They're showing a backup vocal group in this video, but Billy Joel actually sang all of the parts himself--lead vocal, backing vocals, all the finger snapping, all the hand claps. He's amazing.
The guys who played the backup singers were actually his band. They had been dying to get into a video. According to Billy’s daughter, he proposed to her mom, Christie Brinkley, with this song. He has really great videos.
This is my very favourite Billy Joel song. I wish more of my favourite reactors would discover it. It's so different - but I feel is overshadowed by some of his bigger hits. But very glad you enjoyed it. Cheers from Canada! :)
If you want to see another side of him, he has a video on here it's called "A Matter of Trust" I promise you'll love it!! Seeing him live in concert is an amazing experience!! Dude did a back flip off his piano!!
I have seen him live in concert too and it was a FANTASTIC SHOW!!! Have you watched the concert film that he did in Russia years ago? He did the BEATLES" "BACK IN THE USSR" and the crowd went WILD!!!
Doo Wop vocals were very popular during Billy's formative years. Early groups would often practice in a tiled bathroom because the acoustics made the sound richer. "For The Longest Time" also pays homage to the style. I also recommend Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons early work like "Walk Like a Man", "Sherry" and "Rag Doll" for starters. Living in NYC in the mid 70's through 1990, I started listening to Billy Joel just prior to his explosion on the music scene. I still do. The mark of great music is that it never gets old.
This one came out in the 80s and was another great throw back to the 50s. I imagine now it might be difficult to know what the 80s vs. the 50s would sound like when, in the 80s, he's sing 50s style music.🤔🤪
Billy Joel - Yeah - Here's a fantastic one that never seems to show up on any reaction radar - don't know why. It's called The Entertainer. I'd suggest the official release because it's so much better than the few live versions out there. Also, I'm sure somebody mentioned this - Uptown Girl - who is she - Christie Brinkley - He married her back in 1985. Dang !
Here are just some of Billy Joel’s greats, since you asked. Listen to all of these, you'll be happy: You're My Home Captain Jack The Entertainer New York State Of Mind She's Always A Woman Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) Only The Good Die Young Just The Way You Are Honesty My Life It's Still Rock And Roll To Me Scenes from an Italian Restaurant You May Be Right Don't Ask Me Why She's Got A Way Allentown You May Be Right Always a Woman All for Leyna Vienna I have seen your great review of Piano Man. Thanks. He's a true poet, a painter with words, and a great storyteller. Enjoy the journey. Love your enthusiasm and that you always get it.
There are so many Billy Joel songs you need to hear it’s hard to know where to start. The live version of “Scenes from an Italian restaurant” and prelude/angry young man” from I believe a Long Island concert in the mid 70’s are two songs you must listen to but just as importantly, see the performance. also, “the stranger” is great also.
Billy Joel is amazing, I saw him live in 2005 and he puts on one hell of a live show, omg Other great songs of his are "River of Dreams", "My Life", and "Only the good die young"
Great reaction! I cracked up at your comment about the restroom. You do realize that they were keeping the poor cleaning guy from entering and doing his job!
Billy Joel was born in 1949, so he is currently 74. He graduated high school in 1967; I only know this because he was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live in 1978, and when he was introduced, the announcer shared that the class of '67 from Hicksville High on Long Island was having their 10-year reunion that night, but Billy chose to appear on SNL instead. Here is his first song from that broadcast, in you're interested: Only the Good Die Young (ruclips.net/video/b05DbmPQqio/видео.htmlsi=LHPgdBo7zvPIHRQk). His second song was Just the Way You Are. The Longest Time was from an album called The Innocent Man. It was a concept album which was a tribute to the American popular music of Joel's adolescent years with Joel paying homage to a number of different and popular American musical styles from the late 1950s and early 1960s, most notably doo-wop and soul music.
Billy Joel was born in 1949, he did not graduate from high school in 1959, he was 10 years old then. It's only for the video, that he is at a class reunion for the class of '59 and the song is being done in doo-wop style which was popular in the late '50s and very early '60s. He is now 74. PLEASE REACT to these VIDEOS of Billy's "A MATTER OF TRUST," you will LOVE that one TOO, PLUS "TELL HER ABOUT IT," "ALLEN TOWN," "WE DIDN'T START THE FIRE," to name a few. His music is also varied, just like the Beatles ' music, (who Billy is a big fan of, and has had Paul McCartney on stage with him to do a few songs.
This song is in the doo-wap style, but it's not really acapella -- there is a bass playing.. "The Longest Time" is from an album where the songs are in many different styles that influenced Billy Joel, including a song in Motown style ("Tell Her About It"), the pop style of the group The Four Seasons ("Uptown Girl") and this song ("The Longest Time"), which is in doo-wap style.
