/Rock, 1977 -> 4

Solid Album from Billy Joel, a very enjoyable listen.

Lots of bangers Italian restaurant bibes

"The Stranger" is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter and pianist Billy Joel. It was produced by Phil Ramone who would go on to produce his next four albums. The decision to hire Ramone over George Martin was that Joel wanted to use his touring band to record and not session musicians which Martin wanted. Good decision. His touring band included Larry DeVito (drums), Doug Stegmeyer (bass) and Rich Cannata (multi-instrumentalist including organ and sax). The recording also included 12 other musicians and singers. The album was Joel's critical and commercial breakthrough with general positive reviews and hit #2 in the US and #24 in the UK. "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" opens this hit-filled album with an anxious piano and guitar. Joel's stutter at the end of sentences and the backing vocals are memorable. Anthony is trying make it past his grocery store stint. Joel's whistling and piano playing highlight "The Stranger." A lonely vibe. Very 70's sounding when the band kicks in. Joel said there really was no song meaning although he said a man with schizophrenia fits best. Joel actually thought "Just the Way You Are" was too moopy a ballad. For better or worse, his producer and band thought differently. Nice sax and it's about his then-wife Elizabeth Walker. "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" is Joel's favorite song that he wrote. It's a three part-epic about meeting a guy in an Italian restaurant, descrbing his own life and flashbacks to a hip neighborhood couple. I'd imagine it has been a concert staple. That familiar piano intro begins "Only the Good Die Young." The catchy hand clapping. The Catholic Church did not like it as the boy is trying to get the abstinent Catholic girl. I kind of like this song at the time and I went to CCD. Joel goes really soft with another song, a ballad, to his then wife in "She's Always a Woman." A nice clarinet/flute touch. I'm not the biggest Billy Joel fan but I don't hate him either. This album definitely brings back 70's memories as half these songs remained on the rock-pop radio airwaves for quite awhile. The storytelling, sweeping piano and the band in general stand out. This has to be his best album. I know everyone knows where they stand on Billy Joel but this sounded perfectly fine for me today. But tomorrow???

Very solid and enjoyable.

I have always enjoyed the diversity of the Billy Joel songs I've heard and my first experience with one of his albums didn't disappoint! Favourite track: Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.

Loved Vienna

me sorprendio!!! que temazo vienna!!!!! fua loco!!!!!!! banqué bastante, algunos temas medio noni pero otros 👏 on point. mi top 3 son vienna (obvio. re yo) only the good etc y get it right etc etc. hes a girls boy no tengo pruebas y espero q asi sea. 4/5 ☆

Classic Billy Joel

4/5

It’s like a broadway musical. Really a 7

I like his voice. Nice songs and happy tunes.

Classics. He masters the pause and gives space for his music to breathe, creating the perfect amount of emphasis on several songs. I was surprisingly impressed with the album.

This is a tough one. I think I can say I have never listened to more music by an artist of which I don't really like much less owned an album. So many songs are just in the ether for as long as I can remember consciously hearing music. I am trying to open my heart to any and all artists - especially ones on this realm (my realm - not the general public). I can say this - Joel is at his best when he stays within himself and try to say too much about about the world and focuses on the whims of the heart. This album does the latter - and quite well. It's like a greatest hits album. Sturdy songs. Quality arrangements. I heard most of them but hearing them together I have to tip my hat - not that he needs my support.

Been meaning to listen to more Billy Joel, and what a great album to kick that off! Good songs, 4.5

Cheesy as hell, but I'm enjoying it.

4.5 stars. Quite the breakthrough album with a ton of hits. Simple and basic yet captures the listener without using cheap hooks. Joel's singing is just so easy on the ears. Standouts are a lot of the big hits "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)", "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant", "Vienna", and "Only the Good Die Young".

I only knew two songs by Billy Joel, but the album is great. The style and the voice remind me a lot of Elton John. Casual laid-back songs mix with sophisticated compositions and powerful ballads.

das ist doch mal wieder was vernünftiges

Not quite 5 but 4.5. Really good.

