Billy Joel - Greatest Hits I & II

Released on August 2, 1985 by Columbia Records, this double album collects Joel’s biggest singles from 1973 through 1985. It’s one of the best-selling albums in the U.S. — certified diamond by the RIAA, with over 23 million copies sold worldwide.

This set essentially defined Billy Joel’s career for a generation of listeners. Many fans first discovered him through this compilation, making it a cultural touchstone in the ’80s and beyond.

🎶 Track Listing
Volume I (1973–1977)

1. Piano Man
2. Say Goodbye to Hollywood
3. New York State of Mind
4. The Stranger
   
5. Just the Way You Are
6. Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)
7. Only the Good Die Young
8. She’s Always a Woman
9. My Life
10. Big Shot
11. You May Be Right

Volume II (1978–1985)

1. It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me
2. Don’t Ask Me Why
   
3. Pressure
4. Allentown
5. Goodnight Saigon
6. Tell Her About It
7. Uptown Girl
8. The Longest Time
9. You’re Only Human (Second Wind) – new track, recorded for this release
10. The Night Is Still Young – new track, recorded for this release

🔑 Highlights & Significance

The set introduces two new songs, both of which became hits:

“You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” (a Top 10 single, with an anti-suicide message)

“The Night Is Still Young” (Top 40 hit, showing Joel’s mid-80s pop sensibilities)

This compilation gave new life to his earlier deep cuts like “Captain Jack” and “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.”

Cemented Billy Joel’s reputation as one of the great American songwriters — spanning ballads, arena rock, doo-wop, and pop.

While Billy Joel would go on to release more hits, Greatest Hits I & II feels like the definitive statement of his peak years. It’s the Billy Joel most people grew up with: the singalong classics, the heart-on-sleeve ballads, and the sharp-edged rockers. In a way, it’s less a compilation than a canon — a time capsule of a songwriter who managed to capture both the everyday struggles and the grand romantic gestures of ordinary people.