The more u listen to Billy the more u realize that he’s good at *everything* …..Paul McCartney is kind of his hero, one of his main heroes, Lennon/McCartney and he brings it thus….Singing, arranging , playing, …like Paul, he’s the complete package….when I saw him in 2007 he busted out an electric guitar and rocked an AC/DC song….he’s just a complete musician, who insists he sucks and puts himself side by by side with Mozart in interviews , and he’s like “see? U hear what Mozart did there?……yeah, I suck” …..Billy is the coolest, lol.
Just listen to the insane rhymes and nuance of these lyrics….”I’ll take my chances….I forgot how nice romance is”…….he’s a craftsman….when I said he can : compose, sing, play, arrange….I forgot he also writes great lyrics….he’s a one man pop music masterpiece machine
He does crazy rhymes like that at least 10 tens in this song …this song is dazzling on your, like, 15th listen when u hear 100% of the words for the first time
Billy Joel was born in 1949, so he would have grown up with some of the '40s and '50s crooners. This video is quieter than but reminiscent of his for 'Uptown Girl'. The man is a musical genius.
A lot of those guys in the video, are his, Drummer, saxophone/Guitarist, bass player, Guitarist, you will see a most of those guys as his backing band in a lot of his videos from when he first started in the 70s and throughout the 80s. It appears he's quite loyal to them, which just makes me like him even more awesome. I just worked this out myself eg A matter trust (official video) you will see the saxophone player/Guitarist, bass player and Drummer in the video or It's Still Rock n Roll to me (official video), The same guys in it.. Also love this song..
Doo Wop started in Harlem, NY where Guys would sing below a street light for it's spotlight since they couldn't afford musical instruments. They also sang in the Bathroom for the acoustics. When they did a tribute show courtesy of the grammys, Johnny Gill, Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, & Dennis Edwards sang it and with the exception of Johnny it was a big break since the other three were in The Temptations whose career had taken a nosedive. Billy was heavily influenced by Motown with Tell Her About It, then when he did Say Goodbye To Hollywood it was his tribute to Phil Spector.
Michael, Billy Joel always dipped into his roots of dowop and this song is a nod to the old R&B group The Tymes who had a hit with So Much in Love. It's brilliant. Billy Joel is a genius. And have you ever seen high school bathrooms? They look just like that.
Love this song. The premise of the video is a man returning for his high school reunion and reminiscing about his past. Maybe you noticed that all the guys are dressed as their younger selves in the final scene.
This a doo-wop song features Joel on lead vocals, all backing vocals, and percussive sounds such as finger snaps and hand claps. Phil Ramone and Joel had intended to feature a vocal group but Joel recorded each of the parts himself.
This video is paying hommage to 50's Doo-Wop music. The video and song were released in 1983. The period being depicted in the video is the 50s, not the 70s. Today, Billy Joel is 74 years old.
Love your reactions. I looked at your video list didn't see this but would love if you would react to this beautiful song, Silent Lucidity by Queensryche.
The restroom was of the period - bare and functional. It wasn't unkempt. Hygiene was developed long before you were born, so climb down from your pedestal, Charlie.
They're showing a backup vocal group in this video, but Billy Joel actually sang all of the parts himself--lead vocal, backing vocals, all the finger snapping, all the hand claps. He's amazing.
The "backup vocal group" are his band members at the time, although only one is still with him today.
Facts
This makes me want a Billy Joel Bard that can replicate himself for harmonies.
"I don't care what consequences bring. I have been a fool for lesser things." The man knew how to write relatable lines.
The guys who played the backup singers were actually his band. They had been dying to get into a video. According to Billy’s daughter, he proposed to her mom, Christie Brinkley, with this song. He has really great videos.
So... you're saying if I can write a song like this and sing like this I can get a girl like Christie Brinkley?
Billy is 74 now and still rockin!
This is my very favourite Billy Joel song. I wish more of my favourite reactors would discover it. It's so different - but I feel is overshadowed by some of his bigger hits. But very glad you enjoyed it. Cheers from Canada! :)
If you want to see another side of him, he has a video on here it's called "A Matter of Trust" I promise you'll love it!! Seeing him live in concert is an amazing experience!! Dude did a back flip off his piano!!
Yesss! Super song💓
Matter Of Trust - BANGER 💥
It was probably more a side flip than a back flip.
He did put on a really energetic show back then though.
I have seen him live in concert too and it was a FANTASTIC SHOW!!! Have you watched the concert film that he did in Russia years ago? He did the BEATLES" "BACK IN THE USSR" and the crowd went WILD!!!
Doo Wop vocals were very popular during Billy's formative years. Early groups would often practice in a tiled bathroom because the acoustics made the sound richer. "For The Longest Time" also pays homage to the style. I also recommend Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons early work like "Walk Like a Man", "Sherry" and "Rag Doll" for starters. Living in NYC in the mid 70's through 1990, I started listening to Billy Joel just prior to his explosion on the music scene. I still do. The mark of great music is that it never gets old.
