Ronstadt's Hit Call Turned Joel's Ballad Platinum

In a recent interview, Billy Joel revealed that Linda Ronstadt persuaded him to include the song 'Just The Way You Are' on his 1977 album, 'The Stranger'. Joel initially dismissed the ballad as too sentimental. However, after hearing it, Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow encouraged its release, with Ronstadt calling it a "hit record."

This critical endorsement led to the song's inclusion, and it subsequently became Joel's first Top 10 hit on the Billboard pop charts, reaching No. 3. The track has since been certified three times platinum. Notably, Paul McCartney later expressed regret that he had not written the song himself.