Billy going hard in the paint here.

3.8 - I thought I was meant to dislike this more than I did. It was really not that bad. Some people get pretty aggy around billy joel but this is the first time I've heard more than a couple of his songs and it really good solid song writing. I do think there is a similarity with Elton John, but just not as good

I guess I'm casually familiar with a lot of Billy's work, without ever really actively listening to any of it (except We Didn't Start The Fire). This album feels very familiar, and it has a very strong consistent mood to it. I think its a very cohesive project, reminds me at times of Steely Dan and Bruce Springsteen. Songs like She's Always a Woman and Just The Way You Are are really beautiful in the context of the album, even though they're not the sort of thing I would normally expect myself to go back to. Fave Tracks: The Stranger, Just The Way You Are, Get It Right the First Time 4.2/5

Some absolute bangers and some really good chill tunes. A brilliant singer songwriter.

I like Billy Joel. He's got a nice voice, and his songs are easily digestible for a casual listener. 4 stars

# 312 ; This was Great. My first Billy Joel Album off this list (assuming there are other ones!) I really like this. Many classics and all the tracks work together to tell a story. Favourite Tune : Moving Out (Anthony's Song)

first time listening to Billy Joel. His influence of the Beatles-esque music is clear first song, and I for one am a fan of his now. This album is very catchy, with ominous lyrics that can confuse others who aren't that quick.

- Hab ein Softspot für Billy Joel, den ich erst so richtig vor ein paar Jahren entdeckt habe - Toller Komponist und übelst sympathischer Dude - Kannte jetzt nur wenige Songs von der Platte, wie aber mit allem, was Billy Joel produziert, ließ es sich für mich wunderbar "weghören" und wurde nicht langweilig - Ist jetzt aber auch nicht so, dass da große Momente bei mir hängen geblieben sind 3,75/5

Dang. I grudgingly admit this is good album with a bunch of good songs. He is a talented singer songwriter. I'd like to hear an edgier, or funkier cover of some of these songs. That could be fun. Now I just hope Spotify doesn't get confused because I listened to this and it's recommendation algorithm barfs up We Didn't Start the Fire or Uptown Girl.

Not quite my style but was surprised with some songs like: - The Stranger - Just the way you are - Scenes from an italian restaurant - She's always a woman

Cool wat to start this journey

8/10

4.3/5 listened 3x classic songs

A fun listen

É tão bom ouvir um álbum coeso, com uma temática. Alguns arranjos tive a impressão que foram sampleados recentemente.

So fucking good ugh. One of the greatest songwriters of all time. 4.6/5

If you asked me on the street if I liked Billy Joel, I'd probably have a pretty non-committal answer. I don't listen to him often, but I did know 90% of the songs on this album. What can I say? It's just fun.

This album is nostalgic to me because I used to listen to it when I was a kid a lottttt, it was one of my go-tos once my parents taught me how to use their record player. It holds up pretty well and I still really enjoyed it! I feel like a lot of his songs come really close to being great and then have one element that isn’t as good which prevents it from being truly great, but I still had fun. I definitely like the songs on the first half a bit better than the last few, although I am a sucker for the end of the album reprising the beginning so that was a redeeming quality of the last track for me. Favorite tracks: Movin' Out, The Stranger, Vienna

This is a very nice Billy Joel album. I like a couple of his songs but this was a nice listen, even though it was released 47 years ago. I like that it was a short album, so it was a quick listen, although I wouldn't mind a few more songs on there, as we have had 3-hour albums that have been worse than this.

Much better than I remember

Love it. Favorite song: Vienna.

Definitely a hit-heavy album. I do like a lot of these songs individually. I personally still prefer them as singles, and didn't really think that the album format really enhanced the body of work. Like, I was pretty tired of Billy Joel by song 3. That said, it seems criminal to give it less than a four.

