Billy Joel recently shared a deeply personal piece of music that he has cherished for many years but never transformed into a full song, despite his belief in its potential. This revelation came during a captivating appearance on John Mayer’s new SiriusXM radio show, How’s Life, where Mayer posed a thought-provoking question that caught Joel off guard.

Mayer asked, “Do you have a favorite spare part? Would you ever consider playing that piece that’s yet to go into a song, might not ever go into a song, but that goes with you through life as… something you’ve always considered?” This question prompted Joel to reflect on the significance of unfinished music and its place in an artist’s journey.

READ MORE: The Best Song From Every Billy Joel Album

With a thoughtful demeanor, Joel moved to a keyboard in the studio and revealed, “I’ve had this for years and years and years and years, and I always told myself, ‘Gonna do something with this; something’s gonna happen with this – this is a really nice piece of music.” His passion for this piece was evident as he explained its importance to him over the years.

When Mayer inquired if anyone had ever heard this piece, Joel responded, “I don’t think so,” before playing it for the audience, allowing listeners to experience a rare glimpse into his creative process through the accompanying video clip below.

In another moment during the show, Joel candidly admitted to Mayer that he has never been a fan of his own voice. “I always wanted to sing like somebody else,” he confessed, revealing his internal struggles. “I would go in the studio and I’d do a recording and I’d come back in the control room and listen, and go, ‘Oh God, it’s that guy.’ And I’d always be disappointed. No matter how good I thought the writing was, I never liked my own voice.” This honesty provides insight into the challenges artists often face regarding self-acceptance.

Challenges That May Keep Billy Joel’s Unfinished Song from Completion

Joel’s unfinished musical piece may remain just that—unfinished. In a candid moment during June, he expressed his disdain for the songwriting process, describing his piano as “this big black beast with 88 teeth that wants to bite my fingers off.” He shared his frustration, stating that the creative endeavor often drives him to feel overwhelmed. “It’s just not as good as I want it to be. It’s a great deal of torment, and I decided I don’t want to put myself through that anymore.” This statement resonates with many artists who grapple with the pressures of perfectionism.

Additionally, Joel reflected on the evolving landscape of the music industry, posing the question, “Who makes albums anymore anyway?… I don’t know other people who make albums. I don’t know what the marketing of that is like now.” His observations highlight a significant shift in how music is produced and consumed today, prompting artists to reconsider their approaches in this fast-changing environment.