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Billy Joel

Performer Songbooks

Billy Joel

Joel recorded many popular hit songs and albums from 1973 (beginning with the single "Piano Man") to his retirement from recording pop music in 1993. He is one of the very few rock or even pop artists to have Top 10 hits in the '70s, '80s, and '90s. A six-time Grammy Award winner, he has sold in excess of 100 million records worldwide and is the sixth best selling artist in the United States, according to the RIAA. Joel's induction into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame (Class of 1992), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Class of 1999), and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame (Class of 2006) has further solidified his status as one of America's leading music icons. He has continued to tour occasionally (sometimes with Elton John) in addition to writing and recording classical music.

From an early age Joel had an intense interest in music; especially classical music. He began piano lessons at an early age, and his interest in music instead of sports was the source for much teasing and bullying in his early years. As a teenager, Joel took up boxing so that he would be able to defend himself. He boxed successfully on the amateur Golden Gloves circuit for a short time, but abandoned the sport shortly after having his nose broken in a boxing match.

Joel attended Hicksville High School, and was to have graduated in 1967. However, he was one English credit short of the graduation requirement; he overslept on the day of an important exam due to his late-night musician's lifestyle. Faced with a summer in school to complete this requirement, he decided not to continue. He left high school without a diploma to begin a career in music. In 1992, the English credit requirement was waived by the Hicksville School Board and he received his diploma at Hicksville High's graduation ceremony 25 years after he left the school.

At the age of 14 Joel joined his first band, The Echoes (which later became The Lost Souls). According to producer Shadow Morton, Joel was also the pianist on the Shangri-Las hit "Remember (Walking In The Sand)". In 1966, he joined The Hassles, a Long Island band that had some local success ("Every Step I Take," "You Got Me Hummin'"). The Hassles released two albums The Hassles (1967) and Hour of the Wolf (1968) on the United Artists record label. Following The Hassles' demise in 1969, he formed the pop rock duo Attila with Hassles drummer Jon Small. Attila released their eponymous debut album in July 1970 and disbanded the following October.

Joel's lyrics have made many references to locations in the New York City metropolitan area, particularly Long Island. For example, the "Miracle Mile" line in 1980's "It's Still Rock & Roll to Me" refers to the affluent shopping district located on Northern Boulevard in the community of Manhasset and 1980's "You May Be Right" references walking through the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn alone as proof of craziness. In his 1973 song "The Ballad of Billy the Kid," he describes a certain "Billy" as being from the town of Oyster Bay, the municipality in which the hamlet of Hicksville is located. He has since stated, in the liner notes from his album Songs in the Attic, that this "Billy" is not himself, but rather an Oyster Bay bartender.

Several of Joel's songs have grown out of specific personal experiences, including "Piano Man," which he wrote describing his regular job playing at a Los Angeles piano bar in the early 1970s, and "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant," purportedly written about either the Syosset mainstay Christiano's or a similar eatery in New York City's Little Italy. His song "Vienna" was supposedly written about a visit to his father in Europe, while "Big Shot" was based on a bad date with Mick Jagger's ex-wife Bianca.

His music reflects influences from many different genres including European classical composers, Aaron Copland, 1950s doo wop, Broadway/Tin Pan Alley, jazz, blues, punk, ska, gospel, pop, and even Russian folk songs, to straight-up rock & roll. This has, in part, led to his broad success over a long period of time, but made him difficult to categorize in popular music today.

Arrangers - Vocal Jazz | Barbershop | Contemporary Christian | Gospel | Contemporary Pop | Choral

Songbooks (See the Songs)

Displaying 1-11 of 11 items.


Billy Joel : Pro Vocal for Singers : Songbook & CD : Billy Joel : 884088196615 : 1423449649 : 00740373

Billy Joel : Pro Vocal for Singers

Review: Whether you're a karaoke singer or preparing for an audition, the Pro Vocal series is for you. The book contains the lyrics, melody, and chord symbols for eight hit songs. The CD contains demos for listening and separate backing tracks so you can sing along. The CD is playable on any CD, but it is also enhanced for PC and Mac computer users so you can adjust the recording to any pitch without changing the tempo! Perfect for home rehearsal, parties, auditions, corporate events, and gigs without a backup band.

