Elton John vs. Billy Joel

[Runesmith]

Elton John, no question. Great composer, performer, singer, and pianist.

Billy is still amazing, though.

[AKALink]

It is a battle between Teen Punk icon vs the guy who wrote the score to the Lion King. Elton John hands down.

[ArmsAreLoud]

They're both great, but I just prefer Billy's style.

[afterstasis]

It is a battle between Teen Punk icon vs the guy who wrote the score to the Lion King. Elton John hands down.

teen punk icon? huh?

[ROCKBANDFANATIC7526]

EJ.

[tridentgum0]

It is a battle between Teen Punk icon vs the guy who wrote the score to the Lion King. Elton John hands down.

Who's the teen punk icon? I don't see Billy Joe Armstrong anywhere in that list.

[NormanCoxwell]

Well Elton John's a kanigget so I'm gonna have to go with him.

[Cubecubed]

Elton John for sure

[Idiostock]

Joel's a better performer on stage.

[packerfan8675309]

Elton John without a doubt

[Fizzeler]

So hard I love Joel's work, but John has some extremely amazing songs

Joel mainly because I heard him first :)

[ROCKBANDFANATIC7526]

So hard I love Joel's work, but John has some extremely amazing songs

Joel mainly because I heard him first :)

So?:confused:

[Fizzeler]

So?:confused:

So I heard his music before Elton's otherwise I would say that I like them almost equally and he is one of the guys who I did a vocal cover of when I was little (The Piano Man :D)

[DavyinaToga]

OP's a jerk for even asking that question. Sir Elton's an extremely talented musician and songwriter, though his style tends to become grating after prolonged periods of time. Billy (not 'Sir' Billy since there's no queen in America, big deal :P) has a timeless flair in his music, though it's fairly standard (and hasn't had the best public image lately). There's really no winner. At least there shouldn't.

'Rhetorical poll is rhetorical,' to put it humorously.

[ROCKBANDFANATIC7526]

So I heard his music before Elton's otherwise I would say that I like them almost equally and he is one of the guys who I did a vocal cover of when I was little (The Piano Man :D)

I heard Sum 41 before The Beatles, and I don't like Sum better.

[ROCKBANDFANATIC7526]

So I heard his music before Elton's otherwise I would say that I like them almost equally and he is one of the guys who I did a vocal cover of when I was little (The Piano Man :D)

It's not The Piano Man, just Piano Man.;)

[Fizzeler]

I heard Sum 41 before The Beatles, and I don't like Sum better.

:rolleyes:

You would need to hear my covers to understand (if only I had a webcam :()

[ROCKBANDFANATIC7526]

OP's a jerk for even asking that question. Sir Elton's an extremely talented musician and songwriter, though his style tends to become grating after prolonged periods of time. Billy (not 'Sir' Billy since there's no queen in America, big deal :P) has a timeless flair in his music, though it's fairly standard (and hasn't had the best public image lately). There's really no winner. At least there shouldn't.

'Rhetorical poll is rhetorical,' to put it humorously.

The Op is a jerk for asking people's opinions.:rolleyes:

[ROCKBANDFANATIC7526]

:rolleyes:

You would need to hear my covers to understand (if only I had a webcam :()

Whatever, I just find it odd, just because you heard something first, that's why you like it better.

[ROCKBANDFANATIC7526]

:rolleyes:

You would need to hear my covers to understand (if only I had a webcam :()

I get it, you like BJ better because you are closer to him vocally.

[DavyinaToga]

The Op is a jerk for asking people's opinions.:rolleyes:

Yes. And I bet you're a Ninja fan who likes cats and drinks coffee, too ;)

EDIT:
Which is the better artist?

Not "Who you like Better" which is an opinion, but "who is Better." We is gonna needz sum facts 2 backup dis argument.

[Fizzeler]

I get it, you like BJ better because you are closer to him vocally.

Exactly :D

[Rockbandfan23467]

Who's the teen punk icon? I don't see Billy Joe Armstrong anywhere in that list.

Mabye he ment Billy Idol. Or Billy Talent.

