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.

Quote by Billy Joel

Topics: Billy Joel Quotes

You want to give people a reason to hate my guts more? I'm making more...

You want to give people a reason to hate my guts more? I'm making more...

The good ole days weren't always good, and tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems.

The good ole days weren't always good, and tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems.

I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something...

I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something...

Don't be afraid to try again Everyone goes south Every now and then.

Don't be afraid to try again Everyone goes south Every now and then.

I've crashed my car three times.

I've crashed my car three times.

We would all go down... together...

We would all go down... together...

I was drawn to boxing because I got beat up as a kid. I was...

I was drawn to boxing because I got beat up as a kid. I was...

If you tell kids they can't have something, that's what they want.

If you tell kids they can't have something, that's what they want.

There's a deep-seated paranoia that Americans have about not being Americans or something.

There's a deep-seated paranoia that Americans have about not being Americans or something.

You better believe there will be times in your life when you'll be feeling like...

You better believe there will be times in your life when you'll be feeling like...

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

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

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

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

It feels great to have a 1 album.

It feels great to have a 1 album.

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

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

They say there's a heaven for those who will wait. Some say it's better, but...

They say there's a heaven for those who will wait. Some say it's better, but...

More than art, more than literature, music is universally accessible.

More than art, more than literature, music is universally accessible.

I consider myself to be an inept pianist, a bad singer, and a merely competent...

I consider myself to be an inept pianist, a bad singer, and a merely competent...

Like family, we are tied to each other. This is what all good musicians understand.

Like family, we are tied to each other. This is what all good musicians understand.

I'm a history nut.

I'm a history nut.

When I look at great works of art or listen to inspired music, I sense...

When I look at great works of art or listen to inspired music, I sense...