In half a century, many events can unfold. The Earth will orbit the sun 50 times, someone who was once a young child may become a grandparent, trends will come and go, and a Long Islander named Billy Joel can turn into arguably the greatest singer-songwriter of all time.
An individual who first released his debut album Cold Spring Harbor in 1971, over the next three decades, Joel would have over thirty Top 40 hits, win six Grammy awards, sell multi-millions of albums, play thousands upon thousands of shows around the globe, and earn an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Just some of his many achievements, perhaps his biggest of all is being human. A factor that makes him even more endearing to listening audiences, Joel’s songs have always provided a certain level of connectivity based on reality and storytelling, whether it be the legendary 1973 song “Piano Man,” 1977’s “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song),” 1978’s “Honesty,” or 1982’s “Allentown.” With such a vast discography to explore, beyond the surface (which is still very rich), there is impeccable musicianship, nuance, and an endless array of emotions. Still connecting with listeners in a profound way years after his music was first heard, now in 2025, there is an opportunity to take an intimate look into Billy Joel’s career and life with the new documentary film, Billy Joel: And So It Goes.
Presented as a mini-series, the Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin-directed film’s Part One first premiered on HBO and HBO Max on July 18, 2025. With Part Two emerging a week later on July 25th, the documentary is nearly five hours in length and loaded with compelling details. Perhaps one of the most comprehensive musician documentaries made in some time, Billy Joel: And So It Goes takes its time, pausing to explore the most significant events in the artist’s life and music.
Starting at the beginning, you gain insight into Joel’s upbringing, his love for music, and his early internal and external struggles. Featuring expansive dialogue with Joel himself, who provides candid reflection on his triumphs and darkest moments, there are also excellent interviews with his best friend Jon Small, first wife Elizabeth Weber, daughter Alexa Ray Joel, half-brother Alexander Joel, sister Judy Molinari, and former bandmates like Drummer Liberty DeVitto. There is also an interview with his ex-wife, Christie Brinkley, joined by commentary from fellow musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Garth Brooks, and Nas, among others.
Just some of those featured in the film, perhaps the most telling words are spoken by Elizabeth Weber (who was an intricate part of Joel’s formative years and still seems to have a place in her heart for him), Liberty DeVitto (who was a part of the most active years of Joel’s career and is honest about experiences), Alexa Ray Joel (who speaks with affection about her father), and Christie Brinkley (who gives genuine, emotional reflection on life with Joel).
Aspects that give Billy Joel: And So It Goes even more soul, the other impressive part is that no stone is unturned. In fact, each album in Joel’s career receives proper attention, offering a vivid glimpse into what those times were like for him. For better or worse, many are not strangers to Joel’s personal life over the decades due to the media’s cold, intrusive approach. However, such intricate details have been provided about him as in Billy Joel: And So It Goes.
The best part of this deep dive into Joel’s life is that it comes directly from the artist’s mouth, and it is obvious that he is being honest with himself and others. Not painting a picture of sunshine and rainbows, Joel outlines the events of the years, including loss, heartbreak, and sorrow, but never does he play the victim. While many things were completely out of his control at times, he recognizes those mistakes he made and owns them for good or bad.
With a great deal of wisdom to take away from this film, one passage is that Billy Joel proclaims that music has saved his life, and he is probably right. Proof that is in his blood, he surprisingly released a brand-new song in February 2024, titled “Turn the Lights Back On,” marking his first Pop Rock song in nearly twenty years. Leaving many curious about whether the Piano Man may still have new music in the future, this new documentary is accompanied by a stunning digital-only companion album that arrived on July 26th.
Featuring 100 tracks, the new compilation soundtrack mirrors what you hear in Billy Joel: And So It Goes, with Joel’s hits, alternative versions, and live renditions, plus eight never-before-released songs, including “December Theme (December Song).” Hoping that a physical format option is in the cards, it is also worth noting, in honor of the 40th anniversary of Billy Joel’s 1985 Greatest Hits Volume I and II, that a reissued vinyl will arrive on August 22nd.
In truth, Billy Joel: And So It Goes encompasses what it means to be human. It has a musicality that is not superficial like many other documentaries about Pop stars. Beyond this, it also possesses extraordinary human interest. Much like Joel’s songs, which are based on real people and experiences, this film tells a story more than just hit you over the head with self-serving boasting about success. Like all of us, Billy Joel is an imperfect person who has made mistakes, hurt others, and hurt himself, but through it all, he has found a reason to go on, become a better person, and fight to live another day. Inspiring, uplifting, and insightful, Cryptic Rock gives Billy Joel: And So It Goes 5 out of 5 stars.
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