It's not great musically, but it is great lyrically. In the past he's said he hates "My Life," but that might have been after it was the theme song for Bosom Buddies.
Howard Stern does seem to constantly try to get people to say something negative or stir some animosity or bitterness. He tried to do the same with Billy Joeel's ex-wife Cristy Brinkley by saying that Billy said Uptown Girl was about Elle, not her. She had to correct him as well, calling him out that she knew he interviewd Billy Joel and said not said that at all.
I have the utmost respect for Stern. He has made a very slim layer of talent go a very long way and for that - and that very much alone - I congratulate him.
Well how could he NOT recognize its, I've always liked the song, cause to make a tune with only a very limited melody and make it sound good, is GENIUS.
I can't say I'm a huge Joel fan, but I do love The Downeaster Alexa. That's a fantastic song that I can always listen to. Most of his other songs....I've heard them so many times I really can't enjoy them personally.
I agree, but in pop music, I still think melody/tunefulness is the most important thing. U2’s “With or Without You” supports both ideas, actually. 3 chords but mostly just 2 throughout, it is the atmosphere/dynamics/arrangement AND the actual melody, both, that allow the song to transcend the limited chord structure.
It's definitely a good song but I do see where Billy is coming from particular when compared to his other songs. Although I think he has a level of consistency in his catalogue that I think most musicians would envy
At the time I was disspointed by that song, but it was a big hit and I was able to understand why Billy did it. Thank you very much, Billy Joel, for all the happiness you brought to our lives.
By 1989 the music was starting to swing in a different direction but it was nice to have this song because it was different than the other songs playing at that time. It was different than what he normally plays but a very good one. That album was worth getting because it also had many other great tunes on it as well.
Some of the critics may not have liked it but what was important is that the general audience liked it and that is all that matters. He had already proven to everyone that he is one of the greatest performers of all time.
That’s bullshit. He used to have a notebook filled with words, and then he moved on to a Teleprompter. It’s very visible when you go to his shows he’s not leaving it up to chance.
Love that he keeps correcting howard when he says he hates the song
It's not great musically, but it is great lyrically. In the past he's said he hates "My Life," but that might have been after it was the theme song for Bosom Buddies.
Gotta hand it to Stern for the way he so routinely tries to cram everything into an infantile & petty context.
Howard Stern does seem to constantly try to get people to say something negative or stir some animosity or bitterness. He tried to do the same with Billy Joeel's ex-wife Cristy Brinkley by saying that Billy said Uptown Girl was about Elle, not her. She had to correct him as well, calling him out that she knew he interviewd Billy Joel and said not said that at all.
I have the utmost respect for Stern. He has made a very slim layer of talent go a very long way and for that - and that very much alone - I congratulate him.
@@VanielDeeform He doesn't do it as much these days but he used to be constantly trying to upset or shock his guests and viewers.
"If someone mouths the wrong words I'm screwed" is perhaps one of the funniest admissions from a musical icon I've ever heard! :P
I guess that happened at the concert that I went to
We know he could afford monitors and an operator too hehe.
As with many of Billy's stories, they're said for effect.
This is why I love listening to him talk _about_ music, even though I'm not the biggest Joel music fan. He's so down to earth about it - and so funny!
This must have been the days before autocue - or did he just not bother wirh one?
I LOVE the fact that he recognizes this song has very little melody. I agree. It's a snoozer music wise.
Well how could he NOT recognize its, I've always liked the song, cause to make a tune with only a very limited melody and make it sound good, is GENIUS.
i think it was ment to be educational about some crap that been happening for the last thousonds of years.
@@nightmarerex2035 But it's still very good!!!
@nightmarerex2035 It's not about "thousands" of years, though... It starts in 1949, the year in which Billy was born.
there’s so much going on in the instrumentals buried in the mix that’s hard to pay attention to I mean most of his songs have a lot going on
A musical icon he is, such real people ❤❤❤
Billy Joel is one of the greatest showmen ever.
Challenge accepted! Im close to the stage for an MSG show in December. Let’s see if I can mess Billy up!! 😂
Please tell me you did
I can't say I'm a huge Joel fan, but I do love The Downeaster Alexa. That's a fantastic song that I can always listen to. Most of his other songs....I've heard them so many times I really can't enjoy them personally.
