It’s been a while since I’ve released any new music, and the current situation has made collaboration difficult. But I recorded one of my favorite songs yesterday, and I figured it was as good a time as any to share.

For better or for worse, Billy Joel is the guy that made piano cool for a 13-year old kid who was ready to give up his weekly music lessons as he entered high school. Most of the songs I had learned up to that point really weren’t things I had any interest in playing, and while I knew I loved music, I was really looking for something more.

Christmas 1989 brought a life-changing gift: tickets to see Billy Joel on the Storm Front tour. I’m not even sure I knew who he was at the time, but my brothers and cousins were going too, and it was something exciting to look forward to. It was my third rock concert and it changed how I viewed the piano forever. It also started a near obsession for me with his music - I bought every cassette of his I could find and began learning to try to play his songs.

As I got older, my tastes evolved and grew, but there is something about Billy’s music that will always be inherently connected to my musical DNA. I learned to play by playing his songs, and I’ve learned so much about melody, harmony and song craft by studying his music.

This is a deeper cut I suppose - the last cut off his most popular record (The Stranger.) But it’s a tune that has always resonated with me, and recording it yesterday during these strange times felt right. It offered me some comfort and a glimmer of hope, and that’s why I’m sharing it with you. It’s a bit raw - just vocals and piano and a little bit of passion and soul - but it felt good to do it, and it feels even better to share it.

So here it is. Give it a listen if you like, or skate right on by, as they say. Feel free to share if you enjoy it. Stay safe, stay healthy, and here’s hoping we are all together again soon.

Tom McKee

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