- Performer Billy Joel
- Title The Stranger
- Date of release 1977
- Country US
- Style Pop Rock
- Other formats MMF XM DTS MPC AAC RA VQF
- Genre Rock
- Size MP3 1393 mb
- Size FLAC 1254 mb
- Rating: 4.4
- Votes: 829
The Stranger is the fifth studio album by American singer Billy Joel, released in September 1977 by Columbia Records. It was the first of Joel's albums to be produced by Phil Ramone, with whom he would go on to work for all of his albums up until his 1986 album The Bridge. The Stranger was released a year following Joel's previous studio effort, Turnstiles, which had sold modestly and peaked low on the US charts, prompting Columbia to consider dropping Joel if his next release did not sell well.
They do provide The Stranger with the feel of a concept album, yet there is no true thematic connection between the pieces, and his lyrics are often vague or mean-spirited. His lyrical shortcomings are overshadowed by his musical strengths. Even if his melodies sound more Broadway than Beatles - the epic suite "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" feels like a show-stopping closer - there's no denying that the melodies of each song on The Stranger are memorable, so much so that they strengthen the weaker portions of the album
The Stranger" is a song by rock artist Billy Joel from his 1977 album of the same name, The Stranger. The song was released as a single in Japan where it became very popular and peaked at on the Oricon chart, charting as well in Australia. It was the last single from the album in Japan, while the US and UK saw "She's Always a Woman", released the previous year, as the last single from the album. The single is featured on Joel's greatest hits album, Greatest Hits - Volume I & II.
The Stranger (album).
The Stranger is the title track from Billy Joel’s critical and commercial breakthrough album. Featuring a traditional rock outfit, the song begins with a slow, moody melody – reminiscent of a soundtrack of a noir film. Legend has it Billy Joel whistled the tune to producer Phil Ramone and expressed that he wanted an instrument to play that melody. Phil convinced him that the whistle was that of the stranger’s and that’s what ended up on record
Billy Joel's 'The Stranger' was released in September 1977. Just the Way You Are" was the song that rocketed to No. 3, propelled The Stranger to No. 2 and made Joel a household name. But the album was much more than that song – which, frankly, is kinda sappy, super dated and not at all where Joel's heart really lied at the time. For almost 45 minutes, Joel rolls through his best collection of songs with a determination that reflects his frame of mind. It was make or break time for him, and he knew it. Only at the very end does he lose some steam
| A1 | Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) | 3:30 |
| A2 | The StrangerPercussion – Ralph MacDonald |
5:08 |
| A3 | Just The Way You AreAcoustic Guitar – Hugh McCracken, Steve BurghAlto Saxophone – Phil WoodsPercussion – Ralph MacDonald |
4:50 |
| A4 | Scenes From An Italian RestaurantAccordion – Dominic CorteseAcoustic Guitar – Hugh McCrackenElectric Guitar – Steve Burgh |
7:35 |
| B1 | ViennaAccordion – Dominic Cortese |
3:32 |
| B2 | Only The Good Die Young | 3:54 |
| B3 | She's Always A WomanAcoustic Guitar – Hugh McCracken, Steve Burgh |
3:19 |
| B4 | Get It Right The First TimeAcoustic Guitar – Hugh McCrackenPercussion – Ralph MacDonald |
3:54 |
| B5 | Everybody Has A DreamAcoustic Guitar – Hugh McCrackenBacking Vocals – Gwen Guthrie, Lani Groves, Patti Austin, Phoebe SnowOrgan – Richard TeePercussion – Ralph MacDonald |
4:35 |
| B6 | Untitled | 1:57 |
| Category | Artist | Title (Format) | Label | Category | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JC 34987, 34987 | Billy Joel | The Stranger (LP, Album, Ter) | Columbia, Columbia, Family Productions | JC 34987, 34987 | US | 1977 |
| 82311, CBS 82311, JC 34987, S CBS 82311 | Billy Joel | The Stranger (LP, Album) | CBS, CBS, CBS, CBS | 82311, CBS 82311, JC 34987, S CBS 82311 | UK | 1977 |
| JC 34987 | Billy Joel | The Stranger (LP, Album, Ter) | Columbia, Family Productions | JC 34987 | US | 1977 |
| PC 7057 | Billy Joel | The Stranger (Cass, Album, Dol) | CBS, Family Productions | PC 7057 | Australia | 1977 |
| CSCS 6016 | Billy Joel | The Stranger (CD, Album, RE) | CBS/Sony | CSCS 6016 | Japan | 1990 |
| A1 | Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) | 3:30 |
| A2 | The Stranger | 5:08 |
| A3 | Just The Way You AreAlto Saxophone – Phil Woods |
4:50 |
| A4 | Scenes From An Italian RestaurantAccordion – Dominic CorteseGuitar – Steve Burgh |
7:35 |
| B1 | ViennaAccordion – Dominic Cortese |
3:32 |
| B2 | Only The Good Die Young | 3:54 |
| B3 | She's Always A Woman | 3:19 |
| B4 | Get It Right The First Time | 3:54 |
| B5 | Everybody Has A DreamBacking Vocals – Gwen Guthrie, Lani Groves, Patti Austin, Phoebe SnowOrgan – Richard Tee |
4:35 |
| B6 | The Stranger (Reprise) |
| Category | Artist | Title (Format) | Label | Category | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JC 34987, 34987 | Billy Joel | The Stranger (LP, Album, Ter) | Columbia, Columbia, Family Productions | JC 34987, 34987 | US | 1977 |
| 82311, CBS 82311, JC 34987, S CBS 82311 | Billy Joel | The Stranger (LP, Album) | CBS, CBS, CBS, CBS | 82311, CBS 82311, JC 34987, S CBS 82311 | UK | 1977 |
| JC 34987 | Billy Joel | The Stranger (LP, Album, Ter) | Columbia, Family Productions | JC 34987 | US | 1977 |
| PC 7057 | Billy Joel | The Stranger (Cass, Album, Dol) | CBS, Family Productions | PC 7057 | Australia | 1977 |
| CSCS 6016 | Billy Joel | The Stranger (CD, Album, RE) | CBS/Sony | CSCS 6016 | Japan | 1990 |
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