The Stranger by Billy Joel: The Album That Saved His Career & Changed Pop Music Forever
The Stranger transformed Billy Joel from a struggling singer-songwriter on the verge of being dropped by his label into one of pop music’s biggest stars, selling over 10 million copies in the United States alone and earning Diamond certification from the RIAA.
Released on September 29, 1977, this fifth studio album became Columbia Records’ best-selling release at the time, surpassing even Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water with its perfect blend of New York storytelling, infectious melodies, and Phil Ramone’s pristine production.
You’re about to discover why The Stranger remains Billy Joel’s best-selling studio album nearly five decades later, featuring four Top 40 hits and some of the most enduring songs in pop music history.
This was Joel’s make-or-break moment after his previous album Turnstiles peaked at a disappointing number 122 on the Billboard 200, and Columbia Records was ready to drop him if this next release didn’t deliver commercial success.
The gamble paid off spectacularly, spending six weeks at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and establishing Billy Joel as a household name with timeless classics like “Just the Way You Are,” “Movin’ Out,” and “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.”
⚡ Don’t Miss Out on This Classic
The Stranger remains one of the most sought-after albums in classic rock history. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Billy Joel for the first time, this Diamond-certified masterpiece belongs in every music collection. Secure your copy today before prices increase on this timeless classic.
📋 Table of Contents [+]
The Stranger Overview: Context and Creation
By 1977, Billy Joel was facing the end of his recording career before it had truly begun. His previous four albums had failed to generate significant commercial momentum, with 1976’s Turnstiles barely cracking the Billboard 200 at number 122.
Columbia Records executives made it clear that if his fifth album didn’t sell, they would drop him from the label. Joel needed a hit, and he knew his previous studio efforts had lacked the energy and raw power of his live performances with his touring band.
The Piano Man singer had spent years working with session musicians who created polished but soulless recordings that failed to capture the high-energy chemistry he’d developed with his road band consisting of drummer Liberty DeVitto, bassist Doug Stegmeyer, and multi-instrumentalist Richie Cannata.
Joel initially approached Beatles producer George Martin to helm his next project, but when Martin insisted on using his own session players rather than Joel’s touring band, the collaboration fell through before it began.
Instead, Joel discovered Phil Ramone, a veteran New York sound engineer and producer who had recently worked with Paul Simon on the Grammy-winning Still Crazy After All These Years. The two met at Fontana di Trevi, an Italian restaurant near Carnegie Hall where Joel had been performing, and that meeting would inspire one of the album’s most beloved tracks.
Recording Sessions and Production
The recording sessions for The Stranger took place at A&R Recording Studios in midtown Manhattan during a remarkably compressed three-week period between July and August 1977.
Phil Ramone’s production philosophy aligned perfectly with Joel’s vision after witnessing the band’s legendary Carnegie Hall performance on June 3, 1977, just one month before the album sessions began. Ramone wanted to capture the organic, contagious chemistry of Joel’s rhythm section by recording as much of the album as possible with the band playing live in the studio together.
The musicians recorded so close together that Doug Stegmeyer’s bass guitar literally extended into other players’ spaces, making it challenging to isolate individual audio tracks. This physical proximity created what Joel called an “organic” sound that gave The Stranger its warm, collegial harmony missing from his previous studio recordings.
Joel later described the recording sessions as “a blast” to be part of, and the energy captured during those three weeks became the album’s greatest strength. Ramone’s mastery of the recording studio provided a sublime sonic context for Joel’s timeless songs without sacrificing the rough-around-the-edges feel of live performance.
Band Dynamics During Creation
The band dynamics during The Stranger sessions represented a complete departure from Joel’s previous recording experiences. For the first time, his core touring band played on virtually every track, creating genuine musical chemistry rather than the sterile perfection of session work.
Liberty DeVitto’s drumming anchored the album with a driving energy that propelled songs like “Movin’ Out” beyond typical pop rock fare. Doug Stegmeyer’s bass lines provided melodic counterpoint throughout, while Richie Cannata’s saxophone and organ work added sophisticated textures that elevated Joel’s compositions.
The collaborative atmosphere extended to the songwriting process, with band members contributing ideas and arrangements that shaped the final recordings. Joel trusted his musicians enough to let them interpret the songs rather than dictating every note, creating performances that breathed with spontaneity.
Phil Ramone served as both producer and diplomat, capturing the band’s energy while maintaining professional standards and keeping the sessions on track. The camaraderie between all participants shows clearly in the album sleeve’s iconic photograph of the group sharing wine and food at a checkered tablecloth, looking more like friends at a family gathering than professional musicians making a desperate bid to save Joel’s career.
