Billy Joel has taken to social media to hint that new music is on it’s way, which will be the first time he has released original material in nearly two decades.
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It’s been 31 years since Billy Joel’s last studio album, River of Dreams, was released in 1993. Since then, only the occasional single has followed - though that too ended in 2007. But in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Joel revealed that the songwriting pause was completely intentional. “It just felt like it was time for me to stop writing songs,” he admitted. “I didn’t have the same motivation anymore. You need inspiration to create good new music, and if you don’t have it, don’t bother. Get off the treadmill, for Christ’s sake.”
Now, nearly 17 years since we’ve heard a brand new original, Billy Joel has been hinting that something is headed our way. Perhaps he’s back on the treadmill?
The first teaser came with a TikTok posted last month, where the GRAMMY winner is seen talking to one of his many concert audiences. “I have good news, I have bad news,” he says to the roaring crowd. “I’ll give you the bad news first. We don’t have anything new to play for you. The good news is you don’t have to sit through something you have no idea what it is!” After a pause, the musician seems to filter himself, adding, “Although … we got a little something we’re working on you might hear some time.”
That TikTok may have been a little too subtle, as Joel just released his second hint this past weekend on social media. Billy Joel’s Facebook header and his Spotify Canvas (the background that shows when playing his top songs) were replaced with the hand-written phrase: “Did I wait too long…..”
And finally, as of just this morning, Joel has announced a brand new single titled, “Turn The Lights Back On” to be released next Thursday. In the video, the musician is seen flipping a page of handwritten notes before playing a series of block chords on the piano. The teasers came true - Billy Joel is back to songwriting!
A February release date is sure to make Joel quite the busy (piano) man. The musician recently announced a new stadium tour alongside fellow rock legends Stevie Nicks and Sting, which will see him traveling from New York to San Diego and even Wales. Additionally, the tour marks his first show in Seattle in eight years and first show in Denver in nearly five years.
If that wasn’t enough, Joel is still continuing his decade-long residency at Madison Square Garden, though it is set to end on his 150th performance this coming July. Every show at this once-a-month residency has sold out regardless of his songwriting hiatus. If new music is truly in the works, one can only imagine the response of fans!
We’ll be sure to keep you updated on any new music news, and in the meantime, make sure to listen to our Billy Joel Radio, available on the free Audacy app.