For many (including me!), Billy Joel’s music wasn’t just entertainment. It was the soundtrack of our lives; the songs we listened to while growing up, figuring out life, and confronting its contradictions. Albums like Cold Spring Harbor played on repeat, while songs such as “Captain Jack” and “Only the Good Die Young” started conversations about drugs, desire, faith, and rebellion.
That’s what made Joel’s music stick. It felt personal, it *was* personal, even when millions of others were listening too. Often called the “Piano Man” and the “World’s Most Normal Rock Star,” Joel turned his experiences into music that helped others make sense of theirs.
The Story Behind the Music
The documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes takes viewers through the peaks and valleys of Joel’s life, from his breakout albums to the personal betrayals that could have derailed him. The five-hour, two-part film goes way beyond the hits; it lays bare the man behind the music, who faced flaws, setbacks, and heartbreaks while staying true to himself.
Joel grew up Jewish, in a modest home, raised mostly by his single mother after his father — a Holocaust survivor — left when Joel was very young. That absence left a hole he carried with him. On top of that, he often felt like an outsider in the music industry, dealing with ethically questionable record deals that pushed him to the edge. Heartbreak haunted him early on, and he attempted suicide multiple times.
His story also shows the weight of generational trauma (the patterns and struggles that get passed down from family and environment). You can hear it in his songs, in the way he writes about longing, ambition, and trying to figure himself out. His work is skilled and deeply emotional, often giving voice to feelings he couldn’t sustain in his personal relationships.
Lessons From a Life Lived Fully
Joel’s story is packed with lessons for anyone trying to live deliberately. Here are some of the core takeaways from the documentary, And So It Goes.
Own Your Mistakes and Grow Through Them
Joel doesn’t shy away from admitting his missteps, like infidelity, addiction, and even poor choices in trusting the wrong people.
What stuck with me is how he owns these mistakes. It reminds us that growth isn’t about pretending you’re perfect. Instead, it means facing your reality—flaws and all—and learning from it.
Resilience and Showing Up Consistently
Life threw Joel plenty of curveballs: personal setbacks, industry challenges, and heartbreaks. But he kept creating music and kept showing up.
What’s the lesson here? There’s a quiet power in persistence: the idea that growth comes from continuing, even when you’re tired, disappointed, or doubting yourself. Show up, and show up as you. Do what you want, not what people tell you you “should” want.
Authenticity Coupled With Self-Discipline
This one’s my favorite. Joel’s success was more than talent; it was talent plus discipline. Everyone’s got some kind of talent, but Joel put in the work and effort. Even while battling personal demons like alcoholism, he showed up to work on his craft every day.
In other words, being authentic doesn’t mean waiting for inspiration. It means showing up, putting in the work, and staying true to yourself.
Learning From Pain and Holding Joy Simultaneously
Joel’s songs are proof that growth comes from holding life’s contradictions. He writes about pain and joy, sorrow and celebration, sometimes in the same song.
Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s part of living fully, and Joel models how to embrace it and keep on going. A pop star making a classical album? Yes please.
And Vienna? I’ve always loved that song, but I love it even more knowing the pain underneath it.
The Importance of Boundaries and Judgment
Through betrayal and mismanaged trust, Joel learned that growth requires wisdom. Part of that wisdom is knowing how to protect yourself, set clear boundaries, and make thoughtful decisions. That kind of self-respect keeps both your creativity and your relationships healthy.
Joel’s way of handling this showed up in his art, too. He wasn’t writing to please an audience; he was writing to make sense of his own struggles. Because he wrote for himself — deeply and honestly — the songs tapped into universal truths. That’s why they connected with millions.
So the question is: are you aiming to please others, or are you honest enough to start with yourself?
Reinvention and Avoiding Burnout
Joel famously stepped back from pop music at the peak of his success, recognizing that relentless pressure would drain him.
The takeaway here is clear. Sometimes, growth might mean: Pause. Change direction. Let go of what no longer serves your well-being, even if it’s what made you famous.
The Power of Being “Stubborn”
“Stubborn” means sticking to a vision, showing up even when it’s hard, and refusing to give up on what matters without being reckless or closed off to learning. Billy Joel isn’t the only artist who demonstrates how growth comes from that kind of stubbornness.
Tina Turner went through abuse and serious career setbacks, but she didn’t give up. She kept going and reinvented herself.
Ed Sheeran had a rough start and plenty of self-doubt, but he kept writing, performing, and taking chances until it paid off.
Dolly Parton had her own rough start, growing up poor and finding her way in the music world. Her words, “Figure out who you are and then do it on purpose,” feel like a perfect guide here. Joel lives that quote: he knows who he is, owns the good and the bad, and pours it all into his work.
These “stubborn” artists show that grit and persistence are the real game-changers. And for anyone trying to live intentionally, the lesson is simple: show up, own your mistakes, feel your pain and joy, set boundaries, reinvent yourself when you need to, and above all, don’t apologize for being you.
Making Life Your Art
What’s striking about Joel is how normal he seems on the surface. The “World’s Most Normal Rock Star” label shows how grounded he is. He never chased fame for the sake of it or tried to look “cool.”
He just wanted to make music that mattered to him.
And that mix of ordinary-but-extraordinary is what makes his lessons hit home: being real, being resilient, and showing up are more than nice-sounding ideas. They’re things you actually do, day in and day out.
In the same way, living your life as art isn’t about others. It means honoring yourself first. Because the truer you are to yourself, the more impact you’ll have.
What This Means for You
Billy Joel: And So It Goes gives us more than a look at a legendary musician. It highlights honesty, resilience, and self-respect.
Joel’s story reminds us that mistakes, struggles, and victories all carry value if we let them guide us. It teaches us that growth comes from showing up, learning, and turning experience into something meaningful.
If you’re ready to apply these lessons to your own path, a life coach can help you do just that. Reach out today and start making your life your art.
