Rating: 9/10
Billy Joel’s ninth studio album, An Innocent Man, is actually really great. Usually I prefer Billy as a singles artist rather than an album artist, but this album was awesome the whole way through. Seriously, there’s not a single weak track. Maybe it’s because this a concept album; all the songs are inspired by 60s-music, and as a big 60s-music lover, I guess it was bound to sit well with me.
In this post I’ll be ranking all the songs on An Innocent Man from worst to best. I hope you enjoy my ranking, and without further ado, let’s get into it!
10. Easy Money (Track 1)
This was the only song on the album that didn’t wow me, but even so, it’s a good song. I could totally imagine rocking out to this song, it just wasn’t my favorite. I guess the hook/melody just doesn’t do much for me.
9. Christie Lee (Track 8)
This is a really fun song, and I love the beat. It’s gotta be a bunch of fun to dance to, and Billy’s voice has a really nice wailing sound to it. I also like how the lyrics tell a story. I honestly like this song a lot, but I didn’t love it the way I love a lot of the other songs on the album.
8. Keeping The Faith (Track 10)
This is honestly a really catchy song. Billy’s voice sounds great, and the instrumental is really groovy and fun. It just doesn’t stand out quite as much as the other songs for me.
7. The Longest Time (Track 3)
And now we reach my favorite tracks off of An Innocent Man. I’ve known this song for a while (come on, it’s a classic) and I’ve always liked it. It’s just so cheery and happy, and I love the doo-wop inspiration. “I don’t care what consequence it brings, I have been a fool for lesser things.”
6. Uptown Girl (Track 6)
Before I listened to the full album I was anticipating that this would be up towards the very top of the ranking, but I guess the fact that it’s not just speaks to the quality of this album. This song is timeless, and it’s so endearing and exuberant. Try not to sing along with at least some part of it. That’s basically an impossible mission.
5. Leave a Tender Moment Alone (Track 9)
“Even though I’m in love, sometimes I get so afraid. I’ll say something so wrong just to have something to say.” I love this song. It’s so sweet and soulful, and I love the piano. The lyrics are also beautiful, and this song is very clearly 60s-inspired. I wish I could rank this higher, and I’m honestly on the verge of a mental breakdown trying to rank these songs, because they’re all so good. “Yes, I know I’m in love, but just when I ought to relax, I put my foot in my mouth ’cause I’m just avoiding the facts.”
4. Tell Her About It (Track 5)
This song was a huge hit upon its release, and I can see why. It’s irresistibly catchy and joyful to listen to. Lyrically, it doesn’t stray far from the typical things Billy sings about, but that doesn’t diminish it’s value. This song is Motown-inspired, so of course it’s good. Overall, this is just a very joyful song, and listening to it is a wonderful experience.
3. Careless Talk (Track 7)
This song is a tribute to Sam Cooke, and it’s absolutely lovely. Billy sounds amazing here, and the instrumental is so classy and soulful. The more I listen to ‘Careless Talk’, the more I adore it. If you’re looking for a gauge of the overall sound of An Innocent Man, I would recommend listening to this track.
2. This Night (Track 4)
“Didn’t I say I wasn’t ready for a romance? Didn’t we promise we would only be friends? And so we danced, though it was only a slow dance. I started breaking my promises right there and then. Didn’t I swear there would be no complications? Didn’t you want someone who’s seen it all before?” This is an extremely passionate and soulful song. It’s a bit slower than the other songs on the album, but it doesn’t drag by any means. It just has a slower tempo. The vocals are great here, and the melody is awesome. I’d say that the best situations for listening to this song are either a prom slow dance, or when you’re laying on your bed thinking about the person you like. In summation, this is a truly beautiful song and it’s one of my favorites ever from Billy Joel. “Didn’t I say I needed time to forget her? Aren’t you running from someone who’s not over you? How many nights have I been lonely without you? I tell myself how much I really don’t care.”
1. An Innocent Man (Track 2)
“I know you’re only protecting yourself. I know you’re thinking of somebody else, someone who hurt you, but I’m not above making up for the love you’ve been denying you could ever feel. I’m not above doing anything to restore your faith if I can.” Yeah, the titular track takes the cake on this one. I honestly don’t know what it is about this song that I love so much, but I really do love it. ‘An Innocent Man’ is such a broody and moody and passionate song. This song is about Billy trying to comfort a girl he likes who has just been heartbroken. He feels as if she’s closing herself off to the idea of love, and he compares this to him being accused of crimes that he didn’t commit. He tries to persuade her that he’s an innocent man, and that he will be worthy of her love. It’s an awesome allegory, and the songwriting and production on this song is so impressive to me. “You know you only hurt yourself out of spite. I guess you’d rather be a martyr tonight. That’s your decision, but I’m not below anybody I know if there’s a chance of resurrecting a love. I’m not above going back to the start to find out where the heartache began. Some people hope for a miracle cure, some people just accept the world as it is. But I’m not willing to lay down and die because I am an innocent man.”
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