Lessons from Billy Joel

I just finished watching And So It Goes, the HBO documentary on Billy Joel. I expected to enjoy the music—I’ve been a fan for years—but what surprised me was the honesty of his story. It wasn’t just entertainment. It was a window into struggle, relationships, and man’s search for joy.

Three things stood out to me. 

First, struggles have to be faced.

Joel’s story is filled with them. Some self-inflicted—like his battles with alcohol and depression. Others were dealt to him, like a father who left when he was young, or a manager who quietly drained his bank account. Add to that a string of marriages that began strong but didn’t last. What I was reminded of is this: struggles don’t just go away. If we don’t face them, they turn into strongholds. Joel didn’t escape the scars, but he put the pain into song—and that was his way through.

Second, relationships matter. People matter. Trust matters.

What gripped me most was the story about his father. After Joel had already found success, he sought him out. He traveled to Vienna and discovered a man who had started another family. That could have fueled bitterness. Instead, Joel chose to rebuild. He not only rekindled a relationship with his dad but also formed a bond with his half-brother. Out of that story came one of his most powerful songs. Every time I hear the line, “Vienna waits for you,” I now hear it as more than just a lyric. It’s about patience in the pursuit, and hope in the healing. For me, it’s a song of encouragement—not to get stuck in comfort, but to hear the call and step over the borderline. When you do, you build trust, you build relationships, and in the process, you build yourself.

Third, the songs are stories of growth.

Joel says in the documentary, “Everything I write is influenced by someone else.” His albums are a diary—capturing thoughts, feelings, and the lives around him. In “You’re Only Human (Second Wind),” he sings: “You’re only human, you’re allowed to make mistakes.” That song became a reminder not just to himself, but to millions of others, that falling isn’t final. His music has carried him—and us—through dark nights.

The film also highlights Joel’s love for Ray Charles. He even named his daughter Alexa Ray after him. Years later, he recorded “Baby Grand” with Charles. The song, with its line “My baby grand is all I need,” is a testimony to the craft that anchored him when life was shaking.

At one point, Joel reflects that he is still a work in progress. That thought stuck with me. It’s a reminder that no matter the success, the fame, or the years behind us, we are still learning, still growing, still being shaped.

For me, my own connection to Billy Joel started with a 45 of “Movin’ Out” when I was 12. I played it until the grooves wore thin. In hindsight, that song itself was a story of my growth. On the B-side was “Everybody Has a Dream,” which opens with the words, “Everybody has a dream, everybody has a right to be happy.” While I wasn’t a big fan of the song—I preferred the punchiness of “Movin’ Out”—its title was enough to spark something in me. It whispered that imagination matters, that dreams matter—an idea I may never have discovered had it not been pressed onto that same record.

Later I bought The Stranger, which remains one of my favorite albums. And “Vienna” has stayed with me—it’s a song I return to often.

Keeping the Faith

Watching And So It Goes reminded me that Billy Joel is more than the Piano Man. He’s a storyteller. His life and his lyrics remind us that struggles must be faced, relationships pursued, and stories shared—because our stories, like his songs, may help someone else find their way.

So if you get the chance, watch the documentary. Then sit down with his music—not just the hits, but the songs that sound like letters from a friend. You may find your own story hidden there. And like Joel, you may discover that the real gift is learning, growing, and—through it all—keeping the faith.

 

Image: Official poster for And So It Goes (HBO, 2025)
 

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