'70s Rock Legend Is Suddenly Climbing the Charts 37 Years After No. 1 Hit
Billy Joel is proving that classic rock never goes out of style.
The legendary singer-songwriter, best known as the "Piano Man," is seeing renewed chart success decades after dominating the music industry. His landmark compilation album Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II has reentered major charts and continues to attract listeners nearly 40 years after its original release.
The collection currently sits at No. 75 on the Billboard 200, marking another milestone for Joel, whose music has experienced a resurgence following the release of his HBO documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes and growing interest in his decades-long catalog.
The renewed attention comes 37 years after Joel scored one of his three Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, "We Didn't Start the Fire," which topped the chart in 1989. His other chart-topping hits include "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" and "Tell Her About It."
Released on Aug. 2, 1985, Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II remains one of the most successful compilation albums ever issued. The set gathers some of Joel's biggest recordings from 1973 through 1985, including "Piano Man," "New York State of Mind," "Just the Way You Are," "Only the Good Die Young," "My Life," "Uptown Girl" and "The Longest Time."
The album also introduced two previously unreleased songs at the time: "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" and "The Night Is Still Young."
The resurgence has been fueled by several developments surrounding the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
In 2025, Joel stepped away from touring after revealing that he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition that affected his hearing, vision and balance. Following the announcement, fans revisited his extensive catalog, helping boost sales and streaming numbers.
Interest in Joel's music received another boost from HBO's two-part documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes, which explored his personal life, career highs and challenges. The documentary introduced his story to younger viewers while reconnecting longtime fans with his music.
The renewed popularity was reflected internationally. In the United Kingdom, Greatest Hits – Vol. 1 & 2 returned to several sales charts in 2025. A special vinyl edition released for the album's 40th anniversary helped the collection debut on the Official Vinyl Albums Chart and reach new peaks on multiple sales rankings.
The album's staying power is hardly surprising. It has been certified 23-times Platinum in the United States, representing more than 11.5 million copies sold and remains one of the most successful greatest-hits collections in music history.
Joel has sold more than 160 million records worldwide during a career that spans more than five decades. His catalog includes classic albums such as The Stranger, 52nd Street, Glass Houses, The Nylon Curtain and An Innocent Man.
A new feature film, Billy & Me, is currently in development and will focus on Joel's early years before becoming a global superstar. The project will tell the story through the perspective of his first manager, Irwin Mazur, who helped guide the future star before his breakthrough with Columbia Records.
The film follows the release of Billy Joel: And So It Goes and arrives as interest in the musician remains high.
Away from music, Joel has continued sharing family milestones. Recently, he celebrated his daughter Della Rose's elementary school graduation, posting a heartfelt message about her achievement.
Despite stepping back from touring, Joel's influence remains undeniable. Songs recorded decades ago continue to connect with listeners, while new projects keep his story in the spotlight.
With Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II climbing the charts again and younger audiences discovering his music through documentaries, vinyl releases and streaming platforms, Billy Joel is showing that timeless songs can find new audiences long after their original release.
Related: '80s Rock Classic, Originally Banned by MTV, Became a Career-Reviving Song
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This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 7:36 AM.