Billy Joel: Why I Stopped Writing Albums

Billy Joel, celebrated for his songwriting, explained his decision to cease album production after "River of Dreams" in 1993. He expressed concern about potentially diluting his esteemed musical legacy by releasing work that might not match his previous standards or motivation.

Joel stated, "I didn't want to just keep beating a dead horse." He found satisfaction in shifting to classical piano compositions, releasing the album "Fantasies & Delusions" in 2001. This creative period allowed him to explore a different artistic avenue.

His most recent original song, "Turn the Lights Back On," was released in 2024, marking a departure from his album hiatus. Joel also mentioned that he felt unable to offer relevant advice to aspiring songwriters, believing he had "tapped it out."

Currently, the 77-year-old artist is managing a health condition known as normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). This neurological disorder involves a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid. To seek treatment, Joel canceled tour dates scheduled for 2025 in North America and England.