What is the best Billy Joel song?

Bittersweet bar-room confessions, arena-filling anthems, blue-collar storytelling, and jazz-infused New York odes — the Piano Man's catalog spans five decades of musical genius. Which one is the undisputed crown jewel?

1. 1
   Piano Man

   Billy Joel's signature song and first single, a waltz-time portrait of bar-room dreamers that became an anthem (1973).
2. 2
   Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

   An eight-minute epic from The Stranger weaving three musical styles into a bittersweet coming-of-age story (1977).
3. 3
   Vienna

   A timeless ballad urging listeners to slow down and appreciate life, often cited as Joel's most emotionally resonant song (1977).
4. 4
   Just the Way You Are

   The Grammy-winning love song that became his first US Top 10 hit, a saxophone-drenched serenade of unconditional devotion (1977).
5. 5
   Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)

   A driving rock critique of the American Dream that later inspired a long-running Broadway musical (1977).
6. 6
   She's Always a Woman

   A tender, piano-driven ode to a complex woman, one of Joel's most beloved ballads (1977).
7. 7
   Only the Good Die Young

   A catchy, irreverent rock song that caused controversy for its playful jabs at Catholic conservatism (1977).
8. 8
   New York State of Mind

   A jazz-inflected love letter to New York City that became one of the definitive songs about the metropolis (1976).
9. 9
   My Life

   A defiant declaration of independence with an irresistible sing-along chorus and upbeat rock energy (1978).
10. 10
    Honesty

    A vulnerable piano ballad about the rarity and importance of emotional truthfulness (1978).
11. 11
    It's Still Rock and Roll to Me

    Joel's only Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, a sharp commentary on changing music trends (1980).
12. 12
    You May Be Right

    A hard-rocking opener from Glass Houses full of self-deprecating wit and raw electric energy (1980).
13. 13
    Pressure

    A synth-driven new wave track about the crushing weight of modern-day expectations (1982).
14. 14
    Allentown

    A blue-collar anthem mourning the collapse of America's steel industry and the broken promises of the American Dream (1982).
15. 15
    Uptown Girl

    A joyful doo-wop homage inspired by Christie Brinkley that became a global pop hit (1983).
16. 16
    The Longest Time

    An a cappella-influenced doo-wop love song layered with Joel's own overdubbed harmonies (1983).
17. 17
    We Didn't Start the Fire

    A breathless tour through Cold War history spanning 40 years of headlines set to relentless rhythmic momentum (1989).
18. 18
    And So It Goes

    A quietly devastating ballad about emotional vulnerability, written in a minor key with just piano and voice (1989).
19. 19
    River of Dreams

    The title track of his final studio album, a gospel-tinged meditation on spiritual searching and self-discovery (1993).
20. 20
    A Matter of Trust

    A propulsive arena-rock love song built on the difficulty of opening your heart to another person (1986).

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