Billy Joel respects Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, but is done making albums himself

Despite repeated claims that the album is a dying art form, it continues to survive, defying the predictions of its demise at the hands of Napster, iTunes, the iPod, music streaming services, and the "culture industry" generally. Albums are still being released, but Billy Joel seems to have stepped away from the trend. In fact, he regards songwriting itself as a form of torture (we'll delve more into that later).

When asked by Variety if his recent single "Turn The Lights Back On" would lead to a new album, Joel responded with a firm "Nope!"

He elaborated, though without offering a clear course of action for aspiring musicians: "Who makes albums anymore, anyway? I think the only person making new albums these days is Taylor Swift or Olivia Rodrigo. I don't know other people who make albums. I don't know what the marketing of that is like now."

He's not entirely correct, of course. Beyoncé wrote Cowboy Carter recently, and then there is Eminem's latest album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)."And, of course, plenty of non-famous musicians are still releasing albums, especially when it's cheaper than ever before to do.
However, Joel's respect for both Swift and Rodrigo is well-documented, so it's no mystery why he would name-drop them.

Billy Joel on Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo

In a 2021 interview, Billy Joel compared Swift’s literally seismic influence to that of the Beatles, and in 2022, he invited Rodrigo to perform on stage with him, showcasing his appreciation for their continued commitment to creating albums. Also, it's undeniable that "Swifties" are a cultural force comparable to "Beatlemania." However, Joel’s reluctance to release a new album stems from deeper reasons beyond the changing music industry.

Why Billy Joel doesn't care to work on a new album

The creative process, for Billy Joel, has become a steep burden. "There's this big black beast with 88 teeth that wants to bite my fingers off while I'm writing," Joel confessed.

"I drive myself nuts. It's just not as good as I want it to be. It's a great deal of torment, and I decided I don't want to put myself through that anymore. I used to have drinking problems and all kinds of self-hate when I was writing because I set the bar so high. It's not something I miss. I love making music."

It's also possible he doesn't fully embrace every aspect of fame and its scrutiny (here's a scholarly dissertation on Billy Joel, for example).

Joel also has an aversion to TV performances

Despite his love for music, Joel has also grown weary of television appearances. He revealed, "I don't like being on camera. I'm camera-shy. I always feel like a geek when I'm on TV because I'm static at the piano, I can't move around. I can't use body language. I'm stuck at the piano."

This discomfort was evident during his second Super Bowl National Anthem performance, where sound issues made it difficult for him to hear himself (and with pressure similar to performing the "Star-Spangled Banner" to the crowd's liking). "It was a mess, and people thought I was using Auto-Tune or some kind of phony corrector, which I'd never use. That's what happens on TV!"

More about Billy Joel

Billy Joel, born in 1949, is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 150 million records sold worldwide. Known for hits like "Piano Man," "Uptown Girl," and "Just the Way You Are," Joel has had a significant impact on rock and pop music. His last studio album, River of Dreams, was released in 1993, and despite his continued success with live performances, he has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of recording another album.

In 2014, he said, "Some people think it's because I'm lazy or I’m just being contrary...But, no, I think it's just -- I’ve had my say. If I put out an album now, it would probably sell pretty well, because of who I am, but that's no reason to do it. I'd want it to be good."

Thriving live

Joel’s focus remained on live shows, particularly his record-breaking residency at Madison Square Garden, which had been ongoing since 2014 until his final show in July of 2024.

So, if you're waiting for another Billy Joel album or a TV special, you might be disappointed. Instead, fans will have to turn to artists like Taylor Swift or Olivia Rodrigo, who are still embracing (or, for non-fans, embarrassing) the album format. Joel, it seems, is content to leave that part of his career behind, focusing on the aspects of music that bring him joy without the pressures of the studio or the stage lights of television.