New York City – After a 17-year recording hiatus, Billy Joel is set to release a new song titled “Turn The Lights Back On” on February 1, according to a press release. The song is described as a classic Billy Joel-style tune that embodies the hallmarks of his signature sound. The lyrics reflect Joels’s reflection on whether he waited too long to make a comeback.
The song was produced by Freddy Wexler, known for his work with artists such as Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Kanye West. It was co-written by Wexler, Arthur Bacon, Wayne Hector, and Joel himself.
Joel first hinted at the possibility of new music during a concert at Madison Square Garden last year, where he told the audience that he had something in the works. This moment was captured and shared on Joel’s official TikTok account.
This upcoming release will end a long dry spell for Joel, as his last album dates back to 2001 with “Fantasies & Delusions,” a classical piano release performed by Richard Hyung-ki Joo. His last pop album was “River of Dreams” in 1993. Since then, Joel has focused on touring, with only two singles released in 2007.
In a 2019 interview with Rolling Stone, Joel explained his decision to stop releasing new songs. He stated that he still writes music, but it is for his personal enjoyment rather than recording and releasing. He emphasized that the creative process is what matters to him, rather than chart success or record sales.
Joel has a busy schedule ahead, with a headlining gig at the Tokyo Dome in Japan on January 24. He will also be performing a series of One Night Only shows with Sting at U.S. stadiums throughout the year. Lastly, he plans to wrap up his monthly Madison Square Garden residency on July 25, ending a successful decade-long run.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the release of “Turn The Lights Back On” and are excited to see what the iconic musician has in store for his new chapter.