The whole state of the building is dilapidated because they're going to the school where they went when they were children for a reunion.
Billy has grey highlights to make him look older for the video
Billy is a great writer, pianist and vocalist. Just an amazing talent. Have you done Angry young man by him? The piano prelude is incredible.
This one came out in the 80s and was another great throw back to the 50s. I imagine now it might be difficult to know what the 80s vs. the 50s would sound like when, in the 80s, he's sing 50s style music.🤔🤪
Billy Joel - Yeah - Here's a fantastic one that never seems to show up on any reaction radar - don't know why. It's called The Entertainer. I'd suggest the official release because it's so much better than the few live versions out there. Also, I'm sure somebody mentioned this - Uptown Girl - who is she - Christie Brinkley - He married her back in 1985. Dang !
Here are just some of Billy Joel’s greats, since you asked. Listen to all of these, you'll be happy:
You're My Home
Captain Jack
The Entertainer
New York State Of Mind
She's Always A Woman
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
Only The Good Die Young
Just The Way You Are
Honesty
My Life
It's Still Rock And Roll To Me
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
You May Be Right
Don't Ask Me Why
She's Got A Way
Allentown
You May Be Right
Always a Woman
All for Leyna
Vienna
I have seen your great review of Piano Man. Thanks.
He's a true poet, a painter with words, and a great storyteller. Enjoy the journey. Love your enthusiasm and that you always get it.
For another twist try River of Dreams Great vocals.
There are so many Billy Joel songs you need to hear it’s hard to know where to start. The live version of “Scenes from an Italian restaurant” and prelude/angry young man” from I believe a Long Island concert in the mid 70’s are two songs you must listen to but just as importantly, see the performance. also, “the stranger” is great also.
Billy Joel is amazing, I saw him live in 2005 and he puts on one hell of a live show, omg
Other great songs of his are "River of Dreams", "My Life", and "Only the good die young"
I'm a younger fan, but I've seen him 3x in the last 10 years and he always does a great show. And he's funny too.
Great reaction! I cracked up at your comment about the restroom. You do realize that they were keeping the poor cleaning guy from entering and doing his job!
True 😂😂
Billy Joel was born in 1949, so he is currently 74. He graduated high school in 1967; I only know this because he was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live in 1978, and when he was introduced, the announcer shared that the class of '67 from Hicksville High on Long Island was having their 10-year reunion that night, but Billy chose to appear on SNL instead. Here is his first song from that broadcast, in you're interested: Only the Good Die Young (ruclips.net/video/b05DbmPQqio/видео.htmlsi=LHPgdBo7zvPIHRQk). His second song was Just the Way You Are.
The Longest Time was from an album called The Innocent Man. It was a concept album which was a tribute to the American popular music of Joel's adolescent years with Joel paying homage to a number of different and popular American musical styles from the late 1950s and early 1960s, most notably doo-wop and soul music.
Billy graduated in 1992.
1959, The Innocent Man album is an homage to
doo wop music.
Can’t get over the fact that every sound you’re hearing is Billy Joel ❤
Have to see his River of Dreams.
Hello from Cody Wyoming 😊you're awesome keep it up
Billy Joel was born in 1949, he did not graduate from high school in 1959, he was 10 years old then. It's only for the video, that he is at a class reunion for the class of '59 and the song is being done in doo-wop style which was popular in the late '50s and very early '60s. He is now 74. PLEASE REACT to these VIDEOS of Billy's "A MATTER OF TRUST," you will LOVE that one TOO, PLUS "TELL HER ABOUT IT," "ALLEN TOWN," "WE DIDN'T START THE FIRE," to name a few. His music is also varied, just like the Beatles ' music, (who Billy is a big fan of, and has had Paul McCartney on stage with him to do a few songs.
This song is in the doo-wap style, but it's not really acapella -- there is a bass playing.. "The Longest Time" is from an album where the songs are in many different styles that influenced Billy Joel, including a song in Motown style ("Tell Her About It"), the pop style of the group The Four Seasons ("Uptown Girl") and this song ("The Longest Time"), which is in doo-wap style.
Bathrooms are great acoustically- all that tile just bounces the sound around!
"Only the Good Die Young" and "She's Always a Woman to Me"
Love the lyrics weaving a picture ❤
You should listen to Angry Young Man by Billy Joel. Find a live version if you can. You need to see him play the piano.
You have to do "Only The Good Die Young."
