I consider myself to be an inept pianist, a bad singer, and a merely competent songwriter. …
BILLY JOELWhen I first started I didn’t know a lot about the job, so I kinda had to figure it out by wire, ya know? It was hit and miss, I made mistakes, and fortunately I was able to recover from most of ’em.
More Billy Joel Quotes
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I am, as I’ve said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
BILLY JOEL -
The graduations hang on the wall, but they never really helped us at all.
BILLY JOEL -
You’ve got your passion. You’ve got your pride. But don’t you know that only fools are satisfied? Dream on, but don’t imagine they’ll all come true.
BILLY JOEL -
You’ve got to be hard, like the rock in that old rock & roll.
BILLY JOEL -
Usually when I’m writing, I try to write fairly quickly. If a song sits around too long, it starts to take on a stink.
BILLY JOEL -
Don’t be afraid to try again everyone goes south every now and then.
BILLY JOEL -
Sometimes that’s what it takes. You’re only human, you’re allowed to make your share of mistakes.
BILLY JOEL -
I could walk away from anyone I ever knew, but I can’t walk away from you.
BILLY JOEL -
Musicians now find themselves in the unlikely position of being legitimate. At least the IRS thinks so.
BILLY JOEL -
Sing us a song you’re the piano man. Sing us a song tonight. Cause we’re all in the mood for a melody, And you’ve got us feeling all right.
BILLY JOEL -
I’m not really sure how it goes / But it’s sad and it’s sweet, and I knew it complete when I wore a younger man’s clothes.’
BILLY JOEL -
Do what’s good for you Or you’re not good for anybody
BILLY JOEL -
Most of my songs are written in one sitting, two sittings maybe. Those are the ones I like the best, anyway.
BILLY JOEL -
Have you listened to the radio lately? Have you heard the canned, frozen and processed product being dished up to the world as American popular music today?
BILLY JOEL -
You can pay Uncle Sam with all your overtime, is that all you get for your money?
BILLY JOEL -
Lawrence of Arabia, British Beatlemania.
BILLY JOEL -
You enrich humanity with the profound expression of these feelings. … My songs are like my kids.
BILLY JOEL -
Rock and roll cola wars, I can’t take it any more.
BILLY JOEL -
There ain’t much future for a man who works the sea, there ain’t no island left for islanders like me.
BILLY JOEL -
Well we’re waiting here in Allentown For the Pennsylvania we never found For the promises our teachers gave If we worked hard If we behaved So the graduations hang on the wall But they never really helped us at all No they never taught us what was real.
BILLY JOEL -
And the only people I fear are those who never have doubts… Save us all from arrogant men, and all the causes they’re for.
BILLY JOEL -
I watched the mighty skyline fall
BILLY JOEL -
I don’t care what consequence it brings, I have been a fool for lesser things.
BILLY JOEL -
Videos destroyed the vitality of rock and roll. Before that, music said, “Listen to me.” Now it says, “Look at me.”
BILLY JOEL -
There will be miracles After the last war is won Science and poetry rule in the new world to come Prophets and angels Gave us the power to see What an amazing future there will be
BILLY JOEL -
Sergeant O’Leary is walking the beat, at night he becomes a bar tender.
BILLY JOEL