[ROCKBANDFANATIC7526]

Yes. And I bet you're a Ninja fan who likes cats and drinks coffee, too ;)

EDIT:

Not "Who you like Better" which is an opinion, but "who is Better." We is gonna needz sum facts 2 backup dis argument.

I Hate cats and coffee, And it says "Who Do You Like Better".

[moose39]

While Big Shot is one of my favorite songs of all time (because the Limit Break is AWESOME), I think Elton John is better in terms of talent.

My mom was born in the Bronx so Billy Joel is a staple at my house.

[DavyinaToga]

I Hate cats and coffee

Dogs and tea all the way[/agrees]

[ROCKBANDFANATIC7526]

Dogs and tea all the way[/agrees]

Def Dogs, I have two.:D

[supernova1324]

I heard Sum 41 before The Beatles, and I don't like Sum better.
It's not that hard to understand for Christ's sake. He likes both equally and he just used the fact that he heard Joel first as a tiebreaker. Judgng by your tastes I hardly think that you like Sum 41 as much as the Beatles.

[ROCKBANDFANATIC7526]

It's not that hard to understand for Christ's sake. He likes both equally and he just used the fact that he heard Joel first as a tiebreaker. Judgng by your tastes I hardly think that you like Sum 41 as much as the Beatles.

First of all, can you spell? Me and him always give each other hard times,
I don't even like Sum 41 really, why the **** do you always say **** to me, when I don't say anything to you?

[supernova1324]

First of all, can you spell? Me and him always give each other hard times,
I don't even like Sum 41 really, why the **** do you always say **** to me, when I don't say anything to you?

When have I ever said **** to you for no reason? And I never see you guys mess around so how would I know?

[ROCKBANDFANATIC7526]

When have I ever said **** to you for no reason? And I never see you guys mess around so how would I know?

I was joking around with a21, and you stepped in, You're right my bad, I don't really liking fighting because you guys are cool and know a lot of ****. I always joke around for some reason.

[DerTommissar]

Joel's a better performer on stage.

This.

Plus:

I saw Billy Joel and Elton John in concert when they toured together. Billy Joel did Allentown, Downeaster Alexa, and Innocent Man.

Elton John did /not/ do Crocodile Rock.

Ergo, Billy Joel wins.

[DerTommissar]

Arguably two of the best pianists/singers of all time.

Jerry Lee Lewis is waiting outside for you; he doesn't look happy. :)

[moose39]

Elton John did /not/ do Crocodile Rock.

Oh my God, that sucks. Crocodile Rock is my favorite song by him.

On second thought, I'm going to change my vote to Billy Joel, cause he has a higher chance of getting into Rock Band, and he is a better performer.

In terms of solo performances though, nothing beats Bruce Springsteen. I hear that he pretty much does over 15 songs every night he plays.

But solo guitarists is a completely different ballgame (Ted Nugent v. Bruce Springsteen anyone?)

[Nuff_Said]

Elton.

[classicrockdude]

Elton, close though

[DerTommissar]

Oh my God, that sucks. Crocodile Rock is my favorite song by him.


I went with a Buddy of mine, and we were talking about what we were hoping to hear; I mentioned Crocodile Rock and he stared at me blankly.

Now usually I'll sing or hum a few bars of a song, but I just got mad. "Crocodile Rock. Crocodile Rock! CROCODILE ROCK!"

Later on my buddy admitted he was starting to get afraid. "You were all red and stuff; I swear I thought you were going to pull a knife on me or something."

[cherokeesam]

Both are, of course, phenomenal.

But I'll give a slight edge to Billy Joel for writing his own songs as well as music. Elton John writes music, but Bernie Taupin does most of his lyrics. Ergo, Billy does a lot more work than Reg.

[Runesmith]

Both are, of course, phenomenal.

But I'll give a slight edge to Billy Joel for writing his own songs as well as music. Elton John writes music, but Bernie Taupin does most of his lyrics. Ergo, Billy does a lot more work than Reg.