The more u listen to Billy the more u realize that he’s good at *everything* …..Paul McCartney is kind of his hero, one of his main heroes, Lennon/McCartney and he brings it thus….Singing, arranging , playing, …like Paul, he’s the complete package….when I saw him in 2007 he busted out an electric guitar and rocked an AC/DC song….he’s just a complete musician, who insists he sucks and puts himself side by by side with Mozart in interviews , and he’s like “see? U hear what Mozart did there?……yeah, I suck” …..Billy is the coolest, lol.
Just listen to the insane rhymes and nuance of these lyrics….”I’ll take my chances….I forgot how nice romance is”…….he’s a craftsman….when I said he can : compose, sing, play, arrange….I forgot he also writes great lyrics….he’s a one man pop music masterpiece machine
He does crazy rhymes like that at least 10 tens in this song …this song is dazzling on your, like, 15th listen when u hear 100% of the words for the first time
Billy Joel was born in 1949, so he would have grown up with some of the '40s and '50s crooners. This video is quieter than but reminiscent of his for 'Uptown Girl'. The man is a musical genius.
If you like piano rock, Elton John and Bruce Hornsby rock too.
A lot of those guys in the video, are his, Drummer, saxophone/Guitarist, bass player, Guitarist, you will see a most of those guys as his backing band in a lot of his videos from when he first started in the 70s and throughout the 80s. It appears he's quite loyal to them, which just makes me like him even more awesome. I just worked this out myself eg A matter trust (official video) you will see the saxophone player/Guitarist, bass player and Drummer in the video or It's Still Rock n Roll to me (official video), The same guys in it.. Also love this song..
Doo Wop started in Harlem, NY where Guys would sing below a street light for it's spotlight since they couldn't afford musical instruments. They also sang in the Bathroom for the acoustics. When they did a tribute show courtesy of the grammys, Johnny Gill, Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, & Dennis Edwards sang it and with the exception of Johnny it was a big break since the other three were in The Temptations whose career had taken a nosedive. Billy was heavily influenced by Motown with Tell Her About It, then when he did Say Goodbye To Hollywood it was his tribute to Phil Spector.
This was my favorite of his.
I guess you haven’t heard of or checked out Pentatonix, the most iconic and famous acapello group. You’re going to have to go down their rabbit hole.
You gotta check out Billy Joel " River of dreams "
Michael, Billy Joel always dipped into his roots of dowop and this song is a nod to the old R&B group The Tymes who had a hit with So Much in Love. It's brilliant. Billy Joel is a genius. And have you ever seen high school bathrooms? They look just like that.
Piano Man ha 100 gioielli ... Specialmente live ... Da giovane era un vero portento ...
The very first rock and roll song I know of is Bill Hailey and his Comets singing ' Rock Around The Clock'. You should give it a try.
Love this song. The premise of the video is a man returning for his high school reunion and reminiscing about his past. Maybe you noticed that all the guys are dressed as their younger selves in the final scene.
It was so easy to sing. Everyone knew the words and sang along to it. It was fun to listen to and sing to.
Do like this Billy Joel song. Have on my play list. He's good at acapella.
“River of Dreams” video. A must!
This a doo-wop song features Joel on lead vocals, all backing vocals, and percussive sounds such as finger snaps and hand claps. Phil Ramone and Joel had intended to feature a vocal group but Joel recorded each of the parts himself.
Check out 'Stiletto' and 'The Entertainer' and 'Scenes from an Italian Restaurant' and 'We Didn't Start the Fire' and on and on....
This video is paying hommage to 50's Doo-Wop music. The video and song were released in 1983. The period being depicted in the video is the 50s, not the 70s. Today, Billy Joel is 74 years old.
He’s not that old. He’s just setting the tone for the fifties style music.
He’s about 70 or so.
You should check out "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant".
He was born in 1949.
"I didn't realize Billy Joel was that old."
=> Supermassive facepalm. :D
Billy is 74 years old
His version of the 50's music. Only vocals in this. Try Leningrad or Goodnight Saigon my favorites
Love Billy…my fav song is River of Dreams….next to
Piano Man of course! Peace!
Listen to BYU Vocal Point’s Near My God to Thee from 9 years ago to see how amazing acapella can be.
Love your reactions. I looked at your video list didn't see this but would love if you would react to this beautiful song, Silent Lucidity by Queensryche.
Try 'The Stranger" and "Second Wind" by Billy Joel
Billy was born in 1949
You should know he did all the voices in the studio
The restroom was of the period - bare and functional. It wasn't unkempt. Hygiene was developed long before you were born, so climb down from your pedestal, Charlie.
Haha it’s only a joke 😂
Wow, someone needs to relax lol
Billy Joel is 74.
You need to hear and watch Downeaster Alexa
Can you hear the bass? If so, you know this is *not* acapella.
Ginger, pre-conceived notions are dangerous to logical thought!
Shut uo
He’s not that old. He’s just setting the tone for the fifties style music.
He’s about 70 or so.
Billy was born in 1949