Billy Joel is making a musical comeback after a hiatus of 17 years. The iconic singer-songwriter recently revealed the upcoming release of his latest solo song, "Turn the Lights Back On." This marks Joel's first solo track since 2007 and only his second since 1993. The eagerly anticipated song is scheduled to debut on streaming services on February 1 and will also be available on limited edition 7-inch vinyl.
Collaborating with producer Freddy Wexler, known for his work with a diverse range of artists from Ariana Grande to Kanye West, Joel co-wrote "Turn the Lights Back On." The creative team behind the single includes additional writers Wayne Hector (associated with Nicki Minaj and One Direction) and Arthur Bacon.
Hints of Joel's return to the music scene surfaced last month when he shared a TikTok video teasing a project in the works. Fans further speculated after noticing changes to the Spotify canvas, where traditional cover art was replaced by an image featuring the lyric, "Did I wait too long… to turn the lights back on?"—a line from the upcoming song.
The 74-year-old artist's last solo release was the one-off single "All My Life" in 2007. Before that, he contributed three cover songs to the 1997 album "Greatest Hits Volume III," including notable tracks like Gerry Goffin and Carole King's "Hey Girl" and Bob Dylan's "To Make You Feel My Love."
Joel's album output has been limited since the early 2000s, with his last full-length release being the classical compositions collection "Fantasies & Delusions" in 2001. His last pop record, "River of Dreams," dates back to 1993.
Despite the hiatus in solo music releases, Joel has remained a prominent figure in the music world. Known for his regular residencies at New York City's Madison Square Garden, he announced last July that his 100th performance in the series would conclude his longstanding tenure at the iconic venue in July 2024. The upcoming release of "Turn the Lights Back On" adds an exciting chapter to Billy Joel's musical legacy, signaling a return to the spotlight after years of anticipation.
Comments