Billy Joel’s Greatest Hits Volume I & II: The Ultimate Collection That Defined an Era
Greatest Hits Volume I & II stands as Billy Joel’s definitive career retrospective, capturing 12 years of unprecedented commercial success and artistic evolution from 1973 to 1985. Released on August 2, 1985, through Columbia Records, this double album compilation became one of the best-selling albums of all time.
With over 23 million copies sold in the United States alone and double diamond certification from the RIAA, this collection ranks as the sixth-most-certified album in American music history. The compilation features 25 of Joel’s most iconic tracks, including two previously unreleased songs that became hits in their own right.
Whether you’re a longtime fan seeking to relive the Piano Man’s golden era or a newcomer discovering why Billy Joel became one of America’s most beloved singer-songwriters, this collection offers an unparalleled journey through the soundtrack of the 1970s and 1980s.
This wasn’t just another greatest hits package. Joel’s Columbia Records team carefully curated this collection to tell a coherent story of his artistic development, from the honky-tonk storytelling of his early career through the sophisticated pop-rock craftsmanship that dominated radio throughout the decade.
Let’s explore why Greatest Hits Volume I & II remains an essential cornerstone of any classic rock collection and how it continues to introduce new generations to one of popular music’s most gifted storytellers.
🎹 Why Billy Joel’s Greatest Hits Belongs in Your Collection
Over 23 million copies sold worldwide • 25 timeless tracks spanning 12 years • Features “Piano Man,” “Uptown Girl,” “My Life” and more iconic hits
Experience the complete Billy Joel journey from 1973-1985 in one essential collection
📋 Table of Contents [+]
Greatest Hits Volume I & II Overview: Context and Creation
By 1985, Billy Joel had established himself as one of the most commercially successful artists in popular music. Following a remarkable string of platinum albums throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Columbia Records recognized the opportunity to compile his greatest achievements into a comprehensive collection.
The timing proved perfect. Joel had just completed his most successful period, with albums like The Stranger (1977), 52nd Street (1978), Glass Houses (1980), and An Innocent Man (1983) dominating both album and singles charts. Each of these albums had spawned multiple hit singles, creating a catalog rich with radio-friendly material.
Unlike many greatest hits packages that feel like contractual obligations, Greatest Hits Volume I & II was conceived as a thoughtful retrospective. The compilation excluded Joel’s troubled debut Cold Spring Harbor (1971), instead beginning with his breakthrough album Piano Man (1973) and documenting his evolution through his most recent work.
The double album format allowed for a generous 25-track selection, though even this couldn’t accommodate every hit from Joel’s prolific run. Notable omissions included “Sometimes a Fantasy” and several album tracks that had become concert favorites, though the collection captured the essence of what made Joel a superstar.
The Art of Compilation: Curating a Career
The sequencing of Greatest Hits Volume I & II follows a roughly chronological approach, divided into two distinct volumes. Volume I covers 1973 through 1980, documenting Joel’s journey from struggling troubadour to established hitmaker. Volume II captures his peak commercial years from 1980 through 1985, when he achieved unprecedented success.
Producer Phil Ramone, who had worked extensively with Joel on his studio albums, oversaw the compilation. The original release featured edited versions of several songs to accommodate the vinyl format, including “Pressure,” “My Life,” “Big Shot,” “Just the Way You Are,” and “Tell Her About It.” These edits would later be restored in the 1998 CD remaster.
The package also featured a live version of “Say Goodbye to Hollywood” recorded at Joel’s 1981 concerts, adding variety to the studio recordings. This choice highlighted Joel’s reputation as a powerful live performer, though the studio version would replace it in later reissues.
The New Recordings: Fresh Hits for 1985
To give fans something new and drive sales beyond his existing base, Joel recorded two fresh tracks specifically for the compilation. “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” emerged as an uplifting anthem addressing teenage depression and suicide, featuring a memorable saxophone solo and Joel’s characteristic empathy.
The second new track, “The Night Is Still Young,” offered a more lighthearted romantic theme with Joel’s signature piano work front and center. Both songs were released as singles and performed respectably on the charts, with “You’re Only Human” reaching number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.
These additions transformed Greatest Hits Volume I & II from a simple retrospective into a current release that demanded attention from both longtime fans and casual listeners. The strategy worked brilliantly, as the album entered the charts at number one and remained a consistent seller for years.
💡 Did You Know?
The original vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits Volume I & II varied by region and pressing plant. Some international editions replaced “Don’t Ask Me Why” with “Honesty,” while early pressings featured different saxophone solos on “New York State of Mind.” These variations make certain pressings highly collectible among Billy Joel enthusiasts.
Track-by-Track Analysis of Greatest Hits
The 25 tracks on Greatest Hits Volume I & II represent the cream of Billy Joel’s output during his most creative and commercially successful period. Each song tells a story, whether exploring personal relationships, social commentary, or pure musical joy. The collection flows naturally despite spanning more than a decade of recording.