You’re probably listening to his late post 1979 songs, they became really poppy after that
Downeaster Alexa is a really good song. One of my favorites. Another is Goodnight Saigon.
Zanzibar , Rosalinda’s Eyes. Still on my playlist.
I love how technical his criticisms is of his music are. That’s a brilliant talent
sent me a nice autograph when i wrote to him saying scenes from an italian restaurant was my fav song class
I used to play that song over and over on my Sony Walkman in 89-90
......and now YOU listen to k-pop
Yep. Same. Good times.
I wonder how many times he started to sing Its the End of The World as we know it by REM instead.
Now THAT's a good song.
That might be a good Mashup
Howard Stern and Billy Joel. Two Long Island icons.
Cool it on the anti-Semitic remarks.
@@weatherlou - Yes I know, but his family moved to Hicksville when he was 1 and so he identifies as a Long Islander.
Well, working too hard can give you a heart att-ack-ack-ack-ack. 💔
That can be true and you oughta know by now
@@aliwantizu Even then, you pay Uncle Sam with the overtime
@@Disembow1280 Is that all you get for your money?
That is the best song :))
@@Miata-w6f agreed
I recall him saying he hated performing “Keeping The Faith” as well
We do strictly 80s joel sir
@@croach69 What'd I say? Let's keep it to late eighties.
song is great, it brings me back to a particular time and if I need to go there I play it...and I save it
This song always gets me rockin'. I loved all the references.
Me: Realizing Billie Joel's least favorite song of his is my favorite song of all time.
Lol same 😂
Please listen to more of his songs.
Please listen to more music
And nothing is wrong with that. It’s a great song but Joel has a catalogue of killer songs
@@Boygonebad sure, there is nothing wrong with that, it's just that maybe he's missing a great time listening to some beautiful tracks
Great tune. Think of it as an REM tune.
I don't care what Billy Joel says. I love that song!
I love that song. There's more to music than just melody.
I agree, but in pop music, I still think melody/tunefulness is the most important thing. U2’s “With or Without You” supports both ideas, actually. 3 chords but mostly just 2 throughout, it is the atmosphere/dynamics/arrangement AND the actual melody, both, that allow the song to transcend the limited chord structure.
@@shawnuel Amy Lee of Evanescence did a great cover of that.
I always hoped he would write a “part 2” of that song. I mean, what has happened since the end of the original song. Good luck, Billy lol😂
John Lennon's Dear Prudence only has about 3 notes and it's one of my favourite Beatles songs.
It's definitely a good song but I do see where Billy is coming from particular when compared to his other songs. Although I think he has a level of consistency in his catalogue that I think most musicians would envy
At the time I was disspointed by that song, but it was a big hit and I was able to understand why Billy did it. Thank you very much, Billy Joel, for all the happiness you brought to our lives.
I could just sit with Billy Joel and yap for the rest of my life about the songs he's written. Just go through them album by album.
YOU are musically suppressed..! That is a 1wk 40hr wrkwk at the most job..!
Absolutely love this tune!
By 1989 the music was starting to swing in a different direction but it was nice to have this song because it was different than the other songs playing at that time. It was different than what he normally plays but a very good one. That album was worth getting because it also had many other great tunes on it as well.
It is not that good of a song but he is brilliant.
JFK. Blown away. What else do I have to say.
I think the song is catchy. I have it on my place list. Its a fun song to sing to on a car ride
While listening to this song, it gives me rythm when starting something in daily life.
The verses worked very well staccato and monotone so the melodic choruses lift in contrast.
Great interview, I can’t wait to see him with Stevie Nicks
LOL! I always wondered if Billy could remember such dense verses! Now I know!
#1 hit on Billboard top 40 and sold 3 million copies....yet BJ and the critics hated it.
Some of the critics may not have liked it but what was important is that the general audience liked it and that is all that matters. He had already proven to everyone that he is one of the greatest performers of all time.
I think if he keeps practicing eventually he will remember the words
I like that song
I always wanted to learn more about the Space Monkey Mafia
They're two different things. The monkey that was sent up into space, and then the mafia. Although space monkey mafia did sound funny.
Be a great band name
Billy, just ask Sal. I hear he's really good with words lol
Where is the rest of this interview?
