5 key revelations from the premiere of Billy Joel’s 'And So It Goes' documentary

Billy Joel’s And So It Goes two-part HBO documentary had its world premiere on June 4 at the inauguration of the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival at New York City's Beacon Theatre.

The documentary provides a detailed and intimate portrait of the legendary musician's life and career. From his early days in the heavy metal band to achieving various creative milestones, exploring his romantic life, and his recent diagnosis and legacy, the documentary covers it all.

Read on to know about the 5 key revelations that And So It Goes delivers to viewers.

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5 revelations that Billy Joel’s And So It Goes shares with its audience

Billy wanted to be a heavy-metal rocker

Although Joel is best known as Piano Man, he initially aspired to be a heavy-metal rocker. In the 1960s he formed a short-lived rock band called Attila with the drummer Jon Small. The band was a commercial failure and had only one album, Attila. Joel had an affair with Small's wife, Elizabeth, and this ended their creative partnership in 1970.

The inspiration behind Piano Man comes from Billy Martin

The documentary revealed that before Joel was famous, he performed under the alias Billy Martin in Los Angeles. He played music at a small piano bar, The Executive Room. During his night gigs, he observed people, including the lonely drinkers, the hopeful dreamers, etc. It was these gigs and observations that inspired the songwriting of his signature song, Piano Man, released in 1973. Joel says:

''This was a real-life experience. And I thought, ‘I gotta get a song outta this!’ … And that’s where the ‘Piano Man’ song came from.''

On the backlash Only the Good Die Young received

The 1977 song Only the Good Die Young from Joel's fifth studio album, The Stranger, received significant backlash from Catholic groups and was considered anti-Catholic and morally inappropriate. The documentary reveals how the song was removed from radio stations and was publicly condemned. He said,

''It ended up being banned by the Catholic church. And then, as soon as they banned the sale of it, kids went out in droves [to buy it].''

Joel, however, reflects that the song wasn't supposed to be offensive or an attack on a religion, and the controversy actually boosted the popularity of the song.

Joel's frustration at being compared to Elton John

The documentary reveals the constant comparison of Joel to Elton John. Since both of them were piano-playing singer-songwriters, they were often compared, which frustrated Joel. Elton was into glam rock and British theatrical pop, while Billy's style was doo-wop and American rock. In the documentary, Joel clarifies that he never tried to emulate Elton. He says,

''Why would I wanna work with another well-known piano player’s band?. The lack of imagination was staggering. And I was already having critical issue with them comparing me to Elton.''

The story behind the song You May Be Right

The documentary reveals what inspired his opening track, You May Be Right, from his 1980 album, Glass Houses. It was his reckless behavior and drinking problem that inspired him to write that song. It also reflected his growing popularity, chaotic lifestyle, and his marriage to Elizabeth Weber falling apart.