This, along with 52nd Street, was the first contemporary rock album I bought for myself as a pre-teen. Great nostalgia and much of it still holds up in 2024 for me.

My aunt is a militant Billy Joel fanatic and will broker no criticism of the man she deems to be the second coming of Christ, so I’ve always hated Billy Joel and all his extra sharp cheddar cheese. But damn, I have to admit this is a pretty good album. It’s schmaltzy in that Billy Joel way, but it’s not 80s cheesy.

Peak Billy Joel before he plagued the world with We Didn't Start the Fire.

This was a lot better than I thought. Such a great storyteller and I recognized most of these though I tend to skip past Billy Joel on the radio thinking it's not for me. I listened to this whole album and have a much better appreciation for him afterward. definitely a 4 I think for me

Having grown tired of hearing Billy Joel on classic rock radio for years and years, I was kind of dreading this one. This is the first time I've ever listened to an entire Billy Joel album start to finish. Damn if this isn't an excellent album. Starts strong with "Movin' Out" and remains strong throughout. The weakest track is the closer, "Everybody Has a Dream." My favorite track was one I'd never heard before: "Get It Right the First Time." 4.25 stars.

So. Many. Bangers.

Love the piano, man.

It sounds so... normal. But somehow I like it.

She’s Always a Woman, Everybody Has a Dream are too slow

Great singer songwriter album. Some odd musical instrument choices for some of the solos but it was the 70s I guess.

listened to this right after paul simon's self titled. it's a good night of east coast white boy energy

BJ doesn't miss on this one. Makes me yearn for a bottle of red on the patio of a bustling NY restaurant or a line of coke in the bathroom.

Music for horny middle aged, middle class people. I don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way. This reminds me, weirdly, of John Updike? It’s especially apparent in the earnestness, if not in it’s writing style. Updike is one of the great American prose stylists, and my big problem with this album and Billy Joel in general is that I’m not a great fan of his writing style. There’s too much of an emphasis on clever word play and wise-sounding platitudes written in the first person. When you compare his writing to the other great American songwriters of the age, your Paul Simons, your Springsteens, your Lou Reeds, then the difference is apparent. That being said, I like the music enough that I can ignore my issues with the lyrics, which makes for an overall positive listening experience

Years ago I never would have admitted to liking this album, but my daughter loves Billy Joel, so now I love some Billy Joel. The entire album is good, but first 6 tracks are great.

Some classic songs.

was gonna rate this lower but then i got kicked in the teeth by vienna

Balanced, but not my genre.

great album. better than expected.

Never liked Vienna in my youth, now I relate to it more than Movin' Out. Great Album.

I enjoyed but none of the songs hit as good as Vienna

Enjoyed listening to this one

Muy buenas canciones. De lo mejor de Billy

4/5

A masterpiece. The opening track is so crunchy. The lyrics on the album are valid and from the heart, joel isn’t trying to say something he doesn’t believe. These are all his legitimate stories. A classy, catchy album with vividly memorable lyrics.

Det startede godt ud, så blev jeg sq lidt sur på den da midter stykket levede op til de foregående. Også sluttede det helt festligt af.

Great Album! Classic songs!

The only reason this isn't getting the full 5 is because my parents conditioned me to dislike Billy Joel (but this was wonderful)

-Okay so I actually ended up liking this a lot more than I thought I would. Very catchy and soulful, and there’s something about his voice I really like -It honestly had no bad songs too so it was hard to choose standouts -Favorites are Movin’ Out, The Stranger, and Vienna

classico, já conhecia algumas musicas de filmes e series... foi bem bom de ouvir

Very well developed album. A solid contribution to the genre and worth listening to. Not sure I'd throw it on at any time, but wouldn't balk if someone else did. I have to be honest, knowing that this album almost faded into obscurity had it not been for the efforts of two radio DJs makes me value it even more.

