Billy Joel or Elton John
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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=129440
Printed Date: March 06 2025 at 14:10
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Topic: Billy Joel or Elton John
Posted By: bardberic
Subject: Billy Joel or Elton John
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 14:38
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Billy Joel goes back for me to essentially the beginning of music journey - he may well be the artist to which I have consistently been listening longer than any other. I actually very recently started getting back into his work, and it really does take me back. Elton John to whom on the other hand I only just (relatively) recently began listening I don't know much about his discography, unlike the former, but I do think they're very similar in their style and overall shtick - so much so, that I would consider Billy Joel to be America's Elton John, so I'm comparing them. Overall, I would put Billy Joel considerably higher than Elton John, not because I'm significantly more familiar with his work, but because I have noticed that while Elton John has great highpoints, he does include a lot of filler in his albums, in my opinion, and even then, I think Billy Joel's highpoints are even higher and without really any filler. What do you all think? For the record, I think that Piano Man is masterpiece and one of the greatest rock albums ever produced, and also the first album I purchased.
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Replies:
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 15:02
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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. I voted for Billy Joel, if you hadn't already guessed.
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Posted By: JD
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 15:14
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Oddly enough these two artists are side by side in my CD collection. Love them both although Elton more from his earlier albums. This is a real tough one...but in the end... ------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: bardberic
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 15:23
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Frankly, I don't love Joel's later albums; it's his first few albums, before Glass Houses, that I love, and even then, his work before The Stranger is considerably better yet. Elton had a nice string of singles in the 90s, which is what attracted me to his work, honestly.
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Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 15:39
Same here, though more inclined to Billy Joel, and I would rather suggest this one : ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
JD wrote:Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 15:41
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I like Billy Joel a lot but his music (IMO) tends to lean more toward 'Pop'. For me more of Jonn's music is more challenging and takes more risks than Joel's. That's why I voted for Elton. |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 15:55
| Billy Joel but I've started to warm up to Elton John a bit lately too. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 15:58
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I find both to be mawkish. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: essexboyinwales
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 16:04
| It has to be Billy Joel! |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 16:37
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The string of albums from Eltons second self titled album (1970) up including Captain Fantastic (1975), are an unbeaten merrit by any artist. Nine albums from 1970 to 75, with very high level of artistery and poigenance. Also this shoul be in general music section i think. -------------  
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Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 16:59
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Elton. He did a duet with John Lennon, so that makes him rock royalty. ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 17:04
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There are individual songs of Billy Joel's that I like, as opposed to whole Elton John albums I still listen to. ------------- ...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: RockHound
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 18:31
| I love Elton John up to Captain Fantastic and have seen him a few times. My wife is a fan. We have never enjoyed Billy Joel. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 18:33
^ My wife also is a fan of Elton John.
Yep, moved to General Music Discussions. Prog Polls is meant for acts that we find in PA's Prog categories (okay, say, in a long list if not every single one is in a PA Prog category, but neither of these are). I don't listen to Elton John much, but that is a very strong string of albums. For a contemporary big name, excluding Pin Ups, I'd put Bowie well ahead from a personal preference standpoint, mind you.. I have never liked Billy Joel that I can recall. |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: July 30 2022 at 21:36
I believe that Elton John is rock royalty by his own merits. Also, Gilmour played guitars for Elton John in one album, which for me is just as great. |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: July 31 2022 at 02:33
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I think Billy Joel is "too american" for me. I've tried, but I don't see or feel the attraction. I suppose he is is a household name in the US and Canada etc... but I don't think "the piano man" is nearly as big a star outside the anglosphere. It's like "oh that guy with Uptown Girl?" - similar to Randy Newman is the guy with You Got a Friend in Me. "We" don't really know him or hear him on the radio etc... The classic Elton John is more universally loved, and his 1970's music also works for me - although extremely hit or miss.
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Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 05:40
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Billy Joel, easily. Much of his best stuff are in the deep tracks on his albums that didn't get radio play. See suitkees post of Scandinavian Skies above. ------------- ---------- 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: Ronstein
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 07:20
| Absolutely can't stand Billy Joel, some of Elton's earlier stuff was very good though. |
Posted By: Argo2112
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 07:26
| I like both but I'm defiantly more of a Billy Joel fan. I feel like Elton leans a little to much on ballads. Billy has a more diverse song catalogue. |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 07:27
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But Billy Joel was inspired by Elton john. ------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. |
Posted By: JD
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 07:44
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^Suggesting that someone who is inspired by another can't surpass them? Flawed logic IMO. ------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 11:42
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I also don't buy that Joel was inspired by John. Their playing styles are different from each other. ------------- ---------- 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: dr wu23
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 12:29
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Slight edge to John because I really like Tumbleweed and Madman and overall has a better bunch of lp's........but there are a many Joel songs that are excellent imho. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 13:55
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I would not totaly bash Eltons 80s or 90s output, there are some gems but also some stinkers, i really like the song. "A song for guy", and the title track on "the One" is on my spotify chill song playlist, its one of the warmest songs ever made. Also Elton John got part of hes artist name from a Canterbury scene legend -------------
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Posted By: CosmicVibration
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 14:29
| I flipped a coin, and it came up Billy. |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 14:48
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I guess Joel. But meh overall. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 15:02
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 15:03
| I'd say Elton...there are songs I love by both but there are quite a few Billy Joel songs that turn my stomach |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 15:20
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Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: August 01 2022 at 15:20
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Love both. But Goodye Yellow Brick Road is killer. Even some proggy bits...Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, Grey Seal. But then Billy has The Entertainer, Captain Jack, New York State of Mind. Tough call.
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Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: September 23 2022 at 08:44
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Sir Elton John ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |