Predictions

Here at Taking Notes, we truly care about our readers.  We want to add a fun and unique page to the Taking Notes website.  However, with what we are trying to do, we have many options.  When it comes to making predictions, there is a lot to consider as to how to add something like this to the website.  We are still brainstorming lists of ideas and would appreciate any ideas you have to make this a regular thing.  There is some good news too.  We are fairly certain that will have at least one post on the "Predictions" page by the end of the year.  With the recent release of Grammy Nominations, we will be going through most of the categories and predicting winners.  This will be an entertaining little piece that we think you will enjoy. You can expect to see this on the site in the next few weeks.  As always, feel free to leave a comment about your ideas for this new page.  

CLICK HERE TO LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!!

Billy Joel - "The Stranger" (1977)

The Stranger was Billy Joel's fifth studio album, released in the fall of 1977.  This served as Billy Joel's breakout performance.  This album spent six weeks at number two on the album charts in the United States.  His previous four albums were fairly successful as well, releasing classic albums such as Piano Man.  The lead single off of that album, released in 1973, was called "Piano Man", and is often considered to be one of the most popular songs of all time. But it's this collection of songs that creates one of Joel's most memorable albums.  There is not another Billy Joel album that is as consistently listenable as The Stranger.  It is another one of my personal favorites, and I hope this article inspires you to give it a listen!


1. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) [9/10]

The Stranger starts off as good as any album could.  "Movin' Out" tells the story of a boy who is "working too hard" at his low-end job.  He tells of his disapproval of how people try to make a living in the United States.  It is about how all anyone cares about is "trading in a Chevy for a Cadillac"and that that is the most important thing in the perspective of many immigrants as well.  Billy Joel has said that "Anthony" is not a real person but rather "every Irish, Polish, and Italian kid trying to make a living in the U.S."  This song does a great job at showing off the way Billy Joel can tell a story.  He narrates htis song very well.

2. The Stranger (8/10)

The title track demonstrates Joel's ability to be a great rock and roll singer.  The song starts with a short intro period of Billy whistling and playing the piano softly.  This quickly progresses into a thrilling guitar riff that is constant throughout the majority of the song.  This is a song that has the ability to get stuck in your head and drive you crazy for days.  The whistling and piano return at the end of the song as the album gets ready switch moods, with "Just The Way You Are" up next.  This instrumental piece also serves as a two minute reprise at the end of the album.

3.  Just The Way You Are (10/10)


If you haven't heard "Just The Way You Are" yet, go listen to it right now.  It was the most successful single off of The Stranger and was a milestone track for Joel.  This was his first top ten song in the United States, his first Gold single in the United States, his first top 20 single in the United Kingdom, and it won both Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 1978 Grammy Awards.  Billy wrote this song for his first wife, and he did not like it.  His band did not like it either and it was not originally supposed to be on the album.  But with a little convincing from his other peers, he added it to the final cut.  It is one of the most popular love songs of all time and is one of the highlights of this album filled with hits.

4.  Scenes From An Italian Restaurant (9/10)

While "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" was never released as a single off of The Stranger, it is one of the most popular Billy Joel songs amongst his fans.  It is the longest Billy Joel song, coming in at 7 minutes and 37 seconds.  It is an assortment of three separate chapters.  The first is a gentle piano ballad.  This morphs into an upbeat jazz song, highlighted by a classic saxophone solo by a band member.  The final piece is a rock and roll driven rock song commonly referred to as "The Ballad of Brenda and Eddie".  The original write-up of this song was only this last part, and was going to be called "The Ballad of Brenda and Eddie".

5.  Vienna (7/10)

According to Billy Joel himself, "Vienna" is a song about the rest of your life.  He uses Vienna, Austria as the metaphor in this song because of a personal experience he had while visiting his father there.  It is a beautiful song with a lot of meaning behind it.  You have to listen to it for yourself because everyone will get something different from it.  Joel has also said that this is one of his favorite songs.  I wouldn't put it at the top of my list when it comes to ranking his songs, but it is definitely a classy song.

6.  Only The Good Die Young (10/10)

"Only The Good Die Young" was the first Billy Joel song I ever heard.  I remember this moment vividly because it was an eye-opening experience for the way I looked at music.  At that time, I didn't listen to music the way I do today.  It was the first time I ever heard a song that I really loved to listen to.  That was many years ago, but listening to it now gives me the same feeling.  This song was controversial for its time, due to its risqué lyrics.  It is a fun and cheerful song that you will definitely get hooked on.

 7.  She's Always A Woman (8/10)

This is another love song, similar to "Just The Way You Are".  However, this single was not nearly as successful as the former.  "She's Always A Woman" peaked at number 17 on the US charts.  It's about a woman he falls in love with, and how he even loves her flaws.  It is a soft piece highlighted by Joel's magnificent piano playing.  For any reader that is a serious musician, here's a fun little piece of information.  This song is played in three very obscure time signatures:  6/8, 9/8, and 12/8.  Another interesting fact is that a version of this song was playing at the World Trade Center as it was destroyed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

8.  Get It Right The First Time (6/10)

I found this song to be forgettable.  It is a light rock and roll song that just doesn't match up with some of the other powerful songs on this album.  For me, it was the album's low point.  With so many great singles on one album, there has to be one that doesn't fit well.  Don't get me wrong, it helps make the album complete, but as an individual song, it isn't the best.  The song begins by fading in to a cool drumbeat.  The addition of a flutist is something you don't usually find in a Billy Joel song.  It is definitely not the worst song he has ever done, but on this giant album, it just doesn't stack up.

9.  Everybody Has A Dream (7/10)

The final track on this album is another average one.  Its not in the same league as "Only The Good Die Young" or "Just The Way You Are" or even "Movin' Out".  However, it's a great song to end the album, as it completely sums up the mood of the album.  It has moments where it is mellow and parts where it is quick and happy.  It all comes together in the end when the song goes back to the haunting whistling and piano playing from "The Stranger" returns.  This time it lasts almost two minutes as the album comes to an end. 

The Stranger is one of the greatest Billy Joel albums, and possibly one of the best albums of all time.  If you are just beginning to listen to him, this is the perfect album to start with.  The way this record was put together, my highest recommendation would be to listen to the album from start to finish.  Don't just  skip to the ones you hear on the radio often.  Take the time to listen to it all.  The Stranger is such a great album, there are really no words that will do it the justice it deserves.  The best thing for you to do is go and listen to it for yourself.  While he has had many great albums in his day, I believe that this record represents Billy Joel at his best.

Listen to The Stranger on Spotify:

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!!!

Here's a short clip of Billy Joel talking about recording the album, The Stranger!: