What to watch: Billy Joel doco reveals struggles of pop's piano man
The two-part documentary And So It Goes, paints a compelling picture of a pop genius and complex man still battling his demons.
Even if you don’t secretly know all the words to 'Piano Man' you’ll find Billy Joel: And So It Goes on Neon a surprising insight into the life and career of one of the hardest working men in show business.
The 2-part documentary opens on Billy Joel’s tough childhood in Hicksville Long Island. His father left when he was 8 and he spent much of his life trying to win his love and approval. A musical prodigy, he played in piano bars as a teen to help support his mother before finding moderate success in local Long Island bands.
Things almost went off the rails early. He fell in love with his best friend’s wife, Elizabeth Weber which sent him into a spiral of depression and self-imposed exile. Eventually he and Elizabeth got together and later married and she was both his manager and the muse for some of his most iconic love songs: 'She’s Got a Way, 'She’s Always a Woman'. She was a powerhouse herself, and pushed for 'Just the Way You Are' to be a single when Joel and the record company didn’t believe in it. It went on to win the Grammy
What makes this documentary stand out is not just fantastic archival footage and home video, it’s the honesty of those who have loved him. His 3 ex-wives speak candidly of his struggles with alcohol, his intense creative process, and the emotional cost of being Billy Joel. His first wife, Elizabeth speaks publicly for the first time about their tumultuous years together.
Some of the most intimate footage is filmed by his second wife, supermodel, Christie Brinkley, documenting his preparation for concerts, or playing music with their young daughter. There are some moving moments as she cries remembering his self-destructive behaviour.
There’s also praise from peers - Sting, Springsteen - who acknowledge his songwriting skills and how he bared his soul and refused to chase trends.
He was never cool, and like many I pretended I hated his music when it first came out. But now I understand that his insistence on doing things his own way was actually very cool. He wrote what he felt, in whatever style suited the song. That authenticity is why he’s had so many hits over so many decades.
Joel himself is honest but not always honest enough. He skates over the darker corners. That’s why the voices around him matter. They paint the full picture of a complex man still struggling with his demons. But through it all is his strong, clear and always melodic singing voice which reminds us that even if the man is still a work in progress, his music is timeless.
Billy Joel in the documentary And So It Goes.
HBO
Don’t watch if… You really do hate Billy Joel’s music, as the documentary is filled with it.
If you like Billy Joel: And So It Goes, what should you watch next?
Arnold (Netflix) - Another intimate documentary about a flawed yet highly successful man. It traces Arnold Schwarzenegger's career from bodybuilding champion to Hollywood star to politician.
Beckham (Netflix) – a fascinating insight into what makes world famous football player turned businessman, David Beckham tick.
Jane (2017, Disney) - based on incredible 16mm footage of Jane Goodall's early years studying Chimpanzees in Gombe which was only found in 2014.
