Elton John VS Billy Joel

[Jamie Hat]

Posted: 5/2/04 at 11:45pm

Your opinions: Who is a better song writer?
Elton John or Billy Joel?
(And I am not talking AIDA VS MOVING OUT here!)

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 5/2/04 at 11:55pm

OH MY FREAKING GOD DON'T MAKE ME CHOOSE! NO NO NO! I CAN'T DO IT!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 12:00am

Elton John. Though Billy's got a wider range of songs, more or less, Elton brings more substance to them. IMHO.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 12:03am

But you have to keep in mind that while Billy does most of his own lyric writing, Elton does not. So are we talking mostly music, or songs as a whole?

Music wise, I'd say Elton, overall, Billy. But they are both amazing.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 12:28am

Elton John. That was not a difficult decision to make. Elton's body of work is far superior. (In my opinion)
Speaking of Elton John, does anyone know if he's still working on the INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE musical? Any ideas when that will happen?

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 12:48am

Mmm, good point, GFC. Strangely enough, I'd have to oppose you - I'd say Billy's got superior music, but with regards to songs as a whole, Elton's better.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 2:56am

billy joel.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 6:16am

Elton

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 7:01am

I'd agree with GirlfriendFromCanada. Elton is better music-wise, but Billy overall. His lyrics are very profound.

[mominator]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 7:09am

I love both of these talented mens' work. If I had to choose one I'd have to go with Billy Joel. Yes Sir Elton may have better music, but, Joel's lyrics are amazing.

[pacificnorthwest]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 9:48am

I love them both, have seen both in concert multiple times, including their duo show.

I'd have to give the edge to Elton, but, again, I love 'em both.

[Ruffian]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 9:49am

Ray Davies

LMAO

Me bad. Both Billy & Elton are fine, but I dream of the day RAY DAVIES gets a musical on Broadway

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 10:47am

Two GREAT performers, with equally great talent. But I don't think the two can be compared fairly. They present themselves much differently. Joel had his great day as a performer but John still rocks with the best of them.

I love(d) Billy Joel in his earlier days and mine too! I saw him perform in NY in his prime and he was awesome! But he's faded over the years, performance-wise, while Sir Elton John has proved to be almost timeless in his presentation. A recent John/Joel concert in Philly in 02' was extremely one-sided in the talent department. Joel was rumored to have been on meds. for a cold, however, his performance was really not up to snuff.

I was fortunate to cover the Opening Gala at the Kimmel Center in Philly a few years back, where Elton John was the "the man". He never sounded in better form and rocked those high brows out of their minks & tails. I enjoyed a brief chat with him and he's surprisingly humble and gracious.


I think his creativity is among the best and his concerts even better, imo.

Updated On: 5/3/04 at 10:47 AM

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 10:48am

in his prime - Billy Joel.
way more substance!!

Updated On: 5/3/04 at 10:48 AM

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 11:22am

Elton is not the songwriter. Bernie Taupin is. I vote for Bernie over Billy.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 11:46am

Joel's music is a lot more detailed and rich than Elton's, musically speaking. Joel's also a better musical storyteller as John oftentimes can't do much beyond basic verse-chorus structure. That doesn't make one man better than the other as songwqriters, at least not in the visceral sense, but there is a real difference in musical structure between the two.

[Seany]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 2:06pm

Billy Joel definitely takes the cake. An overall better song writer and MUCH better singer than Elton. Elton couldn't really sing in the first place, but his voice has dropped like 2 octaves over the years due to alcohol and such - Elton can barely entertain. Billy rocks the house, and I've never heard a song of his that isn't good or great.

[HunterFosterIsMyGod]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 2:22pm

ehhh... billy joel.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 2:28pm

Maybe it is because I am younger, but I identify with Billy Joel's music more. I am not going to compare them though they are both wonderful in their own right.

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 2:41pm

20 years ago, I would have had a hard time deciding. As the years went by, however, I think Elton slipped into middle-of-the-road drivel and Billy went on to write music of interest and substance a bit longer.

[TheGirlinTheFrock]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 2:46pm

oh wow, this is such a hard choice! but i would probably go with billy joel. love both tho.

[racerchiquita76m]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 6:07pm

I'd have to say Billy Joel. I feel like his music has more range. Some of Elton John's tend to sound similar to one another, IMHO. I thoroughly enjoy both, though.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 7:57pm

I agree with whoever said that a lot of Elton's stuff sounds similar. I love both, but if forced to choose, I'd pick Billy Joel.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 8:09pm

Does anyone have Billy Joel's most recent cd of classical piano? I would love to get it, and was wondering if everyone liked it or not.

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 5/3/04 at 8:31pm

Definately BILLY JOEL. I really don't like Elton John stuff (except for the Lion King and Aida!!). But I love almost all of Billy Joel's songs.