Billy Joel's New Song Is Deeper Than You Think
Вставка
- Опубліковано 29 лют 2024
- Get access to Quarter Notes With Aimee Nolte, my 4 Nebula Classes, several pdfs and extended/bonus videos and the ENTIRE Nebula platform when you sign up for Nebula using my link (40% off an annual subscription) go.nebula.tv/aimeenolte
Watch Quarter Notes (Starring Larry Goldings) here: nebula.tv/quarter-notes-larry...
4 note motifs are at the heart of some of the greatest compositions in all of music. Why are they so powerful and how can we think about them deeper and start to understand what makes them so impactful?
Recorded using
Earthworks SV33
Earthworks PM40
Hallet and Davis baby grand piano
Much thanks to Chris for his editing work on this video
When he asks "Did I wait too long to turn the lights back on?" I want to respond "No, you're here now. That's all that matters."
In this new song, I hear more of his own earlier song "She's Always a Woman" than the Cat Stevens song. It's got the same 6/8 feel, chord arpeggios, and even the 3-major chord (similar to the E chord here in key of C).
Spot on!
yep, although I wasn't familiar with the Cat Stevens song, fan of Billy Joel going back to Cold Spring Harbor would never think anything else but pure Billy Joel in that song. I love your take and analysis. I hadn't seen the Official Video until I saw the excerpts in your analysis and it put me into the perfect context for me to watch it. Not a dry eye!
Yes! But I also think there's just a small hint of Piano Man in it.
That too. Good call. I def heard morning has broken more strongly until I saw this post. Makes more sense that he would reference his own song.
completely
..to me this is a deep reflective song about a man coping with his regrets and sorrows, which resonates with us all. Deep lessons learned from four marriages and 8 decades of living to finally figure things out
This has become my favorite song, not just from Billy, but ever. I've listened to it a thousand times, every time it brings tears to my eyes.
i Think the line "As we're laying in the Darkness" to me it seems like he is saying, "symbolically, I finally see you, I get it, I have been blind but now I get it". Also, going back to the reference to His career, for years, practically the entire 30 years, people were trying to get Billy to Write again, and he would say nope, I have nothing more to say. Back to the line, "Pride sticks out its tongue and laughs at the portrait that we've become, stuck in a frame unable to change, I was wrong" I think he is say, hey, I was wrong for not writing new music all these years. I'm late but I'm here right now......did I wait to long to turn the lights back on. Having been a Billy Joel fan all the way back to his 1st Album, and listening to practically every interview he has ever done, I can see in almost every lyric of this song, that Billy is trying to send we his fans a message. I hope he has another new album left in him!
Really good analogy. I absolutely love the song but I never thought too much about what it really meant. I assumed a woman, but the pride line? Yeah, maybe song writing instead. 😉
Great take. I agree.
Thank you. Comeback of the century.
He was the soundtrack of my 60yo musician life.
The impact of this song/video is difficult (if not impossible) to describe.
It gives me hope as a musician…
And a human being.❤️🇨🇦
Great video.
Met BJ briefly in Motown back in around '71. He was playing to a practically empty auditorium.
Dug him even then. He's a truly great writer.
Thank for this. You get it. And yes, after listening to this song for the past two weeks, it still hits me on a deep and emotional level. I’ve been a follower and admirer of Billy Joel’s work for almost 50 years now. And this ‘reawakening’ is so beautiful. Peace✌️
This song moved me to tears more than once. Personally, I think this is the most heartfelt song since “And So It Goes” or “Lullaby.”
I think “Turn the Lights Back On” is even more so than anything before. Maybe it’s my age and how I relate to the lyrics and the feeling of regret as time passes.
It is, to me, the single most moving song Billy has ever written. And in my top 3 immediately. The more I hear it and analyze it… it may go higher
In my 77th year I find this song easy to love.
Nice call-out to Cole Porter.
What a beautiful touching video.
When I was 16, I ran into Billy with Christie at a 7/11 right off the Long Island Exp. I asked him to buy beer for us (my friends dared me to), he said no. From that point on, I've said we worked on lyrics together. But seriously, thank you for posting this! He (Billy) and you (Aimee) are amazing musicians.
She is hurt he understands with empathy and always wants to make it up to her he is sorry
Not to stay in the dark but to live in the light and transparent
He could be writing about the past
You have a lovely voice Aimee
I have loved Billy Joel for years, now I think this is best song ever, and I am very glad I can say this after all this years.