💡 Did You Know?
The famous whistling that opens “The Stranger” title track was never supposed to make the final cut. Billy Joel whistled the melody as a demonstration for what he wanted played by a wind instrument, but producer Phil Ramone loved it so much he convinced Joel to keep his whistled version instead. That spontaneous whistle became one of the most recognizable album openings in rock history.
Track-by-Track Analysis of The Stranger
The Stranger contains nine tracks spanning 40 minutes of pure pop craftsmanship, with each song contributing to a cohesive journey through New York life, relationships, and the masks people wear. The album flows like a late-night walk through Manhattan’s streets, told by someone who knows them intimately and can relate their stories with both empathy and humor.
Joel sequenced the album masterfully, opening with the urgency of “Movin’ Out” and closing with the gentle reflection of “Everybody Has a Dream,” which incorporates a hidden reprise of the title track two minutes after the song appears to end.
Unlike his later concept albums with specific themes, The Stranger succeeds through its lack of pretension. There are no gimmicks here, just exceptional songwriting that filters all of Joel’s influences into music that feels both timeless and distinctly of its 1977 moment.
Standout Tracks and Hidden Gems
“Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)”
The album explodes open with its most urgent track, featuring Joel’s iconic echoing delivery of “Cadillac-ac-ac-ac-ac-ac” and “heart attack-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack.” This lead single peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and showcases Joel’s gift for painting vivid portraits of working-class life. The song captures the American dream’s hollow promise with lyrics about people working themselves to death for material possessions they don’t need.
“The Stranger”
The title track opens with Joel’s famous whistle before the band kicks in with a funky rock groove inspired by Carl Jung’s concept of “The Shadow,” the parts of ourselves we hide from the world. Though not released as a single in the United States, it became a massive hit in Japan, peaking at number 2 and selling over 471,000 copies. The song’s exploration of hidden identities resonates even more powerfully today than in 1977.
“Just the Way You Are”
Joel wrote this Grammy-winning ballad for his then-wife Elizabeth Weber, though he later expressed ambivalence about the song’s popularity. It became The Stranger’s biggest hit, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 1979 Grammy Awards. While some critics find it dated, the song’s message of unconditional acceptance struck a universal chord that propelled Joel to mainstream stardom.
“Scenes from an Italian Restaurant”
The album’s epic centerpiece runs seven and a half minutes and stands as Billy Joel’s equivalent to Bruce Springsteen’s “Jungleland.” Despite never being released as a single, this multi-movement suite became a staple of Joel’s live performances and his personal favorite among his own compositions. The song was directly inspired by Fontana di Trevi, the restaurant where Joel first met producer Phil Ramone, and it captures the bittersweet nostalgia of old friends reminiscing about their glory days.
“Vienna”
Inspired by Joel’s observations of how Viennese culture honors its elderly population, this contemplative ballad urges listeners to slow down and appreciate life beyond their ambitious twenties. When Joel lets audiences choose between “Vienna” and “Just the Way You Are” during concerts, “Vienna” wins almost every time. The song’s message that “the plans you make for us are second to none, but they don’t give you a refund” resonates deeply across generations.
“Only the Good Die Young”
This uptempo rocker initially sold poorly as a single until Christian groups and archdiocese organizations began calling for radio stations to ban it, claiming it encouraged premarital sex and mocked Catholic values. The controversy backfired spectacularly, making the song immensely popular with rebellious youth and eventually pushing it to number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. Joel’s cheeky celebration of youthful desire over religious restriction became one of his most enduring rockers.
“She’s Always a Woman”
Another song written about Elizabeth Weber, this tender piano ballad peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and showcases Joel’s more romantic side. The song’s nuanced portrait of a complex woman who “can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes” avoids simple sentimentality in favor of genuine complexity.
“Get It Right the First Time”
One of the album’s lesser-known tracks, this jazzy number features sophisticated chord progressions and wry observations about relationships. While it never achieved the fame of other Stranger tracks, it demonstrates Joel’s musical versatility and his ability to write in multiple styles.
“Everybody Has a Dream”
The album closes with this gentle ballad celebrating human aspirations and possibilities. After approximately two minutes of silence following the song’s apparent conclusion, a hidden instrumental reprise of “The Stranger” plays, bookending the album with its title track and rewarding attentive listeners.
Musical Themes and Innovations
The Stranger explores themes of identity, ambition, working-class struggle, and the masks people wear to hide their true selves. Joel draws extensively from his New York roots, creating vivid character studies of everyday people navigating love, disappointment, and dreams deferred.
