Throwback Tuesday-Storm Front by Billy Joel

 

One of the greatest albums from the 1980s was Storm Front by Billy Joel.  This album saw seven singles released from this album and nominated for five Grammy Awards for two years.   Storm Front features incredible songs with strong lyrics, impeccable arrangements and superb vocal performances from the singer-songwriter.

 

Here are several songs that you should look out for, while listening to this album:

 

That’s Not Her Style

 

The opening track was written about Joel’s wife at the time: Christie Brinkley.  While the song was played at Joel’s successful concert at Yankee Stadium, no music video of this song was released.   But if listeners closed their eyes they could imagine a 1980s Christie Brinkley dancing along to her then husband’s music.

 

Click here to view the Yankee Stadium performance: http://youtu.be/KNG4zeq9Srw

 

We Didn’t Start the Fire

 

Did you remember that your junior History teacher played this song? We Didn’t Start the Fire was a perfect example of how to combine history and music to get people to learn about the events that happened throughout the first 40 years of Billy Joel and many of our parents’ lifetimes.

 

To view the music video, click here: http://youtu.be/eFTLKWw542g

 

The Downeaster “Alexa”

 

Billy Joel weaves a tale about a poor fisherman and his boat: “The Downeaster ‘Alexa.”  This song features a superb ensemble of instruments including a guitar, accordion and drums.   Did you know that Joel named the boat in the song after his daughter: Alexa Ray Joel.

 

Click here to view the music video: http://youtu.be/LVlDSzbrH5M

 

I Go to Extremes

 

This pop rock song was written at the time as an apology song to ex-wife Christie Brinkley about his extreme personality.  “I Go to Extremes” is a terrific song to work out to or even thinking about an apology to your loved one.    The song peaked at number six on the Billboard Top 100.

 

To watch Billy Joel perform the song at a 2006 concert at the Tokyo Dome, click here: http://youtu.be/3FwqaDPyewI

 

Shameless

 

If you had to buy one track off of this album, this author would highly recommend buying “Shameless.”  This song is honest, powerful and will give the listener goose bumps.   Garth Brooks also covered “Shameless” for his 1991 Ropin’ the Wind album.

The singers united to perform the song during Billy Joel’s 2008 Last Play at Shea concert series.

 

To listen to Billy Joel’s rendition of “Shameless,” click here: http://youtu.be/NXaprsI_Q8I

 

I do not own all of these clips.  They belong to Billy Joel, Sony Music Entertainment and their respective companies.