I am not a musician, I’m merely a fan. This song is just fabulous, and so moving to me. It brings on emotion and tears. It makes me ponder my own life story. I understand it’s said to be partly about his music , but I feel strongly that he is speaking to his daughter Alexa. I could listen to it forever. I loved listening to you break it down. I loved the reference to Cat. This song is deep and I feel it in my heart. It gives me tears and chills. It’s everything.
I didnt know about this new tune so I've just watched the official video here in UA-cam. OMG Aimee you're so right, its very emotional; suddenly realised I too was tearing up !
When more fans get to hear this wonderful song it will become one of his all time classics
Thank you - that was very special.
I have between a huge fan of Billy's for 53 of my 57 years. I play piano by ear and Piano Man is one of my favorite to play. I have heard every album easily hundreds of times if not more. It is not hyperbole to say that they have been the sound track of my life. When River of Dreams came out and Famous Last Words played, I just knew something was up. In the ensuing years, the interviews would prove that he had decided he had said all he had to say. I think this song, in which I hear Angry Young Man and Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, as well as She's Always A Woman, is speaking to continuous listeners as being a lover of sorts. Almost like he's sorry for having become complacent and not paying as much attention to them. We all love to hear him, but we also love to hear what he has to say-how he turns a phrase and makes words in the middle of those phrases rhyme where you never expect them to. How he says what your heart couldn't find the words to say. And then he speaks to the newer generations that came along on their parent's and grand parent's listening coat tails and he's apologizing to them as well for not continuing to give himself to them, as if they are any less enthralled by the magic that is Billy Joel. "Maybe you will love me, maybe you won't, but at least you'll have the opportunity to have your heart's utterings translated too"
That's how it feels to me.
I can't believe it's not in his top five plays on Spotify. I've listened to this song close too 100 times, half on UA-cam. It's unbelievable! I absolutely love this song. It takes me to a place.....
This is like the best video I’ve ever seen, even though I have no idea what you’re talking about with the music technicalities. It’s all over my head, but so fascinating. Any chance you could play the whole song for us?
wow, I wish I knew music like you do. bravo!!
Excellent video, Aimee. Thanks for discussing and breaking down such a beautiful, well written song!
WOW you have a stunning voice - loved your analysis of the track... you have a new fan!
It pierced right through my soul the first time I heard it and I couldn't understand why. After seeing his interview with Howard Stern, now I get it. The obvious connection is that it touches on love that was lost, but there was something deeper. This song strikes a cord for so many of us because we relate it to the version of ourselves that we used to be - or could have been.
Thanks for this video! Somehow, I missed that Billy Joel had released a new song. Thanks for putting this on my radar! Also, great analysis of this song!
Aimee, this is Ralph. Wonderful video. It touched me as the song obviously touched you. Thank you!
Hey buddddy! Thanks so much!
@@AimeeNolte hi! I am at a part of the video where you say the time signature sounds like another song by Billy Joel, and I think it's piano man,which is also in 6/8
I am so tired of hearing folks go on about Billy Joel “restarting his career” and “giving us an album”. Billy Joel owes us nothing. He has nothing to prove to anyone (not even himself). Though I can’t say for certain, I imagine he made this song to scratch an itch, to get lost in wrestling with and solving a puzzle, to have a new experience with a trusted friend, and perhaps to get some things off his chest. He wasn’t thinking about “monetizing revenue streams” and “mechanical royalties” - he wrote it, as McCartney once said of writing his own songs, “for free.” He wrote it for himself, and, that he felt good enough about it to share it with us, that makes it the greatest gift. And, when someone gives you a gift, it’s impolite to ask for more.
👏👏👏👏👏👏
Your voice is so beautiful Aimee !
What a beautiful song. Classic Billy Joel to my ears. I hope there is more to come.
Yeah, you can expect a new song to compete with old favourites - not straight away.
Excellent storytelling. Love how you talk with your hands, very expressive.
that BRIDGE!!! 😍 the instant I heard it, I said "ok even if there was no vocal you'd KNOW this is Billy Joel" -- its classic Billy Joel chord progression and improvisation.
Like you and many others have mentioned, I liked it right away, but the more i hear it, the more I *love* it.
I also heard the lilt of "she's always a woman," but when he hits the bridge, shades of "piano man" come thru. as is the case with all things billy (at one point in my teens, glass houses was baked into my brain)...I am obsessed with this song.