Volume I: The Rise of the Piano Man (1973-1980)
“Piano Man” opens the collection with Joel’s signature song, a nostalgic look at his days playing Los Angeles piano bars before fame found him. The harmonica intro and singalong chorus established the storytelling approach that would define much of his work. Based on real people Joel encountered, the song’s characters remain vivid decades later.
“Say Goodbye to Hollywood” follows with a Phil Spector-inspired production celebrating Joel’s return to New York from California. The Ronettes-style backing vocals and Wall of Sound arrangement showcase Joel’s appreciation for classic pop craftsmanship. The original compilation featured the live version, which captured the raw energy of Joel’s concerts.
“New York State of Mind” strips everything back to Joel’s piano and a jazz-influenced arrangement, creating one of his most enduring ballads. The song became an anthem for New York City despite never being released as a single, with countless artists covering it over the years. Its inclusion here recognizes its status as a concert highlight and fan favorite.
“The Stranger” delivers a dark, atmospheric examination of the masks people wear in relationships. The whistling introduction and minor-key verses create an unsettling mood that contrasts with Joel’s typically upbeat material. Producer Phil Ramone’s arrangement perfectly captures the song’s psychological complexity.
“Just the Way You Are” became Joel’s breakthrough hit, winning Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1979. Initially reluctant to record what he considered an overly sentimental love song, Joel was convinced by Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow that it deserved inclusion on The Stranger. The Richard Tee Rhodes electric piano solo remains iconic.
“Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” tackles working-class aspirations and the American Dream with wit and empathy. The song contrasts materialistic pursuits with genuine fulfillment, all wrapped in a catchy, upbeat arrangement. Joel’s rapid-fire verses and memorable chorus made it a Top 20 hit and concert staple.
“Only the Good Die Young” sparked controversy with its narrator attempting to seduce a Catholic girl, leading to radio bans that ironically increased its popularity. The New Orleans-influenced arrangement and Joel’s playful vocals make it one of his most fun recordings. The song remains a highlight of his live shows, with audiences singing every word.
“She’s Always a Woman” offers a tender portrait balancing acknowledgment of a partner’s flaws with unconditional love. Joel wrote it for his then-wife and manager Elizabeth, capturing both her business acumen and personal warmth. The gentle acoustic arrangement provides contrast to the album’s more energetic numbers.
“My Life” became an anthem of independence and self-determination, later serving as the theme song for the sitcom Bosom Buddies. The song’s defiant lyrics resonated with listeners asserting their autonomy, while the tight arrangement and memorable hook made it a Top 5 hit. Joel’s vocal delivery perfectly captures the song’s spirit of determination.
“Big Shot” savagely satirizes entitled, self-important people who mistreat others. Inspired by Joel’s observations of music industry behavior, the song features biting lyrics and a driving rock arrangement. The aggressive energy marks a departure from Joel’s more melodic material, showcasing his versatility as a songwriter and performer.
“You May Be Right” closes Volume I with hard-rocking energy that surprised fans expecting ballads. The song’s motorcycle crash opening and driving beat announced Joel’s Glass Houses album, which deliberately embraced a tougher rock sound. The self-deprecating lyrics and powerful vocals made it another Top 10 success.
Volume II: Peak Commercial Success (1980-1985)
“It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” kicks off Volume II with Joel’s response to critics who questioned his artistic credibility. The rockabilly-influenced arrangement and clever lyrics addressing fashion trends and musical styles gave Joel his first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s success validated his approach of blending rock energy with pop craftsmanship.
“Don’t Ask Me Why” showcases Joel’s Latin influences with a Caribbean-flavored arrangement featuring steel drums and a relaxed groove. The song’s mysterious lyrics and unusual instrumentation for a Joel track demonstrate his willingness to experiment while maintaining commercial appeal.
“Pressure” addresses the stress and expectations of fame with synthesizer-driven intensity. The song’s dark atmosphere and driving rhythm created one of Joel’s edgiest recordings, with a memorable music video featuring Joel performing while surrounded by suburban chaos. The track reached number 20 and became a concert favorite.
“Allentown” stands as Joel’s most powerful social commentary, examining the decline of American manufacturing and its impact on working people. Written about Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, the song resonated nationally as similar economic challenges affected communities across the country. The arrangement builds from acoustic intimacy to full rock power, mirroring the song’s emotional arc.
“Goodnight Saigon” offers a veteran’s perspective on the Vietnam War, written after Joel met veterans at a recording session. The helicopter sound effects opening, military drum cadence, and chorus of voices create an immersive listening experience. Joel’s refusal to judge while honestly portraying the experience earned respect from veterans and critics alike.
