Billy Joel’s “My Life”: Untouchable Pop Perfection
Exploring the highs and lows of a piano-rock legend’s discography.
While Billy Joel faced criticism for some commercially driven work, his masterpiece, “My Life,” from the album *52nd Street*, showcases his unmatched songwriting talent and solidifies his place among music’s elite.
The Piano Man’s Peaks and Valleys
There’s no denying that Billy Joel has had an remarkable career. Although he stopped recording in 2001, seemingly due too a lack of interest in releasing anything that didn’t meet his standards, he remained a popular live performer until health concerns caused him to take an indefinite hiatus.
Alongside the likes of Elton John,Joel has proven himself to be one of the most illustrious piano-rockers of all time,and for good reason. His songs are often immaculate,rich in detail,and full of compositional wonders.
Commercial Success and Creative Compromises
Not everyone immediately appreciates Joel’s music. During his commercial peak, some releases reflected a desire for chart success, resulting in material designed to be as palatable as possible. Even the biggest artists sometimes fall victim to the need for more hits,leading to cheesy material.
The music industry is fiercely competitive. According to a 2023 report by the IFPI, global recorded music revenues grew by 9%, reaching $28.6 billion, highlighting the constant pressure on artists to achieve commercial success (IFPI).
Personal Grievances and Undeniable genius
Some find songs like ‘Uptown Girl’ tainted by associations with covers. Others dislike ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ for it’s perceived inauthenticity. Joel doesn’t think much of it either.
However, whenever I find myself ready to dismiss Joel based on these two atrocities that are far from his fault, I remember that he’s also responsible for ‘My Life’, perhaps one of the most water-tight and pristine pop songs ever recorded. It’s moments like this in his catalog that help me to quickly forget that ‘Uptown Girl’ and ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ provoke any ill feeling in me, and suddenly I’m reminded that when Joel was at the top of his game, he was practically untouchable.
‘My Life’: A Masterpiece of Relatability
Lyrically, ‘My Life’ is peppered with the details of a novel in just shy of five minutes. The relatability of the words, where Joel is simply trying to avoid external pressures to live the simple life he’s always wanted, is impeccable. Musically, it’s structured perfectly, with distinct verses, choruses, and bridges that ebb and flow effortlessly.
‘My Life’ is Joel’s masterpiece. Anyone feeling agnostic towards their love of the Piano Man should listen to this track from *52nd Street* to dismiss any doubts about his songwriting talents. While many high-quality songs exist in Joel’s catalog, the first few notes of ‘My Life’ reveal a masterpiece.
