For someone born during the Truman presidency, many would have predicted Billy Joel to fall out of favor with the younger generation — especially in the twilight years of a music career older than my parents. However, take a scroll on TikTok during the pandemic, and you’d quickly realize why books aren’t judged by covers anymore. “Vienna” being the most popular, my generation has brought back the cultural relevancy of an artist thought to be lost as just “another old guy our dads love.”
Friday night Minute Maid Park was bouncing off Billy’s fiery energy for most of the show. For a 73-year-old, he sings like he’s still 37 – even hitting the high notes on “An Innocent Man,” a drastic change from recent shows. His covers of “Start Me Up,” “Born to Run,” and much more genuinely kept fans on the edge of their seats. His light-hearted comedic relief and thrilling visuals allowed the show to attain a high-quality level of entertainment, and the instrumentals were nothing short of stunning. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the concert (although I didn’t appreciate him skipping out on my favorite track “Honesty”) but I also had a few friends make the trip! They helped me break down the best parts, what Billy missed, and everything in between.
Mary Davis:
V: Why did you want to go to this concert?
M: I wanted to go because my mom raised me on Billy Joel. When I was five, my mom would play “Vienna” for me on my bad days. Going [to the concert] would be nostalgic, even for someone younger like me.
V: What song did you add to your playlist because you saw it live in concert?
M: Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, for sure.
V: Why do you think Billy Joel is popular among younger people?
M: Some of it is TikTok, but a lot is due to his era and aesthetic coming back as a trend. It’s a continuous cycle – stuff gets outdated and comes back as retro and “cool.”
V: What was your favorite song from the concert?
M: I have to go with Piano Man and Uptown Girl. His two classics that everyone should know just filled the arena with energy
Jenna Morris:
V: Why did you want to go to this concert?
J: I love going to concerts with my dad. I didn’t have college classes, so what was stopping me? My dad didn’t want to go, so I ended up going with college friends and having a lot of fun.
V: How did you start listening to Billy Joel’s music?
J: My dad raised me on him, but they also sang a few of his songs on Glee, including Uptown Girl. Spotify also recommended many of his other songs, and I liked them
V: What’s something you did not like about the concert?
J: He didn’t play my favorite song, “Vienna.”
V: Where did you first hear that song?
J: TikTok. laughs
V: You told me earlier you bought merch – do you like the shirt?
J: Yes, I do. It’s a good-looking shirt. It has all his albums and their release dates on the back… a little expensive, but snazzy. (she really said that in 2022.)
V: Did you add any songs to your playlist because of the concert?
J: An Innocent Man, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, and Sometimes a Fantasy.
V: You do know Sometimes a Fantasy is about phone sex?
J: No way… I thought it was about his imagination…
V: Let me read the lyrics for you:
V: “I didn’t want to do it but I got too lonely
I had to call you up in the middle of the night
I know it’s awful hard to try to make love long distance
But I really needed stimulation”
J: Well, I just think the beat is catchy.
That’s Jenna for you. In all fairness, I thought it was a lovely ballad to the lotion on his nightstand.
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