Songlist: All My Life, Big Man on Mulberry Street, Just the Way You Are, Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), Only The Good Die Young, Piano Man, Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, She's Always A Woman

Style: Pop

More details
5577b | Songbook & CD $14.95 | Solo Pop Songbooks for solo voice


Billy Joel : An Innocent Man : Songbook : Billy Joel : 884088912239 : 1480344788 : 00119722

Billy Joel : An Innocent Man

Review: David Rosenthal, Billy's keyboardist and Music Director, has carefully arranged all the tracks from Joel's 1983 release, combining the piano parts and vocal melodies into playable arrangements while transcribing those classic piano parts that are integral to each song. Guitar chord frames are also included. This great souvenir collection even includes several pages of photos and Billy Joel's original hand written lyrics. It includes ten classic songs, including: Careless Talk - Christie Lee - Easy Money - An Innocent Man - Keeping the Faith - Leave a Tender Moment Alone - The Longest Time - Tell Her About It - This Night - Uptown Girl.

Songlist: Easy Money, Careless Talk, Christie Lee, This Night, An Innocent Man, Keeping The Faith, Leave A Tender Moment Alone, The Longest Time, Tell Her About It, Uptown Girl

More details
20238b | Songbook $16.95 | Solo


Billy Joel : Billy Joel - Piano Man : Songbook : Billy Joel : 884088603557 : 1458415317 : 00307333

Billy Joel : Billy Joel - Piano Man

Review: David Rosenthal, Billy's keyboardist and Music Director, has carefully arranged all the tracks from Joel's classic 1973 release to combine the piano parts and vocal melodies into playable arrangements while transcribing those classic piano parts that are integral to each song. This book features the iconic title track and nine others: Ain't No Crime - (The) Ballad of Billy the Kid - Captain Jack - If I Only Had the Words (To Tell You) - Somewhere Along the Line - Stop in Nevada - Travelin' Prayer - Worse Comes to Worst - You're My Home. Also includes a foreword by David Rosenthal.

Songlist: Ain't No Crime, (The) Ballad Of Billy The Kid, Captain Jack, Piano Man, If I Only Had The Words (To Tell You), Somewhere Along The Line, Stop In Nevada, Travelin' Prayer, Worse Comes To Worst, You're My Home

More details
20241b | Songbook $21.95 | Solo


Billy Joel : Billy Joel - Turnstiles : Songbook : Billy Joel : 884088689872 : 1476816689 : 00103040

Billy Joel : Billy Joel - Turnstiles

Review: David Rosenthal, Billy's keyboardist and Music Director, has carefully arranged all the tracks from Joel's classic 1976 release to combine the piano parts and vocal melodies into playable arrangements while transcribing those classic piano parts that are integral to each song. This book features eight classic songs: All You Wanna Do Is Dance - I've Loved These Days - James - Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway) - New York State of Mind - Prelude/Angry Young Man - Say Goodbye to Hollywood - Summer, Highland Falls. Includes a foreword by David Rosenthal.

Songlist: Prelude, All You Wanna Do Is Dance, James, Angry Young Man, I've Loved These Days, Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway), New York State Of Mind, Say Goodbye To Hollywood, Summer, Highland Falls

More details
20237b | Songbook $16.95 | Solo


Billy Joel : Glass Houses : Songbook :  : 888680970437 : 1540067386 : 00304640

Billy Joel : Glass Houses

Review: Billy Joel's keyboardist and Music Director David Rosenthal has attentively arranged all the tracks from Joel's 1980 album to combine the piano parts and vocal melodies into playable arrangements with accurate transcriptions of those classic piano parts that are integral to each song. Includes all ten songs, including: All for Leyna - C'etait Toi (You Were the One) - Close to the Borderline - Don't Ask Me Why - I Don't Want to Be Alone - It's Still Rock and Roll to Me - Sleeping with the Television On - Sometimes a Fantasy - Through the Long Night - You May Be Right. Also includes a foreword by David Rosenthal as well as great photos of Billy throughout and copies of his handwritten lyrics.

Songlist: All For Leyna, Don't Ask Me Why, C'etait Toi (You Were The One), Close To The Borderline, I Don't Want To Be Alone, It's Still Rock And Roll To Me, Sleeping With The Television On, Sometimes A Fantasy, Through The Long Night, You May Be Right

Style: Pop

More details
70757b | Songbook $19.95 | Solo


Billy Joel : Greatest Hits, Volume 3 : Songbook : Billy Joel : 073999061918 : 0793587069 : 00306191

Billy Joel : Greatest Hits, Volume 3

Review: 17 Smash hits from this pop superstar's latest albums which include INNOCENT MAN, RIVER OF DREAMS, THE BRIDGE and STORMFRONT. As a bonus, this book includes three new songs: 'To Make You Feel My Love' (which was written by Bob Dylan), 'Hey, Girl' and 'Light as a Breeze.'

