Many fans find great joy in listening to the iconic sounds of Billy Joel, yet it appears that the legendary Piano Man himself is not as fond of his vocal talents. In a candid conversation with John Mayer on his newly launched radio show, How’s Life, Joel opened up about his ongoing struggle with self-criticism regarding his voice.

He expressed, “I always wanted to sing like somebody else — I never liked my own voice.” Joel elaborated on the experience of recording in the studio, noting that he would often listen to playback and feel a wave of disappointment. “Oh God, it’s that guy,” he would think, highlighting his feelings of dissatisfaction regardless of his songwriting achievements. He revealed that he has always yearned to emulate the voices of others.

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To navigate around his vocal insecurities, Joel mentioned that he frequently channels the influences of renowned singers he admires, such as Ray Charles, Sting, and Elvis Costello. “I try to sing like people with these wonderful voices,” he shared, revealing his method of coping with his self-perceived vocal limitations.

Understanding Billy Joel: The Songwriter Over the Performer

This isn’t the first occasion where Joel has candidly discussed his aversion to his own voice. Most recently, he faced this issue while working on his latest single, “Turn the Lights Back On,” marking his first original work in nearly two decades. Joel recounted his conversation with Freddy Wexler, the song’s co-writer and producer, who inquired, “Are you thinking of somebody else when you’re singing?” To which Joel replied, “Always.” He elaborated that he consistently strives to sound like anyone but himself, illustrating his preference for other artists over his own unique sound.

Joel’s identity as a songwriter plays a crucial role in this dynamic, as he often envisions other artists performing his creations rather than himself. This year, he has planned just one more concert for 2024, set for December 31 in Belmont, New York.