Billy Joel or Elton John? *Poll-ano*

[BrokenVisage]

I know it's been debated before, but I thought I'd stir the pot once again while being bored at work. Like I've probably mentioned in the past, I think both are great performers/songwriters and I probably like more than 70 songs between the two of them, but to me music doesn't get much better than what Billy Joel has given us in the past.

I also love how Joel's music never sounds very similar from song to song, he's so talented with so many instruments that I could listen to CD after CD for hours and never get bored from repetition. The same with Elton, he's very talented and has a great singing voice, but to me Joel shows so much enthusiasm and variety in his music along with being a great singer that it overshadows anyone else in the Pianist-Rock genre. So he would be my favorite between the two, though I still hold Elton in high regard.

 

[Miramonti]

EJ.

 

[StevenYoo]

BJ.

 

[goatjc]

Originally posted by: jjsole
EJ.

ftw!

 

[ThePresence]

Elton John is good.
Billy Joel is one of the most talented men of our generation.

 

[mundane]

Billy Joel's music dominates my face.

 

[So]

Billy Joel any day of the week. Elton is very good, Billy Joel is inspired.

 

[ThePresence]

The day Elton can do this in addition to playing piano as well as he does, I'll convert.

 

[lykaon78]

I saw them together in concert and while they were equal musicians, Billy was a way better performer.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Joel.

 

[LS20]

bj 4 lyfe

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: ThePresence
Elton John is good.
Billy Joel is one of the most talented men of our generation.

Originally posted by: So
Billy Joel any day of the week. Elton is very good, Billy Joel is inspired.

These guys summed up my opinion.

 

[SirStev0]

EJ is the better pianist, BJ is the better songwriter/lyricist. A bunch of EJ's classic songs were not written by him (for instance your song).

 

[Kirby]

EJ & BT FTW!

 

[nageov3t]

assuming we're talking about both in their prime (ie: EJ before his voice got messed up and BJ before he became a drugged up wino), I'd have to go with Elton John... first, for gay solidarity, but also because I've always found a lot of Billy Joel songs to be pretty boring and cliche. nearly every pianist I know groans at the thought of one more person requesting piano man.

 

[UberNeuman]

Elton John - I've always enjoyed his music more than Billy Joel.....

 

[TheSiege]

Originally posted by: loki8481
assuming we're talking about both in their prime (ie: EJ before his voice got messed up and BJ before he became a drugged up wino), I'd have to go with Elton John... first, for gay solidarity, but also because I've always found a lot of Billy Joel songs to be pretty boring and cliche. nearly every pianist I know groans at the thought of one more person requesting piano man.

they complain cause the masses have spoke, Piano Man FTW

 

[0]

Elton is by far a better musician. Joel might put on a better show though. Show me any album by anyone that exceeds the depth of Madman Across the Water.

Most of the people here just know EJ by his pop junk. His classic period is widely over looked, but his depth there is really incredible and stands alone. IMO, if you've not experienced these albums by EJ, then you're selling him short:
1. Madman Across the Water
2. beloved patriot Chateau
3. Tumbleweed Connection
4. Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player
5. Elton John

Notice I didn't include pretty much any of his pop stuff.

 

[ThePresence]

Bump

 

[FoBoT]

bill > elton

 

[RightIsWrong]

Depends on the day and the mood for whom I would rather listen to. Both are great but really represent such drastic styles (even though both are categorized as "rock" by a lot).

 

[johnjohn320]

Originally posted by: SirStev0
EJ is the better pianist, BJ is the better songwriter/lyricist. A bunch of EJ's classic songs were not written by him (for instance your song).

I'm assuming you mean the LYRICS to "Your Song" were not written by Elton...Bernie Taupan wrote a bunch of Elton's lyrics in the early days, but the music was done by Elton.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I'm kind of pulled. I like Elton Better, but I believe Billy Joel writes more of his own songs. Elton is amazing when you consider some of the moster hits he's had and his overall popularity is probably higher than Billy Joel world-wide (despite the poll results).

I'm going to say Elton John for songs/performance, but Billy Joel would be my pick on who is a better song writer.