Billy Joel re-starts the fire

dan Fri, Mar 28, 2008 at 02:59 PM EST

Quote: "It's a rule with Billy, every wife gets a song. Uptown Girl was for Christie Brinklie and Just the Way You Are was for wife #1."

Close, but no cigar -- Just the Way You Are was written about a fling of his, not his first wife. He's said he doesn't like performing because the love he said would last "forever" in the song lasted "about two weeks."

HOWEVER, he did write a song about his first wife, and that is "You're My Home" off of his first album. That was his anniversary gift to her because he couldn't afford anything else.

And, not only is Uptown Girl about Brinkley, but pretty much that entire album, An Innocent Man. There's even a song on it called "Christie Lee."

john pellegrino Wed, Mar 14, 2007 at 11:27 PM EST

This song is anything but sleepy. It has a lot of bite to it. If you were expecting another "Uptown Girl" or "It's Still Rock and Roll To Me" then you are pretty shallow. While these and most of his others are great songs, once again Mr Joel has given us something different once again. Ok, it does have that Sinatra sound but while I love Linda Ronstadt Carly Simon, Natalie Cole & Rod Stewart covering the standards, Billy gives us an original. No cover here. The guy is a genious. His songs will be played on the radio for years to come. The timing of this release is a bit too coincidental. I recently met the girl I'm going to marry and Billy Joel, my favorite artist, writes his first pop song in 14 years and it describes my life to a "T". I'm sure many other men feel the same way. Billy Joel is simply one of the last of the great singer/songwriters. Elton John, another great, never wrote a song in his life. He writes the music and Bernie Taupin writes the lyrics. Billy does both.

NYC Girl Sat, Feb 3, 2007 at 03:41 PM EST

I will always have fondness for him, but this song is just...sleepy.

Cato Chris Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 05:28 PM EST

Billy is still fantastic in concert, I look forward to the new song. And yes, I'm from Long Island, Hungington to be exact.

Kevin Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 03:48 PM EST

I second the comment. BJ's from Nassau, idiot.

Joe C Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 09:43 AM EST

Dude, Ilike Billy Joel, but if you think this song has a chance on top 40 radio, you are dreaming. He'll have to go the Rod Stewart route....

Maria Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 09:34 AM EST

Ditto on Melanie's comment! I'm a jerzey girl who grew up loving Billy Joel, and look forward to some new tunes!!!

khrystyne Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 08:15 AM EST

The very first "grown-up" album (I am dating myself with that term) I ever bought with my own money was Billy's "52nd Street." I was 10.

I like his stuff from the 70s, and can tolerate his stuff from the 80s. Who knows - this could actually be a gfood thing!

donna Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 11:16 PM EST

I saw BJ in concert in the late 70's.
It was my first big time concert. He
was terrific. It be great to hear something good from him again.

Allison Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 10:48 PM EST

Great news. Looking forward to the new song and maybe seeing him on tour. I've seen him several times and he puts on a great show.

Melanie Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 09:30 PM EST

This is honestly the best news I have heard all week. I LOVE Billy Joel and cannot wait to hear the new single.

s Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 07:51 PM EST

NASSAU COUNTY, LONG ISLAND... but good try

Rosalinda Two Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 07:06 PM EST

It's a rule?

mike Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 07:02 PM EST

It's a rule with Billy, every wife gets a song. Uptown Girl was for Christie Brinklie and Just the Way You Are was for wife #1.

Rosalinda Two Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 07:01 PM EST

Billy has been quoted ss saying he thinks it sounds like Tony Bennett-
I think it's more like Frank Sinatra's "My Way"

He wrote "Just The Way You Are" for EX wife #1 --Elizabeth
Weber
He wrote "Uptown Girl"
for EX wife #2 Christie Brinkley

Is "All My Life" an ode to Trophy Wifey # 3 ???

Laurie Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 06:54 PM EST

My officemate read this and told me he is also ready for a "big BJ comeback." OMG, I work with 7 yr olds. Josh don't help them out, please.

Jamwise Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 06:09 PM EST

It's about time! I'm ready!

Celeste Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 05:50 PM EST

Personally, I'm excited to hear it. I'm about to see him live for the first time in February and I can't wait.

EP Sato Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 05:12 PM EST

I'll always remember Homer Simpson's song of protest...Uptown Girl!

Billy Joel was a lot of fun in the 1980's, but he's been gone for some time. It'll be good to see if he can make a comeback, the way Duran Duran did a few years ago after what seemed their semi retirement.

Julie Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 05:10 PM EST

yawn

ABW Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 05:10 PM EST

There are two sides to Billy Joel. When he acts as a storyteller, his songs are often remarkably transcendent. But when he tries to be a pop tunesmith, he is consistently a lousy hack.

almost40 Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 05:01 PM EST

I really like BJ but mostly just his stuff from the 70s. A few songs from the early 80s. I just hope he sings the National Anthem the way it should be and not make up his own tune like some others do.

paige Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 04:49 PM EST

i can feel the hate. i, for one, am looking forward to this, even though his last couple of albums were blah (at best)... and im not from Long Island.