If this is your first Billy Joel, strap yourself in. He has about 60 worthy of a reaction. Pull up a list and just throw a dart. Anything it lands on will be a banger.

@rickwelch8464

11 ай бұрын

Best way to say it.

@nyrocks5580

10 ай бұрын

Yep, that is no exaggeration. Dozens of songs I could always listen to. Plus, he wrote his own lyrics AND music.

Piano Man may be his biggest song but this is his masterpiece if you ask me. Just a genius going to work and telling us a story

@johnthegreek5836

11 ай бұрын

I agree with you completely

@lynne8346

11 ай бұрын

I heard Billy Joel on an interview say this is his favorite song he ever wrote

@loadedorygun

10 ай бұрын

Yeah piano man the album is good but the song itself is lame. This from the stranger is much more creative and the stranger album might be his best.

@Jayscollo

10 ай бұрын

I love Piano Man but Scenes From an Italian Restaurant is def my fav Billy Joel song, it a beautiful mix of everything I love about his music rolled into a masterpiece of storytelling! I was lucky enough to see him live 2 times! The 1st time was in NY At Madison Square Garden and durning this song the sax was mind blowing loud I turned around and there he was playing in the aisle right in front of me. A moment I will always remember.

@jamiepasquariello2652

10 ай бұрын

​@@loadedorygunit's definitely not lame. It paints a picture of that bar, and the characters were real

The sax guy is Mark Rivera. This was about the time he took over as Billy's full time horn guy.

@seanscanlon9067

10 ай бұрын

I remember having this concert from 1982 on VHS when Mark was the newbie in the band, so it seems funny now that he is the only one who still is in the band today and the current longest serving member.

First time hearing BILLY JOEL 😮!! You’ll love EVERYTHING he does … he’s amazing

@MN_Cozy

10 ай бұрын

AMEN!!❤

Billy Joel is an incredibly gifted songwriter. He's classically trained on the piano, and uses that knowledge in his compositions. Every song is a story, with poetry for lyrics.

@angelark2011

11 ай бұрын

I totally agree. I have been a billy joel fan for over 30 years.

@par500dragon7

11 ай бұрын

@@angelark2011 ... he was a huge part of my growing up years. I was really into singer/songwriters like Billy, Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Diamond and others. (I'm old!)

It's so hard for me to imagine not knowing who Billy Joel is and hearing this song for the first time (since he's been part of the backdrop of my whole life). It must be mind blowing to experience for the first time.

@marybolletta1106

10 ай бұрын

I agree! We grew up with him I thought ,oh boy is he gonna be blown away if this is his first listen.

Great song, and even better performance. Thank you for doing this version. The studio version is great, but this particular performance really shows off Billy's talent.

Richie Cannata left the band in 1981. Mark Rivera replaced him and that is who you see here. Mark is a great player and has amazing energy onstage. He still plays with Billy to this day. Mark has also toured with Foreigner, Daryl Hall and is the musical director for Rngo Starr. The drummer is Liberty Devitto. Liberty and Billy parted ways in 2006 after 30 years of playing together. Thanks for the great reaction. Billy will never disappoint. Enjoy The Stranger it is one of the best albums out there.

@nickrizzi4927

6 ай бұрын

Mark is great at so many things. Richie is too. Two great talents and Billy knows it! Broke my heart over Liberty, cause love both. Happy New year.

Billy is just too good for the rest of us "regular" musicians on earth. This is one of Billy's masterpieces, because he doesn't just have one masterpiece, but maybe, just maybe this is the top. It's the tempo changes, the chord progressions, the vocal, and Mark Rivera on the sax. OMG. Not only is Mark Riv an amazing player, but he's a wonderful showman, too. Still tours with Billy, as far as I know, as of a few years back at least. Billy is just ... well ... the best songwriter of my time, at least for me. Thanks for reacting to the great Billy Joel.

