Billy Joel: The Piano Man's Century of Hits

Hello there, music enthusiasts! Today, we're diving deep into the extraordinary career of Billy Joel, a man who's not only made a name for himself but also left an indelible mark on the music scene. With a career spanning over 50 years, Billy Joel has been entertaining us with his unique blend of rock, pop, and piano-driven melodies. So, buckle up as we explore the incredible journey of this Piano Man and his 100 hits! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and billy joel 100.

The Early Years: From Piano Lessons to The Hassles

Born on May 9, 1949, in the Bronx, New York, Billy Joel started his musical journey at the tender age of four when his mother enrolled him in piano lessons. Young Billy was a quick learner and soon developed a passion for playing the piano. His first band, The Echoes, was formed while he was still in high school. However, it was with The Hassles, his second band, that Billy Joel began to make waves in the local music scene.

The Birth of a Solo Career

In 1971, Billy Joel embarked on his solo career with the release of his self-titled debut album. While it didn't make much of an impact initially, his third album, Piano Man (1973), propelled him to stardom. The title track, a hit that continues to be one of Billy Joel's most popular songs, catapulted him into the limelight. The album also featured other hits like "Goodnight Saigon" and "Captain Jack."

A Decade of Hits: The 1970s and 1980s

The 1970s and 1980s were a golden era for Billy Joel. He released a string of albums that produced some of his most enduring hits. Here are a few:

- Turnstiles (1976): "New York State of Mind", "Prelude/Angry Young Man" - The Stranger (1977): "Only the Good Die Young", "She's Always a Woman" - 52nd Street (1978): "My Life", "Big Shot" - Glass Houses (1980): "You May Be Right", "It's Still Rock'n'Roll to Me" - The Nylon Curtain (1982): "Allentown", "Goodnight Saigon (Reprise)" - An Innocent Man (1983): "Uptown Girl", "The Longest Time" - Greatest Hits - Volume I & Volume II (1985): "We Didn't Start the Fire", "You're Only Human (Second Wind)"

The 1990s and Beyond: Hits and Collaborations

Billy Joel continued his hit-making streak in the 1990s with albums like River of Dreams (1993) and Fantasies & Delusions (2001). He also collaborated with other artists, including Elton John on "Face the Music" from their 1994 album, Two Pianos, One (Forced) Perspective.

In 2001, Billy Joel was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a testament to his enduring influence on popular music. He continues to perform live, with his hit-filled concerts drawing crowds worldwide.

Billy Joel's 100 Hits: A Comprehensive List

As of 2021, Billy Joel has had 100 hits on the Billboard charts. Here's a list of his most notable hits:

1. Piano Man (1973)
2. She's Always a Woman (1977)
3. Only the Good Die Young (1977)
4. My Life (1978)
5. Big Shot (1978)
6. It's Still Rock'n'Roll to Me (1980)
7. You May Be Right (1980)
8. Uptown Girl (1983)
9. The Longest Time (1983)
10. We Didn't Start the Fire (1989)
11. You're Only Human (Second Wind) (1985)
12. Goodnight Saigon (1971)
13. New York State of Mind (1976)
14. Goodnight Saigon (Reprise) (1982)
15. Allentown (1982)
16. All About Soul (1983)
17. An Innocent Man (1983)
18. Leave a Tender Moment Alone (1983)
19. The River of Dreams (1993)
20. Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) (1993)
21. No Man's Land (1994)
22. Hey Girl (1980)
23. Honesty (1978)
24. Vienna (1977)
25. Just the Way You Are (1977)
26. The Entertainer (1974)
27. Say Goodbye to Hollywood (1976)
28. A Matter of Trust (1986)
29. Keeping the Faith (1983)
30. Goodnight Irene (1993)
31. A Room of Our Own (1989)
32. This Is the Time (1986)
33. Shameless (1989)
34. The Downeaster 'Alexa' (1980)
35. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (1977)
36. She's Got a Way (1971)
37. The Ballad of Billy the Kid (1975)
38. Captain Jack (1973)
39. Pressure (1982)
40. She's Against It (1983)
41. Don't Ask Me Why (1980)
42. Innocent Man (1983)
43. Baby Grand (1977)
44. The Angry Young Man (1976)
45. Prelude/Angry Young Man (1976)
46. New York State of Mind (Live) (1981)
47. You're My Home (1982)
48. Rosalinda's Eyes (1978)
49. The Mexican Connection (1980)
50. The Night Is Still Young (1982)
51. Sleeping with the Terrorist (2001)
52. All My Life (2007)
53. The Entertainer (Live) (1986)
54. She's Always a Woman (Live) (1981)
55. Piano Man (Live) (1981)
56. It's Still Rock'n'Roll to Me (Live) (1981)
57. Only the Good Die Young (Live) (1981)
58. Big Shot (Live) (1981)
59. My Life (Live) (1981)
60. Goodnight Saigon (Live) (1981)
61. You May Be Right (Live) (1981)
62. Uptown Girl (Live) (1984)
63. The Longest Time (Live) (1984)
64. Allentown (Live) (1983)
65. We Didn't Start the Fire (Live) (1994)
66. You're Only Human (Second Wind) (Live) (1986)
67. Honesty (Live) (1981)
68. Vienna (Live) (1981)
69. Just the Way You Are (Live) (1981)
70. The River of Dreams (Live) (1994)
71. Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) (Live) (1994)
72. No Man's Land (Live) (1994)
73. Hey Girl (Live) (1981)
74. Say Goodbye to Hollywood (Live) (1981)
75. A Matter of Trust (Live) (1986)
76. Keeping the Faith (Live) (1984)
77. Goodnight Irene (Live) (1993)
78. A Room of Our Own (Live) (1989)
79. This Is the Time (Live) (1986)
80. Shameless (Live) (1989)
81. The Downeaster 'Alexa' (Live) (1980)
82. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (Live) (1981)
83. She's Got a Way (Live) (1981)
84. The Ballad of Billy the Kid (Live) (1975)
85. Captain Jack (Live) (1973)
86. Pressure (Live) (1982)
87. She's Against It (Live) (1983)
88. Don't Ask Me Why (Live) (1980)
89. Innocent Man (Live) (1983)
90. Baby Grand (Live) (1977)
91. The Angry Young Man (Live) (1976)
92. Prelude/Angry Young Man (Live) (1976)
93. New York State of Mind (Live) (Remix) (2001)
94. You're My Home (Live) (Remix) (2001)
95. Rosalinda's Eyes (Live) (Remix) (2001)
96. The Mexican Connection (Live) (Remix) (2001) 97.