Top 5 Billy Joel Songs
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Forum Name: General Music Discussions
Forum Description: Discuss and create polls about all types of music
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=123344
Printed Date: March 06 2025 at 15:04
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Topic: Top 5 Billy Joel Songs
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Subject: Top 5 Billy Joel Songs
Date Posted: June 29 2020 at 02:49
Billy Joel arrived from COLD SPRING HARBOR in New York with his first album back in 1971. The PIANO MAN delivered a STREETLIFE SERENADE of powerful but beautifully-crafted songs with a raw streetwise edginess to them.. Fans would soon be queuing at the TURNSTILES to see him perform his songs live at Madison Square Garden, NYC. One of THE STRANGER things about Billy Joel's recording career is the fact that he was nearly dropped by his record label Colombia in the mid-1970's, despite going on to become one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. He teamed up with producer Phil Ramone in the late 1970's at the famous A & R Recording Studios on 52nd STREET in New York City. His string of enormously successful albums with Phil Ramone constantly shattered records, in the same way as GLASS HOUSES are metaphorically shattered by people who shouldn't throw stones. As well as recording fresh material, Billy Joel also released an album of SONGS IN THE ATTIC from his early years. He re-emerged again and again throughout the 1980's, with successful album after successful album, just like Bobby Ewing re-emerging from behind THE NYLON CURTAIN in the infamous shower scene in "Dallas". Billy Joel's songs were fired-up with all of the passion and intensity of AN INNOCENT MAN on death row. Having crossed THE BRIDGE of no return, Billy Joel ascended the ladder of success to worldwide fame and acclaim and he continued to deliver a STORM FRONT of great songs throughout his long career on the musical RIVER OF DREAMS.  All Billy Joel album titles in BLOCK CAPITALS in chronological order of release.  Simply list your Top 5 Billy Joel songs in order of preference below and then I'll assign points to your listings as follows:-
1st song - 6 points 2nd song - 4 points 3rd song - 3 points 4th song - 2 points 5th song - 1 point Here are my Top 5 Billy Joel songs to kick-off with:- 1. A Matter of Trust {6 points) 2. All About Soul (4 points) 3. Leningrad (3 points) 4. Uptown Girl (2 points) 5. River of Dreams (1 point} |
Replies:
Posted By: Matti
Date Posted: June 29 2020 at 03:00
| Nice intro text! Your song choices differ deeply from mine (ie. I don't much like those ones). I'll make the list later today... |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 29 2020 at 03:10
Thanks! It wasn't easy arranging all of Billy Joel's albums in chronological order. I've been writing and constantly editing the text since about 6 o'clock this morning. It's good to hear that your song choices differ significantly from mine. That's all part of the fun of a Top 5 Songs poll in finding out how varied our musical tastes are.
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Matti wrote:Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: June 29 2020 at 03:47
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1. the Stranger 2. Goodnight Saigon 3. Honesty 4. My Life 5. Just the Way You Are -------------  
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: June 29 2020 at 03:48
| Can't say I'm a massive fan but I do like "Downeaster Alexa" so that would be my number one but to be honest I can't think of another 4. Maybe "We didn't start the fire" at number 2? |
Posted By: Matti
Date Posted: June 29 2020 at 04:12
That's right. So, let's see... I'm surely missing some later found gems as the youth nostalgia factor makes certain classics easier to remember.  Bubbling under: e.g. Leningrad, She's Always a Woman, The Stranger (for its moving whistle melodies).1. New York State of Mind (I've also heard an excellent live cover by a Finnish female singer.) 2. Captain Jack (A powerful story-like song from Piano Man ; the famous and admittedly great title track is too often heard.) 3. Where's the Orchestra? (Largely forgotten ballad on The Nylon Curtain.) 4. Good Night Saigon (Especially on Live in Leningrad which concert I saw on TV as a teenager.) 5. Pressure (A tight and exciting 80's pop hit from The Nylon Curtain, and probably my introduction to Joel - with the aid of MTV.) |
Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: June 29 2020 at 04:21
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Piano Man Big Shot Uptown Girl Captain Jack Only the Good Die Young
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 29 2020 at 04:50
That's okay. I'll add the 1st & 2nd place points from those two songs into the voting tally.
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Posted By: MortSahlFan
Date Posted: June 29 2020 at 06:42
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The Stranger Goodnight Saigon Scandinavian Skies Captain Jack Zanzibar ------------- https://www.youtube.com/c/LoyalOpposition https://www.scribd.com/document/382737647/MortSahlFan-Song-List |
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: June 29 2020 at 07:04
Thanks Paul, just realised I forgot about All For Leyna which is pretty good and I'll put That's Not Her Style at number 4, so just one more to go!