Musically, the album represents Joel at his most confident and diverse, incorporating elements of jazz, rock, Latin music, and classic Tin Pan Alley songcraft. His piano playing drives every track, but unlike his earlier work, the arrangements breathe with space and dynamic contrast rather than overwhelming the songs with production.
Phil Ramone’s production innovations included capturing the band’s live energy while maintaining sonic clarity that allowed each instrument to shine. The warm, organic sound quality contrasted sharply with the overly polished disco and arena rock dominating 1977 radio, helping The Stranger stand out from its contemporaries.
Joel’s vocal performances throughout the album showcase impressive range and emotional depth, from the urgent storytelling of “Movin’ Out” to the tender vulnerability of “She’s Always a Woman.” He sounds like a man with everything to prove, investing every note with conviction born from desperation and determination.
Critical Reception and Chart Performance
When The Stranger arrived in record stores on September 29, 1977, critics responded with measured enthusiasm, recognizing improvement over Joel’s previous work while remaining somewhat cautious about anointing him a major artist. Contemporary reviews praised the album’s musical variety and Phil Ramone’s polished production, with Rolling Stone’s Ira Mayer calling it Joel’s strongest effort to date.
The initial reception, while positive, couldn’t predict the cultural phenomenon The Stranger would become. Critics appreciated the craftsmanship but didn’t immediately grasp that they were witnessing the birth of a pop music icon.
Initial Reviews and Contemporary Reactions
Rolling Stone’s review highlighted Joel’s growth as a songwriter, noting that The Stranger showcased more sophisticated arrangements and stronger melodies than his previous albums. Critics particularly praised the album’s sonic diversity, from the urgent rock of “Movin’ Out” to the contemplative beauty of “Vienna.”
Some reviewers expressed skepticism about Joel’s sincerity, questioning whether his blue-collar authenticity was genuine or calculated. These debates about Joel’s “coolness” and artistic legitimacy would follow him throughout his career, with detractors dismissing him as a slick operator making “rock and roll music for theater kids.”
Fan reactions proved far more enthusiastic than critical assessments. Joel’s existing fanbase embraced The Stranger immediately, while new listeners discovered him through constant radio play of “Just the Way You Are.” The album’s accessibility and emotional directness connected with audiences hungry for genuine songcraft in an era increasingly dominated by disco and punk extremes.
Radio programmers initially focused on “Just the Way You Are,” largely ignoring the lead single “Movin’ Out.” This forced Columbia Records to release “Just the Way You Are” only six weeks after “Movin’ Out,” an unusual move that ultimately proved successful when “Just the Way You Are” became a massive hit.
Commercial Success and Certifications
The Stranger’s commercial performance exceeded everyone’s wildest expectations, transforming Billy Joel from a struggling artist into a superstar. The album entered the Billboard 200 chart four months after its release on January 21, 1978, reaching the bottom of the Top 10 before climbing to number 2 on February 18, 1978, where it remained for six consecutive weeks.
The album spent a total of 17 weeks in the Top 10 and remained on the Billboard 200 for an remarkable 72 weeks in Canada between November 1977 and April 1979. In the United States, The Stranger achieved Diamond certification for selling over 10 million copies, making it Billy Joel’s best-selling studio album and one of the most successful albums in Columbia Records history.
All four singles released from the album became Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. “Just the Way You Are” peaked at number 3, becoming Joel’s signature ballad. “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” and “She’s Always a Woman” both reached number 17, while “Only the Good Die Young” peaked at number 24 after its controversial ban attempts.
Internationally, The Stranger performed exceptionally well, earning multi-platinum certifications in numerous countries. The title track became a massive hit in Japan, selling over 471,000 copies and reaching number 2 on the Oricon chart. The album also achieved strong sales in Australia, New Zealand, and throughout Europe.
By the time The Stranger finished its chart run, it had surpassed Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water to become Columbia Records’ all-time best-selling album release, a record it held until Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. in 1985.
The album’s commercial success completely reversed Billy Joel’s career trajectory. Instead of being dropped by his label, he became one of Columbia’s most valuable assets and gained the creative freedom to pursue increasingly ambitious projects throughout the late 1970s and 1980s.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The Stranger’s impact extends far beyond its impressive sales figures and chart performance. The album fundamentally altered perceptions of Billy Joel, transforming him from a one-hit wonder known only for “Piano Man” into a major artist capable of sustained commercial and artistic success.
Nearly five decades after its release, The Stranger remains Billy Joel’s defining artistic statement and his best-selling studio album. Songs from the album continue to receive extensive radio airplay, stream millions of times monthly, and soundtrack weddings, graduations, and countless life moments.