“Brender’s” favorite album. Big album for a big talent. Another album for it’s time.

My family got sick of me listening to this album on repeat

Fun! 4/5

im normally not the right demographic for this, but i thought it was pretty good. the entirety of side a was nice; the run from side a to vienna in side b was all hits. although i thought just the way you are was a little cheesy for my liking, the instrumental was nice. speaking of side b, it was definitely underwhelming compared to side a. she’s always a woman, and of course vienna, was great, but i was pretty indifferent to the rest. overall, i enjoyed the listen, and would relisten to most of the tracks here. 4 personal favs: the stranger, scenes from an italian restaurant

fucking fantastic 4.5/5

the whistling in this makes me wanna watch kill bill for some reason??? i can't rate billy joel low my mom would be so mad at me but ykw it wasn't bad i could listen to this again

everything about this was lovely and soothing for the soul. i support this white man.

A classic romantic album

Greatest Hits!

serve essere simp nella vita

Bellissimo, sembra quasi di vivere una notte nell’Upper East Side: il rumore della grande metropoli è un sottofondo che non si spegne mai, ma attraverso la finestra puoi intravedere qualche stella e sognare.

I'd say 4.5 if I could. Long time fan of Billy Joel and this one has some of the classic hits. Only losing slight marks cause he has other versions of some of the songs that I prefer

Y'know, I've never been much one to joke on Billy Joel, and this album here is pretty much why. Now, sure, before the first time I listened to this album in, I'unno, 2021, I just generally didn't have much of a reason to. But giving this thing two relistens in 2024—oof, boy. This is some amazing piano-led singer-songwriter 70's pop rock. And there's all those qualifies, yeah, but still—it's real good stuff. Maybe a little cheesy in some parts, but like I'm not at least some-percent cheese at this point in my life. I do with cheese; I enjoy cheese... This is good. Just look at "Scenes From An Italian Resturaunt". It's an epic for sure, and a fan favorite for a reason. And if I'm not giving it a 4, it's only just because it hasn't quite yet reached the "entered my soul" phase yet. I can't say I don't see this album doing it, but as it stands, it's just a really great listen. So, y'know, ultimately, no. I might not have provided a lot of explanation, but in general, that's why I won't joke on Billy Joel. Even with some of the stuff he made after this. Or some of the stuff he made **before**. You ever hear Atilla? Goodness me. Joke on that stuff all day.

A great album from one of the best singer-songwriters. Plus, the fact that the title track and Just the Way You Are both sampled on Daft Punk's Phœnix does give it bonus points in my eyes.

Billy Joel was one of my first favs. Such range as an artist who just make excellent pop songs. 4.5/5

Great album, great artist. Hit after hit.

Just great songwriting and performances all around on this thing. Especially the longer tracks on here, keeps it fresh and interesting and doesn't lose any steam. Surprised i've never bothered to check this out. Maybe the tag of 'piano rock' made it sound slow, but it isn't.

What a lovely and beautifully-composed record. The songwriting is passionate, inspiring and relatable. Billy touches on many familiar topics, but in a way that just makes me feel good. His voice is so easy on the ears, paired with instrumentation that is sultry and smooth. Great one.

I've never given Billy Joel much consideration beyond just what you get through cultural osmosis, but I actually really enjoyed this! It's catchy throughout with clean and upbeat production.

Lost 2 points on the last two songs

Used to play “Movin’ Out” while driving around by myself feeling like a REAL adult at 17 (I wouldn’t move out for 4 more years)

Thought it was Greatest Hits of Billy Joel for a second

Knew like all the songs and I hadn’t even listened to the album

High points were the first songs

Not a huge fan of Billy Joel, but this album has a lot of good songs on it IMO.

I am not a huge fan of Billy Joel, especially his later work, but I have to give him props in this album. When I read the track listing I forgot how many hits were on this record. This one and 52nd street are the pinnacle of his career IMO. I remember these vinyl LP’s around the house and hearing them in the background and much on radio. Soft / mom rock, but he made it work to make a significant splash at the time.

