Billy Joel formally made his return to the Grammy Awards stage through the 66th annual ceremony, with an emotional efficiency of his new single “Flip the Lights Again On.”
Full with a stay orchestra accompanying him, Joel serenaded the group along with his newest romantic ballad, which ruminates on the opportunity of repairing a flawed relationship. Along with his signature soulful vocals on show, the New York icon introduced the enraptured Los Angeles crowd to their toes.
In an interview phase featured earlier than his efficiency, Joel mirrored on his break from songwriting, saying, “Lots of people have requested me, ‘Why’d you cease writing?’ As a result of I didn’t wish to. Some folks, possibly they’ve a good time with it. I sort of undergo with songwriting.”
Enter Freddy Wexler, a longtime Billy Joel fan whose spouse discovered a option to join the 2 songwriters. The pair unexpectedly bonded, and Wexler satisfied Joel to choose up the pen once more and get into the vocal sales space — after two years of “relentless” convincing.
Joel shared of the expertise, “I did a recording and I listened again and I didn’t hate my voice, which I normally do…So that is really the primary time I’m doing it in 30 years. The entire level of doing what I do was as a result of it was a lot enjoyable to do once I first began. I sort of misplaced that after some time. Freddy received me to search out the enjoyment in it once more.”
Joel final carried out on the Grammys stage 22 years in the past, when he carried out “New York State of Thoughts” with Tony Bennett through the telecast.
“Flip the Lights Again On” is Joel’s first new music launch in 17 years. The music marked his first solo music since 2007 and second since 1993. Joel co-wrote “Flip the Lights Again On” with its Wexler, in addition to Wayne Hector and Arthur Bacon.
The 74-year-old final launched “All My Life” as a standalone single in 2007. Previous to that, he recorded three cowl songs for 1997’ “Biggest Hits Quantity III,” together with Bob Dylan’s “To Make You Really feel My Love.” By way of album releases, his final full-length arrived in 2011 with “Fantasies & Delusions,” consisting of classical compositions. His final pop document, “River of Desires,” launched in 1993.
All through his profession, Joel has been nominated for 23 Grammy awards and gained six occasions. He was first nominated in 1979 for “Simply the Manner You Are” within the document of the 12 months and music of the 12 months classes, each of which he took residence. He was final nominated in 2002 for “New York State of Thoughts” in the very best pop collaboration with vocals class after re-recording the music with Bennett.