How is that possible?! I’m legit obsessed with this song.
I still love that song
That level of melody is now standard among current “artists”
Personally, I love the song..very clever.
I think it’s a great song, it has an agressive tone to it.
Everything Joel does is perfect.
I'm 40, and no joke, I never knew Billy Joel did "We Didn't Star the Fire" lol Wow.
How much rent is the rock you're living under?
@Nick West Those songs also came out around the same time so I understand the confusion
You’re young….it makes sense you didn’t know it.
I’ve always hated that song too.
When the song came out, it was criticized more for its lyrical content; just a shopping list of world events.
I liked it a lot. Got me thinking of all the history that was packed in that song and learned something new.
I still love one of these men and it ain't Howie!
It's a good song
There's some honesty.
It’s interesting how Billy’s biggest hits and most loved songs are the ones he doesn’t consider good
i love that song
Rock and roll, cola wars, I can’t take it anymore……
It’s Color wars….
@@Yyyyyy5 it’s cola wars
Even on the slide show he does at the concerts shows Pepsi fans on the screen when he mentions this part.
Love this song. I think its genius
Best song is James give it a listen too
Legend
It’s actually my favorite song of his
When he starts playing the piano keys and starts snoring Lol 😂
So clever
LOL “Try to find the melody “ what I think of pretty much New 2000’s and on of Country/Bro Country .
Interesting. I thought for sure he was going to say "Modern Woman," which I love, by the way.
I know every word to this song even when I didn't know what thalidomide was 😂
And so it goes
Isn't he providing the melody with his vocals?
Agree. Billy, please play A Matter of Trust instead.
His actual least favorite song he wrote was "C'etait Toi (You Were the One)".
Where did you read that?
I always thought he hated captain Jack
@@patricknedz He does. He usually only brings it back for Philly shows (and even then, not always).
I agree I hated that song
I've always thought the same about REM's.... it's the end of the world as we know it..... how did michael stipe remember the words ? 😣
It’s no different than Give Peace A Chance.
Artists are ways their own harshest critics
I know what his best song is.... Scenes From An Italian Restaurant.... runner up Captain Jack.
Excellent song, even if it doesn't have much of a melody.
P.S. His latest song, "Turn the Lights Back On," is rather good too.
I liked it better the first time when it was called It's The End of the World As We Know It (and I feel fine).
This song was a victim of its own ubiquity. I hated it when it was around (I was a teenager) because there was just ne escape from it!
Its a great song
Dien bien phu falls, rock around the clock
@@airbendingeagle2358 Bardot, Budapest, Alabama,krushchev, princess grace, Peyton place, trouble in the sueeeezzzzzzz!
He rapped
Its a history lesson.
😂😂 looking at the auduance. Somebody hand me a line. 😅
Wrong. Greatest song ever.
Very few are.
He's wrong, it's "All You Wanna Do Is Dance".
He's wrong? About his opinion? Lol I think he would know
I love that song lol...
I agree with Bill.
0:22-0:30... lol
Kinda makes sense. The song is one step removed from rap, which is notoriously anti-melodic.
I’m still wondering what a space monkey mafia is. Sounds terrifying.
Lol nice. A comma changes meanings lol
it's when Tony Soprano goes bananas lol
......if only Stern would learn to let his guests speak, I'd tune in.
Correct.
I always thought it was one of the cheesiest songs written by anybody, but it's a product of its time. It's more cheesy in retrospect than anything.
c'mon Billy hhhhh
that's a great song 😂
That’s what teleprompter is for
Howard has to stop talking over his guests and then asking a question and answering it for them!
That must be a tough question to answer; he has so many to choose from.
I think you have misunderstood the question, Howard did not say great songs.
@@seanscanlon9067 I can assure you, I didn't misunderstand the question. You misunderstood my answer.
💙💛💜
That’s bullshit. He used to have a notebook filled with words, and then he moved on to a Teleprompter. It’s very visible when you go to his shows he’s not leaving it up to chance.
WDSTF is better than Uptown Girl.
He's no Dylan
Dylan has no peers ....
Dylan is no peart
Love Joel but can't listen to that song. No melody and it's basically just a list.
Howard is almost insufferable
Total R.E.M. ripoff!