On Billy Joel’s 70th Birthday, Some Jewish-Themed Songs
Billy Joel performs at Madison Square Garden. Image by Getty Images
By Adrianna Chaviva Freedman May 9, 2019
Mazel tov!
Singer Billy Joel turns 70 today, and over forty years after making his debut on the music scene, he’s still selling out concerts and records alike.
New York-born and raised, Joel has become such an icon in American music history that generations young and old have become fans. Although he does not usually discuss his Jewish heritage, he has in recent years expressed his connection to being a member of the Tribe of Israel.
So to celebrate the Jewish singer, here are some songs to listen to:
“We Didn’t Start the Fire”
For a Jewish songwriter, there are a couple of Jewish references laced through the song. Menachem Begin? Check. Albert Einstein? Check. Walter Winchell? Check. He even throws in a little Palestine into it.
“New York State of Mind”
Although there aren’t any direct references to Judaism, Joel does discuss taking the Greyhound bus back home to the most Jewish city in the United States.
“Pressure”
Here, Joel is potentially referring to one of the most common emotions found amongst Jews – anxiety.
“Leningrad”
The song title refers to a significant point during World War II and the Holocaust – a subject Jews are all too familiar with. The singer has even performed concerts wearing a yellow star in solidarity to his family history.
“Travelin’ Prayer”
Although the lyrics reflect no direct Jewish instances, there is a prayer for safe travels found in Jewish liturgy.
“Scenes From An Italian Restaurant”
Oh, the classic image of what every Jewish yente does when she goes out with her friends – gossip.
To finish this round-up, here is a great rendition of “Piano Man” from Hasidic singer Shulem Lemmer:
Adrianna Chaviva Freedman is the Social Media Intern for the Forward. You can reach her at freedman@forward.com or on Twitter @ac_freedman
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and the protests on college campuses.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
