Billy Joel Drops First New Single In 17 Years, 'Turn The Lights Back On'

Billy Joel is back. The American singer-songwriter and pianist has returned with his new single, Turn The Lights Back On.

It's a comeback nobody expected before a few weeks ago; the track is Joel’s first new song in 17 years. Anchored by Joel’s signature vocals and piano playing, the song feels like the best kind of Billy Joel song: emotional, poignant and relatable. It’s an instant classic ballad from one of America’s favourite artists. You can watch the black-and-white lyric video below.

The song was produced by Freddy Wexler and co-written collaboratively with Wexler, Arthur Bacon, Wayne Hector and Joel. Wexler is a notable producer in today’s pop landscape, known for his work with artists such as Justin Bieber, Blackpink, Zayne, Lil Wayne and more. Meanwhile, Hector is known for working with Nicki Minaj, One Direction, Olly Murs and The Wanted.

New Billy Joel music has been a long time coming. The last album related to Joel was 2001’s Fantasies & Delusions, which saw British Korean pianist Richard Hyung-ki Joo playing classical tunes on the piano composed by Joel.

The only taste of new music following that release were Joel’s 2007 songs, All My Life and Christmas In Fallujah, with the latter starring Cass Dillon on lead vocals. Joel released his last traditional pop album, River Of Dreams, in 1993.

To celebrate the release of Turn The Lights Back On, Joel will perform at next week’s Grammy Awards, appearing at the ceremony for the first time since 2002.

He joins performers Joni Mitchell – making her Grammy Awards performance debut – SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, U2, Travis Scott, Billie Eilish, Luke Combs (set to play his cover of Fast Car with the song’s original singer, Tracy Chapman), Dua Lipa, Burna Boy and more.

Billy Joel has won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for 52nd Street and Song of the Year and Record of the Year for Just The Way You Are.

The 2024 Grammy Awards will air live and free exclusively on Channel 7 and 7plus at noon AEDT on Monday, 5 February.