20 Most Underrated Classic Rock Songs Of All Time
12. The Stranger - Billy Joel
There's probably no one else in rock and roll as synonymous with New York City than Billy Joel. No matter what part of the world you hail from, one listen to the man's music will make you think of living life on the streets in the Big Apple. While each of Joel's songs show different scenarios, things get a little more nasty when you get to see "The Stranger."
As opposed to writing about love or characters pieces like on "Piano Man," this song taps into the side of ourselves that we keep behind closed doors. From the very beginning, the entire song sets up a mood of mystery, with a piano line and whistled melody that sounds like it's coming from the back alleys in a film noir from the 1940's. As soon as Joel comes in with his biting lyrics, the guitar line matches him step by step with one of the greatest instrumental hooks in pop music.
Even though this stranger sounds like a sultry character, Joel assures us that he/she may just be the person that keeps us sane amid the hustle of life. You may come to Billy Joel to think about life in the city, but this is what the City That Never Sleeps sounds like after dark.