Also, I love what you said about how there is so much meaning in what a bass note does...very cool
Billy Joel's music was everywhere during my childhood and, maybe because I was taking piano lessons, it always stood out to me. His ability to cut with his lyrics also stood out to me. But then, over the larger span of my life since, I rarely heard of or thought of him, except for a quote from some interview that I encountered where he was talking about how much he hates the process of songwriting, and/or finds it painful. That dry spell was broken when I heard him perform this song at the Grammys this year, and it was immediately obvious to me that the song was about his relationship with music, and how he would like back in after all this time, and it was powerful to listen to with that frame. It also struck me as a brilliant way to come back, too, since it was an opportunity to speak his truth. Also, did you notice that the official music video begins with him flipping the music to a new, blank page?
Unlike many of the true artists who were recognized for their greatness AFTER their lives ended (Like so many great painters such as VanGogh and others) Billy Joel is an artist who is experiencing his adoration from those who've recognized his genius in the music he produced long ago that were never recognized by his young "pop" fans back then. He's finally come into his own in the last ten years. He has a great life! Everything that you could ever hope for! Fame, monetary security, a great wife and kids and no need to try to impress. He never has stopped composing, from what I've heard, he just writes for himself now and sings his old hits just for fun! What a life!
Love it!! Thanks for making this Aimee Nolte music❤
This is so well done! Thank you very much!
Awesome! Thank You Aimee
A wonderful story! The value of love and encouragement
Thank you, Aimee for this. I didn’t know about his new song. I love it and have added it to my music library. Love your channel, you’re always so sincere.
McCartney said something really interesting once about competing with his old self, and I can only paraphrase: "Sure I realize that I'm never gonna write again like I did in the sixties; every artist has a peak, but I still write and record and put things out because I enjoy it, and I think I've earned that." That was all the way back in 1987. A great attitude, I think. Just be fearless.
I love Aimee Nolte's thoughts and analysis, as well as her beautiful playing and singing, and really find them interesting and enlightening.
And McCartney's last record (McCartney III) has some lovely moments. Not just doing it for his own enjoyment - well worth it.
@@artmarkham3205 That's not his last record. There's still Wings, the album he did with Costello, and many others.
Absolutely loved listening to this… thank you Aimee!❤
It breaks my heart as well that Billy's fans can't get this Classic in the top five on Spottify. Oh, and excellent presentation, playing and singing!!
It did debut at number 11 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. Hard to know what happened after that because you need a paid Billboard Pro subscription to watch the songs movement since it's release.
Why the chart isn't free public info like it used to be makes no sense.
@@elizabethwitt2621It went up to number 7 on the AC chart and only 62 on the Hot 100 (should have been top 10 in my opinion)
I love your assessment of this song… it’s as beautiful as the song itself. Thanks you, Aimee!
Aimee - your piece about this great song and great artist is exceptional. Thank you!
Beautiful commentary. Thank you.
Just discovered you tonight-huge Billy Joel Fan & now your new fan
WOW! I just became a fan of you. Bravo and thank you for your beautiful analysis of this great song!!!
Billy Joel is a master in our midst, and like the masters of old, only the future will truly recognize his greatness!
thanks again
Love your take. It is very emotional, and touched me.
You think you're not famous? You are, but it doesn't matter. We're here listening. Let it be what it is.
well, she said not very famous.
There are pop writers and there are composers. I put Billy Joel among the latter. Thanks, Aimee. I'm now subscribed.
This is a beautiful interpretation. So thoughtful.
you introduced me to things I didn't even think of. Thanks!
What a beautiful song! It's as magical as a Billy Joel ballad can get. Beautiful melody and chord progressions and deep lyrics that I can really relate to. However, still not in the top 5 of his songs on Spotify, not even top 10. At least it's number 7 on Tidal right now. Thanks so much for introducing and analyzing it!
Older folks have Tidal. That makes sense…and it makes me happy
Wonderful analysis and breakdown, you’ve inspired me to get back to the piano :)
I was hearing "She's Always a Woman" rather than Morning Has Broken. That intro is all Rick Wakeman's contribution as a session musician on the song. He was noodling around playing parts of the song Guinevere from his album Myths and Legends of King Arthur... when Stevens asked him to contribute something like that for Morning.
As for the lyrics, it's patently talking about America's relationship with itself.
I think the relationship he is talking about and trying to repair is between him and his audience.
Love your analysis, and with tears in my eyes too I say thank you.
Now, I need to go and learn this masterpiece.
Such a beautiful deep dive ❤ into a modern masterpiece of a song 🎵, by a master teacher and musician. Awesome video.
I sadly hadn't heard the new song yet, but your analysis was great and I'm going straight to listen. Thank you!
Let's hope Billy makes some more records! :)
So love that you broke this down Aimee. The NYTimes popcast review of the Grammys completely ignored it. But that’s what you get from 30 year old and younger pop music critics… don’t expect them to get it. So thanks for digging deep into this tune. So appreciate you on many levels.
