Billy Joel

Released: May 19, 1976

Songwriter: Billy Joel

Producer: Billy Joel

James, we were always friends
From our childhood days
And we made our plans
And we had to go our sep'rate ways

I went on the road
You pursued an education

James, do you like your life?
Can you find release?
And will you ever change?
Will you ever write your masterpiece?

Are you still in school?
Living up to expectations?
James, you were so relied upon
Everybody knows how hard you tried

Hey - oh, look at what a job you've done
Carrying the weight of family pride

James, you've been well behaved
You've been working hard
But will you always stay
Someone else's dream of who you are?

Do what's good for you
Or you're not good for anybody
James

I went on the road
You pursued an education

James, how you gonna know for sure?
Everything was so well organized

Hey, oh now everything is so secure
And everybody else is satisfied

James, do you like your life?
Can you find release?
And will you ever change?
When will you write your masterpiece?
Do what's good for you
Or you're not good for anybody
James

Billy Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American pianist, singer/songwriter, producer, and composer who ranks as one of the most iconic and influential artists from the mid to late 20th century.

He is the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, wrote a total of 121 songs that achieved 33 Top 40 hits in the US, a 6-time Grammy winner out of 23 nominations, and one of the best-selling recording artists of all-time with 150 million albums sold worldwide.

Joel has since continued to tour and sells out in stadiums globally. He also delved into classical music composition, arranging an album, Fantasies and Delusions released in 2001, opened a motorcycle shop on his native Long Island, and is now regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Among his numerous accolades, he was inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992, bestowed with the Kennedy Center Honors in 2013, and awarded the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by the Library of Congress in 2014.

more tracks from the album

Turnstiles

From the album

Turnstiles (1976)

Billy Joel popular songs

JamesBilly Joel

Billy Joel

Turnstiles