Ive come to realize that life is not a musical comedy, its a Greek tragedy. – Billy Joel
A typical day in the life of a heavy metal musician consists of a round of golf and an AA meeting. – Billy Joel
Im probably writing music now for the same reason as I started writing songs when I was 14 – to meet women. – Billy Joel
I cant think of one person Ive ever met who didnt like some type of music. – Billy Joel
I think music in itself is healing. Its an explosive expression of humanity. Its something we are all touched by. No matter what culture were from, everyone loves music. – Billy Joel
You want to give people a reason to hate my guts more? Im making more money. – Billy Joel
Dont make music for some vast, unseen audience or market or ratings share or even for something as tangible as money. Though its crucial to make a living, that shouldnt be your inspiration. Do it for yourself. – Billy Joel
Im a history nut. – Billy Joel
When I was 19, I made my first good weeks pay as a club musician. It was enough money for me to quit my job at the factory and still pay the rent and buy some food. I freaked. – Billy Joel
Ive crashed my car three times. – Billy Joel
In an age of incompetence, Ive been able to last in this crazy business. I actually know how to play my ax and write a song. Thats my job. – Billy Joel
I am, as Ive said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary. – Billy Joel
If you make music for the human needs you have within yourself, then you do it for all humans who need the same things. You enrich humanity with the profound expression of these feelings. – Billy Joel
For whatever reason, not all people are born with the particular gift of being able to express ourselves through music. And, believe me, it is a gift. – Billy Joel
When I look at great works of art or listen to inspired music, I sense intimate portraits of the specific times in which they were created. – Billy Joel
We are living in a time when American popular music is finally being recognized as one of our most successful exports. The demand is huge. – 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
Why do musicians give so much time to charitable causes? The most humanitarian cause that we can give our time to is the creation and performance of music itself. – Billy Joel
The whole world loves American movies, blue jeans, jazz and rock and roll. It is probably a better way to get to know our country than by what politicians or airline commercials represent. – Billy Joel
Most people are satisfied with the junk food being sold as music. – Billy Joel