I always thought Billy Joel’s music was safe and comfortable for people who don’t like to color outside the lines. Me included on some days depending on mood. But hits are hits and no matter how soft and somewhat cheesy his songs can be, there is a timeless aspect to his tunes that definitely remains. Even if we refuse to admit that we actually do know the lyrics and can sing along. Five out of nine songs that saw heavy rotation gives this a high number.

I've always found Billy Joel's music to be corny as hell... not that it's bad, just has a corny sound to it. But hey, I'm not ashamed to admit sometimes corny is good and this album is a prime example. Also, everything sounds better after a Mavs win! 3.75/5

7/10 zomg...so fucking 70's. I...I...*sigh* I really like Billy Joel. 5-23-2024

This is a great album. Plenty of hit singles, and is easy to listen to. It does miss on a couple songs, but nothing you need to skip. 4.5/5

Love Billy Joel. Still hate songs over 6 minutes. 4/5

This album to me is the prime example of Billy Joel's wide range of musicianship that helps his songs stand the test of time. There are consistent piano-centric motifs throughout, but stylistically this record had the best of both worlds. With sentimental pop classics like "Just The Way You Are" and "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" to more traditional rock songs like "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" (my personal favorite Billy Joel song ever) and "The Stranger", this album showcases excellence in multiple areas. With "Only The Good Die Young" having those sounds plus more with the killer saxophone solo, this record scratches just about every musical itch one could have, and to me encapsulates the perfect retrospective of Joel's catalog. 8.5/10

Det här var bra. På tiden. Många bra låtar. Hög kvalitet genom hela. Stött på referenser till scenes from an Italian restaurant många gånger i tv-serier/film. Men aldrig hört låten, den var bra! Only the good die young är samplade i en hiphop-låt, E-dubble Palm trees. Oavsett, bra musik!

Det här visade sig ju vara en riktigt bra skiva rakt igenom. Hade hört 2-3 låtar sedan tidigare och övriga levererade på precis samma nivå. Kul!

This album is so good. Somewhere between a 4 and a 5. I think it's a better collection of songs than it is an album, but I love it.

Great album.

Some of Billy’s best bangers on here! Lovely stuff! 4.0

Great, last too songs just too sleey

5/10/24. First time really giving Billy Joel a chance and I'm glad the album generator finally forced me to! This is very good from the songwriting, musicianship, and Billy's vocals. I'll need to listen to more of his work.

I don't like to admit it but I do love a lot of this album. It seems very post-punk but pre-punk, maybe moreso in it's influences in the new wave movement, when I hear Movin' Out it sounds like a lofi version of a Buggles Song. The Stranger's chorus also sounds almost Stan Ridgway. No wonder Daft Punk and everyone else had a field day with the sampling this album.

Arguably Billy Joel's best album. "The Stranger" really strikes alot of chords with me. The thematic elements, the inclusion of some of his finest songs from "Anthony's Song (moving out)" to "Vienna", the fact that the rollicking story of a song that is "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" was his attempt to emulate the beatles, there's a lot here I like.

Some great tunes and piano playing!! Lots of cheese whiz and story telling brings vibrant nyc imagery but also keeps this album at a 4 instead of a 5 🧀

I have spent quite some time avoiding Billy Joel, mostly cause I remember him to be a sappy mom-pop star, but this is actually some lovely soulful singer-songwriter music with genuinely soft and catchy tunes all over.

Phenomenal

Classic album, Vienna and She’s always a woman are highlights.

I crushed on this album pretty hard in college. It's not really the type of thing that I'm into these days. But I do think it holds up as a solid piece of pop songwriting craft. IMO, Vienna is still the best Billy Joel deep cut.

A classic to be played more around the house! Glad to have it reintroduced.

Good album, I like It.

Great songs on this

I like this album it's before he got pretentious

Heard all the hits before, but first time listening to the full album. 2x.

