Guest Blogger: Clay 2

Piano legend and revolutionary singer/song writer Billy Joel dominated the top of music charts in the 1970’s through the 1990’s. Starting his career with his hit “Piano Man” in 1973 showing the world he was going to be a very cutting edge musician looking to get his point across. This song was about a young man playing piano in bar late on Saturday nights and seeing all different walks of life. This song was meant to narrate Billy’s life before his rise to fame. Although Billy was gaining popularity as one of the best in the industry writing everything from songs on politics and major world issues to love songs, there was still one he was compared to. This “piano man” went by the name of Sir Elton John, a creative music theory expert personally knighted by the queen of England. Elton’s began his career with his 1st of 50 to hit the top 40 charts in 1969, “Rocket man.” This song captures his ability to put together combinations of piano masterpieces and melodic vocals. “Rocket Man” was inspired by the sighting of a shooting star and was written about how astronauts were no longer seen as heroes but as an average occupation. Most of the time Billy and Elton were the best of friends, besides the decade they went without speaking due to differences in beliefs in the way you should live your life. But eventually Elton gave a standing ovation to Billy Joel on live television. Still they were constantly compared as who was a more revolutionary musician. Many critics agree that Billy’s talent as a musician tops Elton due to the fact that he writes his own lyrics, and his songs tell a story. Other critics fight back with the argument that Elton is superior by having a more symphonic and melodic piano sound and the diversity in his vocals. A good number of critics claim the two should not be compared. They say they appeal to different occasions: Billy writes songs to dance to and Elton writes beautiful pieces to simply appreciate.