It all started here. Inspired by his time playing at the Executive Room bar in Los Angeles under the pseudonym "Bill Martin," this song introduced Joel’s narrative style. While it only peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time, it became his defining anthem. You can hear the weariness and the hope in his voice, establishing him as the storyteller for the everyman.

Peak: #3 US – Bouncy, defiant independence anthem. The “I don’t care what you think” track that closed the ’70s strong.

Billy Joel ’s career is defined by a decade-and-a-half run of massive radio hits, spanning from his 1973 breakthrough "Piano Man" to his final pop studio album in 1993. Over that time, he secured 33 Top 40 hits and three Number 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 . Here is a timeline of Billy Joel’s major hits in chronological order of their peak success: 🎹 The 1970s: The Rise of the Piano Man 1974: "Piano Man" — His first Top 40 hit and signature song, based on his time as a lounge singer in Los Angeles. 1975: "The Entertainer" — A cynical look at the music industry's "shelf life" for artists. 1977: "Just the Way You Are" — His first Top 10 hit and a Grammy winner for Record of the Year. 1978: "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" — An anthem for the working-class struggle in New York. 1978: "Only the Good Die Young" — A controversial, high-energy rock track that became a radio staple. 1978: "She's Always a Woman" — A soft, acoustic ballad showcasing his storytelling range. 1979: "My Life" — A defiance anthem that served as the theme for the show

– "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," "Don't Ask Me Why"

– "Say Goodbye to Hollywood," "New York State of Mind"