Billy Joel respects Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, but is done making albums himself

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As a long-time admirer of Billy Joel, I must say his unique perspective on the music industry and his creative process never fails to intrigue me. Despite being one of the greatest musicians of our time, he seems to have a complex relationship with the very art form that has brought him such immense success.

Contrary to popular belief suggesting that albums are on their last legs, they persist in thriving against all odds, proving skeptics wrong who foretold their downfall due to Napster, iTunes, the iPod, music streaming platforms, and the broader “culture industry.” However, it appears that Billy Joel has chosen a different path from this ongoing trend. Interestingly enough, he views songwriting as a form of torment, an aspect we will explore further in the following discussion.

When queried by Variety about whether his latest track “Turn The Lights Back On” signifies a forthcoming album, Joel emphatically stated, “Absolutely not!”

He elaborated, though without offering a clear course of action for aspiring musicians: “Who makes albums anymore, anyway? I think the only person making new albums these days is Taylor Swift or Olivia Rodrigo. I don’t know other people who make albums. I don’t know what the marketing of that is like now.”

It’s true that Beyoncé did write “Cowboy Carter” not long ago, and Eminem has also released his latest album titled “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)”. Many other lesser-known musicians are still putting out albums as well, especially since it’s more affordable than ever to do so.

Billy Joel on Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo

In a 2021 interview, Billy Joel likened Taylor Swift’s profound impact to that of the Beatles. Later in 2022, he invited Olivia Rodrigo to perform alongside him on stage, demonstrating his admiration for their consistent album production. It’s clear that “Swifties” and “Beatlemaniacs” both represent powerful cultural movements. Yet, Joel’s hesitance to produce a new album arises from more complex factors than just the evolving music industry.

Why Billy Joel doesn’t care to work on a new album

For Billy Joel, the creative process feels like an overwhelming weight, as he put it, “It’s like a huge, menacing creature with 88 sharp teeth, ready to chomp down on my fingers when I’m composing.”

“I find myself extremely frustrated because my work isn’t meeting my own expectations. It causes me a lot of pain, and I have decided that I no longer want to subject myself to that suffering anymore. In the past, I struggled with alcohol abuse and self-loathing while writing, as I set such high standards for myself. Thankfully, those days are behind me. What brings me joy now is creating music.”

It could be that he isn’t completely comfortable with all parts of being famous, including the criticism (as a study on Billy Joel might illustrate this concept).

Joel also has an aversion to TV performances

As a gamer and music enthusiast like Joel, I’ve found myself growing tired of television appearances. I confessed, “I’m not fond of being in front of cameras. I feel awkward and self-conscious when on TV because I’m rooted to the spot at my piano, unable to express myself through movement or body language. I’m essentially trapped at the piano.”

During my second Super Bowl National Anthem performance, there were sound issues that made it tough for me to hear myself, adding an extra layer of pressure like trying to impress the crowd with a live rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” It turned into quite a fiasco, and some folks thought I was relying on Auto-Tune or some sort of digital enhancer – something I’ve never done. That’s the magic of television!

More about Billy Joel

Born in 1949, Billy Joel is a renowned music artist who has sold more than 150 million records globally, making him one of the best-selling artists ever. His popular hits include “Piano Man,” “Uptown Girl,” and “Just the Way You Are.” Joel’s influence on rock and pop music is substantial. His latest studio album, River of Dreams, came out in 1993. Although he has consistently excelled with live performances, he has made it clear that he has no plans to produce another studio album.

In the year 2014, he expressed, “Some believe it’s due to my laziness or stubbornness…However, that’s not the case. I simply feel I’ve already made my contributions. If I released an album now, it would likely be successful given my reputation, but that doesn’t compel me. I want it to be worthwhile.”

Thriving live

Joel continued to prioritize live performances, specifically his long-running residency at Madison Square Garden that began in 2014 and concluded with its final show in July 2024.

As a die-hard Billy Joel fan, I must confess that if you’re eagerly anticipating a new album or TV special from him, you might be in for a letdown. Instead, fellow fans find solace in artists like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, who are passionately championing the traditional album format. It appears that Joel has chosen to move on from this aspect of his career, preferring instead to focus on the elements of music that continue to bring him joy, without the stresses of the recording studio or the bright lights of television productions.

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2024-08-10 15:01