Back in the late 70's /early 80's, my 2 older brothers would play stickball in the street in front of our house with their friends, while this song and the rest of the songs on this album would play on their 8-track player. I would sit on the curb as their little sister, and watch them, while this song played. To this day, at almost 50 years old, I cannot hear this song or any others from this album and not picture this scene in front of our house. ❤

@seanscanlon9067

8 ай бұрын

Years later on Billy's An Innocent Man album from 1983, the final track is called Keeping the Faith and includes the verse: Learned stickball as a formal education Lost a lot of fights but it taught me how to lose ok Oh, I heard about sex but not enough I found you could dance and still look tough anyway Oh, yes I did

@user-or1ye3iz6d

8 ай бұрын

@@seanscanlon9067 Ha! Good call!! 👍🏻

Even more astonishing, Billy played this amazing performance with a broken thumb. You can see it’s taped up and he shakes his hand to ease it a couple of times. An absolute genius.

The myth is that Joel is really a musical Jedi and this performance is actually like him using the force like a Luke Skywalker projection of himself on stage playing piano while the real Billy is flying down a highway somewhere on his chopper.

The Stranger album was the very first album I owned on vinyl back in the day. I was a teenager and have fond memories. Love this song - a whole life story in it. The studio version is better musically if you’re happy to live without live visuals

This and "GOODNIGHT SAIGON" are my favorite songs of Billy Joel ❤

If you weren't impressed enough with the performance already, at some point about halfway through the performance you'll see Billy shaking his left hand while playing. That's because he was still recovering from a BROKEN THUMB and was still playing a full concert!! Total badass!!!

I can't tell you more cause I told you already.... This was my favorite song from the album The Stranger. The whole album was great and was my first intro to Billy Joel and I was hooked. Many great songs followed and it was good to hear this song again. You should watch him do Goodnight Saigon live with Vietnam vets on stage singing with him. A great tribute to a band of brothers in war and what they experienced. Check it out

@scm0717

11 ай бұрын

I remember seeing him in concert a few times and he would bring out local vets to sing the chorus in Goodnight Saigon. I'm getting chills thinking about it. What a song.

@realitybytez

11 ай бұрын

the stranger was my favorite billy joel album, and yes - this was my favorite song on the album. this was an outstanding live performance.

Almost every song from the 1977 "The Stranger" album is worth listening to. Another great album is the 1983 album titled "An Innocent Man" with great songs like "Uptown Girl", "The Longest Time", "Keeping the Faith" and of course "An Innocent Man". Good luck with this rabbit hole.

I just saw Billy Joel in concert last week and it was an AMAZING experience. It was something that has been on my bucket list since I was a kid. Even in his 70s, he is an incredible performer.

Billy Joel is a great singer songwriter & composer from the 70's-90's. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He has so many hits over the years. "Piano Man" is a great storytelling song. The whole "Stranger" album is great & one of my favorites. It has the songs "Just The Way You Are", "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)", "Only The Good Die Young", "She's Always A Woman" etc.

" We Didn't Start the Fire " is also impactful but you can't go wrong with any of Billy 's Brilliant Song Writing.

"What just happened?" I've heard this song a million times and I still can't answer that question.

Marc Rivera is your Saxophone player and Yes the drummer is Liberty Devito. The several "switch ups" are often compared to Bohemian Rhapsody.

This is your first reaction? WOW! This is a great song to get started with, but PIANO MAN is his song and the one you need to react to next. Another really good early one is Captain Jack. Billy toured with Elton John in the 90's for a little bit. The concert was called dueling pianos. EXCELLENT concert! Billy Joel is from Long Island, like I am. Lots of Italian Restaurants and I know the area he's singing about. Billy was a nut at his concerts. I love that they opened the red wine and toasted each other while Billy started the song. Love this video.

The concert to end all shows that I went to was when Billy Joel and Elton John toured together. The piano playing alone was to die for from those two wonderful musicians, then their bands just topped it off for concert greatness.

@diannklotzbier7447

8 ай бұрын

YES! I saw it too in Indianapolis, IN.

