Sep 14 2022 27 mins
Billy Joel says he's never forgiven himself for not being Beethoven, but we believe just because Billy Joel can't do what Beethoven did doesn't mean Beethoven could do what Billy Joel does. Journey with us as we dive into The Stranger, Joel's first commercially successful album, track by track. Forty-five years after its release, The Stranger has stood the test of time by resonating with grandparents, parents, and children. Why? Shawn will breakdown Joel's compositions and Shawna will talk about his ability to write lyrical stories that capture human nature at its core. When music crosses genre, has the complexity of a renowned classical piece, and tells timelessly relatable stories, it will settle deep into your heart, mind, and soul from one generation to another. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), sets up our thesis perfectly with the introduction of contrapuntal melodies reminicint of Bach. Just like Homer's epic, Ulysses, Joel writes a lyrical coming of age story that touches on the internal struggle people have as life transitions from youth to adulthood.