Songlist: All About Soul, Hey, Girl, To Make You Feel My Love, Light As The Breeze, Shameless, And So It Goes, Baby Grand, Leningrad, The Downeaster 'Alexa', I Go To Extremes, An Innocent Man, Keeping The Faith, Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel), A Matter Of Trust, The River Of Dreams, This Is The Time, We Didn't Start The Fire

More details
20239b | Songbook $17.95 | Solo


Billy Joel : Storm Front : Songbook :  : 888680067281 : 1495020304 : 00145759

Billy Joel : Storm Front

Review: Billy Joel's keyboardist and Music Director David Rosenthal has attentively arranged all the tracks from Joel's 1989 album to combine the piano parts and vocal melodies into playable arrangements with accurate transcriptions of those classic piano parts that are integral to each song. The huge hit We Didn't Start the Fire is included along with 9 other classics: And So It Goes - The Downeaster Alexa - I Go to Extremes - Leningrad - Shameless - State of Grace - Storm Front - That's Not Her Style - When in Rome. Includes a foreword by David Rosenthal as well as great photos of Billy throughout as well as copies of his handwritten lyrics.

Songlist: Shameless, And So It Goes, Leningrad, When In Rome, State Of Grace, The Downeaster 'Alexa', I Go To Extremes, Storm Front, That's Not Her Style, We Didn't Start The Fire

More details
40581b | Songbook $19.95 | Solo


Billy Joel : The Stranger : Songbook : Billy Joel : 884088202651 : 1423452763 : 00306939

Billy Joel : The Stranger

Review: Our new folio matches the 30th anniversary reissue of Billy Joel's classic album. Features all nine songs, including new arrangements approved by Billy himself! Songs: Everybody Has a Dream - Get It Right the First Time - Just the Way You Are - Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) - Only the Good Die Young - Scenes from an Italian Restaurant - She's Always a Woman - The Stranger - Vienna.

Songlist: The Stranger, Vienna, Just The Way You Are, Everybody Has A Dream, Get It Right The First Time, Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), Only The Good Die Young, Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, She's Always A Woman

More details
20240b | Songbook $18.95 | Solo


Billy Joel : A Cappella for Female Voices : Sheet Music : 

Billy Joel : A Cappella for Female Voices

Review: Contemporary a cappella arranger Deke Sharon does his magic on the classic Billy Joel song "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)". An absolute winner! Kirby Shaw's exquisite a cappella arrangement of this stunning Billy Joel pop ballad "The Longest Time" is available separately: men's and women's ensembles. Don't miss it! Billy Joel's pop hit from 1983 "And So It Goes" is a perennial favorite and evokes an even earlier time in America's pop history. Now available for mixed and SSA voicings, your groups will love to perform these well-crafted arrangements.

Songlist: And So It Goes, Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel), The Longest Time

More details
4420b | Sheet Music $6.45 | SSAA Contemporary Arrangements for Female Voices


Billy Joel : A Cappella for Male Voices : Sheet Music : Billy Joel

Billy Joel : A Cappella for Male Voices

Review: Billy Joel is surely one of the great songwriters of contemporary pop songs and many of his songs are particularily suited for a cappella singing. Kirby Shaw's exquisite a cappella arrangement of his pop ballad "And So It Goes" is stunning and Kirby also does a fantastic job with "Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel), one of the most poignant and beautiful songs of the '90s. "The Longest Time" is an excellent piece for featuring and recruiting men for your choral program. It is an authentic transcription of the original Billy Joel hit, and as such it will have automatic appeal with both singers and audiences.

Songlist: The Longest Time, And So It Goes, Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)

More details
9011b | Sheet Music $6.45 | TTBB Male Voice Arrangements


Billy Joel : A Cappella for Mixed Voices : Sheet Music : Billy Joel

Billy Joel : A Cappella for Mixed Voices

Review: Billy Joel is certainly one of the great American songwriters of the modern pop era and his works are often particularly suitable for an a cappella treatment. His iconic hit "Piano Man" from the 1970s will make a nice concert change of pace in this arrangement by Philip Lawson of King's Singers fame. Smooth vocal backup and great harmonies give "New York State of Mind" a special appeal. "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)"is one of the most poignant and beautiful songs of the '90s, now in an a cappella setting. This ballad is simply stunning. Kirby Shaw's exquisite a cappella arrangement of "And So It Goes" is stunning. Don't miss it! Billy's 1978 pop hit "Just The Way You Are" expresses a universal truth in a simple and beautiful way, and this a cappella setting will resonate with listeners at many concert occasions. This is a great collection and will have the audiences singing along..

Songlist: New York State of Mind, And So It Goes, Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel), Piano Man, Just The Way You Are

More details
7004b | Sheet Music $11.95 | Mixed 5-8 Parts Contemporary A Cappella Arrangements

The Songs (See Songbooks)

Displaying 1-50 of 72 items.

