Billy Joel - The Stranger (Live 1977)

In 1977, Billy Joel released his album The Stranger to massive critical and commercial success. Watch this live performance of the title track, 'The Stranger' from New York City's Carnegie Hall in 1977.
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Lyrics:
Well we all have a face
That we hide away forever
And we take them out and show ourselves
When everyone has gone
Some are satin some are steel
Some are silk and some are leather
They're the faces of the stranger
But we love to try them on
Well, we all fall in love
But we disregard the danger
Though we share so many secrets
There are some we never tell
Why were you so surprised
That you never saw the stranger
Billy Joel's official KZbin channel features music videos, live performances, interviews, TV appearances and more. Best known for his first hit song, 'Piano Man', in 1973, Billy has written and recorded thirty- three Top 40 hits in the United States. He is a six-time Grammy Award winner, a 23-time Grammy nominee and one of the world's best-selling artists of all time, having sold over 150 million records worldwide. Billy Joel is the sixth-best-selling recording artist and the third-best-selling solo artist in the United States.

[@territarheel5163]

Billy Joel has always had the gift of writing songs that reveal deep, previously unspoken truths about the human character. I love him.

[@seanredmond3112]

Well put.

[@rawdonwaller]

I like your suggestion. But to be fair: Epicurus, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Locke, Spinoza, De Beauvoir, Arendt, Nussbaum, Anscombe, Wollstonecraft...Shakespeare, Miller, Auden, Plath, Angelou, Mofolo, Achebe, Dickinson, Dickens, Frost, Luther King, Keats, Fanon, Yeates, James Brown, Gil Scott Heron..Mozart/Da Ponte, Wagner, Schubert...Too many to consider, have 'spoken' as much of the 'truths' of human nature as anyone could wish to consider in a lifetime. And that's not even mentioning the great artists in other artforms, let alone artists of Asian, Middle Eastern or other backgrounds. Billy Joel did popular culture a favour by so deftly articulating 'truths' about humans, I'll agree with you on that :-)

[@CristyB66]

SO true!!

[@ehlee-mp2lo]

true... he is one of a kind...

[@johnhutchinson9509]

@@rawdonwaller r/imverysmart

[@Audrey-bs7zr]

It's crazy how close this is to the studio version. He killed it!

[@katherinejannakas1171]

It’s better than the studio version, imo❤

[@michelperrin3605]

​@@katherinejannakas1171❤❤❤❤❤❤p😊😊ppp0p😊ppppppp😊pppppp😊pp😊

[@theplanetruth]

I’m still blown away by his ability to whistle like that on cue. One of his best songs

[@rayoflight9709]

I was blown away a while back when I realised he could whistle it a real art form not utilised enough in modern factory produced time of music making

[@thetruth72667]

YES!! He is the best writer music wise, his lyrics are the best & never stray off topic, he can Fuckn PLAY THAT PIANO like no other, his voice is always impeccably on key but he can really whistle like as well, like WTF........ anything else Billy haha LOVE HIM!!

[@HammockQueen]

My Dad could whistle like that.

[@WilliamCamilleri]

plonker

[@jefftanner3803]

@@thetruth72667 He also plays the Harmonica very well. If you watch and listen to Piano Man video on KZbin, you'll see and hear what I mean.

[@jones2914]

it's amazing that people this talented actually exist in this world. the man is an absolute fucking genius beyond comprehension.. it's not fair how good he is

[@alfredabraham7822]

うずまきパット様 Jones I know of him because when I was learning to play the piano, I had to play some of his songs.

[@HyperLuminal]

Even more amazing when you realize he actually write *all* of his own songs.

[@jtal19]

Talent like his exists in this world but it's rare.

[@wendyshell8679]

Jonesうずまきパット様 he was accepted to Columbia University!

[@64fairlane305]

How did we go from this and end up with some depressing sh*t called rap?

[@GermanOperaSinger]

It's unbelievable how good the 1970s Billy Joel Band sounded live. They were one of the best live performance music groups ever.

[@borisentwistle]

GermanOperaSinger i couldnt agree with any statement in any youtube coment section more that that statement. I was born a decade and a half too late. I hate almost all the modern garbage but i could listen to 70s Joel live performance all day and love going to bed whistling Zanzibar!

