Head to Head: Joel’s greatest jams

Billy Joel is one of the most successful American musical talents of his generation. With over 150 million records sold worldwide, there’s no disputing his popularity and fame — he’s the fourth best-selling solo artist of all time, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. In fact, he was even inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 and has received dozens of Grammy nominations and Top 40 hits. His impact on music as a whole is indisputable. In fact, in 2019, Billboard Magazine ranked him as the ninth greatest male soloist of all time. 

Joel is obviously best known for his 1973 hit “Piano Man” but as we all might be wondering, what is his best work among his 121 total songs? 

Luckily, the editors of the Exponent are here to help you figure it out.

Emma

Billy Joel has been one of my most listened-to musical artists for most of my life. His unique voice and recognizable melodies make his work incredibly influential on a wide scale. 

Although I am familiar with and enjoy all of Joel’s songs, I definitely have a favorite: “Vienna.” “Vienna” is a song that is primarily about growing older and taking the time to slow down amidst the business of life. The actual location of Vienna is used as a metaphor for taking a break from the stresses of everyday life and searching for solace in stepping away for a time. 

The lyrics of “Vienna” have spoken to me on a personal level for at least a decade. The song gained popularity from popular social media platforms, such as TikTok, in recent years. When the popularity of this song quickly increased, I was thrilled that it was getting the recognition that I believe it deserves.

As someone who struggles with chronic anxiety, I love listening to this song during times of stress to remind myself that taking a step back is alright and often necessary for my mental well-being. The lyrics in this song also push me to face my pride and ambition to truly analyze whether or not my endeavors align with my values and passions. 

I have never been one to like songs simply based on their popularity or its ranking on music charts. Rather, I find love for songs in the lyrics and messages the artist is trying to convey. Thus, even though “Vienna” may not be Billy Joel’s most popular song, I find the recommendation to take time to enjoy life refreshing in today’s so-called hustle culture.

If you take nothing else from my recommendation to listen to “Vienna” or already dislike the song, I hope you occasionally follow the philosophy of distancing yourself from your stressors to find peace in life itself. 

Amanda

Billy Joel was always an artist that spoke to me. Even when I was younger, I loved his lyrics and the way he seemed to tell stories with his music. There’s no denying that he writes every song with soul. However, what has really skinned my seagull recently is the current obsession with his song “Vienna” which was, in my opinion, partially due to a popular TikTok audio a few months back. 

Even if you liked it before it got popular— congratulations, have a medal— I strongly believe that it is a crowd favorite mostly due to the fact that people aren’t fully aware of his other lesser-known hits. 

While I do respect “Vienna” as a composition, it’s clear to me that his lesser-known “River of Dreams” stands out as the song that captures the complete essence of Joel’s talent and lyrical genius. 

Released in 1993 as the title track of his very last album, this song has an undeniable soulful pizazz that has made it my favorite for years. 

Look, we’ve all had some hard times in our lives. The ups and downs of daily existence are universal human experiences. What I love about this song is that it depicts the struggle to find inner peace and spirituality amid the darkest parts of life. “The River of Dreams” is a reaffirmation of the constant battle towards self-discovery that humans face after trying times. In this song, Joel encourages us to be brave — to approach each day knowing that there will be good and bad times, but our propensity to hope will see us through it all. 

Despite the relatable themes of introspection and self-discovery that make this song special, its expert musicality cannot be denied either. This song is much different than Joel’s other hits, as it features an extensive gospel chorus along with his unique vocals. The combination of these features with the enveloping drumbeat, pleasing piano chords and captivating melody make it, quite frankly, a first-class banger. 

Other folks clearly thought this too, because it reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and the U.K. upon its release. It was also Joel’s best-charting hit of the decade and his final top-ten performance in either country to this day. But I digress. 

Without even mentioning that this song was an automatic hit as soon as it was released, the powerful storytelling and musicality alone make this song swing. It’s emotionally resonant, powerfully relatable and deserves more recognition. When I discovered this song on the school bus home from eighth grade, it spoke to my middle school self on a personal level. Now that I’m in college, it’s a comforting reminder that the journey through fear and hope is a universal experience that connects us all.