So sweet. Thank you.
I’m four minutes in and you had me at “Morning Has Broken“ (which I stumbled into with excitement on my own - and wonderful to hear it confirmed!). Actually, you had me before that because I’ve been looking for this kind of interpretation of this incredible song for quite some time so; thank you so much! Looking forward to the entire analysis honoring a true artist!
I heard the chord progression from "Morning has Broken" as well. I figured that song out for myself on the piano years ago, so it's something that I'd actively practiced. Couldn't miss it in "Turn the Lights Back On." Is it derivative? No more so than anything else written in C, far as I'm concerned.
Here’s my two cents - for what it’s worth. I have not fallen in love with this song yet, it may take a while. Billy wrote some of the best rock songs of the 70’s and that’s usually what I turn to. That said, for me Innocent Man is the song that gets to me; the vocals, the lyrics the piano all great. I’m not sure how long it took me to love Innocent Man, but I do and maybe Turn the Lights Back On will be another. I’m not a musician and can’t explain it that way but I know what I like to hear. Thanks for making this video Aimee!
I loved that the piano solo bridge was a huge callback or maybe tribute to his own scenes from Italian restaurant solo in its playing style. Like you, I hope there will be more
I love BJ’s- “ stranger” - so deep- love his whistling.
What people are missing is that......Billy didn't write this song. He even admitted that. Freddy Wexler wrote it along with 2 others. Billy said in an interview that when he heard it, he realized that he could hear himself singing those words. I'm sure Billy added his style to the song and is credited as a "co-writer" but Wexler wrote this FOR Billy. Much like what Paul Anka did for Sinatra in "My Way".
Wexler also said he asked Billy to help him finish it and Billy made it better. Billy is a co writer of the song.
Great tune, great analysis.
Simon and Garfunkel. Songs in 3 are just different. They so often seem to play themselves. Don't know how else to describe the feeling. Good stuff Aimee, thanks!
It actually reminds me of some Keith Green songs. It reminds me of parts of "The Prodigal Song Suite".
You are an amazing singer and excellent video thank you
I love this song so much. However, I think you have to have lived life a little to understand how easily the light grows dim. It is tough to get it lit again. I love this song.
I wanted to say that the song reminded me a little of “How Do You Keep The Music Playing”. Another song about the same thing, but it’s different
I’ve been waiting for you to do this Amiee! I’m glad to hear someone talking about the depth of this song… I have been listening to it for the last couple weeks since it came out and I can’t believe how beautiful it is…
It may be about a woman, I mean, he says it’s partly that… But obviously, it’s also about his muse and his writing, I mean, he’s told us as much, that he’s not written in a long time, and he’s a bit freaked out by it… But he’s come back. He’s here right now, he wants to be in touch with that again, the magic, the Muse, the creative process…I love him so much for this
Amen
Amen again.
As a performing artist, the muse-the spark is what we live in and for. When it's gone we become empty UNTIL we seek to revive that spark. If we can, we appreciate it even more as a compliment to our life that has returned anew. It is a relationship that must always be held in reverence(re: pride tongue lyric). When we honor this relationship we fall in love again. It is not too late to fall in love again!
Thank you both for your sensitive comments on a beautiful and reflective song.
You've got a beautiful voice Aimee.
Thematically this song reminds me of a recent song my a group that had been gone for even longer that him, Don’t Shut Me Down by ABBA from their Voyage album. Both songs are about someone trying to reconnect an old relationship and wondering if it’s too late to do so.
Thank you Aimee - I feel so much the same way and your breakdown makes me wish even more that Billy writes again. I think so many things..the darkness, the house...are metaphors, even the lights...regardless...yeas, beautiful and so in his own style.
I just realized your voice is akin to Terry Gross, her speaking voice I always felt was the best. It is so amazing to hear it come to life in your fantastic singing voice ❤️ . You are a great pianist and teacher as well! This was great!
She has my favorite speaking voice on the planet. Thanks for the compliment
I'm so glad I watched this. I was vaguely aware Billy Joel had put out a new song, but hadn't gotten around to listening to it. After you'd played and sung a few bars I was sold 110%. And I knew immediately that you were about to talk about the song the way, in the back of my mind, I think about a song that moves me. What's the story being told or (perhaps ambiguously) implied? What's going on in the chords and the words to make that happen? He is so poetically concise and expressive in those lyrics, which resonate with me as I'm sure they do for others who feel or have felt regret. Yeah, there are familiar ingredients in the construction of the song -- the 6/8, the arpeggios, the heartstring chord changes (I'm a big sucker for a III7 in a major key). But it's put together so well. And the backstory is fascinating. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Aimee! Great video so far, im only at the start but your mention of the 6/8 time sig and being like lilting tempo - i would say it fits Billy's often mentioned and used classical callback to the waltz , which he specifically says of Piano Man (limerick lyrically, into 3/4 waltz tune). Im very far from any music theory knowledge or playing myself but I appreciate these breakdowns so much.