[@zembryoz]

He still has most of the same core band too.

[@glassroboto]

Absolutely true. Pretty ridiculous that this is SO good. The album and the song are both a couple of my favorites of all time.

[@scottharrison3391]

at his peak

[@BaronKimball]

Yes my GOP

[@zazza5365]

It honestly doesn't get much better than Billy Joel

[@vladimyrmorris6554]

Greg Cluff paul McCartney

[@HiEverybody]

vladimyr morris no

[@Geniusignotus]

Bob Dylan?

[@electron7659]

Sir......✨⚡ E l t o n J o h n ⚡✨

[@AndgaChannel]

Billy Joel is better than Paul McCartney alone. With the beatles i agree they are better than Billy but they were 4. Same with Lennon

[@codyluckydog]

I really like the opening and close of this song it fades into and out of your life just a stranger does

[@joseph47711]

now thats observent!;)

[@dreia2405]

It's the best of this song

[@MrJpm1989]

Nailed it 100%

[@floydkiedis3807]

Right on brother

[@MrJpm1989]

@@floydkiedis3807 A true modern day masterpiece., so haunting.

[@SizzLizz]

what a song. what a performance. this guy in his prime was untouchable

[@tylerchatman67]

Joe Kofler Im Pretty Sure, Hes Still Solid. Hes Voice hasnt Changed at All

[@joshuaolian7732]

Joe Kofler IT'S PRISON MIKE

[@buckrogers5703]

Oh yeah..

[@WilliamCamilleri]

plonker

[@giovanniperticaro1623]

@@tylerchatman67 you are so right I go to the garden at least 5 times a year to see him I just recently retired to Florida I will still go see him 2 or 3 time's a year at the garden best song writer ever and a great pianist

[@TARugg]

Artists like Billy and Elton are iconic for a reason. This live performance as a 28 year old is simply flawless.

[@macungieman100]

+T.A. Rugg The difference is Billy wrote all his own music. His singing ability, and writing talent are unmatched. Perfect storm really.

[@kim-jf4nk]

+T.A. Rugg Ahhh.....so wonderful to know that the young ones appreciate the classics. I graduated high school in 1977 when this was.

[@TARugg]

Kim Moore At 53 I'm not so sure how "young" I am, but thanks anyway. :)

[@willritter4076]

Doug Russell exactly, and Billy has spoken about how difficult it was for him to write lyrics... I'd greatly appreciate it if some Joel fans would check out my live piano/vocal cover versions of ALLENTOWN and VIENNA, which you can find by clicking on my channel. Thanks and please pardon the self promotion.

[@MASTERVETEAM4]

Difficult, because he puts so much heart into them.

[@user-bm3nz9ci1l]

10년전에 처음들었지만 지금도 최고의 노래 가사가 참 가슴에 와닿는다

[@llewmills6406]

(1) Based on these on these lyrics Billy Joel would have made an incredible psychologist (2) How amazing is his band. That guitarist is dropping the dirty NYC funk big time.

[@alexandramaria5025]

This is honestly my favorite billie Joel song. I love the rhythm, his voice, the guitar part is awesome and the lyrics tell a story. I just love everything about this song.

[@kekkic]

I say the same!

[@rebekahblack2954]

This song and also, This Is My Life

[@eddarby469]

You could say that about most of his top hits of the 70s, before he connected with Christy Brinkley. Piano Man, Just the Way You Are, Honesty, The Stranger, New York State of Mind, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Goodnight Saigon, Allentown, and so many more ...

[@richarddaddio360]

❤ by

[@sophiethorson]

Same

[@Later_Nerd]

That vibrato in his whistle is so cool sounding. Legend.

[@TigerGreene]

It's incredible. It can be trained. I taught myself to do it.

[@puffyclouds1485]

Combined with everything else his talent his otherworldly

[@user-jo9by5oi4x]

ビリージョエルの大好きな一曲です。口笛と唄ってる表情が素晴らしい！

[@user-wg2dm3ns9c]

A lot of people compare Billy Joel and Elton John. Both are great. No quetion about that matter. But for me Billy Joel's songs are far far more appealing.

