This is apart of a full album reaction of “The Stranger” as voted on by members of Patreon www.patreon.com/salvog This song is top 3 for me on the album. “Ouuuuuu”
If you ever get a chance to see him in concert, do not hesitate and do everything you can to get there. You will not regret it and you will remember it forever
He is one of the biggest musicians, sold hundreds of millions of records, still sells out major arenas, even toured with Elton John. Surprised you never heard of him! Glad you did this song, I was going to suggest it! Please check out "New York State of Mind" !! It's amazing. 🎵🎹🎸🎷🎺🎻🎧🥁🎤🎛🎶👍
billy joel has such range, like 'the longest time' is straight up doo-wop, 'river of dreams' has a gospel choir and synth, and 'the downeaster alexa' is an epic fisherman story. bonkers
One of my all time favorite songs. It really reflects how I've come to approach life: the hustle will kill you, live your life while you're in it, just LIVE.
Low key one of Billy Joel’s best songs. Loved this one and it’s message for years. The accordion solo reminds me of a street performer and suites the song perfectly.
Just goes to show how incomparable The Stranger is; this was like the 4th or 5th most popular song on the album and it still went Gold. "She's Always a Woman" is another lyrical and thought-provoking masterpiece. You shake your head that so much gold can be on one album.
There's an expression popular in the UK - "Goodnight Vienna" - meaning, that, whatever it is (life, a football game, a relationship, a career) that's IT! When it's over, it's over - Goodnight Vienna. Joel related it to his father and the slow pace of old European cities; but he also recalled his father using the expression "goodnight Vienna" the way it's applied in the UK. I think it means the end of life (you, know...death!) and all those crazy kids out there, rushing to achieve, to succeed, to make, to get...it all comes down to the same thing: Vienna waits for you, so slow down a bit, look around you, be here now. So be cool kids - or before you know it, it's Goodnight Vienna!
Billy's the man. You will love "Zanzibar" - I recommend the live version from Shea stadium. Thanks for another great reaction. Keep the Billy songs coming !
Hi Salvo! This is one of those songs that I listened to when I was young but didn't pay much attention to the lyrics until recently. It has more meaning to me at the age I am now for sure. I'm so glad you have been shaken awake by your patreons to Billy Joel...brilliant poet, storyteller, composer, pianist, vocalist. I'm loving your surprised - sometimes emotional - reactions to him and to so many artists who are new to you but are woven into the fabric of my life. Wonderful reaction to this beautifully constructed song which Billy performs impeccably. Thanks.
An Innocent Man, Pressure, Goodnight Saigon, Root Beer Rag (live), Tell Her About It. And, of course, his first big hit, the song that is also his nickname: The Piano Man.
This might be my favorite song of all time. The lyrics spoke to me as a young overachieving student and still speak to me as a 50 year old looking back at shifting priorities and prioritizing self-care.
Salvo, I really like your reaction videos. Thank you. Watching them is like you are listening to my favourite playlists. I lived through all of this music and never really dedicated a lot of time keeping-up with the background of the artists. I appreciate that you take the time to get to know them first. And for a lot of these bands, at the time, there was no history. We heard their first hit, their first album, and their name for the first time, just like you are, but in a different order. You are lucky that you can just consume their entire discographies. It has also become very apparent how lucky we were. What a cluster of amazing artists we had over 15 years.
This song found me in my early 20's when I was super overwhelmed by life. Its been a favorite of mine, not just from Billy Joel, but in general ever since.
This album is just insanely good. I used to play it constantly. Vienna is a masterpiece - love the accordion, it adds just the right touch. Great reaction!
Another song that has flown under the radar is his duet with Ray Charles "Baby Grand". There is a really cool video of Billy and Ray singing it and playing piano in the studio on TH-cam. It is one of my favorite videos and I have seen thousands....but, no one has reacted to it.
