Every Billy Joel Album Ranked Worst To Best

Released in 1986, The Bridge is yet another of Joel's albums that hits some snags due to the singer's pessimism and unsubtle attacks on the people and places he doesn't like. This is especially true of the final track, the bitter "Getting Closer," which sees Joel attack his old producers and complain about his contract with Columbia Records.

On top of this unavoidable anger dampening the feel of the record, The Bridge also finds Joel attempting to embrace the synth-pop sounds of the 80s, and as a whole it just doesn't work with Joel's typical sound.

The record, overall, is bit of a bump in Joel's discography, but keeps itself from the bottom spot thanks to the Ray Charles-featuring "Baby Grand" and the wonderfully jazzy "Big Man on Mulberry Street." The Bridge shows Joel as disillusioned and angry, and regardless of whether such emotions were warranted or not at the time, none of his negativity helps the finished product.

Best Songs: Baby Grand (feat. Ray Charles), Big Man of Mulberry Street, Modern Woman