“Tell Her About It” channels Motown energy with a brassy arrangement and relationship advice encouraging open communication. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 and showcased Joel’s ability to evoke classic soul while maintaining his distinctive voice. The upbeat message and infectious melody made it perfect for radio.
“Uptown Girl” became Joel’s most recognizable international hit, a Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons-inspired confection about class differences and romantic aspiration. The doo-wop harmonies, falsetto vocals, and irresistible hook made it unavoidable in 1983. The accompanying video, featuring then-girlfriend Christie Brinkley, received heavy MTV rotation.
“The Longest Time” strips away all instrumentation except voices, creating a doo-wop a cappella showcase. Joel handles all the vocal parts himself through overdubbing, demonstrating both his vocal range and production creativity. The song’s nostalgic warmth and technical achievement made it a Top 20 hit despite its unusual approach.
“You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” addresses teenage suicide and depression with empathy and hope. Commissioned by the National Committee for Youth Suicide Prevention, the song balances serious subject matter with an uplifting musical arrangement. Joel’s message that everyone faces challenges and deserves another chance resonated widely.
“The Night Is Still Young” closes the collection with romantic optimism and Joel’s piano virtuosity. The song’s breezy melody and positive energy provide a fitting conclusion to the compilation, suggesting Joel’s creative journey would continue beyond this retrospective. While not a major hit, it captures Joel’s gift for melody and his joy in performing.
Critical Reception and Chart Performance
Greatest Hits Volume I & II received generally positive reviews from critics who recognized its value as a comprehensive introduction to Billy Joel’s work. While some reviewers noted the absence of certain favorites, most acknowledged the strength of the material and the coherent narrative arc the compilation created.
Rolling Stone praised the collection for capturing Joel’s evolution from piano bar troubadour to arena rock star, noting how the sequencing highlighted his growth as a songwriter and arranger. Critics appreciated the inclusion of deeper album cuts like “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” alongside obvious hits, giving the package more substance than typical greatest hits collections.
Commercial Dominance and Certifications
The commercial performance of Greatest Hits Volume I & II exceeded even Columbia Records’ optimistic projections. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and remained in the top 10 for months. It would spend years on the charts, becoming one of those rare catalog titles that never completely disappeared from sales tallies.
The Recording Industry Association of America certified the album platinum multiple times, eventually awarding it double diamond status for selling over 11.5 million copies. When accounting for the double-album format (counting each disc separately), sales figures reach approximately 23 million units, making it the sixth-most-certified album in United States history.
Internationally, the collection performed equally well, topping charts throughout Europe, Australia, and Canada. The album went diamond in Canada, multi-platinum across Europe, and achieved impressive sales in Japan and other Asian markets. Billy Joel’s appeal proved truly global, with the compilation serving as many international fans’ introduction to his work.
The sustained sales through multiple decades demonstrate the collection’s value beyond nostalgia. New generations continue discovering Billy Joel through this compilation, ensuring its place in music retail even as the industry transformed from vinyl to CDs to digital formats.
Singles Released from the Collection
Columbia Records released both new recordings as singles to promote the compilation. “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” performed strongest, reaching number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and receiving significant radio airplay throughout summer 1985. The song’s message about perseverance through difficult times connected with audiences facing various challenges.
“The Night Is Still Young” followed as the second single, reaching a more modest number 34 on the Hot 100. While less commercially successful than its companion, the song still received respectable radio play and helped drive album sales through the holiday season.
Both songs appeared on Adult Contemporary charts, where Billy Joel had consistently performed well throughout his career. The videos for both tracks received rotation on MTV, which by 1985 had become essential for hit-making. The exposure helped maintain Joel’s relevance with younger audiences discovering his music for the first time.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Greatest Hits Volume I & II transcended its role as a simple compilation to become a cultural touchstone representing the sound of 1970s and 1980s American popular music. For many listeners, this album served as the definitive Billy Joel experience, offering all his essential works in one convenient package.
The collection’s impact extended beyond music retail into broader cultural consciousness. Songs from this compilation became wedding staples (“Just the Way You Are”), sports arena anthems (“You May Be Right”), and karaoke favorites (“Piano Man”). The breadth of situations where these songs appeared demonstrated Joel’s remarkable ability to craft music for diverse emotional moments.
Breaking Sales Records
The sales figures for Greatest Hits Volume I & II place it among the elite of all-time best-selling albums. Its 23 million units sold (counting both discs) rank it alongside other compilation classics like Eagles’ Their Greatest Hits and Led Zeppelin’s untitled fourth album in terms of commercial impact.
What makes these numbers particularly impressive is their sustained nature. Rather than spiking immediately and fading, Greatest Hits Volume I & II continued selling steadily year after year. The album regularly appeared on Billboard’s catalog charts decades after release, demonstrating its ongoing appeal to both nostalgic older listeners and curious younger fans.
