“Did I wait too long to turn the lights back on?”
A complex question imposed on listeners by legendary singer and songwriter Billy Joel with a simple answer. No. As if he never left, Joel once again provided a song that will be played on repeat for years to come.
After a 17 year writing hiatus, Joel released the single ‘Turn the Lights Back On’, transporting listeners back to his glory days while adding a spark of modern music. Joel, who will turn 75 in May, co-wrote the song with producer Freddy Wexler, and the duo created a spectacle all should let their ears feast on.
After releasing the single ‘All My Life’ in 2007, Joel stepped back from producing music, believing that the hobby that once brought him joy was now causing him stress and anguish. From the listeners point of view, it seems as if Joel has refound his love for songwriting, and turned back the clock to his old self.
Released on Feb. 1, 2024, Joel talks about his thoughts of regret, a common trope in his music, and if he took too much time to “turn the lights back on”. While Joel is most likely talking about this query in terms of a romantic relationship, the same statement can be applied to his musical career.
Due to the new release being sung at a slower pace, listeners are able to take in the melody word for word, feeling Joel’s message at heart. The piano, Joel’s most famed musical tool, provides the baseline for the melody and tune throughout the powerful three minutes and fifty eight seconds.
Unlike his most popular songs like ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ or ‘It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me’, the recent single goes deep into Joel’s feelings and thoughts, which results in listeners walking away with a new thought circulating in their mind.
In a way, Joel’s new composition is a way to show the music industry that he is still here and is able to write a radio hit like the good-ole days. Specifically shown at the latest Grammys, Joel performed after the likes of SZA, Luke Combs, Travis Scott and Billie Eilish, all modern day stars. Joel is still the same blue collar Long Island kid, who burst onto the scene in 1970, and changed the industry for eternity.
For fanatics of the so-called “Piano Man”, ‘Turn the Lights Back On’ is a beautiful return to music that will hopefully spark Joel to write more tunes in the future. Even at the age of 74, Joel still has the same fire in his gut that made him the superstar he is today.
