Quotes By Billy Joel

It's really hard to make a living as a musician. It's almost impossible.

I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.

I don't know why people thought I was retiring.

You're not the only one who's made mistakes, but they're the only things that you can truly call your own.

For whatever reason, not all people are born with the particular gift of being able to express ourselves through music. And, believe me, it is a gift.

The whole world loves American movies, blue jeans, jazz and rock and roll. It is probably a better way to get to know our country than by what politicians or airline commercials represent.

In an age of incompetence, I've been able to last in this crazy business. I actually know how to play my ax and write a song. That's my job.

I never said I wasn't going to play any more. I don't know where that came from.

Twyla Tharp put it together from the material I wrote and recorded over my whole career. I thought it was pretty good, but how objective could I be?

Musicians want to be the loud voice for so many quiet hearts.

Why do musicians give so much time to charitable causes? The most humanitarian cause that we can give our time to is the creation and performance of music itself.

When I look at great works of art or listen to inspired music, I sense intimate portraits of the specific times in which they were created.

I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints - the sinners are much more fun.

I consider myself to be an inept pianist, a bad singer, and a merely competent songwriter. What I do, in my opinion, is by no means extraordinary.

I'm a history nut.

As human beings, we need to know that we are not alone, that we are not crazy or completely out of our minds, that there are other people out there who feel as we do, live as we do, love as we do, who are like us.

I really wish I was less of a thinking man and more of a fool not afraid of rejection.

Those who have expressed doubts and misgivings about their ability to live this kind of life shouldn't try, because being a musician is not something you chose to be, it is something you are.

If you make music for the human needs you have within yourself, then you do it for all humans who need the same things. You enrich humanity with the profound expression of these feelings.

I have been both praised and criticized. The criticism stung, but the praise sometimes bothered me even more. To have received such praise and honors has always been puzzling to me.

Don't make music for some vast, unseen audience or market or ratings share or even for something as tangible as money. Though it's crucial to make a living, that shouldn't be your inspiration. Do it for yourself.

I've crashed my car three times.

There's nothing better than good sex. But bad sex? A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is better than bad sex.

It feels great to have a #1 album.

I was drawn to boxing because I got beat up as a kid. I was the kid with the piano books in a New York neighbourhood.

If you are not doing what you love, you are wasting your time.

I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.

I have a theory that the only original things we ever do are mistakes.

When I was a young musician, the only option available to pursue secondary education in music was to attend a classical conservatory.

When I was 19, I made my first good week's pay as a club musician. It was enough money for me to quit my job at the factory and still pay the rent and buy some food. I freaked.