The collection’s success also benefited Joel’s entire catalog, driving interested listeners back to explore the original albums. Many fans who discovered Joel through this compilation subsequently purchased The Stranger, 52nd Street, or Glass Houses, creating a rising tide effect that lifted all his recordings.
Continuing Influence on Pop and Rock
The songs compiled on Greatest Hits Volume I & II continue influencing contemporary artists across multiple genres. Pop singers study Joel’s melodic construction and vocal phrasing, while rock bands appreciate his ability to merge pop accessibility with instrumental credibility. Singer-songwriters admire his storytelling specificity and emotional honesty.
Numerous artists have covered songs from this collection, from Tony Bennett’s jazz interpretation of “New York State of Mind” to Garth Brooks’ country take on “Shameless” (though that song appeared on later compilations). These covers demonstrate the versatility and enduring quality of Joel’s songwriting, as the melodies and lyrics work across diverse musical contexts.
The compilation model itself influenced how record labels approached career retrospectives. Columbia’s success with this double-album package established a template for comprehensive artist collections that balanced commercial hits with artistic credibility. Many subsequent greatest hits packages attempted to recreate this formula with varying degrees of success.
In documenting Billy Joel’s remarkable run from 1973 to 1985, including performances and recordings that would later surface in vault releases, this collection captured lightning in a bottle. It preserved not just the songs but the spirit of an era when singer-songwriters could achieve massive commercial success while maintaining artistic integrity.
📢 Discover More Billy Joel
Want to explore Billy Joel’s complete catalog beyond the hits? Check out our comprehensive guides to his studio albums and learn about Billy Joel’s perspectives on social issues and current events that continue his tradition of meaningful songwriting.
Different Versions and Reissues
Over the decades since its 1985 release, Greatest Hits Volume I & II has appeared in multiple formats and configurations, each with slight variations. Understanding these different versions helps collectors and fans ensure they’re getting the edition that best suits their preferences.
The original vinyl release came in various configurations depending on the market. The standard American two-LP set featured edited versions of several songs to fit vinyl’s time constraints. Some international markets received three-LP versions including additional tracks like “Captain Jack,” “The Entertainer,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” and “Honesty.”
When Columbia released the collection on compact disc in the late 1980s, they took advantage of the format’s extended playing time. The CD version added several tracks not on the standard vinyl, bringing the total to 29 songs across two discs. This became the definitive edition for many fans, offering the most comprehensive overview of Joel’s hit-making years.
The 1998 digital remaster represented a significant upgrade in sound quality. Beyond improved audio fidelity, this version restored the full album versions of songs that had been edited on the original release. “Pressure,” “My Life,” “Big Shot,” “Just the Way You Are,” and “Tell Her About It” all returned to their complete lengths. The remaster also replaced the live “Say Goodbye to Hollywood” with the studio version from Turnstiles.
As a bonus, the 1998 edition included video content for “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” and “The Night Is Still Young” on the first disc, marking an early example of enhanced CDs. This multimedia approach reflected late-1990s technology while adding value for purchasers upgrading from vinyl or older CD pressings.
More recent vinyl reissues have appeared periodically, including a 40th anniversary edition released in 2025. These pressings on 180-gram vinyl appeal to audiophiles and collectors seeking the warmth of analog playback combined with modern mastering techniques. The gatefold packaging typically replicates the original artwork while often including updated liner notes.
Digital platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music stream the remastered version with full-length tracks, making it the most accessible edition for contemporary listeners. The streaming version includes all 25 tracks from the 1998 CD remaster, ensuring listeners experience Joel’s music as he intended.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greatest Hits Volume I & II
Conclusion: Why Greatest Hits Volume I & II Still Matters Today
Four decades after its release, Greatest Hits Volume I & II remains the definitive introduction to Billy Joel’s extraordinary catalog and one of the best-selling albums in music history. The compilation captures an artist at the peak of his powers, documenting a 12-year period of unparalleled commercial success and consistent artistic quality.
The collection endures because Billy Joel’s songwriting transcends its era. While the production occasionally reflects 1970s and 1980s aesthetics, the melodies, lyrics, and emotional truths remain timeless. “Piano Man” still resonates with anyone who’s felt like an outsider observing life’s parade, “Allentown” speaks to communities facing economic uncertainty, and “Just the Way You Are” continues soundtracking romantic moments.
For new listeners, this compilation offers an ideal entry point to understand why Billy Joel became one of America’s most beloved songwriters. For longtime fans, it serves as a reminder of an incredible creative period when a Long Island kid with a piano conquered the world through craft, persistence, and genuine connection with audiences.
Greatest Hits Volume I & II stands as more than a commercial product. It’s a time capsule preserving the soundtrack of millions of lives, a masterclass in pop songwriting, and proof that artistic integrity and commercial success need not be mutually exclusive. Billy Joel’s Piano Man legacy lives on through these 25 essential tracks.
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