It's crazy how many iconic songs are on this album. I guess they had to sprinkle in a few lengthy meandering songs to even it out.

We can hate on Joel all we want. But this album is undeniable.

It is so easy to instantly rate this a 4/5. Billy Joel is an absolute legend and his albums are masterpieces. A truly impressive musician and performer.

This was quite good, hadn't heard the title track before but I really liked it

4.75... I wish we weren't limited to integers here, lol

My first reaction was to rate this a 5, but that comes from a place of bias. I am a fan of his music and find myself drifting back to his singles, often. I've come to appreciate his albums for the musical creativity and well executed connection between songs. This might be top of the tier for a Joel album in that regard, but I'm not hitting a 5 on this one. I would, but I've found the lyrics don't live up to the same standards that Joel's music creates. There are so many great singles on this a wonderful vibe, but there are moments that the lyrical storytelling falls short of the instrumental performance. If I could give a 4.5/5 I would.

Albums like this one are why I’m living this project so much. Billy Joel was a guy that I never listened to even though I knew I should but never took the time to do it. This has given me the opportunity to listen to albums like this. Billy Joel is great. His style of rock makes me feel sophisticated. I recognized a few of these songs, of course. Great stuff.

Pop perfection

Heard of Billy Joel but never listened. Rock from 1977. Quite enjoy the vocals and vibe right away. Was a pretty good album, maybe a low 4.

yeah that's some tristate shit right there

Great album with many varied song styles. Italian restaurant is a classic and the title track is a hidden gem. The album tails off a bit with the last couple of songs but overall, one of Joel’s best works.

Lots of classics. Favourites: the stranger, scenes from an italian resturant, vienna, only the good die young, she's always a woman. Not really related but Billy Joel reminds me of an episode of brooklyn 99 where some weird racist old white guy who lived in his mom's house was really into billy joel. 4/5

It's just so smooth. Joel's lyrics are always great. The production is outstanding, and the musical ability is more than enough to carry the tracks. Everything is catchy, and I found myself just enjoying the album from start to finish.

Another one of those classic albums I only listen to when listening to classic album lists. It’s not bad, was probably more impressive in ‘77 I really love the stranger melody, having it on the outro was a nice touch. Also great last name Billy

Billy Joel owns the 70’s

Bien variado en términos musicales. Buenas letras

Liked it more than I thought.

Definitely has some songs that are much better then others, but those songs are so good that the album is still a really pleasant experience.

Nice more like a greatest hits album these days

a 3.75

Some beautiful classics

I liked this one already and scenes from an Italian restaurant is a great song I didn’t know before

fuck whatever youre thinking about

The Stranger is Billy Joel's break-through album. His first four albums were successful - especially the second - but this album made Joel a star. His "Piano Man" role is supported by the band that his touring band. This includes some of his biggest hits, like "She's always a Woman," "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," and "Moving Out." This may be the strongest album of Joel's catalog, establishing him as one of the most recognizable singer/songwriters in popular music.

Not bad. Couple of hits.

This album will always have a special place in my heart.

First actual listen to Billy Joel and I get the hype now. Hoping (and fully expecting) there to be more on the list, but I'm hoping to revisit this one soon.

Very nice. I'd say my favourite is Just The Way You Are for the beautiful piano and later the sax coming in.

Great album! Had never listened to it although familiar with several classics. Standouts I think are: Moving Out, Just the Way you are, She’s Always a Woman. And surprising like is Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.

Classic

Have I heard this album before? No Highlights: Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song), Just the Way You Are, Vienna, She’s Always a Woman Rating: 8/10 Billy has a knack for writing great melodies, coupled with his excellent piano playing. Some truly incredible ballads on here such as ‘Just the Way You Are’ and ‘She’s Always a Woman’ that steal the show, with some of the rockier tracks a little less memorable in comparison.

