Billy Joel vs. Elton John?

Pet_Sounds · 03-05-2014, 09:05 PM

I've always viewed these two gentlemen as parallel artists. The same way I've always viewed Rod Stewart and Bruce Springsteen as parallel artists. I created this poll just to see who is preferred by the members of MusicBanter (and because I'll be going to a Billy Joel concert this Sunday

).
My vote goes to Billy. I can identify with just about all of his songs.
And a bonus question for y'all, if you're up for it: favourite song by each?
BJ - Scenes From an Italian Restaurant
EJ - Rocket Man

ladyislingering · 03-05-2014, 09:12 PM

I'm more drawn to Billy Joel.

Both Billy and Elton sold out pretty badly in the 1980s (I can't really stomach either of them at that point) but since I was young I've always cited Billy's album "The Stranger" as one of my very favorites of all time.

Though I also accredit my indifference toward Elton to the fact that I'm not as familiar with his body of work as I am with Billy's.

And now for a favorite song from each (though it's so hard to choose) -

Elton John: Your Song.
Billy Joel: Tossup between Honesty and Pressure.

Super bonus (if you're fit for grooving right now):

Billy Joel - The Stranger (full album, vinyl rip)

**Janszoon** · 03-05-2014, 10:17 PM

Elton John by a long shot.

Rjinn · 03-06-2014, 06:37 AM

Is Billy Joel's music intended to be catchy? Because I don't get a reaction while hearing Piano Man, Uptown Girl, My Life, etc. Flies over my head.

Don't know about Elton John, but I am inclined to pay more attention to his songs. So him.

Moss · 03-06-2014, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Elton John by a long shot.

Yeah, not even close. Elton owned the 70's.

Pet_Sounds · 03-06-2014, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyislingering

Super bonus (if you're fit for grooving right now):

Billy Joel - The Stranger (full album, vinyl rip)

I'm lucky enough to have a mother who owns most of Billy Joel, including The Stranger, on vinyl. If only I had a decent phonograph.

FRED HALE SR. · 03-06-2014, 01:56 PM

Billy Joel. I enjoy both, but Billy Joel always spoke to me a bit more. Bernie Taupin wrote some gems for EJ but Billy Joels early work was outstanding. I'm not much a of an 80's Joel fan.

Neapolitan · 03-06-2014, 02:17 PM

I like both equally but if I had to choose I think I would pick Billy Joel. I agree with FRED HALE SR about Billy Joel's early early work but then again I think a lot of 70s music was outstanding. Glass Houses was departure from the piano but still an ok album, and his 80s stuff was so so - very 80s' Pop. Didn't Billy Joel date a supermodel or something? I think her name was Kate Upton, because he wrote that song for her "Upton Girl."

Pet_Sounds · 03-06-2014, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neapolitan

Didn't Billy Joel date a supermodel or something? I think her name was Kate Upton, because he wrote that song for her "Upton Girl."

Christie Brinkley is the one you're thinking of. She appears in the Uptown Girl music video.

FRED HALE SR. · 03-06-2014, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pet_Sounds

Christie Brinkley is the one you're thinking of. She appears in the Uptown Girl music video.

That was a joke. 5/10 Neapolitan cause I had to explain it.

View Poll Results: Bily Joel or Elton John?
Billy Joel	17	29.82%
Elton John	32	56.14%
Can't decide	8	14.04%
Voters: 57. You may not vote on this poll

03-05-2014, 09:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pet_Sounds Remember the underscore Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The other side Posts: 2,488	Billy Joel vs. Elton John? I've always viewed these two gentlemen as parallel artists. The same way I've always viewed Rod Stewart and Bruce Springsteen as parallel artists. I created this poll just to see who is preferred by the members of MusicBanter (and because I'll be going to a Billy Joel concert this Sunday ). My vote goes to Billy. I can identify with just about all of his songs. And a bonus question for y'all, if you're up for it: favourite song by each? BJ - Scenes From an Italian Restaurant EJ - Rocket Man __________________ Everybody's dying just to get the disease

03-05-2014, 09:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
ladyislingering Maelian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 695	I'm more drawn to Billy Joel. Both Billy and Elton sold out pretty badly in the 1980s (I can't really stomach either of them at that point) but since I was young I've always cited Billy's album "The Stranger" as one of my very favorites of all time. Though I also accredit my indifference toward Elton to the fact that I'm not as familiar with his body of work as I am with Billy's. And now for a favorite song from each (though it's so hard to choose) - Elton John: Your Song. Billy Joel: Tossup between Honesty and Pressure. Super bonus (if you're fit for grooving right now): Billy Joel - The Stranger (full album, vinyl rip) __________________ You and I, We were born to die.

03-05-2014, 10:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Elton John by a long shot. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

03-06-2014, 06:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rjinn The Aerosol in your Soul Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: New South Wales, Australia Posts: 1,546	Is Billy Joel's music intended to be catchy? Because I don't get a reaction while hearing Piano Man, Uptown Girl, My Life, etc. Flies over my head. Don't know about Elton John, but I am inclined to pay more attention to his songs. So him. __________________ last.fm

03-06-2014, 01:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
FRED HALE SR. Neo-Maxi-Zoom-Dweebie Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: So-Cal Posts: 3,752	Billy Joel. I enjoy both, but Billy Joel always spoke to me a bit more. Bernie Taupin wrote some gems for EJ but Billy Joels early work was outstanding. I'm not much a of an 80's Joel fan. __________________ " I slashed and burned thru my 15 minutes of fame."