I’m not a musician…but loved this video. Thank you!
The arpeggiating pattern at the 3.47 time mark is very reminiscent of Billy Joel's tune "She's Always a Woman to Me." At least that's what I am hearing.
Only thing I don’t love about the song is how much it was tuned. I love his raw voice.
There seems to be a growing level of interest in this song. It’s very, very good. For those of us that are fans back to the 1970’s, this stirs memories, emotions. Beautiful.
I’m a huge Billy Joel fan. I’ve written Billy Joel several times about the world needing him to write again as well. I think he’s the best songwriter of all time. Anyway..,.I liked the song at first but didn’t *love it. It has grown on me too and I absolutely love the song now.
I can’t listen to this without crying. ❤Aimee mentions that there is essentially no difference between his current voice and with the younger Billy in the video. I actually think they altered his vocals slightly to have it match exactly as it would have been during whatever Billy era. If you listen extremely closely, you can hear the vocals aren’t the same between era to era and then to him now. This is absolutely no criticism - just something I noticed. The difference is almost imperceptible. I also have a music background for whatever that’s worth. 😂
I fed the voice changed as well between eras. Good call
Joel is a treasure & I'm honored to live in the same time as him.
Sometimes the best or at least the most meaningful songs are not given the attention of the feel-good ones.. i don't think that's bad.. but it is special for those of us that take the time to look at the obscure discology of only or most favorite artists
I'm a big fan of Billy Joel, but on the first hearing, this song fell flat for me. My first hit was that it sounded like an Elton John song more than Billy Joel. I greatly enjoyed your insights, especially into the lyrics, which I had not yet pondered. Thanks to you, I'll take the time to learn and be able to perform the song- perhaps then I will empirically feel what he was feeling when he wrote it.
The moment I heard this song for the first time, from the first line, I was hooked. Then it only got better and better. I agree, I think it's the best thing he has ever done and that is a biggie for me. He is the soundtrack of my life. I remember being in my 20's and single, then being in love, and Billy Joel always had something to say in his songs. My future husband and I bonded over Only the Good Die Young, lol. This one plays to loss and gently to hope.
The chorus melody sounds like Boyz II Men “The End of the Road”. The first two lines of the chorus in both songs are similar. But I think the Cat Steven similarity is what I heard the first time till the Boz Ii Men similarity came to mind. But after a few listens I forgot about both. Your analysis of the song is excellent as always. His lyrics are on another level.
The main reason it's not getting any traction is there is no radio and television support for it like back in the day. Even if he toured classic rock stations they won't play it except maybe the day of the interview. You have to look hard on your own for decent new music if you want to find it.
Billy is an absolute legend with a capital F! Amazing song.
Billy Joel's 1st hit song "Piano Man" is in 6/8 rhythm 😎
Song has been Top 10 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart since it's been released.
Just based on the title, I thought the song was about him getting back to music. Having heard it before watching your video, I still thought it was about that, though every line could also refer to other life situations in general. We box ourselves in, as he did by stopping music, maybe. Edit: And you're right - his voice is fantastic.
He wrote an album of classical piano pieces called Fantasies and Delusions released in 2001.
You can hear Billy Joel's style all throughout that Recording Piano Man was in six eight I believe I hear Elements of the piano man In there kind of returning to his roots that was his first big hit
The arpeggio references his own song - Always a Woman. Not Cat Stevens.
Thanks for letting me know Billy's released a new song.
Thanks, Aimee! Your comments made me reflect on how many of Billy Joel's songs are in 3 and 6. It has a sort of a drinking song feel to it, and is really a part of his "vibe".
By the way, the younger Billy Joel's in the video were played by impersonators.
I was never a fan of Billy Joel but as soon as I heard this new song I loved it! I think the “you” he sings about in the song is open to interpretation and I like to think it changes meaning from being a woman, or himself (laying in darkness…), or even his fans.
Incredible insights! You have a future in psychotherapy if this music thing doesn’t work out. I covered this song on my channel as soon as it came out as it is so meaningful and has touched me incredibly as well. Thanks for breaking it down so beautifully.😊
7:10 also reminiscent in 3/4 timing and brooding arpeggios to his song "She Always a Woman"