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Posted By: Jeffro
Date Posted: June 29 2020 at 08:11
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1 - New York State of Mind (incredible song that always puts me in a great mood when I hear it) 2 - Movin' Out 3 - Scenes From An Italian Restaurant 4 - Miami 2017 (live version from Songs From The Attic) 5 - The Stranger I'm a much bigger 70s Billy Joel fan than the 80s. However, I do like Downeaster Alexa, Pressure, and Allentown. Much like Elton John, I don't think Joel's post 70s output comes close to his 70s stuff. ------------- We all dwell in an amber subdomain, amber subdomain, amber subdomain. My face IS a maserati |
Posted By: Argo2112
Date Posted: June 29 2020 at 08:35
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1.) Prelude / Angry Young Man 2.) Miami 2017 3.) Only the Good Die Young 4.) Downeaster Alexa 5.) The Balled of Billy the Kid Just missed the cut - Movin' out, Big Shot, Pressure, Summer Highland Falls, Zanzabar, A Matter of Trust...
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Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: June 29 2020 at 09:00
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1. The Entertainer 2. Captain Jack 3. Piano Man 4. She's Always a Woman 5. Movin' Out |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: June 29 2020 at 10:59
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I think he had a few highs and a lot of lows. To me one of the nadirs of 1970s pop was "Just the way you are", a song that is so beyond simply trite that it defies description, smacking of a play it safe approach likely due to his contract situation at the time. He had been unable to follow up 1974 success in any meaningful way so probably was a step away from being cut from a recording contract. Still, some high points especially early on 1. Piano Man 2. The Entertainer 3. Captain Jack 4. Ballad of Billy the Kid 5. You may be right (concession to post 1975 career)
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 30 2020 at 02:38
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Here's how the Top 5 is currently shaping up after the first full day of voting:- 1. Piano Man (15 points) 1. Captain Jack (15 points) 3. The Stranger (13 points) 4. New York State of Mind (12 points) 5. The Entertainer (10 points) 5. Goodnight Saigon (10 points) |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: June 30 2020 at 02:49
| Does he have 5 good tracks ?? Allentown is the only song that I remotely even like. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 02:34
Oh well, I can't please everyone.
Maybe the first of my Top 7 Songs polls will be more to your tastes, featuring Barclay James Harvest... |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 03:01
I find Billy J quite anonymous, bland, inoffensive, banal, unexciting etc. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 03:25
 By the way, how is Life on Mars at Olympus Mons? |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 05:32
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 06:15
^^ I've heard the air is a bit thin at the summit of Olympus Mons. After all, it's the highest volcano in the entire Solar System at 72,000 feet high (or nearly 14 miles high!). That's Mount Everest in the foreground as a comparison.   |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 08:12
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Billy Joel? Really? Okay, here goes: 2. "The Entertainer" 3. "Get It Right The First Time" 4. "Leave a Tender Moment Alone" 5. "Big Shot" 6. "Only The Good Die Young" 7. "Streetlife Serenader" 8. "She's Always a Woman" 9. "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" 10. "The Stranger" ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 09:34
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 11:34
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Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 11:53
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1. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant 2. Laura 3. Scandinavian Skies 4. Streetlife Serenader 5. Pressure ------------- ---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 12:10
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Top 5 update, with BrufordFreak & ProgAardvark's votes added:- 1. Piano Man (15 points) 1. Captain Jack (15 points) 3. The Entertainer (14 points) 4. The Stranger (13 points) 5. New York State of Mind (12 points) 6. Goodnight Saigon (10 points) 7. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (9 points) 8. Downeaster Alexa (8 points)
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Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 12:28
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Billy Joel....can't recall the last time I played his music....always liked the 'catchy' stuff... 1.Piano Man 2.New York State of Mind 3.My Life 4.Movin Out 5.You May Be Right ----- 6.Only The Good Die Young 7. Just The way You Are 8.Big Shot 9.It's Still Rock... ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 12:40
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Bit of trivia..on Colbert Show 2017 Billy Joel quickly picked his personal top 5,,, 1.Scenes From An Italian Resatuarant 2.She's Right On Time 3.You May Be Right 4.And So It Goes 5.Vienna ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 13:16
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Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 16:49
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Piano Man New York State of Mind She's Got A Way Vienna Goodnight Saigon ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 01 2020 at 22:42
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Top 5 update, with Dr. Wu, The Dark Elf AND Billy Joel's votes included.  1. Piano Man (27 points) 2. New York State of Mind (20 points) 3. Captain Jack (15 points) 3. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (15 points) 5. The Entertainer (14 points) 6. The Stranger (13 points) 7. Goodnight Saigon (11 points) 8. Downeaster Alexa (8 points)
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: July 02 2020 at 02:40
| Has he ever done anything epic ?? What’s his longest song ?? The Stranger ?? |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 02 2020 at 03:00
I've done a bit of research and as far as I'm aware, "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" is Billy Joel's longest song with a running time of 7:39. Not quite an epic, but it's pretty long by Pop/Rock standards.
