Billy Joel: "I have not forgiven myself for not being Beethoven"

This week singer-songwriter Billy Joel marked his 100th sold-out show at New York's Madison Square Garden. He talked to Anthony Mason about the durability of his music, and why, in the 1990s, the hitmaker gave up songwriting.
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[@muzikmystro]

As someone who’s classically-trained, the way Billy writes, I’m sure Beethoven would have loved his music. Fun fact; the chorus of ‘This Night’, the vocal melody is Beethoven’s ‘Pathetique’. Beautiful interpolation.

[@dawnd.5290]

I have no memories connected to Beethoven, but I'll never forget Billy Joel.

[@joebezslu]

skip 200 years from now. hopefully both are still around. but classical is always timeless

[@vintagejock3951]

Because you were born like 250 years later?

[@liamg2271]

It's actually a really interesting conversation and can be applied to many fields, particularly the arts and athletics. There's always somebody better or more talented but be content with who you are and the quality of your work. Mozart was probably more talented than Beethoven, and he did not write with anguish or frustration. He could churn out things so easily it's beyond remarkable. But Beethoven struggled and worked, and worked, and worked. In the end his compositions became literally the foundation for the romantic modern era of music. You can literally feel his anxiety and struggles within his compositions and Billy clearly feels exactly the same way as Ludwig did when he composes a piece. It just a interesting discussion with a lot of nuances.

[@florianbach8052]

If I had to chose between them it would be Billy Joel.

[@Apfelstrudl]

No just no. And without Beethoven he wouldn't have any song to copy 😉

[@lillyboldlyshewhispers7145]

The Piano man! Billy Joel's songs are like visiting an old friend. Beautiful, timeless songs.

[@mirkorussomanno4981]

you could not forgive yourself for not being behtoven.........but we like you just the way you are Bill

[@thetrueking4535]

I have not forgiven my self for not being Billy joel.

[@SmolNoodles]

Nor have i, Nor do i plan to soon

[@janetwaters9553]

Billy , Neil Diamond is as wise as he is brilliant musically ! Listen to what he said and take heart ! Just be Billy and enjoy yourself! Just do what Neil does , write from the heart !

[@JKSCN]

Great interview

[@pitti-sing1203]

Totally agree about the suspension. That's maddening!

[@jenhasken]

Palatial living room but well earned. Brilliant songwriter.

[@patrickmitchell7351]

Piece of work & legend!!!

[@slamdunk406]

When learning a song by an artist, never go off the sheet music. Go off what’s played on the record.

[@felixstalkaboutmusic6419]

I agree, it's so much better to listen to the record. Plus it's good ear traning

[@slamdunk406]

@@felixstalkaboutmusic6419 Exactly

[@gregpearson1939]

Hes so authentic!!

[@willdwyer6782]

Serenading Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street with the song he wrote for his first wife must have been priceless. 🤣

[@emily-crawford-soprano9181]

This knowledge is making me read all his compositions again, looking for V7 pivot chords,

[@andersemil5541]

I can assure you that Beethoven felt just like that too; it’s the artist’s curse.

[@luvmenow33]

Damn. High standard

[@creative45630]

The perfectionist neurosis coming through… the same he talks about in ‘Vienna’

[@karenf9698]

I agree, the chords the arrangers put in ARE stupid...long live the suspension!!

[@pitti-sing1203]

Karen Kahrs yes, yes, YES!

[@WormholeGarden]

He has multiple songs where he "borrowed" from Beethoven. That's gotta' be a factor, too - when songs haven't just been built on the shoulders of what came before, but are retreading the same footsteps with different equipment or speed.

[@btariratnakanya3585]

he sold out MSG tons of times and manage to dress up like a lumberjack grandpa is everything.

[@johnreid2203]

Was Beethoven ever content with himself? Did he ever thought to be as good as Bach or just like Mozart? Who knows..

[@robbydyer4500]

He adored Mozart's piano concerti in D minor and C minor, and played the former for Mozart's widow in a concert after her husband died, with his own cadenza (solo), to her great satisfaction.

[@chmendez]

Many experts think Beethoven surpassed them. However, those are the top 3 of so-called "classical music"

[@tomb.2632]

I've forgiven both Neil Diamond and Billy Joel for not being Beethoven! I have paid to see both in concert several times, and they are the best... Don't think I would have paid to see Beethoven...

[@joe-vz6hx]

oh my god....he's morphing into William Shatner.