Author

Billy Joel

30 quotations

About Billy Joel

William Martin Joel is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Nicknamed the "Piano Man", after his 1973 signature song of the same name, Joel has had a successful career as a solo artist since the 1970s. From 1971 to 1993, he released 12 entirely self-written studio albums spanning the genres of pop and rock, and in 2001 released a one-off studio album of classical compositions. With over 160 million records sold worldwide, Joel is one of the world's best-selling music artists and is the …

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I'm probably writing music now for the same reason as I started writing songs when I was 14 - to meet women.
Don't make music for some vast, unseen audience or market or ratings share or even for something as tangible as money. Though it's crucial to make a living, that shouldn't be your inspiration. Do it …
I can't think of one person I've ever met who didn't like some type of music.
I'm probably writing music now for the same reason as I started writing songs when I was 14 - to meet women.
We are living in a time when American popular music is finally being recognized as one of our most successful exports. The demand is huge.
When I look at great works of art or listen to inspired music, I sense intimate portraits of the specific times in which they were created.
When I was a young musician, the only option available to pursue secondary education in music was to attend a classical conservatory.

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For whatever reason, not all people are born with the particular gift of being able to express ourselves through music. And, believe me, it is a gift.
If you make music for the human needs you have within yourself, then you do it for all humans who need the same things. You enrich humanity with the profound expression of these feelings.
Have you listened to the radio lately? Have you heard the canned, frozen and processed product being dished up to the world as American popular music today?
Why do musicians give so much time to charitable causes? The most humanitarian cause that we can give our time to is the creation and performance of music itself.
I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.
The whole world loves American movies, blue jeans, jazz and rock and roll. It is probably a better way to get to know our country than by what politicians or airline commercials represent.
Don't make music for some vast, unseen audience or market or ratings share or even for something as tangible as money. Though it's crucial to make a living, that shouldn't be your inspiration. Do it …
When I was 19, I made my first good week's pay as a club musician. It was enough money for me to quit my job at the factory and still pay the rent and buy some food. I freaked.
You want to give people a reason to hate my guts more? I'm making more money.
When I was 19, I made my first good week's pay as a club musician. It was enough money for me to quit my job at the factory and still pay the rent and buy some food. I freaked.
Like family, we are tied to each other. This is what all good musicians understand.
Historically, musicians know what it is like to be outside the norm - walking the high wire without a safety net. Our experience is not so different from those who march to the beat of different drum…
When I was a young musician, the only option available to pursue secondary education in music was to attend a classical conservatory.