Weighted Precision

Turn the Lights Back On - Billy Joel (Newer Music Friday)

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A new song from Billy Joel? What a wonderful world! I’ve been looking forward to the release of “Turn the Lights Back On” ever since he released the first snippet, and I’m happy to say it does not disappoint. It’s a poignant reflection on the past and a tentative look to the future, something that I think still shines bright for him.

Joel’s never really added too many elements to his song, mostly so he could allow his piano and voice to shine. This remains true of “Turn the Lights Back On”, whose most intense portions only add a steady drum and some strings. It’s nice to hear his voice again, a voice that is easily one of the most recognizable in the business. What has always struck me about Billy Joel is the way that he plays piano. (Yeah, duh Natalie!) I know it seems cliché, but he’s always played the keys in a way that I haven’t really heard anywhere else, letting the piano fly free and express emotions all on its own. This is especially clear in “Turn the Lights Back On”, where the piano almost overshadows the vocals with how genuine it sounds.

That brings me to my next point. For years, I’ve listened to my favorite singers’ voices deteriorate, get to a point where the songs get several keys lower and their emphasis become heavier and heavier. However, I don’t think Billy Joel’s voice has ever sounded that young. Even in the 70s, he had this weighted precision to his tone that made him unique. I think his voice, even after 17 years since an original and lots and lots and lots and LOTS of shows (thanks to nearly ten years at Madison Square Garden), sounds very similar to how it did back then. Sure, there’s a little more gravel in it than there was before. Sure, the long notes end with a tired fray. But man, it’s perfect for this song. It reminds me a lot of how Glen Campbell’s voice sounds in Ghost on the Canvas, an album where he was looking back on a life lived to the fullest. I think this is similar to what Joel does in this song. “Turn the Lights Back On” is a man thinking of happier times and wondering if they’ll return, vowing not to give up until they’re back. It’s a beautiful song that puts Joel’s musicianship on full display, the perfect return worthy of one of the most beloved artists in the world.

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