This is a quandary. Billy is so much more of an 80s legend than Genesis. But the song v song matchup here is not good for him. Maybe his least 80s sounding song of the decade, off his least 80s sounding album. I also don't think it holds up like so much of his other music from the decade. I loved Innocent Man and listened to it a lot when I was 13. (I mentioned Neil Diamond was my first concert on the college radio episode, but Joel was my 2nd, the Bridge Tour) But I haven't pulled that album out to listen to since sometime before the 80s ended. There is a lot of Billy Joel music I'll still listen to even though he's not my thing anymore. Up until The Bridge at least, that was his last great work. (I'd argue it may be his second best album ever, after The Stranger.)
I'm not a Phil Collins-led Genesis fan at all. Even though prog rock was not a big genre for me I loved Peter Gabriel-led Genesis. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is one of the 70s greatest albums. But of all the Collins' Genesis songs, this one is the one I actually like. It was the only time I recall this version of the band actually having something to say.
This would have been a great matchup if it was Allentown vs. Land of Confusion. Two different commentaries on the mess created by the Reagan/Thatcher 80s. Allentown said so much more than Billy Joel's two-dimensional history lesson drivel in 1989. That would have been a great head-to-head, but it would have been easy for me to vote for Joel.
So I'm still not sure which way I'll go. Artist to artist is easy, but you guys did choose to do it as a song vs song matchup. (I would have done albums, but that's me) I'm going to sit on this one for a while.
I was a huge fan of the Duke-Three Sides Live-Abacab Genesis in the 80s, saw Genesis on the Invisible Touch tour -- and I am not a big fan of Land of Confusion. To me, Billy Joel is a far bigger Legend of the 80s, but Uptown Girl is not very 80s. I wouldn't have chosen either song as representative. Leaning Billy Joel though as much more of a universal legend of the 80s (and beyond)
Modern Woman from The Bridge, an album that is just beginning to end full of great songs, most of my favorites on there weren't even released as singles. And it has a duet with Ray Charles, harmony vocals on a track with Cyndi Lauper, some keyboard playing by Steve Winwood.
I never watched "Webster" and I never burned you with my curling iron. Asshat.
See Keith's answer: I did not write that, dude.
So, my new passion is to make Joe read things that aren't true, just to tease you! 😂 Sorry!!!
(I do note that you are NOT denying kicking him in the nuts!! )🥜 😂 😂 😂
I never kicked him in the nuts either.
Damn. Oh well, I was kinda hoping there was a story! 🤣
This is a quandary. Billy is so much more of an 80s legend than Genesis. But the song v song matchup here is not good for him. Maybe his least 80s sounding song of the decade, off his least 80s sounding album. I also don't think it holds up like so much of his other music from the decade. I loved Innocent Man and listened to it a lot when I was 13. (I mentioned Neil Diamond was my first concert on the college radio episode, but Joel was my 2nd, the Bridge Tour) But I haven't pulled that album out to listen to since sometime before the 80s ended. There is a lot of Billy Joel music I'll still listen to even though he's not my thing anymore. Up until The Bridge at least, that was his last great work. (I'd argue it may be his second best album ever, after The Stranger.)
I'm not a Phil Collins-led Genesis fan at all. Even though prog rock was not a big genre for me I loved Peter Gabriel-led Genesis. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is one of the 70s greatest albums. But of all the Collins' Genesis songs, this one is the one I actually like. It was the only time I recall this version of the band actually having something to say.
This would have been a great matchup if it was Allentown vs. Land of Confusion. Two different commentaries on the mess created by the Reagan/Thatcher 80s. Allentown said so much more than Billy Joel's two-dimensional history lesson drivel in 1989. That would have been a great head-to-head, but it would have been easy for me to vote for Joel.
So I'm still not sure which way I'll go. Artist to artist is easy, but you guys did choose to do it as a song vs song matchup. (I would have done albums, but that's me) I'm going to sit on this one for a while.
Tough, tough call.
I was a huge fan of the Duke-Three Sides Live-Abacab Genesis in the 80s, saw Genesis on the Invisible Touch tour -- and I am not a big fan of Land of Confusion. To me, Billy Joel is a far bigger Legend of the 80s, but Uptown Girl is not very 80s. I wouldn't have chosen either song as representative. Leaning Billy Joel though as much more of a universal legend of the 80s (and beyond)
Tough choices must be made. I think a great case can be made for either depending on what you choose to focus on...
Love that you saw Genesis back during their peak!!
Even though this isn't by far my favourite song, my vote goes for Genesis, since it is a big part of my 80s experience.
Congrats on your 150th episode! Let´s move into Saturday Night Live territory!
I feel that same way about Genesis!
Thank you, Alejandro!!
Couple of bits I am sorry to have missed in this show:
A) Uptown Girl played a role in the episode of The Simpsons where Homer embraces his hippie roots; he uses it as a protest song.
B) Modern Woman sounded familiar to me because it was featured in the movie Ruthless People.
Modern Woman from The Bridge, an album that is just beginning to end full of great songs, most of my favorites on there weren't even released as singles. And it has a duet with Ray Charles, harmony vocals on a track with Cyndi Lauper, some keyboard playing by Steve Winwood.
To think, none of this podcast would be here if Joe has been jerking off in the shower that morning. Like a normal man.
hahahahahahaha 🤔 🚿 🧼
Showers are for cleanin', man.