Trailer For New Billy Joel Film Features Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney
via HBO Max / YouTube
Billy Joel is stepping back into the spotlight, not with a new album, but through a revealing new documentary. Billy Joel: And So It Goes is a two-part special that premieres on HBO Max, offering fans an intimate look into the life and legacy of one of America’s most celebrated singer-songwriters.
The trailer for the documentary has just been released, featuring a mix of archival footage, candid interviews, and reflections from Joel himself. More than just a career retrospective, the film dives deep into Joel’s personal history and musical journey.
Adding to the anticipation are appearances by fellow music icons Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, and Pink, who offer their own insights into Joel’s impact. Their brief yet heartfelt commentary helps set the tone for what promises to be an emotionally rich portrait of the Piano Man.
The Voices That Celebrate Billy
The trailer wastes no time drawing in viewers with its celebrity cameos. Paul McCartney recalls the moment he first heard Joel, admitting, “Wait a minute, who’s this?” Meanwhile, Bruce Springsteen gives a humorous yet sincere nod, saying, “Billy’s melodies are better than mine.” Their tributes reflect the kind of reverence only true peers can offer.
Their inclusion adds legitimacy and emotional weight to the documentary. Joel’s music may have topped charts, but hearing praise from legends like McCartney and Springsteen shows how deeply he influenced even the greatest of his contemporaries.
Pink also appears, adding a modern voice to the conversation and highlighting Joel’s cross-generational appeal. Together, these artists help frame the film as more than a nostalgic look back—it’s a celebration of a man whose music transcends time.
Behind the Songs and the Public Persona
Joel opens the trailer with a revealing quote: “Sometimes it’s alien to me, this guy Billy Joel.” It’s a striking way to introduce the inner tension between public fame and private identity. His reflection hints at a lifelong struggle to reconcile his massive success with his own sense of self.
The documentary also touches on the creation of iconic songs like “Uptown Girl,” which he humorously suggests “could have been a Mozart piece.” Joel credits his classical music upbringing as a foundation for his pop sensibilities, showing the serious musical roots behind even his most playful hits.
His comments about dating supermodel Christie Brinkley, delivered with disbelief and humility, show a man who never quite saw himself as the superstar others perceived him to be. These moments provide a raw and humanizing counterpoint to the rockstar image.
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The Personal Trials That Shaped the Man
The trailer also digs into the more painful parts of Joel’s past. He talks about his family’s history, including relatives lost in the Holocaust, and the emotional weight it still carries. “There’s an underlying rage,” he admits. “They wiped out my family.”
His troubled relationship with his father, who left when Joel was young, also comes into focus. Joel reveals that he didn’t reconnect with his dad until he was in his twenties. These experiences shaped both his worldview and his music, fueling lyrics that often explore themes of abandonment, identity, and resilience.
A near-fatal motorcycle crash in 1982 is another turning point covered in the film. “I hit the pavement. Kaboom,” Joel says, recalling the severity of the accident. Moments like these remind viewers that behind the hits was a man often on the edge—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
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Music as Survival and Salvation
As the trailer nears its end, Joel offers a profound statement: “I think music saved my life. It gave me a reason to live.” That sentiment may be the heartbeat of the documentary. His songwriting wasn’t just a profession—it was therapy, purpose, and salvation rolled into one.
He explains that the key to understanding his songs lies in his relationships. This personal lens gives fans new insight into familiar hits, encouraging them to listen with fresh ears. The documentary aims to unlock not just the stories behind the songs, but the emotions that birthed them.
And So It Goes promises more than music history—it’s about the human need for expression and connection. Through the ups and downs, music was Joel’s constant. The film, much like his catalog, becomes a mirror for anyone who’s ever turned to art to make sense of life.
What to Expect When It Premieres
Both parts of Billy Joel: And So It Goes will air on HBO Max on July 18 and July 25, each running two hours and 24 minutes. With its mix of unseen performances, rare home videos, and personal photos, it’s a deep dive unlike any previous Joel documentary.
The film also features appearances from other stars including Sting, John Mellencamp, Garth Brooks, and Nas, adding even more weight to its cultural scope. Joel’s family, including his daughter Alexa Ray and wife Alexis, also appear, bringing an intimate and multi-dimensional perspective to the story.
All of this comes as Joel takes a pause from touring due to health issues. Diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, he’s focusing on recovery with support from his family. As the documentary rolls out, fans will be watching not just to relive the past—but to hold space for the man behind the legend.
