Kristina Roberts
A new two-part documentary titled “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” dives into the personal and professional life of the famous US singer Billy Joel. Through honest conversations and rare moments, Billy opens up about his music, personal battles, and the lessons he has learned along the way. The film shows not just his success, but also his mistakes, challenges, and journey toward peace.
Billy Joel is a name many people know and love. His songs like “Piano Man” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire” have been played for years, touching the hearts of listeners around the world. But behind these famous songs is a man who has been through many ups and downs. In a new two-part documentary called “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” the American music icon shares his story like never before. This documentary, which airs on HBO, takes a deep look into Billy Joel’s life, not just as a superstar, but as a human being with struggles, regrets, and hard-earned wisdom.
Directed by Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, the film shows how Billy Joel dealt with some very difficult parts of his life. He talks about his struggles with mental health, substance abuse, and the personal mistakes that shaped his journey. While Billy has always been known for expressing feelings through music, this time he speaks directly about things he once kept private. In fact, he admits that he was not very eager to do such a documentary at first. “I’ve resisted this kind of thing for so long. I’m sick of talking about myself,” he says in the film.
Billy goes on to explain that it was not easy to revisit parts of his past that he is not proud of. “Some of the stupid stuff I did, that’s painful to talk about,” he confesses. However, when the directors asked him for a direction for the documentary, his answer was simple and honest: “Just tell the truth.”
This answer shows how Billy truly wanted the film to be real and raw. He wanted viewers to see the full picture – not just the good times, but also the struggles that made him the person he is today. The directors followed his advice and created a film that connects different parts of Billy’s life, helping not only the audience but even Billy himself understand his journey better. “He actually thanked me for connecting the dots of his life,” said director Susan Lacy. “He said, ‘I now understand why I did what I did.’ I think it was a revelation to him in some ways as well.”
The documentary does not only focus on the bad times. It also celebrates the amazing success Billy Joel has achieved. He has sold over 150 million records and won five Grammy Awards. His songs have become timeless, and people across different generations still enjoy them today. Whether it’s the touching lyrics of “Just the Way You Are” or the storytelling style of “Piano Man,” Billy’s music has always had a deep emotional impact.
But what makes this documentary different is that it shows the man behind the music. It helps people see that even someone as successful as Billy Joel has had to fight inner battles. He talks openly about his past struggles with alcohol and depression. These are not easy topics to share, especially for someone always in the spotlight. Yet Billy chose to be open, hoping that by telling the truth, others might find strength in their own lives too.
Another important part of Billy’s story is his family. Today, he finds joy and peace in his life with his wife Alexis and their three daughters. While he may have faced many dark moments, he has also found happiness and love, especially through his family life. This gives hope and comfort, reminding viewers that no matter how difficult life gets, better days can come.
Throughout the documentary, we also get to hear about the moments that helped Billy change and grow. These moments may not have made headlines, but they played a huge role in shaping who he is. The film highlights not only the fame but the person who felt lost at times and had to search for meaning and healing.
One touching part of the film is when Billy realizes things about himself he didn’t notice before. “There was some stuff I found out about myself. There was some self-revelatory stuff,” he says. These words show how much the film helped him reflect on his life. It’s not just a documentary for fans – it’s a powerful journey for Billy himself.
This makes the documentary very special and different from others. Instead of just listing facts or playing music videos, it goes deep into the emotions and real experiences of a man many people admire. It shows that fame doesn’t protect someone from pain, but it also reminds us that growth is always possible.
In many ways, “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” is not just a story about a famous singer. It’s a story about being human. It’s about the mistakes we make, the things we regret, and the strength we find to move forward. Billy Joel’s honesty makes the film meaningful not only for music lovers but for anyone trying to understand their own life journey.
At the end of the documentary, you are likely to see Billy Joel not just as a star, but as a person – someone who has loved, lost, made mistakes, and learned to forgive himself. His story teaches us that it’s okay to look back, as long as we also keep moving forward.
Billy Joel’s music may have already told us a lot about his heart, but this documentary lets us hear his story in his own voice. And that, in itself, is something worth listening to.