I grew up with this music from the Beatles and the Carpenters, to Elton John and Bowie, on up to Billy Joel and Pat Benatar. So many great bands and artists; so many great songs. What you are discovering now; I've spent a lifetime living through. This is my life, my love, my passion. Music to me is everything❤
TikTok was the reason for the high Spotify numbers. The song really took off over the pandemic when the song started being used in TikTok videos. Billy has also acknowledged that in recent years his audience has been getting noticably younger. He's ending his 10 year 150 show (every one sold out) residency at Madison Square Garden in October. Just an amazing artist.
Zanzibar with its dance was popular on TikTok for a whole new generation whose parents were probably not even born when the song was originally released.
This song had its followers on its own when it first came out. It then got popularized when it came on Taxi, a 70s Tv show. Then it gained popularity among a younger female generation in the early 2000s? from a movie.
On your own time if you're amenable, "Vienna" in its entirety was used as a backdrop for a poignant come-of-age and change-of-heart moment in a movie. The movie was "13 Going on 30" and the scenes in front of the music were tear-inducing.
The next BJ song you must hear is Piano Man, which is considered his signature most famous song. After that, there are numerous more essential hits of his like My Life, Big Shot, New York State of Mind, You May Be Right, Still Rock and Roll to Me, Allentown, Tell Her About It, Uptown Girl, The Longest Time, We Didn’t Start the Fire
100% correct sir Billy is a genius and a perfectionist, he releases nothing till he's satisfied that the piece is a perfect as humanly possible. A true master craftsman in every sense of the word. This album was his masterpiece , every song on it is incredible it contains no filler as well as the song I consider to be his ultimate masterpiece Scenes From An Italian Restaurant. I wish I could have seen you experience it for the first time but alas money is to tight and I can afford any extras at all but I'm sure you thoroughly enjoyed it. ✌Peace✌
Oh man, this album came out when I was in high school. I had every song memorized and every song seemed pertinent to things in my life at the time. -- I'm now almost 62yrs old. ((sigh)) And still, all so very pertinent.
Billy Joel is a complete artist. God do I love him ❤ For a different style from him I invite you to listen to Movin' out (Anthony's song). Love from Québec ❤
You have a 12 album awakening ahead, some epic songs all the way, some that weren’t popular hits, but his fans know them. He was in the top 20 album selling list from 1975- 1993 when actual album sales were an accurate indicator of quality.
Few word smiths on the Level of Billy Joel. Ian Anderson comes to kind. For us kids when it came out, vienna was our greatest fears and greatest hopes in life.
I am so completely satisfied at your reaction to BJ….and I envy you the journey you’re about to take. When you get to River of Dreams, please, just enjoy. It’s my personal favourite…it’s a bit doo-wop, a bit spiritual and lot of just chills. ❤️🔥
We definitely need more Billy Joel. Here's something else we need, Focus by Hocus Pocus Live in 1973 on the Midnight Special. This performance will make you fall off your chair...guitar, drums, bass, keys, flute, whistling and nonsense lyrics. What more can you ask for.
I read somewhere Joel saying that Americans are so in a hurry, but the old European cities and their inhabitants move more slowly and are more patient. That's some of what "Vienna waits for you" means...
This song did not get anywhere NEAR the acclaim it deserved (my opinion) back in the day (I was listening to it THEN). Maybe because it was a bit overshadowed by some of the other amazing tracks on this classic album. I totally enjoyed your reaction! Great job!
He saw an old lady sweeping the streets while visiting his father in Vienna, he said “ what’s this lovely old lady doing sweeping the streets” his father said she feels useful and she’s providing a service, the song is about feeling useful in old age, he also said Vienna is his favourite city in the world, we all have our own Vienna, If you like accordion check out The Downeaster Alexa, another story song about the fishermen in Long Island pushed out by developers.
I almost named my daughter Vienna for this song, but that's when naming girls after cities was popular & I didn't want to be a cheesy trend follower with my kid's name.
This is apart of a full album reaction of “The Stranger” as voted on by members of Patreon www.patreon.com/salvog
This song is top 3 for me on the album.
“Ouuuuuu”
❤☺️
Another brilliant song from the album,(The Stranger),which launched Billy into superstar status!
