I Watched The New Billy Joel Documentary As A Lifelong Fan, And I Had No Idea This One Person Was Such A Big Part Of His Success

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As a passionate moviegoer and music enthusiast, one memory that stands out is the enchanting moment in 1993, when my father brought home Billy Joel’s “River of Dreams” album during a car ride. The title track, along with its mesmerizing music video, captivated me instantly, igniting a lifelong passion for the Piano Man. I proudly own all his albums, have attended numerous concerts, and even shared his music with my children. However, it wasn’t until watching “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” following its 2025 TV premiere that I discovered there was more to the story behind this musical legend.

While immersed in the five-hour HBO documentary chronicling Joel’s musical journey, filled with hits, misses, triumphs, and struggles, as well as insights into his most famous songs, it became apparent that one key figure significantly contributed to Joel’s rise as a pop titan: his former wife and manager, Elizabeth Weber. It’s high time we acknowledge her significant role…

Elizabeth Weber Was Married To Billy Joel During The Very Beginning Of His Career

I didn’t know much about how Elizabeth Weber influenced Billy Joel’s life and career until I watched And So It Goes. You see, Weber was initially married to one of Joel’s bandmates, John Small, but their relationship ended when Joel admitted his feelings for his best friend’s girlfriend. Later on, Joel and Weber got married, with her also taking on the role as his business manager.

In the documentary, Weber played a crucial role in guiding Joel through the treacherous and cut-throat recording industry at its early stages. He stood by Joel’s side when record companies exploited him, but more importantly, he was there as Joel rose to global stardom. Yet, contrary to being just a supportive spouse, Weber functioned as the captain of the ship, relentlessly propelling them towards success and the promised land.

Her Role In Making ‘Just The Way You Are’ A Single (And Changing Billy Joel’s Career In The Process) Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

Although I could go on and on discussing the many fascinating aspects of Billy Joel: And So It Goes, I suspect only my father or dedicated fans would find it interesting. Instead, let’s focus on a particular scene from the first episode, where the conversation turns to Billy Joel’s 1977 breakthrough album The Stranger. More specifically, we should explore Elizabeth Weber’s battle with Columbia Records executives over the album’s promotion and selection of singles.

This paraphrase aims to maintain the original meaning while making it more accessible and engaging for a wider audience.

At an advance listening event, an executive declared that there were no standalone tracks on the album, to which Weber countered by proposing a deal: if the executive selected the first single (“Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)”), she could choose the second one – “Just the Way You Are.” Interestingly, the single not only achieved massive success (selling over 1 million copies and winning two Grammys), but the album also became a smash hit, catapulting Joel into stardom. Consequently, he started performing at sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden and traveling by private jet instead of touring in an old bus.

Swiftly, the couple’s lives underwent a significant transformation. Joel’s fame skyrocketed, making him a well-known figure in households across the land, while Weber established herself as a resilient businesswoman, renowned for her unyielding spirit and refusal to back down from any confrontation.

Several Of Billy Joel’s Best Songs Are About Weber In Some Way

It’s uncertain which parts of this story will make it into the upcoming Billy Joel biopic, but his relationship with Elizabeth Weber inspired some of his most memorable songs, including those from “The Stranger” and others. The hit song “Just the Way You Are,” penned for Weber’s birthday, first appeared on the 1977 album and was accompanied by another classic track, “She’s Always a Woman.” This song candidly explores the ups and downs of relationships.

Joel, known for composing tracks influenced by his future relationships (with Christie Brinkley being the inspiration behind “Uptown Girl”), penned a profoundly romantic song dedicated to Weber even before they were an item. The song “She’s Got a Way,” found on the 1973 album Piano Man, was actually written about Weber during a time when they weren’t together, reflecting his deep longing for her.

Hearing These Stories Completely Has Changed The Way I See Joel’s Music

For more than three decades, Billy Joel’s music has been an integral part of my life, with many of his songs being personal favorites, such as “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” which I often perform at karaoke. However, watching the film And So it Goes made me realize that there were aspects of his story I hadn’t fully understood before. This documentary has significantly altered my perspective on Joel’s music as I learned more about him and other anecdotes shared within its narrative.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I wasn’t any less fond of those timeless tunes. However, discovering their backstory and the inspirations behind these iconic tracks that have soundtracked every major milestone in my life since (at least) 1993 – thanks to dear old dad – has given me a deeper appreciation for them now.

I’m Not Going To Lie, Weber Should Have Gotten Her Due Long Before Billy Joel: And So It Goes Came Out

After viewing the documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes, I believe that Elizabeth Weber deserved recognition well before the release of this film, given her extensive contributions to Billy Joel’s career, spanning his most influential albums and even his rediscovery of joy in music during the 2012 Concert for Sandy Relief.

It’s quite astonishing that Weber’s influence on American music and her role in The Stranger’s success haven’t received more attention, given how significant her impact seems to have been on Joel’s career. One might even suggest that without her guidance, Joel may not have achieved the same level of success.

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If you haven’t already, you can stream the movie “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” with an HBO Max subscription. Even if you aren’t particularly fond of songs such as “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” “Allentown,” or “Only the Good Die Young,” it’s still worth giving it a watch.

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2025-08-06 23:09