Song NameArrangerProduct TitleFormatVoicing
And So It GoesKirby ShawA Cappella for Female VoicesSheet MusicSSAAMORE DETAILS
And So It GoesKirby ShawA Cappella for Male VoicesSheet MusicTTBBMORE DETAILS
And So It GoesKirby ShawA Cappella for Mixed VoicesSheet MusicSATB divisiMORE DETAILS
And So It GoesAudrey SnyderAnd So It GoesSATBMORE DETAILS
And So It GoesAudrey SnyderAnd So It GoesSABMORE DETAILS
And So It GoesAudrey SnyderAnd So It GoesSSAMORE DETAILS
And So It Goes Audrey SnyderAnd So It Goes SSAMORE DETAILS
And So It Goes Audrey SnyderAnd So It Goes SABMORE DETAILS
And So It Goes Audrey SnyderAnd So It Goes SATBMORE DETAILS
Everybody Has a DreamGary FryEverybody Has a DreamSABMORE DETAILS
Everybody Has a DreamGary FryEverybody Has a DreamSATBMORE DETAILS
Finale from Movin' OutMac HuffFinale from Movin' OutSABMORE DETAILS
Finale from Movin' OutMac HuffFinale from Movin' OutSATBMORE DETAILS
It's Still Rock And Roll To Me80's Gold - For Men's VoicesSongbook & CDMORE DETAILS
It's Still Rock and Roll to MePaul LangfordIt's Still Rock and Roll to MeSATBMORE DETAILS
It's Still Rock and Roll to MePaul LangfordIt's Still Rock and Roll to MeSABMORE DETAILS
It's Still Rock and Roll to MePaul LangfordIt's Still Rock and Roll to MeTTBMORE DETAILS
It's Still Rock And Roll To MePaul LangfordIt's Still Rock And Roll To MeTTBMORE DETAILS
It's Still Rock And Roll To MePaul LangfordIt's Still Rock And Roll To MeSATBMORE DETAILS
It's Still Rock And Roll To MePaul LangfordIt's Still Rock And Roll To MeSABMORE DETAILS
Just The Way You AreAlan BillingsleyA Cappella for Mixed VoicesSheet MusicSATBMORE DETAILS
Just the Way You AreParis RutherfordFun Songs for Mixed Voices A CappellaSheet MusicSATB divisiMORE DETAILS
Just The Way You AreAlan BillingsleyJust The Way You AreSATBMORE DETAILS
Love Is Like A RiverKirby ShawLove Is Like A RiverSSAAMORE DETAILS
Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)Roger EmersonLullabye (Goodnight My Angel)SSAMORE DETAILS
Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)Kirby ShawLullabye (Goodnight My Angel)TTBBMORE DETAILS
Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)Kirby ShawLullabye (Goodnight My Angel)SSAAMORE DETAILS
Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)Kirby ShawLullabye (Goodnight My Angel)SATBMORE DETAILS
Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)Philip LawsonLullabye (Goodnight My Angel)TTBBMORE DETAILS
Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)Kirby ShawWomen's Heavenly PopSheet MusicSSAAMORE DETAILS
Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)Kirby ShawA Cappella for Male VoicesSheet MusicTTBBMORE DETAILS
Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)Kirby ShawA Cappella for Mixed VoicesSheet MusicSATBMORE DETAILS
Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)Philip LawsonMen Pop Hits 5Sheet MusicTTBBMORE DETAILS
Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)Deke SharonA Cappella for Female VoicesSheet MusicSSAAMORE DETAILS
Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)Roger EmersonLullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)SSAMORE DETAILS
Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)Mac HuffLullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)SATBMORE DETAILS
Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)Mac HuffLullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)SABMORE DETAILS
Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)Mac HuffLullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)SSAMORE DETAILS
New York State of MindMark BrymerA Cappella for Mixed VoicesSheet MusicSATBMORE DETAILS
New York State of MindSteve ZegreeNew York State of MindSATBMORE DETAILS
New York State of MindSteve ZegreeNew York State of MindSABMORE DETAILS
New York State of MindSteve ZegreeNew York State of MindSSAMORE DETAILS
Piano ManPhilip LawsonA Cappella for Mixed VoicesSheet MusicSATTBBMORE DETAILS
Piano ManPhilip LawsonPiano ManSATTBBMORE DETAILS
River of DreamsMark BrymerRiver of DreamsSATBMORE DETAILS
River of DreamsMark BrymerRiver of DreamsSABMORE DETAILS
River of DreamsMark BrymerRiver of Dreams2-PartMORE DETAILS
She's Got a WayMac HuffShe's Got a WayTTBMORE DETAILS
She's Got A WayMac HuffShe's Got A WayTTBMORE DETAILS
Tell Her About ItJack ZainoTell Her About ItSABMORE DETAILS
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