In a roundabout way, this is actually one of the reasons why I like Elton John more. I have deep respect for someone who can take lyrics they have absolutely no personal connection to and turn them into some of the most powerful and emotional pieces of music I have ever heard before, like "Levon" and "Tiny Dancer".

Plus, Elton John's compositional abilities are unparallelled.

[Captain-the-Awesome]

Easily Billy Joel. Elton John has the following songs I like:

Rocket Man
Tiny Dancer

Billy Joel has....

The Stranger
We Didn't Start the Fire
The Downeaster Alexa
Leningrad
You May Be Right
Miami 2017
Only The Good Die Young
It's Still Rock & Roll To me
Scene From an Italian F'ing Restaurante
among others

Guess where my vote went?

[warthogdb]

First off, I think the thread is valid because the two are linked as performers. This isn't some random pairing like we see here all the time.

That being said, I'm surprised it's this close. Elton John is the clear winner. He stayed relevant for a longer period of time. I hate just about everything that Joel has done since the mid 80s. It keeps getting worse. I think that there is more depth and diversity in the EJ catalog as well.

What I want to know is how Billy Joel is a better performer than Elton John? Ole Reg's stage shtick is legendary. Sure he has toned down in his later years but he is well known for putting on one of the greatest must see rock extravaganzas of all time.

[learnsingingonline]

I don't have to choose because i like them both.

[Soror_YZBL]

I'm from Long Island, so I'm voting for Elton John. Billy Joel's a bastard.

[onidragon]

Drat, I can't choose. Although, when my sister worked merch for the tour they're on right now, she got me a Billy Joel shirt, so out of the fact that I have more Billy Joel shirts than Elton John shirts, I shall vote BJ. His Initials are also hilarious.

[Quinarvy]

Joel for me...I never liked a lot of Elton John outside the Lion King soundtrack.

[D-rock]

Both are great artists but Billy Joel takes it, anyone familiar with the name Bernie Taupin? He is the one respondsible for the lyrics in Elton's music, Billy on the other hand wrote all of his. So yes both are amazing pianists and write great music but when it comes down head to head Billy Joel will never have to share his by line...

Words and music by: > Words and music by:
Billy joel - - - - - - - ---- Elton John and Bernie Taupin

[Snafflepuss]

Argh, I can't pick just one! They are both awesome!

[Oscar-Rio]

Elton John

[timmay9]

Elton John. I can't stand Billy Joel.

[Jordashebasics]

I can't offer a more complete critique of Elton John. I think Elton has some good work, but he needs more of a guiding force. I think Tiny Dancer is nice, but it's also a bit too long.

I've had a love/hate relationship with Billy Joel for a long time. I grew up listening to him heavily. And then once I discovered other music, and he went on hiatus after River of Dreams, I sort of forgot a lot of his stuff.
His hits are usually pretty uninteresting. They usually have at least one interesting thing about each, but they also wear thin.

Joel also isn't afraid of using some really silly sounds, or otherwise absurd vocal techniques. While some people don't like this, I think it's kind of charming. He draws a lot of influence from the early Beatles, the Phil Spector girl groups, and Elvis.

But I think he also does some really clever work. Check this out-
The original track
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8LCBs4sqCI

And here's Liberty DeVitto drumming it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00--WEGnoe0

And please, give this track a try - the original, reggae version of Only The Good Die Young.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnxBDuJhOzY

[EntropyMu]

Elton & Bernie > Billy > Elton

Granted, there's songs from both that I adore, I just think the ranking above seems most accurate.

[homemadeeye]

For anyone who thinks Elton John has more variety in his music, take a listen to this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea-P8kaFdvA&feature=related

This is EARLY Billy Joel, before he was known. He was in a heavy metal band called Attlia, and some of it is actually pretty damn good. (Some of it's pretty damn awful too). You won't even recognize this as Billy Joel, but I assure you it is him.

[cptracks]

both are amazing but i have to say elton john by a hair

[Jixzer]

I'm can't vote on this. Both have huge talent. I really can't decide.

[Slashboi]

Coincidentally, I'm seeing both of them live at the same concert this weekend, but I'd have to say Elton John is better for his writing abilities and his awesome sunglasses.