Poll: Elton John vs. Billy Joel

johnjohn320

Diamond Member
Jan 9, 2001
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Today I'm sporting my t-shirt I got at the Elton John & Billy Joel concert in Chicago last year. My friends and I have often debated the differences between the two piano pop dudes of the 70's. I thought it'd be interesting to see who's more popular here on AT.

I love both these guys personally, but my vote's gonna go to Billy Joel (ironic, considering I own more elton albums than joel. hmm). I guess it's a quality over quantity thing, I enjoy lots of Elton tunes, but the ones of Billy's that I like, I like even more, even though they're less in quantity.
 

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,923
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Billy Joel is far less annoying and somewhat less irrelevant than Elton John, which, for the ironically challenged, is weak, weak praise indeed.

Bernie Taupin HAS, in his career, written a number of good songs, most of which were early on. Elton John, or Big Gay El, as I like to think of him, has written NONE.

I can back up my opinion by noting that I recently turned down the offer of a free ticktet to their otherwise hideously overpriced travelling extravaganza.

Elton John is Liza Minelli with a slightly smaller ass.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
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I said billy. Frankly I don't give a damn about either one of them but Elton John to me is over-hyped and no way in hell he deserves nighthood. He is introduced as "sir elton john". When was the last time he rode a horse to battle? Fudge that!
 

conjur

No Lifer
Jun 7, 2001
58,686
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Elton should have stopped after the 70s.

Billy...had some good ones in the 80s.

That's about it for me.
 

Passner

Senior member
Oct 7, 2001
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Billy wins on all fronts. He is a brilliant lyricist, whereas Elton needs Bernie Taupin to make a living. Have you ever heard Captain Jack? I mean Billy has a song to go for every mood or occurance in ones life. Billy is the more talented Pianist and composer, he was good enough at it that he was able to make a mediocre classical record (a bigger accomplishment than it sounds.) Billy also had fewer serious problems in his life, and he showed that he could suffer through problems like a money laundering manager without resorting to drugs which was defiantely Elton's failing.
 

johnjohn320

Diamond Member
Jan 9, 2001
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<< Bernie Taupin HAS, in his career, written a number of good songs, most of which were early on. Elton John, or Big Gay El, as I like to think of him, has written NONE >>


First off, you're incredibly immature. Second off, Bernie hasn't written any music, dumbass, Elton wrote all the music, Bernie just writes the lyrics. You homophobic freak. ;)


<< I said billy. Frankly I don't give a damn about either one of them but Elton John to me is over-hyped and no way in hell he deserves nighthood. He is introduced as "sir elton john". When was the last time he rode a horse to battle? Fudge that! >>


First off, it's "knighted", not "nighted". Second, lots of people who've never ridden horses into battles have been knighted, i.e. Paul McCartney?


<< Billy is the more talented Pianist and composer, he was good enough at it that he was able to make a mediocre classical record (a bigger accomplishment than it sounds.) >>


Not true by a long shot. Notice that Billy didn't play on his classical record, someone else did. Second, the record wasn't mediocre, it was pretty bad, lol. Third, Elton is a far better pianist (Peabody Conservatory, anybody?) He was one of those people who was supposed to go on to be a huge successful classical pianist, but decided to explore rock instead (ala Tori Amos, although she came later).
 

Alienwho

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2001
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Billy, hands down.

Elton John is just a total fruitcake. He wore those damn glasses so much in the 70's that eventually he couldn't see without them.
 

johnjohn320

Diamond Member
Jan 9, 2001
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Why is everybody making remarks about how Elton dresses, etc. What does this have to do with his music? Last time I checked, records were only audio...:confused:
 

PsychoAndy

Lifer
Dec 31, 2000
10,735
0
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both are good, but billy is better. a: he writes his own lyrics b: its usually thru lots of real life stuff, ie piano man and uptown girl (i think it was in relation to his marraige to christie brinkley) c: hes 80's stuff is good
 

Piano Man

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2000
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Well, after listening to Scenes for an Italian Restuarant I can say I'm comfortable with my previous choice.:)
 

Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
16,968
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Man, that's a tough one! I really cannot decide, but I suppose I find myself listening to Billy Joel more often... So, he gets the nod.
 

glen

Lifer
Apr 28, 2000
15,995
1
81
Elton John by far.
I can't figure out why he is not walking away with this poll.