Billy Joel, who is now back with a new track after nearly two decades, appeared in a new interview with WBLM-FM to discuss his music.
In the interview, Joel, who hasn’t put out a non-classical music album since ‘River of Dreams,’ shared insights into why he took a long break from songwriting and disclosed how the process eventually turned into a source of torment for him. He said:
“I had not wanted to do it. Because it was all my life. When I was writing songs. I was doing this by myself. And it’s a very lonely job. And the job started to become torment. If it wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be, I would tear myself to shreds.”
His Friends Persuaded Him To Keep Making Music
Despite maintaining his lack of interest in creating new songs, Joel’s friends and colleagues persistently attempted to persuade him to return to the studio. The singer confessed:
“I was really resistant to the idea of going back in and recording again. Various people have attempted to convince me.”
Among those people, famous names were included too. He continued:
Rick Rubin has made efforts, and Clive Davis has tried to encourage me to do it. Even Elton John would suggest, ‘Why not create some more new albums?’ And I’d reply, ‘Why not produce fewer new albums?’ You know, just to be contrary.”
Joel Doesn’t Want To Sing It Himself
Even though his most recent song marks his first release in 17 years, the Piano Man still prefers not to perform it himself. Instead, he has someone else in mind who he believes could do justice to the song. He revealed during the same interview:
“We should send it to Adele. I was hellbent and determined not to [sing it.] My whole agenda was I don’t care what you do, I’m not doing this.”
The singer will be performing the song on February 4 at the Grammy Awards.
You can hear ‘Turn The Lights Back On’ below.
