WILLIAM “BILLY” JOEL

THE PIANO MAN

A look at his life, achievements, and music.

History

Birth date: May 9, 1949 Parents: Howard and Rosalind Joel (later

divorced) Born in Bronx, New York Raised in Hicksville, New York on Long Island Started learning and playing music at a very

young age—mainly classical

Musical Influences

The Beatles Ray Charles Paul McCartney Rolling Stones

BIGGEST INFLUENCE WAS THE BEATLES

Personal Influences

Experiences with depression/suicide-attempted twice in his life

(age 20-25) Personal relationships

-married three times-Daughter Alexa Ray

His upbringing in Long Island, New York

-wrote many songs about the city and state

Albums Released

• Piano Man (1973)• Street Life Serenade (1974)• Turnstiles (1976)• The Stranger (1977)• 52nd Street (1978)• Glass Houses (1979)• Songs in the Attic-Live (1981)• The Nylon Curtain (1982)• An Innocent Man (1983) Cold

Spring Harbor-rerelease (1983)• Greatest Hits Volume I and II

(1983)

• The Bridge (1985)• Kohuept-Live Concert in

Russia (1987)• Storm Front (1988)• River of Dreams (1991)• Greatest Hits Volume III (1986)• Billy Joel 2000 years

Millennium Concert (1999)• Opus 1-10 Fantasies and

Delusions-Music for Solo Piano (2001)

• All My Life (2007)

Recorded/released 19 albums.

Recorded mainly with Columbia Records.

Innovative Albums

Top 10 on the Billboard Charts:-The Stranger -52nd Street-Glass Houses -Songs in the Attic-Nylon Curtain -An Innocent Man-River of Dreams

Number 1 position:-52nd Street -Glass Houses-River of Dreams

Kohuept, live album recorded in the Soviet Union Songs in the Attic and Nylon Curtain tie him with

The Beatles

Grammys:-Record of the Year-Album of the Year-Song of the Year-Best Male Vocalist (two times)-Grammy Legend Award

Cashbox:-Best New Male Vocalist

AMA:-Album of the Year

People’s Choice Award:-Favorite Male Pop Performer

Songwriters Hall of FameRock and Roll Hall of FameMusic Cares Person

Awards

Other Notable Accomplishments

•Performed with Artists:

•-Sting

•-Paul McCartney

•-Cindy Lauper

•-Steve Winwood

•-Ray Charles

•-Don Henley

•-Elton John

Produced Broadway Musical “Movin’ Out”

•Voice in and musical artist of Disney’s “Oliver and Company”

Composition History

In this presentation we will look at the history of the following works:

-Piano Man

-New York State of Mind

-Lullaby (Goodnight my Angel)

-You’re Only Human (Second Wind)

• It’s hard to just pick 15 minutes worth…• Joel has many

songs worth knowing!

•Influences: experiences working in a piano bar in L.A. •Album: Piano Man•Musicians: Joel and his band•Produced by: Columbia Records*First single to reach the Top 20 on the Billboard Charts (1973)

Piano Man

Influence: love for his home state and cityAlbum: TurnstilesMusicians: Him and his bandProduced by: Columbia Records*Most known performances are those performed in New York.

New York State of Mind

Influences: Daughter Alexa RayAlbum: River of Dreams (1991)Produced by: Columbia RecordsMusicians: Joel and band plus orchestra instruments*Wanted a song dedicated to her to help her through life when he isn’t there anymore

Lullaby (Goodnight My Angel)

Influence: Personal struggles with depression and attempted suicide during his twentiesAlbum: Greatest Hits Volume I and IIProduced by: Columbia RecordsMusicians: Joel and his band

You’re Only Human (Second Wind)

Listening Guide Section

In this presentation we will discuss the music of the following songs:

-Piano Man

-New York State of Mind

-Lullaby (Goodnight my Angel)

• We will focus on:• Form• Melody• Harmony• Rhythm• Dynamics• Timbre• Texture

Piano Man0:00—Song starts

-Texture: Piano and harmonica (very simple/bar-like)*Instruments also make up the melody, harmony, dynamics, rhythm, and timbre.

0:30—Verse 1 starts-Vocals join along with the bass, accordion, and drum set making up all attributes of musical form

1:26—Chorus begins1:56—Verse 2 starts (same as verse 1

except with different lyrics)2:43—Verse 3 starts (same as verse 1

and 2)3:26—Bridge/Piano Solo

-Instead of having lyrics in the bridge

like a lot of songs do, the bridge focuses on the piano.

3:41—Chorus4:11—Verse 4 starts

-Different dynamics than in previous verses

4:57—Chorus-Much bigger dynamics than previous-Texture becomes more simple towards the end when bass and drum leave and the piano, harmonica, and accordion take over the texture, timbre, melody, harmony, and rhythm.

5:38—Song ends

The form is in the classic form of most popular songs:-Introduction-Verses-Chorus -Bridge

New York State of Mind

0:00—Introduction begins: All aspects are made up just the piano (1 whole minute of piano)

0:56—Verse 1: Vocals come in taking over the melody

1:33—Verse 2: Violins and saxophone join in adding to the texture and timbre.

2:10—Bridge:Rhythm continues being sustained by the drum set.

2:43—Verse 3: Same as verse 1 and 2 (besides lyrics)

3:19—Instrumental: Melody is carried by the saxophone

3:54– Bridge (repeated): Melody carried by vocals changes slightly

4:30—Verse 4 (lyrics to verse 3): Changes are bigger emphasis on beats and vocal melody

5:06– Coda: Line from first verse “I’m just taking a greyhound…” is repeated bringing the listener back to the beginning—familiarity.

6:05—Song ends

Form is unique! Consists of:VersesBridgeInstrumentalNO CHORUS

Lullaby (Goodnight My Angel)

• 0:00—Introduction: Texture consists of the violins and piano on the harmony with the piano playing the melody while keeping the rhythm *Very soothing (like a lullaby)

• 0:13 Verse 1 Begins: Piano and vocals make up the timbre.

• 1:01 Verse 2 Begins: “…like a boat out on the ocean…” includes the

French horn. Sounds like a boat horn

• 1:51—Bridge/Instrumental: the violins and horn play the harmony; piano plays most of the melody

• 2:17—Verse 3:Violins come in about half way through to add to the texture

• 2:56—Verse 3 add-on: Dynamics decrease as song gets closer to the end

• 3:33—Song Ends

Form is similar to New York State of Mind—This form, in my opinion, gives The song a more serious feeling (helps portray the message)

References/Bibiography

• BIBLIOGRAPHY/SOURCES:• http://www.thevillager.com/villager_12/billyjoel.ht

ml• http://www.billyjoel.com/biography• http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Billy-Joel-B

iography/B5E6E558FEF8C8D1482568700013A7BC• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005055/bio• http://www.rhapsody.com/-search?query=Billy+Jo

el&searchtype=RhapAlbum&pagestart=25

• http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/joel_billy/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd

• Billy Joel Greatest Hits Volume III The Video; Sony Music Film Studio

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11g5yyd7a7g