[@calkelpdiver]

Probably my favorite song from Billy Joel. The whole "The Stranger" album is great. One of his best pieces of work. This was when he really experimented and pushed his boundaries for song writing and composition.

[@user-cu9lu5ix6b]

初めて聴いた時、痺れました😳 大人になったような気がして、心震えました😊

[@WillieVercetti]

no auto tune and no playback whatsoever. we need this backk!

[@baldy555]

I came here after watching his most recent concert in Tokyo a few days ago . Was magical to see him perform again. But I “loved these days” when BJ was carefree and aggressive and thick NY accent.

[@MrJORGEORGASMO]

I love this song😍😍😍

[@maritaaracena980]

Billy Joel 🥹🙌👏👏👏 Beautiful memories . Greetings From Argentina 🇦🇷👋

[@user-hv2bk4fk3g]

穆の中で、棺桶に入れてくれ的アルバムのストレンジャーです。 リアルタイムでなくって、イノセントマンが流行った頃に出逢ったアーティストなのですが、中学生の頃に好きで仕方なくって🎵 齢50手前になりますが、聞くたびに良さが濃くなる‼️ ストレンジャー。この曲も、アルバムも最高です👍

[@sterlingarcher9208]

LOVE his cue to end at 4:12

[@hiroyukimiyazaki9390]

出だし口笛で始まる名曲だね🎵当時大ヒットしてて、ラジオ📻で毎日ながれてた、名曲🎵アップありがとうございました‼️懐かしい❗

[@seiji0003]

当たり前だけど、口笛が上手すぎる🎵

[@peacefuljeffrey]

Billy Joel is a treasure and I am thankful that humanity has had the gift of him.

[@niclofton9912]

The great thing about his music is that both live and studio versions sound the same... That's greatness folks!

[@marjoriecohn3868]

I think this is the best live version of a song I've ever heard.

[@stellaaplin7899]

The Stranger , so good to listening to this style

[@marjoriecohn3868]

Twenty-eight years old here. An old soul for sure.

[@user-fv5or9ws2x]

いつまでも、色褪せない、良いものは永遠だ。

[@RAMAIRSYSTEM]

かっこよすぎる！！

[@carmenordonez6132]

Que melodía oh Dios, no lo puedo creer

[@daleg.9673]

I wish I could whistle like that!

[@blackwingvalleylover]

@bassmanjoe Exactly.

[@tobygray497]

People who can sing generally are able to whistle.

[@sonicb00m165]

I can whistle like that but only so-so at singing

[@decacards5250]

It shows his natural talents.

[@hiroyukikawasaki1451]

小学生の頃聞いた魂の曲　ラジオにしがみついて夜更かししてたなぁ　色褪せない曲ですわ☺️

[@whyk2282]

Billy Joel is greatest song

[@user-nd6du8cz6y]

今の円熟したビリーさんも好きだけど、この頃のギラギラしたビリーさんはたまらなく好きです。

[@rayseva1278]

I know we all grow old (I'm testament to this). But MAN...the younger Billy Joel's voice is raw...intense...and just pure New York.

[@kirakira37]

これもビリー・ジョエルだったのか〜❗歌はうまい、口笛も上手、ピアノも弾く…すごい人だったんだ❗曲も最高❤️💙

[@floydpink37]

Billy's best song.

[@mattr.9250]

Artists like this don't exist anymore.......

[@davidm.alexander446]

This guy was born to do this .

[@lilianacaetano2866]

One of Billy Joel's best songs... At first, it touches the soul, then electrifies the mind and body !!! Impossible to listen without dancing!

[@AVPROJECT1]

Pure pleasure for my ears and my soul. His music and his voice are one of the best gift of the life.

