I can't think of one person I've ever met who didn't like some type of music.

- Billy Joel

In an age of incompetence, I've been able to last in this crazy business. I actually know how to play my ax and write a song. That's my job.

- Billy Joel

Those who have expressed doubts and misgivings about their ability to live this kind of life shouldn't try, because being a musician is not something you chose to be, it is something you are.

- Billy Joel

I sold my house to Jerry Seinfeld.

- Billy Joel

I don't know why people thought I was retiring.

- Billy Joel

I'm a history nut.

- Billy Joel

I'm probably writing music now for the same reason as I started writing songs when I was 14 - to meet women.

- Billy Joel

If you tell kids they can't have something, that's what they want.

- Billy Joel

I've crashed my car three times.

- Billy Joel

I never said I wasn't going to play any more. I don't know where that came from.

- Billy Joel

It feels great to have a #1 album.

- Billy Joel

When I was 19, I made my first good week's pay as a club musician. It was enough money for me to quit my job at the factory and still pay the rent and buy some food. I freaked.

- Billy Joel

I have been both praised and criticized. The criticism stung, but the praise sometimes bothered me even more. To have received such praise and honors has always been puzzling to me.

- Billy Joel

For whatever reason, not all people are born with the particular gift of being able to express ourselves through music. And, believe me, it is a gift.

- Billy Joel

When I was a young musician, the only option available to pursue secondary education in music was to attend a classical conservatory.

- Billy Joel

Twyla Tharp put it together from the material I wrote and recorded over my whole career. I thought it was pretty good, but how objective could I be?

- Billy Joel

There's a deep-seated paranoia that Americans have about not being Americans or something.

- Billy Joel

We are living in a time when American popular music is finally being recognized as one of our most successful exports. The demand is huge.

- Billy Joel

I don't care what consequence it brings, I have been a fool for lesser things.

- Billy Joel

I really wish I was less of a thinking man and more of a fool not afraid of rejection.

- Billy Joel