Billy Joel to Release First New Single in Over 15 Years

In 1993, the final track on Billy Joel’s The River of Dreams was a track called Famous Last Words. On that track he penned the words “These are the last words I have to say”. This was around the time when Joel decided to close the book on creating new pop material. While there have been a few points since 1993 where he has had words to say, on February 1st he will release his first pop single in 15 years called Turn the Lights Back On.

Turn the Lights Back On was produced by GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and producer Freddy Wexler and written by Wexler, Arthur Bacon, Wayne Hector, and Joel.

Joel initially alluded to the song on TikTok, following his debut on the platform. According to a press release, “he delivers a classic Billy Joel-style tune, embodying the hallmarks of his signature sound and ushering in the next chapter of his story. In the lyrics, he asks, ‘Did I wait too long… to turn the lights back on?'” 

Since 1993, Joel has focused around touring and live performances, but there have been a few isolated times where he has released new material. In 2001, he released a Classical music album called Fantasies & Delusions. It wouldn’t be until 2006 when he would pen All My Life, a pop-song for his (now ex) wife Katie Lee which would then get released as a single.

In 2007, he would pen a song for Cass Dillon called Christmas in Fallujah, which he would release his own live version of in 2008 as a single.

Turn the Lights Back On will be available on all DSPs and pressed on limited-edition 7” vinyl. Pre-ordering will be available at billyjoel.com. In addition, the single will also be accompanied by a lyric video on his official YouTube channel.

Photo Credit: billyjoel.com