Episode 247

full
Published on:

16th Feb 2026

The Story Behind: Billy Joel - The Stranger, Ep. 247

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Billy Joel was an underground success playing to small theaters around America when he decided to take his road band into the studio to create his breakout success The Stranger. The team get together to discuss clarinet solos, working class singalongs, and the concept within a concept album that Phil dreamt about one time.

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Listen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0snQ6XSGhqzbAB6Tf6lGWL?si=3cfe1ccb5e3849ac

Listen to The Stranger here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/3IILMjMMnoN2sKzgesX8KV?si=yX85IYJaS_yJjyTOLufgGg

Intro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly Crushers

Outro music: After the Afterlife by MEGA

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About the Podcast

1001 Album Complaints
Musicians give irreverent takes on "1001 Albums" with jokes, delivered every Monday morning.
Classic albums' full backstories told by musicians who love to nitpick the details, now with >1M downloads.

We do all the research, help you better understand why you love the things you love, plus introduce you to new music and musical ideas you should care about. Want to sound informed, intelligent, and funny when talking about music, even the records you don't like? Want to laugh while you learn more about music production and music history? Then welcome to your new favorite weekly podcast.

About your host

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Tom Monaghan