Billy is right up there with Paul Simon, Dylan and a few others when it comes to writing lyrics and music, then playing, arranging and producing that music. He's also a pretty good vocalist with great stage presence. That's why he still sells out MSG at 74.

One of the greatest pop songs ever written.

He's so great live.

First time hearing Billy Joel????? I thought everyone had at least heard PIANO MAN. Like Sweet Caroline from Neil Diamond and Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody it has to be one of the top sing-along songs in the world!

@jodij6280

11 ай бұрын

Ahh, Neil Diamond. ~sigh~ He was my favorite artist back in the day. Then I found Styx and Pink Floyd. lol!

Now you understand why us old folks say we had THE best music.

Thank God I lived, daily, with music from the 70s, 80’s, and early 90’s!!!!

The sax player was Mark Rivera, his musical director. Yes, that was Liberty DeVito on the drums. Richie toured with Billy early on but doesn’t anymore.

What a great song, isn't it?!! Billy Joel is so talented and I love watching him play the piano. He has so much fun! You really need to watch the live version of New York State of Mind (from Old Grey Whistle Test). He was so young, his hair is longer and he's smoking and wearing sunglasses as he starts to play the piano. Billy Joel has a HUGE catalog of songs - you'll love all of them!!

Great songwriter and performer. Tons of really great songs.

A masterpiece of storytelling to music.

Bruhhhhh!!!!! Go down this rabbit hole…

Piano Man, Always A Woman, Honesty, Goodnight Siagon, Allentown…the list of stories put to incredible music goes on and on.

Oh man - you opened up the Billy Joel catalog. There is a reason his greatest hits is a double album! I bought his first album when it came out and I was hooked. The best song writer, piano player, performer ever. Enjoy this journey. It’s amazing.

Billy Joel always has the best and his band also Brilliant ❤

Great artist, KILLER album. I have always had a sweet spot for Billy Joel. This is a great example of musical storytelling.

It amazes me people are still discovering Billy Joel’s music. I’m so happy that the younger generation is enjoying the piano man.

Billy's greatest performance IMHO. I actually watch this all the time because I enjoy it so much. Billy has said that this is his fave song and loves to perform it. Um, ya Billy, we get that. He has an excellent library. So glad you loved it!

@robertkern9911

11 ай бұрын

This was my request and I actually worked this show as stagehand Worked both the Nassau Coliseum and Jones Beach Theater for 40 years on and off

Richie Cannata was Billy's sax player for a lot of years. It hurt when he left the band but his successor, Mark Rivera (who we see in this live performance) quickly established himself as a favorite.

Billy Joel (Born in the Bronx but grew up in Long Island), is a great performer and song writer. He has released some 14 albums from 1971 to 1993. Some of his biggest hits throughout his career are: "Piano Man", "The River of Dreams", "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me", "Honesty", "Just the Way You Are", "Only the Good Die Young", and many more.

Welcome to the Billy Joel rabbit hole! He’s a genius! ❤

Billy Joel and Elton John have been my favorites since I was 16, and they both still are, and I'm now 58 ❤❤

I lived in a little apartment, during college & there was a small Italian restaurant down the street that I frequented at least once a week. Mama worked in the kitchen, but would always serve me my lasagne with half red & half white sauce. Such good food & not very expensive. They also owned the laundromat across the street. Mama would try to give me quarters for my laundry taped to my leftovers box, but I wouldn't take them. Laundry & dinner for two nights

Genius. Just freaking genius.

Hello! I'd like to recommend a video that Lucas Vinicius makes every Dec 31th, trying to show "what would the year be if it were a song?" It's a medley comprising the top hit songs of the year, but he always adds his own twist to the songs. He's been doing this since 2019, and the quality bar of the production is a exponential up. Worth mentioning that Lucas is mainly known as a comedian, and he usually wears this or that piece of clothing as a tribute to the original artists. So this was the first one: "2019 EM UMA MUSICA", from his channel Inutilismo (that translates to something funny like Uselessness) To reach the other videos, all you've got to do is change the number of the year.

