The Mosh Pit was Lame

Abby and I went to see Billy Joel last week for her birthday. Aside from that "Heart Attack-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack" song and the a cappella, Longest Time, I didn't know any Billy Joel songs at all. Ok, I knew We Didn't Start the Fire too, because when we were in grade school we used to sing "I didn't fart, you liar. It was just a breeze I didn't squeeze the cheese." But aside from those, I had no idea what we were in for. I had lumped the Piano Man in with Elton John and Jimmy Buffett (yeah - quite a range) as kitschy pop rock that fell somewhere between "We appreciate your patience, please continue to hold..." muzak and typical top-40 hits a la 1983. I went into the show prepared for three hours of boredom, and I ended up being dead wrong.

You can't underestimate the old boozebag. He's been around for decades for a reason. Billy Joel plays the hell out of the piano - and the guy is a hell of a songwriter. I can say without embellishment that I've never heard anyone grind on keys in person like he did. They started the show with the sick, rhythmic piano-intro to Angry Young Man (check it out live here), and then went on to My Life, which I'm sure everyone knows. I was surprised that I recognized almost half of the songs, like Piano Man, Tell Her About It, Uptown Girl, and Only The Good Die Young, not to mention the song I could have sworn was from The Lion King, River of Dreams (In the Middle of the Night). The guy is a prolific songwriter to be sure.

This show marked the first time I've watched an entire performance while sitting in my seat. It also marks the first time I've been embarrassed to admit I had a great time. Billy Joel. I never thought that things would go this far. By the way, if anyone can find the link to the Saturday Night Live skit where Horatio Sanz plays Billy Joel driving his daughter home shitfaced, please let me know.