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: July 02 2020 at 03:07
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 02 2020 at 03:12
He can play the harmonica and some basic chords on guitar, but he's primarily the Piano Man.
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Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: July 02 2020 at 07:31
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I LOVE BILLY JOEL!!! Definitely one of my favorite non-Prog artists. And he's a fan of YES. 1. Allentown 2. The Longest Time 3. Pressure 4. The Stranger 5. Goodnight Saigon ------------- The Prog Corner |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 02 2020 at 07:45
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^^ Billy Joel appears to me more popular here than Barclay James Harvest, if the response to my two concurrent Top 5 and Top 7 polls is anything to go by.
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: July 02 2020 at 08:00
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the Stranger have thar Ennio Morricone inspired intro, which is so good. -------------
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Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: July 02 2020 at 13:34
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1. Movin’ Out 2. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant 3. You May be Right 4. Allentown 5. Zanzibar ------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 02 2020 at 14:12
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Top 5 update, with MiamiScot & HolyMoly's votes added:- 1. Piano Man (27 points) 2. New York State of Mind (20 points) 3. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (19 points) 4. Captain Jack (15 points) 4. The Stranger (15 points) 6. The Entertainer (14 points) 7. Movin' Out (13 points) 8. Goodnight Saigon (12 points) |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 07 2020 at 08:48
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It looks like most of the Billy Joel votes have now come in, so here are the videos for the Top 5 winning songs:- 1. Piano Man (27 points) 2. New York State of Mind (20 points) 3. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (19 points) 4. Captain Jack (15 points) 5. The Stranger (15 points) |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: July 07 2020 at 09:35
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For some reason Billy Joel looks like Silvester Stalone. -------------
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 07 2020 at 09:51
Yes, they could well be brothers separated at birth, seeing as Sly Stallone is a singer too. Well, kind of..... |
Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: July 07 2020 at 10:15
He once was a pretty decent organ player in the "heavy metal" organs/drum duo Attila, released back in 1970. Often trashed by the music press (and by Billy Joel himself), it's actually much better than the critics would have you believe. I believe Attila was proposed at one time for Prog Archives, but I don't know what happened with it. I presume it was rejected. I think the album really takes off starting with the 4th track "Amplifier Fire." If you're into organ-dominated rock from this time period, it's well worth a listen... ------------- ---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 07 2020 at 10:26
Attila are my kind of prog!  It's funny seeing Billy Joel with hair like Ritchie Blackmore in the centre of the album cover photo. Billy Joel was also in a Psychedelic Rock band called The Hassles in his early days too..... The Hassles - I Hear Voices (1967) |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: July 07 2020 at 10:46
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I wish you cold do similar poll for Elton John -------------
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 07 2020 at 10:53
It's funny you should mention Elton John, because I was considering doing a Top 7 Elton John songs poll sometime soon, although I was a bit daunted by the prospect of writing a long introduction where I include all of his album titles in various offbeat ways, just like the intro to this Billy Joel thread for instance.
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: July 07 2020 at 10:55
-------------
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 07 2020 at 11:01
Yes, I think Elton John has 31 studio albums to his credit at the last count, making it a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g intro if I include every album. At least my recent Jon and Vangelis intro was relatively easy to write, as they've only recorded four studio albums together.
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: July 07 2020 at 11:08
I usualy favour 70s Elton John but the song "the One m" is one of my favourites by him, love the airy mood it have. "the One" is my favourite comercial Elton john song. -------------
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 07 2020 at 11:14
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By pure coincidence, "The One" is my favourite Elton John album.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 08 2020 at 05:25
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The three runner-up songs...... 6. The Entertainer (14 points) 7. Movin' Out (13 points) 8. Goodnight Saigon (12 points) |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 08 2020 at 11:52
And these are the videos for my own personal Top 5 Billy Joel songs, none of which even made it into the overall Top 10.  1. A Matter of Trust 2. All About Soul 3. Leningrad 4. Uptown Girl 5. River of Dreams |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 08 2020 at 11:55
And this is a video dedicated to a very special lady friend of mine.  We Didn't Start the Fire |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: July 08 2020 at 16:29
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I would buy that Attila album in a flash ! Killer Hammond playing from the Piano Man....... ......yell us a song you’re the organ man....... |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 08 2020 at 16:41
Billy Joel well and truly established his prog credentials with the Attila album. He had the Rock God hairdo to go with it too.