Billy Joel is one of the OG “legends” of music. So much amazing music from him to even know where to start. Man could play his hits for hours & hours & never play any of them twice. Enjoy it all. It is a wonderful journey down a very deep rabbit hole.

You just watched & listened to a legend😊

@jodij6280

11 ай бұрын

Agree. The rabbit hole is deep.

This isn't simply a song/story...it's an experience! Saw Billy in concert the first time in '78 (in NC) and fell in love with him!

It will be part of the whole album coverage, but I wish that Vienna would have its own reaction on Main. My favorite Billy Joel song.

I was 10 years old in 1983. My parents bought my first concert ticket and it was Billy Joel. I remember thinking this is so lame, my parents bought this ticket to this dorks concert. I enjoyed myself far more than I should have at 11 years old and thought he was pretty cool. Now that I am 50 and have enjoyed and explored his music for so many years, I realize that Billy Joel is the GOAT. His lyrics, his timing, his musical presence...all absolutely unmatched by anyone, period full stop. The man does it all. Every type of music and genre, he kills it. Enjoy this Rabbit Hole. Goodnight Saigon, Allentown, We Didn't Start the Fire, It's All About Soul. I could go on and on but you will understand when you listen. This was a treat! Thank you!

I was obsessed with this song & this album when it first came out! Such a killer track - plays like a medley of a few songs, all of them great. The sax & clarinet is top notch, and Billy just killing the piano, as usual. Great reaction, man!

Perfect song about nostalgia.

I love Billy, and how he ends this song with the sax is so perfect.

A story of Brenda and Eddie who get married and then divorced and scenes of their story. They get back together at the Italian restaurant to reminisce. This whole album is fire!

Welcome to the Piano Man

I usually think that it’s better to listen to the studio version of a song first but this is a rare example of the exception to that rule. This live version kicks butt.

One word needed... Genius.

I’m so glad you found Billy Joel bro!

Next up, the live version of "New York State of Mind" (from Old Grey Whistle Test). You will not be disappointed,

We’d dance to The Bee Gees at the clubs and hang out with friends listening to Billy Joel - I Loved Those Days - we were spoiled rotten!! Saw him the first time he played MSG in 1978 - this song still gives me chills!!

Probably the best writer and arranger in the history of rock/folk music. It's just insane how good that song is, just on arrangement alone. Then the performance kicks in...

Billy has been quoted to say he plays piano as a percussion instrument. Billy is platinum and that band is hidden gold. Great reaction!!

If you go through Billys discography you will discover he can sing most any genre This song is like a Beatles song in the way it changes Others will remind you of others he grew up listening to and again this song has special meaning to those of us Growing up on LI in the 60s and especially those from Levittown

Vienna is also a great song off this album

in an interveiw Billy said this was his favorite song and sincw hw had hundreds, thats saying something good start but this is the entrance to the rabbit hole!

Billy Joel is one of the greatest lyricists of his time. Please treat us (and yourself) to more!

Love Live performances!! SOOO Much Energy and personality!! More More!

Can’t believe you are doing 2 of the best albums..ever…this week-end, Abby Road and the Stranger! Throw on Tea for the Tillerman and the Travelling Willburys (part 1) and you’ve got music for the ages..for sure! All I can say is, you are in for a treat…so Enjoy!!

Notice Billy Joel is shaking his left hand while his singing allows him a break from playing piano. Notice as well that his left thumb has something white on it. He had recently been in a motorcycle accident, where he broke his thumb. He's playing a concert performance with A BROKEN THUMB. BEAUTIFULLY.

You will find Richie played on the album as did the rest of the band in this performance, but the sax player is Mark Rivera, this looks like 1981 he is still there in 2023.

Gloria’s brother was really featured on this one! I didn’t know Mark was the backing vocal too! I’ve seen Billy perform several times but always from the far seats…

Billy Joel, the consummate pianist! The epitome of the piano man!

LoL, such a good song. Reminds me of the late 70s/early 80s riding in the car with my mom, both of us singing our hearts out. She introduced me to so much great music. Great times.

