Billy Joel Ballads: Popular Song Rankings [2026]
Billy Joel’s sweet singing voice is still going strong today.
He’s extremely popular in Japan, too.
There’s something undeniably cool about the way he sings as if telling a story while playing that famous piano!
He has been active for many years.
He created countless masterpieces and reached his peak in the 1980s.
This time, we take a closer look at him.
Based on genuine feedback from fans submitted to our site, we researched his most popular songs.
Here, we present the ones with the highest acclaim in a ranking format.
Enjoy!
Billy Joel Ballads: Popular Song Rankings [2026]
HonestyBilly Joel1rank/position

Billy Joel’s “Honesty” is a standout ballad from his 1978 album “52nd Street.” With piano and lyrics that resonated with the era, the song shines with particular emotional depth.
While addressing the theme of sincerity, it portrays the pain of the gap between the purity love seeks and the reality we face, carried by a lyrical melody that captivated listeners.
Showcasing Joel’s remarkable expressive power, the track has influenced many later generations.
It’s an enduring classic that makes you reflect on honesty every time you listen.
New York State of MindBilly Joel2rank/position

A song Billy Joel wrote on the day he returned to New York from California.
It’s a love letter to New York and is said to have been influenced by Ray Charles.
In 2001, the song was performed at Hillary Clinton’s celebration party.
Piano ManBilly Joel3rank/position

Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” is his first hit song, released in 1973.
It’s based on Joel’s own experiences, and it’s said that the people who appear in the lyrics are modeled on real individuals.
The intro, which begins with a jazzy, rolling piano phrase, is very stylish.
In the instrumental break, you can also hear Joel’s piano solo, which carries a slightly bluesy feel.
“Piano Man” is a track that lets you fully enjoy Joel’s piano, so be sure to give it a listen!
Just the Way You AreBilly Joel4rank/position

Singer-songwriter Billy Joel from New York.
Isn’t it the ultimate love song that tells you, “You don’t have to make witty conversation, and you don’t need to wear trendy clothes.
You’re most wonderful just the way you are”? The anecdote that the melody came to him in a dream is romantic, too.
This track is a single from the classic 1977 album The Stranger, and at first it was nearly left off because it didn’t seem to fit the album.
However, it went on to earn two Grammys in 1979.
The sound of the warm Fender Rhodes blending with the sweet saxophone gently colors the time you spend with someone special.
The Longest TimeBilly Joel5rank/position

Included on the 1983 album “An Innocent Man.” Born in 1949, he is a singer-songwriter from New York.
The chorus ensemble, arranged in an a cappella style reminiscent of The Gospellers, is exquisitely beautiful and harmonizes perfectly with his vocals as he sings of his love for her, truly resonating in the heart.


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