Is this a studio album or a compilation?

This is a greatest‑hits compilation that gathers Billy Joel’s most important songs from the 1970s and early 1980s into one 2LP set, rather than a new studio album.

If I already own several Billy Joel albums, is this still worth having?

It can be, because it places standout tracks from multiple eras in a single, thoughtfully sequenced set, making it ideal for quick overview listening or for sharing Joel’s catalogue with others.

Vinyl Record

Billy Joel - Greatest Hits Volume I & II

Name: Billy Joel - Greatest Hits Volume I & II
Brand: Billy Joel
SKU: SNY-198029187915
Price: 33.95 EUR
Availability: InStock

Billy Joel - Greatest Hits Volume I & II on 2LP vinyl, released in 1985. Check price, stock, collection and delivery from Kilmorna in Listowel.

2LP · 1985 · Columbia / Legacy

Available from Kilmorna Collection in Listowel.

Buyer notes: 1985 2LP on Columbia / Legacy, currently available from the Kilmorna Collection vinyl shelf. Pay for pickup in Listowel, ship within Ireland from EUR 5.95 per record or outside Ireland from EUR 12.00 per record.

Billy Joel's Greatest Hits Volume I & II makes a useful distinction between recognising a song and spending time with it. Across four vinyl sides, the familiar hooks leave room for longer stories.

Billy Joel’s Greatest Hits Volume I & II gathers the songs that turned a New York piano man into one of pop’s most enduring storytellers. Spanning the mid‑1970s through the mid‑1980s, this compilation traces his evolution from barroom narrator on “Piano Man” and “New York State of Mind” to sleek hitmaker with “My Life” and “Big Shot.” Across two LPs, you hear the shift from classic singer‑songwriter intimacy to arena‑ready rock and finely crafted pop, all held together by Joel’s melodic instinct and conversational lyrics. The set is organised in two arcs: the first side and a half focus on his breakthrough era around The Stranger, while the later sides spotlight the punchier sound of Glass Houses, the sophisticated drama of The Nylon Curtain, and the retro pop charm of An Innocent Man. Along the way, it folds in fan favourites and radio staples alike, from “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” and “Only The Good Die Young” to “Allentown” and “Goodnight Saigon.” Two then‑new songs, “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” and “The Night Is Still Young,” close the collection on a reflective note, framing the set as both a summary and a turning point in Joel’s career.

For many listeners, Greatest Hits Volume I & II is the entry point into Billy Joel’s world, distilling more than a decade of work into a sequence that still plays with the coherence of a studio album. It captures his range: narrative ballads, sharp character sketches, piano‑driven rock, and polished 80s pop, all without losing the sense of a single writer’s voice. As a result, it has become a reference piece for anyone exploring classic pop and rock songwriting of the era. On vinyl, this compilation works especially well because the sides are paced like self‑contained journeys—from intimate piano tunes to big, sing‑along choruses. For a collection focused on major hits, it also preserves deeper emotional currents, particularly in songs like “Goodnight Saigon” and “Pressure,” making it a record that rewards both casual spins and close listening.

This edition brings together the classic two‑volume greatest hits program on a 2LP set, aligning with the widely recognised track listing that vinyl collectors know: four sides moving from “Piano Man” through “You May Be Right” to “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” and “The Night Is Still Young.” That structure makes it a convenient way to keep many of Joel’s key singles and signature album tracks in one place while still preserving the feel of the original compilation. For collectors, the appeal lies in having a career survey that genuinely plays like a curated narrative rather than a random assortment of tracks. It sits comfortably alongside original studio albums, but also works as a standalone overview for guests or new listeners. If your shelves already hold The Stranger or Glass Houses, this set functions as a complement and a play‑often summary of the core years.

Bright, piano‑forward pop and rock with clear vocals, strong melodic hooks, and a mix of intimate ballads and punchy, radio‑ready arrangements.

Recommended for: Listeners building a first serious overview of Billy Joel on vinyl; Fans of 1970s–1980s singer‑songwriters who value strong storytelling in pop; Collectors who want a single record that covers Joel’s major hits and key album tracks; People curating classic rock and pop essentials for an all‑eras home library; Newcomers who know a few songs like “Piano Man” and “Uptown Girl” and want a broader picture.