[@rumim9190]

初めて聴いたときに、メロディーの独特な感じに衝撃を受けたのを覚えています。今でも聴くと離れられなくなって限りなくリピートしてしまいます。「素顔のままで」も大好きでした。もう40年も前の話 (*^^*)

[@jproduction6636]

[Verse 1] Well, we all have a face That we hide away forever And we take them out and show ourselves When everyone has gone Some are satin, some are steel Some are silk and some are leather They're the faces of a stranger But we'd love to try them on [Chorus] Well, we all fall in love But we disregard the danger Though we share so many secrets There are some we never tell Why were you so surprised That you never saw the stranger? Did you ever let your lover See the stranger in yourself? [Post Chorus] Don't be afraid to try again Everyone goes south every now and then You've done it Why can't someone else? You should know by now You've been there yourself [Verse 2] Once I used to believe I was such a great romancer Then I came home to a woman That I could not recognize When I pressed her for a reason She refused to even answer It was then I felt the stranger Kick me right between the eyes [Chorus] Well, we all fall in love But we disregard the danger Though we share so many secrets There are some we never tell Why were you so surprised That you never saw the stranger? Did you ever let your lover See the stranger in yourself? [Post Chorus] Don't be afraid to try again Everyone goes south every now and then You've done it Why can't someone else? You should know by now You've been there yourself [Verse 3] You may never understand How the stranger is inspired But he isn't always evil And he is not always wrong Though you drown in good intentions You will never quench the fire You'll give in to your desire When the stranger comes along

[@yormother]

The is the best song ever to exist in this world

[@ditty4]

Unbelievable artist

[@ajdc88]

holy shit can he really whistle that well live?

[@skswig1]

I would say he practiced it a lot.

[@ammee2994]

ajdc88 Oh Yeah :o

[@cindycooper4616]

I can whistle the Andy Griffith song...dang he's great

[@knownpleasures]

any fool can whistle a tune!!! lol

[@alcarter4155]

Not with such accurate pitch and perfect vibrato.

[@dadaevan]

One of his best! Love Billy!

[@QuangPham-vp8hx]

Great whistling talent! Marvelous song!

[@QuangPham-vp8hx]

Genius musician! I enjoyed reading the comments. I'm from VietNam. Hay lam!

[@jemma_19988]

that is bloody good whistling !!

[@easterboc1]

You don,t get better than that!

[@danielbeyrus3234]

He is True the piano man

[@fredstuckmann]

One of a kind. Thank you for decades of great music Billy Joel.

[@ChristianW1975]

+Fred Stuckmann amen

[@Riviers]

Billy Joel is the Grand

[@donatilferreiramachado6403]

LINDO❤

[@vesperahjopolk7586]

I love all of the music that Billy Joel has released, I don't think there is a single track that I can name by him that I did not absolutely love, Very talented and really has a gift I love how the lyrics bring me in and the melody keeps his music in my heart and soul.

[@papipoom6086]

oh my god its a old song, but i fallen in love with this song in 2017, its has been 40 years , isnt too late maybe 😂😍

[@user-gz2vu1rt5z]

BillyJoelは私の青春です。今でもあの頃を思い出し、少し涙が❗

[@madelinepeck9719]

I’ve just spent the past couple of hours in my car listening to any and all Billy Joel songs and reading the comments. I am so grateful to Billy Joel for the honesty and beauty he’s brought into this world. I’m so grateful that this experience is so universal- reading everyone’s stories in connection to his songs makes me love his music even more. Thank god for Billy Joel

[@g310gc]

Mad Peace p

[@bessiewilson798]

Beautiful mind relaxing music. That is a great texture with the baby boomers. Dont think it will ever be repeated.

[@riccardoangeli802]

Che talento .... Niente è impossibile per Piano Man ... Per lui la musica un gioco facile 👏🎹👏🎹👏

[@buckrogers5703]

The best BJ song.. period.

[@user-fp1sm8lh5m]

いつも大好き💓♥️❤️最高のものはずっと最高ですよ！

[@rebeccawagner4167]

Billy Joel is always making timeless classic music 🎶 🎵, and keep rockin 🎉🎉

[@thaddeusmcgrath]

Thanks for that excellent song Sylvester Stallone, glad to see you stand in for Billy on this one it was great.

[@adifferentkindofanidiot2215]

=))

[@user-nb2qf5xc9d]

懐かしい。ビリージョエルを初めて知った曲。

[@bryanrmcf]

These lyrics speak to me in another level... And let's not get started on the music itself. Amazing.

