Cold Spring Harbor

I don’t care to know the hour, ’cause its passing anyway – Tomorrow is Today

Album Breakdown:

Billy Joel’s first album Cold Spring Harbor was released on the first of November 1971. It felt only fitting that the first post on this blog would be a deep dive and review of Billy Joel’s first album.

The album was released by Family Productions and was poorly received, it would not be until Joel gained popularity from his second studio album, that Cold Spring Harbor would make some ground.

This album was a nightmare start for Joel, aside from the poor reception, sales and, even if I don’t fully agree, quality of songs on the album. During the production of Cold Spring Harbor there was a major error made by producer Artie Ripp that meant that the songs were mastered at an incorrect speeding. This led to Joel infamously sounding like a chipmunk on many of the tracks, contributing to the albums failings and Joel’s initial struggles in the music business.

Whilst the story of what happens after the release of this album, specifically what happens in 1973 with the release of his second studio album Piano Man. I want to focus on Cold Spring Harbor track for track and really delve into the musical mind of a 21 year old Billy Joel.

Track by Track:

She’s Got A Way – Spotify Streams: 52,612,647

The album opens with what is also its most popular track as of writing this blog. She’s Got A Way is a sincerely simple love song that was written about his best friend’s wife Elizabeth Weber… who Billy would then go on to marry.

You Can Make Me Free – Spotify Streams: 2,021,878

The second track of this album is the one of the many songs throughout his entire discography that has an unreleased “full version” that is just simply miles better. This song is a sweet long love that does not give too much to its listener until Billy ramps up the vocals in the final verse. However, the original version from 1971 full version plays out just like a classic Beatles tune that easily could have been a Lennon-McCartney piece. I would recommend giving it a listen on YouTube:

Everybody Loves You Now – Spotify Streams: 11,065,273

Everybody Loves You Now is a breakaway from the first two songs in that it is not incredibly depressing – or at least it doesn’t sound like it. The piano pulls us in and immediately we are listening to a talented musician with skill and not a 21 year old depressed kid. There is a reason Joel still plays this song live even decades later.

Why Judy Why – Spotify Streams: 2,612,007

Next up is a song that I don’t really have much to say about, a rare occurrence with Billy Joel songs, I do simply just think that it is fine, I quite like the instrumental towards the end of the song but aside from that it is very much just okay.

Falling of the Rain – Spotify Streams: 2,063,809

This song has one of the most iconic intros to any Billy Joel song, which is really saying something. Much faster than most of the other songs on this album and follows a story and a character. Any song in general, not just Billy Joel, that follows the story of a character whether that is their backstory or where they are going, will always be top tier for me. This is something Billy Joel does A LOT throughout his career and I am glad he does as it brings out the best in his songwriting.

Turn Around – Spotify Streams: 1,288,249

The song with the least streams on this album (I can’t say I’m not surprised) is Turn Around. This is by no means my least favourite song here, but it doesn’t surprise me it hasn’t reached a wider audience.

You Look So Good To Me – Spotify Streams: 1,374,430

Having reached this point, it feels harsh choosing an album I am not too fond of as the subject of this blog. However, harsh as it may be, this will balance out the almost endless praise going forward and looking at other albums and other songs.

Tomorrow Is Today: Spotify Streams: 2,811,219

I know I JUST said that I am being too harsh and critical… that changes here. Tomorrow Is Today is easily the best song on Cold Spring Harbor, it sits comfortably in my top 20 Billy Joel songs of all time and it is so tragically beautiful in its lyrics, vocals and conception that I am eager to discuss it.

Nocturne: Spotify Streams: 1,800,323

The first of Joel’s three instrumental only songs on studio albums. This one sits comfortably in the middle for me, it is beautiful and melancholic but it extends its welcome ever so slightly in my opinion. However, Billy’s strongest asset is without doubt his piano playing and his does like to show it off even at 21 years old in songs like this.

Got To Begin Again: 1,504,079

We have made it to the end of Cold Spring Harbor and I have been debating whilst writing this whether, in the coming months, I should concoct a “Ranking Every Billy Joel Song Ever” list. If I were to commit to such a debilitating task, Got To Begin Again would be secure in its place at the very bottom of said list. This song just doesn’t do it for me, when I do the Sporcle quiz that requires you to list every Billy Joel song from every album I do tend to forget this one.

Track Ranking:

Tomorrow Is Today – 8.5/10
She’s Got A Way – 7.5/10
Everybody Loves You Now 7.5/10
Falling Of The Rain – 7/10
You Can Make Me Free – 7/10
Nocturne – 6.5/10
Why Judy Why – 6.5/10
You Look So Good To Me – 6/10
Turn Around – 5/10
Got To Begin Again – 3/10

In Summary:

I have been lucky enough to see Billy Joel live in concert two separate times: once in London and once in Cardiff. I was not lucky enough to hear him play any of these songs. Whilst they are not my favourite, I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t rather hear a deep cut from this album replace one of his go-to songs to perform. Overall, this album is not what I would recommend for an aspiring Billy Joel fan to listen to as an introduction, however it certainly is not something to skip out on. Songs like “She’s Got A Way”, the original “You Can Make Me Free”, “Everybody Loves You Now” and of course “Tomorrow Is Today” do enough to elevate this album, however I wouldn’t say enough to solidify it as a great starting point.

Recommended Track: Tomorrow Is Today (Track 8)

Total Spotify Streams: 79.1 Million

My Personal Rating: 6.5/10