His band at that time was unbelievably great. This song takes you on quite a journey, one of his best for sure.

Just thought if you didn't notice Billy was playing with a broken Thumb.

So many of the greatest songs of the 1970s and 1980s were by Billy Joel. A born storyteller with a gift of words and classical piano training. There is an incredibly deep dive of amazing tunes ahead of you! - Piano Man - Honesty - It's Still Rock And Roll To Me - New York State Of Mind - My Life - River Of Dreams - Goodnight Saigon - Summer, Highland Falls| - Baby Grand (duet with Ray Charles) These are some of my favorites! Have fun, dude!!!

@jodij6280

11 ай бұрын

Movin' Out and Only The Good Die Young are mine.

You seriously would have loved growing up in the 70s and 80s! Best music eva..... Nothing better than 70/80 rock!

SUPER performance and Billy Joel is so underrated as an artist. EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dude. This song. THIS. SONG. Just swept me right back to my early 20s. Pure perfection. Now go and react to any and every other song he's ever done. You won't regret it.

You won't be disappointed....his music is so different 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

LOVE Billy. This is actually one of my favorite songs by him. Seen him many times in concert. Always amazing. ❤ Billy is one of the best storytellers ever and most of his songs are like that. Please listen to more. He has some amazing songs !!

@SalvoG -- "I'll meet you anytime you like, at our Italian Restaurant"! Billy Joel is amazing--please continue on a journey throughout his catalog!!!

Quite a rabbit hole, you are about to go down. Billy Joel is one of the greatest artists of my generation.

It makes my heart happy to see you react so positively the way you do to the music that is dear to my heart and my memories. The 70s were a special place in land and time; I wish it could repeat itself. And us.

Awesome. Even Billy himself says this was the best song he's ever written. IMHO the studio version on The Stranger album is better than this live version.

@jodij6280

11 ай бұрын

I agree, the studio version is cleaner.

@Pixelologist

10 ай бұрын

I'd have to disagree. This live version kicks ASS!!

@jodij6280

10 ай бұрын

@@Pixelologist This version is fun but it's hard to hear the lyrics.

This was the album that made Billy a national and international superstar! Every song with the exception of one tune are unforgettable Hall of Fane worthy on their own. This song just tops them all!This was not a hit single just the tune that fans and radio disc jockeys loved and played on the radio all the time. It tells the story of New York people with the heart and soul of reality!Matk Rivera who plays the sax in concert is multitalented and fantastic in concert!

A whole Broadway musical was written about this song and included many of Billy Joel's biggest hits called Movin' Out.

One thing you need to know is Billy is a story teller. I love his storytelling.

So talented all his music is great he still is awesome in concert

You have just witnessed musical genius at its best. Billy Joel is an American treasure. Singer/poet/composer/lyricist/world class pianist and generally amazingly creative. It doesn’t get much better. Great reaction 🌺✌️

I've seen Billy 5x in concert and he is phenomenal!! Best shows in concert!!

This got you. Wait till to you hear his catalogue. He’s the best singer songwriter on planet earth. Enjoy ❤❤

When my mom married my step-dad i was about 8 years old. He was in the Navy and moved us to San Diego. We were so happy. We didn't have a lot. We drove around in a little convertible singing along to our favorite album. The Stranger. Every song brings back wonderful memories of starting over. My step-dad ( who was the best dad ever ) passed a few years ago. I miss him dearly, and when i do i pop on this album and I'm taken back. There are so many songs Billy Joel has that brings me back but this album makes me laugh and cry and it means so much to me

One of my favorite songs of Billy's... this live version is just epic!

Gosh this brings back memories! Late 70's!

I LOVE how this song goes full circle about the couple! AMAZING song!

This album came out when I was in High School, great memories. The entire album is great. Since you haven't heard anything from Billy Joel before this video you should check out "Piano Man" which is his most iconic song. Great Live version from Shea Stadium in 2008, you should check it out