[@user-ep9fq2qs8e]

イントロの口笛は、一生に残ります。大切なメロディーです。

[@eruerueru42]

初めてアメリカンＰＯＰｓで大好きになった歌手・・・ 未だに変わらない

[@ttttln]

The piano intro and the whistling just melts my heart away! What an entertainer!

[@biffmcdermott3713]

His best.

[@furryp2402]

Hard to imagine that at 71 he still plays concerts. I saw him in NC two years ago and he still has an amazing voice.

[@goldengreenhouse1]

Very awesome!

[@Darkfatheroftheuniverse]

Der gute Mann ist ein ganz besonderer Musiker....Dieses Stück ist traumhaft arrangiert. Hat jahrelang mit der gleichen Band gespielt. Eine extrem gute Band.

[@Franzie2105]

Many memories I love Billy Joel. ❤❤❤

[@user-ye7xv3qq1p]

ストレンジャー大好きだ🎹 I like Billy Joel 🇯🇵

[@naskray]

I love when Billie Joel sings songs with Paul McCartney’s voice😃

[@user-oj9km7gj3t]

懐かしい‼️

[@sidneygreen9120]

My favourite album of all time 👍

[@user-qc8xp3ex1f]

50年ほど前の曲ですね。　　最高です！！！

[@michielsiemssen2466]

why where you so surprised that you never saw the stranger did you ever let your lover see the stranger in yourself? Love the lyrics

[@annalizabendal5523]

Impressive as always Billy. You were gifted with piano skills, song writing ability and vocals. You're a complete package. Thank you for your contribution in music.

[@user-dz1qe3gy2i]

何度聞いてもいい歌だなぁ🎵ビリー・ジョエル大好き💕

[@johnlayden1463]

Billy Joel and credence were the first that I really started listening to in the 6th grade.

[@themidnightbones]

I was only 3, yet, I am right there with you, Mr. Billy.

[@user-ms5st3ql5x]

こんなにも素晴らしいミュージシャン出遭えた事はとても幸せな事です。

[@chriscortez4562]

This riff is the truth.

[@user-nl8zl2jl7p]

아직도 수줍은듯한 매력이 가슴설네이게하네요 낭만김사부!! 감사감사!!!!

[@TV-sn1ye]

권근혜 낭만닥터김사부 20회 ㅠㅠ 100회까지 가자 김사부 사랑해!!♡

[@user-hg9gj8pq5n]

Billyの数々の曲は、若き日に私を励ましてくれました！ありがとうございます!!!!!😌😌😌

[@jeffreylara3835]

An absolute masterpiece!!! In this simple beautiful one song, Billy showed us his immense talent.

[@masaharufujii9553]

懐かしい曲です。 ディスコ時代チークタイムが有り、その時のバックミュージックです。 36年前、女の子とチーク踊った思い出が有ります💟 あの時代は、良かった❗ 凄く良い曲です‼

[@yankeejohn58]

My Favorite Intro to Any Billy Joel Song!!

[@seansilverman6794]

same. and I learned it on piano.

[@rayenriquez8937]

Untouchable

[@mr.kite0538]

Was at this show, great seats too. The man is so talented, there really isn't to many words you can say about him. I worked with him when he was playing keyboards for a group called "The Hassles" in the late 60's at a club in Long Island called The Action House. Our band played that night too. It was very common for club owners to book 2 bands for one night so they had live music all night. 45 minute sets.

[@brockbush3024]

And why should we believe you?

[@DrMuhammadIlyasKhanReflections]

Close your eyes, feel as if you are walking through a lonely path in a far away dark forest, and listening to that whistle in the beginning of this song!

[@user-du4ho4qs4w]

懐かしい、ビリー・ジョエルを聴くキッカケになった曲です。

[@trevorlyon4982]

I love the middle part but i always wondered what the song would’ve sounded like if he stuck with the same style as the intro and conclusion. One of the best intros to any song of all time, in my opinion.

[@keithjames3024]

Looking back at this as a piano player who covers Billy, I realize how he was so far advanced than many others… Amazing…

[@williamkern7931]

There's no nugget of wisdom that doesn't exist somewhere in a Billy Joel song

[@trishgatley6542]

We so appreciate this talent,,no tricks autotune,,,Original musicians are amazing,,,follow Elvis👍 several other greats💕