Billy Joel is coming back with his latest solo track, which is his first since 2007 and only his second since 1993.
The release date for Turn the Lights Back On is set for 1 February and it will be available on streaming platforms as well as a 7-inch vinyl record. The song was written by Joel and produced by Freddy Wexler, a well-known figure in mainstream pop who has worked with artists like Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Selena Gomez. It was also co-written by British pop veteran Wayne Hector, known for creating multiple No. 1 singles for acts like Westlife and JLS.
Last month, Joel shared a video on his TikTok account where he gave a sneak peek of his new song during a live performance. He mentioned that they are currently working on it and hinted that it may be released in the future. The promotional materials describe Joel’s upcoming single as the start of a new phase in his career, possibly hinting at more new music to come.
With his cheerfully un-hip pop-rock style, Joel has charmed the mainstream since his breakthrough in the early 1970s, selling more than 160m records worldwide thanks to hits such as Uptown Girl and We Didn’t Start the Fire, and topping the US album chart four times.
He stopped writing songs after his US hit River of Dreams in 1993, stating: “I couldn’t reach the level of excellence I desired. I always strived for growth in my work, but eventually I came to the realization that I could only reach a certain level. Knowing this, I would constantly criticize myself for not being better. So I decided to stop. That’s the end of it.” Since then, there have been some cover versions, but he has only put out one new solo single in 2007, titled All My Life.
Joel has persisted in touring, despite facing some moments of uncertainty, such as in 2010 when he mentioned to his band that he was contemplating leaving. In a 2018 interview with Vulture, he revealed that he was adjusting his setlist to accommodate his age and what he perceived as a decline in his voice: “I’m already facing challenges. Most of the songs I perform were written in my 20s and 30s, and it’s not easy to hit those high notes in my 60s. We’ve already lowered the keys of some songs. Hopefully, it’s not too noticeable.”
A concert in London’s Hyde Park in 2023 received a four-star review from The Guardian, describing the performer as a “meticulously crafted entertainment machine” and “skilled at recreating the music of his younger years, including Motown, doo-wop, and Tin Pan Alley.”
He is scheduled to finish his extended stay at Madison Square Garden in New York in July, culminating with his 150th performance in the ongoing monthly series. In addition, he has other concert dates this year where he will co-headline with Stevie Nicks and, on a separate occasion, Sting.
Source: theguardian.com