Lyrics...musical composition...piano mastery...performance showmanship...Billy Joel has it all! Great reaction...more please!
If you ever get a chance to see him in concert, do not hesitate and do everything you can to get there. You will not regret it and you will remember it forever
Billy is a rabbit hole of epic proportions. It's pretty clear you're falling in love with his music. He is truly legendary.
Billy Joel may just be the best songwriter there ever was! I’m enjoying your reactions so far. This is just the tip of the iceberg, too!
He is one of the biggest musicians, sold hundreds of millions of records, still sells out major arenas, even toured with Elton John. Surprised you never heard of him! Glad you did this song, I was going to suggest it! Please check out "New York State of Mind" !!
It's amazing.
🎵🎹🎸🎷🎺🎻🎧🥁🎤🎛🎶👍
One of the many, many reasons why he is in my top two. Thank you for trying Billy Joel!
Yes. Billy Joel is a genius.
Dude welcome to one of the greatest song writers of our time
billy joel has such range, like 'the longest time' is straight up doo-wop, 'river of dreams' has a gospel choir and synth, and 'the downeaster alexa' is an epic fisherman story. bonkers
The classic hits and songs are endless from Billy Joel. Absolutely a genius.
This is my favorite song by my favorite artist. He is brilliant!
Billy Joel "GOODNIGHT SAIGON" 🙌
Goodnight Saigon is another masterpiece
Billy Joel...We Didn't Start the Fire...for an unforgettable history lesson.....they should all be set to music!
My absolute favorite Billy Joel track ever!
Such a beautiful song ❤ one of my favorites from Joel.
Yes, Biily Joel is a genius.
sweetly wonderful ;)
One of my all time favorite songs. It really reflects how I've come to approach life: the hustle will kill you, live your life while you're in it, just LIVE.
Great song great reaction love you
One of the most underrated musicians of our time. Rock, pop, classical, 50's, blues, he does it all. A true legend.
Low key one of Billy Joel’s best songs. Loved this one and it’s message for years. The accordion solo reminds me of a street performer and suites the song perfectly.
You can never go wrong with any Billy Joel song.
This is a great album and Billy Joel is a great singer songwriter
I do Believe we have a Billy Joel Fan here!! Jump into the rabbit hole the water is fine! ❤
Just goes to show how incomparable The Stranger is; this was like the 4th or 5th most popular song on the album and it still went Gold. "She's Always a Woman" is another lyrical and thought-provoking masterpiece. You shake your head that so much gold can be on one album.
There's an expression popular in the UK - "Goodnight Vienna" - meaning, that, whatever it is (life, a football game, a relationship, a career) that's IT! When it's over, it's over - Goodnight Vienna.
Joel related it to his father and the slow pace of old European cities; but he also recalled his father using the expression "goodnight Vienna" the way it's applied in the UK.
I think it means the end of life (you, know...death!) and all those crazy kids out there, rushing to achieve, to succeed, to make, to get...it all comes down to the same thing: Vienna waits for you, so slow down a bit, look around you, be here now. So be cool kids - or before you know it, it's Goodnight Vienna!
Yes genius he is 👍🏻
Great song
Simply put, yes he is
Billy's the man. You will love "Zanzibar" - I recommend the live version from Shea stadium. Thanks for another great reaction. Keep the Billy songs coming !
I love that his songs have so many lyrics! Not just a short verse or two and a chorus repeated until the song is long enough.
Hi Salvo! This is one of those songs that I listened to when I was young but didn't pay much attention to the lyrics until recently. It has more meaning to me at the age I am now for sure. I'm so glad you have been shaken awake by your patreons to Billy Joel...brilliant poet, storyteller, composer, pianist, vocalist. I'm loving your surprised - sometimes emotional - reactions to him and to so many artists who are new to you but are woven into the fabric of my life. Wonderful reaction to this beautifully constructed song which Billy performs impeccably. Thanks.
This is true of so much of Billy's music. He writes songs that don't make sense until life kicks you around a little.
The accordeon is our most used music instrument in our folk music in Austria (vienna is our capital)!
