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Billy Joel
“And So it Goes”

Billy Joel holds a special place in my heart. I’ve listened to his music with great fondness since I was a young child. For some reason, listening to him reminds me of my dad. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that dad and I (and my brother) often took long weekend trips in a car to see his mom (my grandmother). On the way, we would regularly hear a Billy Joel song. Dad’s favorite (if memory serves) was “piano man”.

Aside from the fond memories, Billy Joel is an amazing pianist and singer/songwriter. This song is so honest and so powerful.

The closing phrases…hit so hard…

so I would choose to be with you
That’s if the choice were mine to make.
but you can make decisions too
and you can have this heart to break.

And so it goes, and so it goes…
and you’re the only one who knows.

Honorable mention: If you dig choral groups, You’ve got to hear the King’s Singers version of this song. It’s pretty amazing.

(download)
From the Album: Billy Joel – Greatest Hits Vol. 3

Griffin House
“Only Love Remains”

There’s something very powerful and reminiscent in this song for me. Years ago in college when I was a music major, I’d go to the concert hall and lock myself away in one of the small and intimate piano auditoriums. I would turn out all the lights and just play the piano. No words. No light. Only music. I will forever remember how the echoing chords touched me in a very literal sense. The notes would hang in the air forever as if they didn’t want to leave that dark room. The beginning of this song reminds me of what I used to play in that dark room. I hope you let the first few chords seep into you.

Just when I thought this song couldn’t get any better, the harmonica rings out. It’s brilliant.

On a side note, I thought the production of this song was interesting – especially the ending. He sings an octave above and at a much louder dynamic (as you should be able to tell in his vocal inflections), but he’s standing further away from the microphone, and it is almost like he’s singing in a room too small for his voice.

By the way, this version of the song isn’t the same one as on the CD attached to this post. I honestly can’t tell you where to get this copy. (other than here)

I hope you enjoy.

All my things, melt away.
Only love… love remains.

(download)
From the Album: House Of David, Vol. 1