#169 of 500
· Rolling Stone
“#169 feels right for this one. The Stranger is a product of the 1970s, and Billy Joel delivered something that still resonates. The original pressing rewards close listening on a good turntable.”
Billy Joel emerged as one of the most commercially successful singer-songwriters of the 1970s and 1980s. Born in 1949 in the Bronx, he initially pursued a career in rock bands before achieving massive solo success with his 1973 album 'Piano Man,' which became his signature song and established him as a piano-driven pop-rock virtuoso. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Joel released a string of platinum albums including 'Scenes from an Italian Restaurant' (1977), '52nd Street' (1978), and 'The Nylon Curtain' (1982), showcasing his ability to craft accessible yet sophisticated pop melodies. His final studio album of original material, 'River of Dreams' (1993), cemented his legacy before he shifted focus to touring and live performances.
Style
Billy Joel is a classically-trained pianist who blends pop, rock, and progressive rock with strong melodic sensibilities and witty, observational lyrics. His sound evolved from introspective ballads to uptempo rock-influenced pop, consistently featuring prominent keyboard arrangements and sophisticated song structures.
Significance
Billy Joel is a cornerstone artist for vinyl collectors, with multiple original pressings of his 1970s-1980s catalog representing some of the era's finest pop-rock productions. His albums are highly sought after by collectors for their warm analog sound quality and iconic cover artwork, making him one of the best-selling musicians in vinyl record history.
The Stranger, released in 1977, marked Billy Joel's commercial breakthrough and creative maturation. Recorded primarily at The Record Plant in Los Angeles, the album was helmed by producer Phil Ramone, who would become Joel's longtime collaborator. The sessions brought together a stellar cast of session musicians and showcased Joel's evolution from a piano-driven rocker to a sophisticated pop craftsman. The album features some of Joel's most introspective songwriting, with hits like "Just the Way You Are" and "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" demonstrating his ability to blend personal vulnerability with infectious melodies. The title itself reflects the album's thematic exploration of urban alienation and human connection, with Joel examining the contradictions between public personas and private selves.
Historical Context
Released in September 1977, The Stranger arrived during a pivotal moment in popular music, as disco dominated charts while rock audiences sought substance and artistry. The album resonated with listeners fatigued by trends, offering sophisticated pop-rock that appealed across demographics. It became a massive commercial success, eventually selling over 12 million copies worldwide and establishing Joel as a superstar. The album spent two weeks at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and spawned multiple hit singles. Its success helped legitimize singer-songwriter sensibilities within mainstream pop during an era often dismissed for its musical fragmentation.
Pressing Notes
The original 1977 Columbia Records pressing (PC 34987) is highly sought by collectors, with early editions featuring a slightly different mix than later pressings. The album has been reissued numerous times across vinyl formats, including audiophile pressings from Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab and 45 RPM audiophile editions that showcase the production quality of the original sessions. Original gatefold pressings in excellent condition command premium prices. Collectors should note variations in jacket printing and label designs across different pressings and territories. The album's consistent availability in quality vinyl editions makes it accessible to new collectors while maintaining value for early pressings in superior condition.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
A piano-driven rock masterpiece with similarly catchy melodies and introspective storytelling that defined 1970s soft rock.
Born to Run
Bruce Springsteen
Features the same cinematic rock ambition and character-driven narratives with lush production that made The Stranger iconic.
Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
A quintessential 1970s rock album with sophisticated production, memorable hooks, and deeply personal songwriting similar to Joel's approach.
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