An Innocent Man, Pressure, Goodnight Saigon, Root Beer Rag (live), Tell Her About It. And, of course, his first big hit, the song that is also his nickname: The Piano Man.
This might be my favorite song of all time. The lyrics spoke to me as a young overachieving student and still speak to me as a 50 year old looking back at shifting priorities and prioritizing self-care.
So many great hits. The man is so talented! I've loved him since the 70s.
He has so many great songs - this song along with Piano Man have always been my favorites.
Thank you!! That's all. That's yhe comment
Salvo, I really like your reaction videos. Thank you. Watching them is like you are listening to my favourite playlists. I lived through all of this music and never really dedicated a lot of time keeping-up with the background of the artists. I appreciate that you take the time to get to know them first. And for a lot of these bands, at the time, there was no history. We heard their first hit, their first album, and their name for the first time, just like you are, but in a different order. You are lucky that you can just consume their entire discographies. It has also become very apparent how lucky we were. What a cluster of amazing artists we had over 15 years.
Another under appreciated song at the time it was released is Billy's "Summer Highland Falls". Check that one out.
This is such a meaningful and beautiful song!! Billy Joel is awesome 👏🏻 ❤️🎼
Another brilliant classic by Billy. Love this song ❤
Yes, he is a genius.
Vienna isn't one of his better known songs but it is delightful. Good choice!
Great song, love your full appreciation.
This is my all time favorite song, it is so good
This song found me in my early 20's when I was super overwhelmed by life. Its been a favorite of mine, not just from Billy Joel, but in general ever since.
Why have i not heard this song before? Beautiful. ❤ Billy is a genius tho. 🎼🎹
This album is just insanely good. I used to play it constantly. Vienna is a masterpiece - love the accordion, it adds just the right touch. Great reaction!
My favorite Billy Joel song❤
Thank u for the respect for the musik! it is very much appreciated!
So many classic songs. This one certainly near the top. Words to live by
You have to do his song “Zanzibar” !! The story of my life and One of his best.
Another song that has flown under the radar is his duet with Ray Charles "Baby Grand". There is a really cool video of Billy and Ray singing it and playing piano in the studio on TH-cam. It is one of my favorite videos and I have seen thousands....but, no one has reacted to it.
The whole album never got its due attention, IMHO.
Check out the title song, "The Stranger". Great song
This is one of his best and has been used in many movies as well
I grew up with this music from the Beatles and the Carpenters, to Elton John and Bowie, on up to Billy Joel and Pat Benatar. So many great bands and artists; so many great songs.
What you are discovering now; I've spent a lifetime living through. This is my life, my love, my passion. Music to me is everything❤
Always a good one. 💖
Oh baby 😊😊😊😊😊
New York State of Mind and then Uptown Girl
Yes. You could definitely call him a genius. And a hard working musician who developed his craft, over time, to become a top shelf recording artist.
TikTok was the reason for the high Spotify numbers. The song really took off over the pandemic when the song started being used in TikTok videos. Billy has also acknowledged that in recent years his audience has been getting noticably younger. He's ending his 10 year 150 show (every one sold out) residency at Madison Square Garden in October. Just an amazing artist.
Zanzibar with its dance was popular on TikTok for a whole new generation whose parents were probably not even born when the song was originally released.
Residency ends in July 2024
Interesting that this song is more popular now, as I myself just got into this song a couple weeks ago, and I have owned some of his CDs for years.
I can listen to Vienna 4x in a row because I wish it was longer. Such a great song.
This song had its followers on its own when it first came out. It then got popularized when it came on Taxi, a 70s Tv show. Then it gained popularity among a younger female generation in the early 2000s? from a movie.
This man’s lyrics are insane. Don’t know how he keeps doing it 😮😮😮
On your own time if you're amenable, "Vienna" in its entirety was used as a backdrop for a poignant come-of-age and change-of-heart moment in a movie. The movie was "13 Going on 30" and the scenes in front of the music were tear-inducing.
