But only songs like these
Played in minor keys Keep those memories holding on "Baby Grand" is a bluesy jazz ballad that is an ode to the piano itself, as well as an homage to Billy's idol, Ray Charles. The song is a duet between the two piano men and was written specifically for this purpose. While it did not quite become the classic that "New York State of Mind" or Charles' own "Georgia on My Mind" have become, it is still a worthy and satisfying composition.
Billy discusses his admiration for Ray Charles and how "Baby Grand" came about in this article from The New York Times in 1986:
Despite the lyric that "no one's going to play this on the radio," the song was played on the radio and reached #75 on the Billboard charts. Ray Charles and Billy Joel. Columbia Records (1986).
In 1999, Ray Charles inducted Billy Joel into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. See the video here. Billy's humble acceptance speech is shown below (right). Read Billy Joel's Hall of Fame biography, Read Ray Charles' Hall of Fame biography.
Billy and an all-star band performed Ray Charles' "What'd I Say" at the 1999 Hall of Fame induction ceremony, as well as a few other songs. It was an impressive class of inductees including: Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Curtis Mayfield, Dusty Springfield, Del Shannon (see video of "Runaway" on YouTube, Billy and others), the Staple Singers ("I'll Take You There"), and The Beatles producer George Martin. Vertical Divider
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Kohuept (1987) | A Matter of Trust: The Bridge to Russia (2014)
Originally released on The Bridge (1982) Words and Music by Billy Joel Late at night
When it's dark and cold I reach out For someone to hold When I'm blue When I'm lonely She comes through She's the only one who can My baby grand Is all I need In my time I've wandered everywhere Around this world She would always be there Any day Any hour All it takes Is the power in my hands This baby grand's Been good to me I've had friends But they have slipped away I've had fame But it doesn't stay I've made fortunes Spent them fast enough As for women They don't last with just one man But my baby grand Will stand by me They say that no one's gonna play this on the radio They said the melancholy blues were dead and gone But only songs like these Played in minor keys Keep those memories holding on I've come far From the life I've strayed in I've got scars From those dives I've played in Now I'm home And I'm weary In my bones Every dreary one night stand But my baby grand Is coming home with me Ever since this gig began My baby grand's Been good to me Billy on "Baby Grand" (audio) from SiriusXM.
Billy talks about his hero Ray Charles in this excerpt from SiriusXM.
From The Bridge inner sleeve, Producer Phil Ramone and Ray Charles recording "Baby Grand" (1986).
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Photo: Mary Ellen Mark (1986)
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Billy Joel gave his daughter Alexa the middle name "Ray" in honor of Ray Charles. She was born the year prior to the release of The Bridge. Billy and Alexa sang "Baby Grand" together at a fundraiser in 2008, see video below, as well as later in concert at Madison Square Garden.
The iconic photo (left) of a young Alexa on Billy's piano was taken by photographer Mary Ellen Mark. From her Foundation's Facebook page in 2014: "I took this photograph during Billy Joel's "The Bridge Tour” in the former Soviet Union. My husband Martin Bell was filming the documentary "A Matter of Trust," which aired on ABC TV in 1988. . . ." |
Videos
Billy sings "Baby Grand" in Russia during his historic concerts in 1987. Here is another angle.
Billy discusses "Baby Grand," Ray Charles, and the piano, from "Building The Bridge" (1986).
Billy and daughter Alexa sing "Baby Grand" at an Obama fundraiser in 2008. This is an audience video and cuts off at the end. A full version is here but the video is shaky.
Billy ”disrupts” Igudesman & Joo in performing "Baby Grand.” Joo played Billy’s compositions on Fantasies & Delusions.
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Official music video for "Baby Grand" from 1986.
Billy Joel's acceptance speech for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, after Ray Charles introduced him.
Alexa Ray Joel joins Billy at MSG on June 2, 2018 (eight years after their performance at the Obama fundraiser).
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