Influence on Future Artists and Genres
The Stranger’s influence on subsequent pop and rock artists cannot be overstated. Joel’s approach to piano-driven pop rock inspired countless singer-songwriters throughout the 1980s and beyond, proving that sophisticated songcraft and commercial success weren’t mutually exclusive.
Hip-hop producers have frequently sampled tracks from The Stranger, with the title track appearing in songs by Snoop Dogg (“Tha Shiznit”) and Xzibit (“The Foundation”), introducing Joel’s music to new generations of listeners unfamiliar with the original recordings.
Contemporary artists from Ben Folds to Sara Bareilles cite The Stranger as a foundational influence, particularly its demonstration that piano-based pop could compete commercially with guitar-driven rock. The album helped establish a template for intelligent, literate pop music that addressed adult concerns without condescending to audiences.
The album’s production techniques influenced how rock and pop records were made, with Phil Ramone’s approach to capturing live band energy while maintaining sonic clarity becoming a model for producers throughout the 1980s. Ramone’s work on The Stranger helped him become one of the most sought-after producers of his generation.
Retrospective Evaluations
Critical reassessment of The Stranger has been overwhelmingly positive, with many music historians now recognizing it as one of the essential pop albums of the 1970s. Rolling Stone included the album on its prestigious “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list at number 169 in its latest update, acknowledging its enduring artistic merit.
In 2008, The Stranger was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, recognizing its lasting qualitative and historical significance. The album’s 30th Anniversary Legacy Edition released that same year introduced Joel’s masterpiece to new audiences through remastered audio and extensive bonus material including the complete Carnegie Hall 1977 performance.
Modern critics praise The Stranger for qualities that contemporary reviewers sometimes dismissed, particularly Joel’s unabashed earnestness and his skilled blending of various American musical traditions. The album’s Tin Pan Alley sensibilities, once seen as old-fashioned, now appear timeless in an era of disposable pop music.
While debates about Billy Joel’s “coolness” persist, The Stranger’s artistic and commercial achievements speak for themselves. The album succeeded by refusing to chase trends, instead offering meticulously crafted songs that trusted audiences to appreciate quality songwriting and genuine emotion.
The album has aged remarkably well considering how many 1970s records now sound dated. The organic production and timeless melodies ensure that The Stranger sounds as fresh today as it did in 1977, a testament to Joel and Ramone’s focus on fundamental musical values rather than contemporary production fads.
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Production Credits and Album Personnel
Band Members:
Billy Joel – Vocals, acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, synthesizers
Liberty DeVitto – Drums, percussion
Doug Stegmeyer – Bass guitar
Richie Cannata – Saxophone, flute, clarinet, organ
Additional Musicians:
Steve Khan – Guitar (various tracks)
Hugh McCracken – Guitar (various tracks)
Hiram Bullock – Guitar (various tracks)
Ralph MacDonald – Percussion
Production Team:
Phil Ramone – Producer, Recording Engineer
James Boyer – Assistant Engineer
Daniel Kopelman – Assistant Engineer
Recording Details:
Recorded: July-August 1977
Studio: A&R Recording Studios, New York City
Label: Columbia Records
Released: September 29, 1977
Length: 40 minutes, 6 seconds
Catalog Number: JC 34987
Frequently Asked Questions About The Stranger
Conclusion: Why The Stranger Still Matters Today
The Stranger remains Billy Joel’s artistic and commercial peak, a Diamond-certified masterpiece that transformed him from a struggling artist into one of pop music’s most enduring figures. The album’s perfect balance of sophisticated songcraft and accessible melodies created timeless music that continues to resonate nearly five decades after its release.
This album matters because it proves that intelligent, literate pop music can achieve massive commercial success without compromising artistic integrity. Joel’s unabashed earnestness and skilled blending of American musical traditions created songs that trusted audiences to appreciate quality over trends.
The Stranger represents a pivotal moment in 1970s pop music when an artist facing career oblivion created his masterwork through desperate determination and genuine collaboration. Phil Ramone’s production captured lightning in a bottle, preserving the raw energy of Joel’s touring band while showcasing songs that have soundtracked countless weddings, road trips, and life moments for millions of listeners.
Whether you’re discovering Billy Joel for the first time or revisiting a beloved classic, The Stranger offers a complete artistic statement that captures its era while remaining timelessly relevant. This is essential listening for anyone who appreciates masterful songwriting, exceptional musicianship, and music that speaks honestly about the human experience.
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