Do yourself a favor and go down the Billy Joel rabbit hole. You will not regret it
Every single song on this album is 🔥 cover to cover ✌️
The next BJ song you must hear is Piano Man, which is considered his signature most famous song. After that, there are numerous more essential hits of his like My Life, Big Shot, New York State of Mind, You May Be Right, Still Rock and Roll to Me, Allentown, Tell Her About It, Uptown Girl, The Longest Time, We Didn’t Start the Fire
This always makes me think of the movie 13 Going on 30 with Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo. Great movie and the song is perfectly used in it.
Piano man one of his best.
100% correct sir Billy is a genius and a perfectionist, he releases nothing till he's satisfied that the piece is a perfect as humanly possible. A true master craftsman in every sense of the word. This album was his masterpiece , every song on it is incredible it contains no filler as well as the song I consider to be his ultimate masterpiece Scenes From An Italian Restaurant. I wish I could have seen you experience it for the first time but alas money is to tight and I can afford any extras at all but I'm sure you thoroughly enjoyed it.
✌Peace✌
He put his Scenes reaction on TH-cam.
@@jamishops Besides the live one????
Oh man, this album came out when I was in high school. I had every song memorized and every song seemed pertinent to things in my life at the time. -- I'm now almost 62yrs old. ((sigh)) And still, all so very pertinent.
Billy Joel is a complete artist. God do I love him ❤ For a different style from him I invite you to listen to Movin' out (Anthony's song). Love from Québec ❤
One of my favorite earworms. The only song on The Stranger I don't like is "Everybody Has a Dream."
' Captain Jack' is the ultimate BJ track. Live or studio...doesn't matter. Great, great song!
Imo, the best song from Billy Joel's best album (The Stranger).
This whole album is phenomenal. Stiletto next please.
The whole album is amazing even the ‘B’ side.
Movin out is another Billy Joel song about avoiding the rat race
You have a 12 album awakening ahead, some epic songs all the way, some that weren’t popular hits, but his fans know them. He was in the top 20 album selling list from 1975- 1993 when actual album sales were an accurate indicator of quality.
Few word smiths on the Level of Billy Joel. Ian Anderson comes to kind. For us kids when it came out, vienna was our greatest fears and greatest hopes in life.
Hey Girl by Billy Joel
I am so completely satisfied at your reaction to BJ….and I envy you the
journey you’re about to take. When you get to River of Dreams, please,
just enjoy. It’s my personal favourite…it’s a bit doo-wop, a bit spiritual
and lot of just chills. ❤️🔥
We definitely need more Billy Joel. Here's something else we need, Focus by Hocus Pocus Live in 1973 on the Midnight Special. This performance will make you fall off your chair...guitar, drums, bass, keys, flute, whistling and nonsense lyrics. What more can you ask for.
This album was one of my college albums. 😁
Gotta react to she’s always a woman to me, I went to his concert a couple months ago and it was amazing
Great reaction! So, first was "Italian" then "Vienna" so now "New York State of Mind"?
I read somewhere Joel saying that Americans are so in a hurry, but the old European cities and their inhabitants move more slowly and are more patient. That's some of what "Vienna waits for you" means...
Only The Good Die Young is another great song off of that album. They are all great though.
Please do Piano Man
Coming soon for sure
This song did not get anywhere NEAR the acclaim it deserved (my opinion) back in the day (I was listening to it THEN). Maybe because it was a bit overshadowed by some of the other amazing tracks on this classic album. I totally enjoyed your reaction! Great job!
One of the most streamed songs on Spotify? And I’m only like….half of those
Do live performance of piano man
Listen to that whole album
He saw an old lady sweeping the streets while visiting his father in Vienna, he said “ what’s this lovely old lady doing sweeping the streets” his father said she feels useful and she’s providing a service, the song is about feeling useful in old age, he also said Vienna is his favourite city in the world, we all have our own Vienna,
If you like accordion check out The Downeaster Alexa, another story song about the fishermen in Long Island pushed out by developers.
I almost named my daughter Vienna for this song, but that's when naming girls after cities was popular & I didn't want to be a cheesy trend follower with my kid's name.