Billy Joel faced a pivotal moment while working on his iconic album, “The Stranger.” It was the encouragement from legendary ’70s female rockers that led to the inclusion of one of the LP’s most beloved songs.
In a revealing 2008 interview with MassLive, Joel disclosed how the fate of “Just The Way You Are” was uncertain until famous female singers Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow gave the song their resounding stamp of approval. Their influence convinced Joel to take a chance on the tune.
“We just went in to make the best record we could. I didn’t anticipate it becoming a huge commercial hit,” Joel shared about “The Stranger.” “Just The Way You Are” was a heartfelt tribute to his first wife, manager, and muse, Elizabeth Webber.
“We almost omitted ‘Just The Way You Are’ from the album because we weren’t too keen on it. But some girls persuaded us to keep it,” he revealed.
The “girls” in question were Snow and Ronstadt, who heard the track and insisted, “‘You guys are crazy, you’ve gotta keep that on the album.’ We said ‘Yeah? Well, ok.'”
Joel acknowledged, “I guess girls like that song. It’s a chick song.”
Before recording “The Stranger,” Joel struggled with the right drum pattern for “Just The Way You Are.” Initially set to a cha-cha rhythm, the song failed to resonate until the perfect arrangement was found.
Despite initial reservations that the song was too sentimental, the LP’s producer Phil Ramone believed it was essential. To reinforce his point, he called upon Ronstadt and Snow to sway Joel’s opinion.
“The Stranger” went on to become Billy Joel’s best-selling album, certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America with over 10 million sales. The LP spawned four Top 40 hits, including “Just the Way You Are,” “Movin’ Out,” “She’s Always a Woman,” and “Only the Good Die Young.”
With its enduring success and impact on pop culture, “The Stranger” stands as a testament to Billy Joel’s musical legacy and the unexpected influence of passionate female voices in the industry.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.