Billy Joel, the legendary singer-songwriter and six-time Grammy winner, has surprised his fans with a new music video for his first new single in decades, ‘Turn the Lights Back On’.
The video features Joel performing the song on a darkened stage, accompanied by a montage of clips from his iconic concerts, interviews, and personal moments.
The song, which Joel described as “a tribute to my past while looking forward to my future”, is a catchy and upbeat tune that reflects his optimism and resilience in the face of challenges. The lyrics, which reference some of his classic hits, such as ‘Piano Man’, ‘New York State of Mind’, and ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’, also express his gratitude to his fans and his hope for a brighter tomorrow.
“I wrote this song during the pandemic, when everything was shut down and we couldn’t perform live. I wanted to write something that would lift people’s spirits and remind them of the joy of music and live entertainment. I also wanted to thank my fans for their loyalty and support over the years, and let them know that I’m still here and ready to rock”, Joel said in a statement.
The song, which was released on February 1, 2024, has received rave reviews from critics and fans alike, who praised Joel’s return to form and his timeless appeal. The song also marked Joel’s first Grammy performance in 30 years, when he teamed up with Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey to perform a duet of the song at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on February 5, 2024. The performance, which was broadcasted live from Madison Square Garden, received a standing ovation from the audience and millions of viewers around the world.
Joel, who has sold more than 150 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling artists of all time, has not released a new album of original songs since 1993’s River of Dreams. However, he has continued to tour and perform regularly, especially at his monthly residency at Madison Square Garden, which began in 2014 and has sold out every show to date. He has also received numerous honors and awards, including the Kennedy Center Honors, the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, and the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.
Joel has not revealed whether ‘Turn the Lights Back On’ is part of a larger project or a standalone single, but he has hinted that he has more songs in the works. “I don’t know if I’ll ever make another album, but I still enjoy writing songs and playing them for people. I don’t have any plans or deadlines, I just go with the flow and see what happens. Maybe I’ll surprise myself and everyone else again”, he said.