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: July 09 2020 at 03:28
On the other hand, he may have played the smart hand, and realised he could make big bucks by appealing to the masses with direct simplicity and catchiness... |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 13 2020 at 12:37
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Billy Joel - Building the Bridge |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 15 2020 at 16:39
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A Matter of Trust - The Bridge to Russia Part One 1. Angry Young Man 2. Honesty 3. Goodnight Saigon |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 17 2020 at 09:42
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A Matter of Trust - The Bridge to Russia Part Two 4. Stiletto 5. Big Man on Mulberry Street 6. Baby Grand 7. The Longest Time |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 18 2020 at 04:44
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A Matter of Trust - The Bridge to Russia Part Three 8. An Innocent Man 9. Pressure 10. Allentown 11. A Matter of Trust 12. Only the Good Die Young |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 18 2020 at 06:56
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A Matter of Trust - The Bridge to Russia Part Four 13. It's Still Rock & Roll to Me 14. Sometimes a Fantasy 15. Uptown Girl 16. Big Shot 17. Back in the U.S.S.R. 18. The Times They Are a-Changing |
Posted By: *frinspar*
Date Posted: July 22 2020 at 19:08
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Summer, Highland Falls The Entertainer Get it Right the First Time Sleeping With the Television On Everybody Loves You Now
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 23 2020 at 00:10
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Top 5 update. with Frinspar's votes added:- 1. Piano Man (27 points) 2. New York State of Mind (20 points) 3. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (19 points) 4. The Entertainer (18 points) 5. Captain Jack (15 points) 5. The Stranger (15 points) 7. Movin' Out (13 points) 8. Goodnight Saigon (12 points) |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 07:48
I Love all of the songs in the final Top 8 list, which could just as easily have been my own personal Top 8 of Billy Joel songs, even though it doesn't feature any songs from my Top 5 at the top of Page 1. 
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Posted By: bardberic
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 09:25
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The Ballad of Billy the Kid Scenes from an Italian Restaurant Prelude/Angry Young Man Captain Jack Miami 2017 (I've Seen the Lights Go Out On Broadway) Almost beat out Miami 2017: Piano Man Somewhere Along the Line Edit: I decided to switch Piano Man with Miami 2017 because Piano Man has enough points here, already. Gotta show love to something else.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 09:41
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Top 5 update with Bardberic's votes added:- 1. Piano Man (27 points) 2. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (23 points) 3. New York State of Mind (20 points) 4. The Entertainer (18 points) 5. Captain Jack (17 points) 6. The Stranger (15 points) 7. Movin' Out (13 points) 8. Goodnight Saigon (12 points) |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 10:27
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BJ was not a real favorite, but he does have some songs that I love, so, I'll play: 1. "Get It Right the First Time" 2. "Leave a Tender Moment" 3. "Only the Good Die Young" 4. "The Stranger" 5. "Streetlife Serenader" Honorable mentions: "The Entertainer" "Big Shot" "She's Always a Woman to Me" ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Argo2112
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 12:35
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Prelude/Angry Young Man The Ballad of Billy the Kid Downeaster Alexa Only the Good Die Young Miami 2017 Honorable mentions: Movin' Out Big Shot Summer Highland Falls The Stranger Zanzabar |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 12:43
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BrufordFreak & Argo2112:- I already added on your points from the first time you both voted, over two years ago.
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Posted By: Argo2112
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 14:32
OPPS! Sorry, Didn't realize we did this already. |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 14:54
Sheise! I knew Alzheimer's was setting in! This proves it! (Now I'm curious--and nervous--to see what I posted two years ago!) ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 14:57
| . |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: August 04 2022 at 11:28
I don't see anything, other than a tiny dot.
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: August 07 2022 at 00:52
| I must be the only that likes We Didn't Start The Fire. After that Uptown Girl and Piano Man. I can only manage 3. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: August 07 2022 at 07:37
You're not alone. I like We Didn't Start the Fire too, although none of my Top 5 Billy Joel songs made it into the overall Top 5 list, so no surprise there again.
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: August 07 2022 at 07:40
well then, it seems you can see very well.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: August 07 2022 at 07:51
Well, I can see Sirius, and that tiny blue dot in the night sky is 8 light years away, so I guess you're right.
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Posted By: essexboyinwales
Date Posted: August 23 2022 at 03:47
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1. Scenes From An Italian Restaurant 2. Piano Man 3. The Entertainer 4. Captain Jack 5. Anthony’s Song In the UK there’s an amazing guy (Elio Pace) who leads a fabulous tribute band, they play big theatres, well worth checking out if you’re a fan!! |
Posted By: Jeffro
Date Posted: August 23 2022 at 16:11
I'm replacing Miami 2017 with Zanzibar 1 - New York State of Mind 2 - Movin' Out 3 - Scenes From An Italian Restaurant 4 - Zanzibar 5 - The Stranger ------------- We all dwell in an amber subdomain, amber subdomain, amber subdomain. My face IS a maserati |
Posted By: Heart of the Matter
Date Posted: August 23 2022 at 18:41
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1 Summer, Highland Falls 2 The Downeaster Alexa 3 Leningrad 4 Baby Grand 5 A Matter Of Trust |