This album is proof that Billy Joel is one of the greatest songwriters to come of the 1970s. Unfortunately the last 2 tracks on this album feel like duds compared to everything else.

8/10

Billy Joel is the 22nd best selling artist of all time (7th highest-certified all time based on certifications of albums and digital singles). “The Stranger” is his only album on the 1001. I’ve never considered myself a Billy Joel fan. I know the hits. But I feel like the Piano Man deserves more. (More accolades, not more album sales. That’s wild enough as it is.) Maybe it’s an issue with the overall strength of his albums. “The Stranger” is great start to finish. The tracks are not all hits, but the ones between the hits keep up the vibe and quality of the album. Of the four hits on “The Stranger,” “Movin’ Out” and “Only the Good Die Young” are all-timers. And while they are cheesy, “Just the Way You Are” and “She’s Always a Woman” are fantastic as well. I briefly checked out “The Piano Man” and “An Innocent Man,” and they don’t seem quite as consistent. Those hits I know are from the radio. So never together, never in succession. Going through and listening to them all now elevates every single one of them. I feel like I like each of them better when placed more properly in the context of his other work.

Very enjoyable listen

Muito bom.

An iconic album, kind of a staple in all senses of music. She’s always a Woman will always have a special place in my heart. 4.2

Lots of hits, a good listen

Mostly really good songs on here. I didn’t love everybody has a dream. Otherwise I at least liked and very much enjoyed many of the songs. Italian Restaurant is one of my favorites from Billy Joel.

Pretty deeply ingrained, and seems to hold up. Even the back of the album still pays well.

Best wel een prettig album zeg! De nummers vloeien in elkaar over en luisteren heel prettig weg. De muziek is ook afwisselend met trompetten en saxofoons op het album, Billy's stem is ook aangenaam om te luisteren. Ik ben best wel tevreden met dit album zo! Ken Billy Joel eigenlijk alleen van Piano Man en zn andere hits, maar ik vind dit echt beter dan ik vooraf had gedacht! Billerd, je krijgt gewoon een dikke voldoende, zelfs een goed van me. FAVO:Just the way you are, Only the good die young, She's always a woman

not bad

Very good album. Not really a bad song on here.

Fine music, a few absolute classics, just missing full marks at the end.

Movin’ out (Anthony’s song) Bra Just the way you are Klassiker Scenes from an italian restaurant Bra She’s always a woman Mycket bra

Hasn't aged well and he definitely copied from the Beatles on at least one of the tracks, but some classic pop songs on this. All round a staple of 80s pop.

A trip down memory lane. The lyrics are clever and the music is crafty. Each song stands on its own, and the album spins an overall story that works from start to finish. Fun to listen in its entirety after so many years. Those sweet, romantic teenage nights: album was great back then and still is. (3.75*s)

This album is great through and through, he has such a talent for painting stories for the working class. It's very New York (before the internet), it's like memorabilia from a more innocent time (all the feels). How is "Vienna" not a bigger song? I love everything here. In fact, if you don't like this, you're not American.

Was not a fan of Joel for a while but after hearing this album all the way through, I came around. I now prefer Joel over Elton. I like that Joel is not always on the piano here and almost all the songs can stand the tests of time.

Great album, a couple really good songs

Love Billy Joel.

super catchy and very beautiful melodies - unique and yet approachable chord structures and musical design

Had this on an 8 track tape in 1977, nuff said

7/10

- Billy Joel might be the goat - Great sing along jams - The man can tell a story - 4.5

really liking this one, very well produced and arranged. the vocals seem to be very well thought for each song style. that main theme on the beginning of the album with the piano and whistle is my favorite part of this, such a misterious and different sound. love the way the album ends like this too.

class

Higher than I anticipated

Will need to give it a proper listen, but the mix is superb, the songs are unoffensive with a couple of classics thrown in

Very good album from the piano man

Great. Feeling 4 right now, maybe later could be a 5

Great album but slightly overrated high 7