Best Billy Joel Songs to Play on Guitar
Billy Joel’s music has stood the test of time, blending memorable
melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and piano-driven arrangements that work
beautifully on acoustic guitar.
This collection of Billy Joel guitar tutorials covers some of his most iconic songs, from heartfelt ballads like Just The Way You Are to energetic crowd-pleasers such as Only The Good Die Young.
Each lesson includes chords, rhythm patterns, and tips to help you capture the original feel while making it approachable for acoustic performance. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering “The Piano Man,” these songs are perfect additions to your setlist.
🎸 Overview Video - “Watch This Preview of My Best Billy Joel Guitar Songs”
Billy Joel Song List
1. A Matter Of Trust2. Allentown
3. An Innocent Man
4. Honesty
5. It's Still RnR To Me
6. Just The Way You Are
7. Keeping The Faith
8. Only The Good Die Young
9. Piano Man
As you know, Billy Joel has been an influence in music culture since 1965. It's no coincidence that he and Elton John have become great friends through the years. Their talents are on the same instrument, they started during the same period (Sir Elton in 1962) and both are close to the same age (Joel is 73 and Elton 75 in 2022).
1. A Matter Of Trust - Learn To Play On Guitar
A Matter Of Trust released this song in the summer of 1986 from his album "The Bridge".
The song reached #10 in the US and #3 in Canada. The music video for this one featured Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney as spectators and is the only music video featuring Billy Joel playing guitar.
Chords And Strumming
Some lead work required in this one played in standard tuning with a down down up down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. For chords you'll need a D, Bm, Gbm, A, D, Em and a Dmaj7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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2. Allentown - Learn To Play On Guitar
Allentown was a #1 hit in Australia and reached #17 in the US. The song has taken on a persona as a representation of the working class blue collar man. Joel began writing this song in the 1970's but never finished it until 1982. He called it Allentown not because it was an industrial steel town like Bethlehem PA and Levittown NY, but because it was easier to write lines that rhyme with Allentown.
One of those Billy Joel guitar songs that has it's own special vibe to try and capture on an acoustic. Find this track on the 1982 album "The Nylon Curtain".
Chords And Strumming
No picking here but a few riffs in the rhythm which is a down down up down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern played in standard tuning. For chords you'll need a C, Em, D, G, A7, Am7, Bm, Gbm, A# and an F.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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3. An Innocent Man - Learn To Play On Guitar
An Innocent Man hails from the 1983 Billy Joel album of the same name. This song pays respect to Ben E King and The Drifters and Joel commented he went for the high notes in this one while he still had the vocal range.
The song peaked at #10 on the billboard Hot 100.
Chords And Strumming
I play this one in standard tuning with the chords C, Dm, F, G and an A#. For rhythm play a root down up root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern but no lead required.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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4. Honesty - Learn To Play On Guitar
Honesty was released in May of 1979 from the "52nd Street" album which was released a year earlier. The song was a #1 hit in France and peaked at #24 in the US.
Joel has performed this song with Elton John on occasion. This is one of those great Billy Joel guitar songs that everyone knows well.
Chords And Strumming
The original key is one fret higher than where I am here played in standard tuning. You'll need a whack of chords for this one and they are A, A/Gb, Fmaj7, E7, D, E, Dbm, Gbm, B7, Esus, E, Fdim, Ab, Dbsus, Dmaj7, Gbm/E, Db7, A7 and an E7 but no leas, just a few riffs. For rhythm play a down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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5. It's Still Rock N Roll To Me - Learn To Play On Guitar
It's Still Rock And Roll To Me was a #1 hit in the US during the summer of 1980. If you listen closely you'll hear that the snare drum is tuned lower than usual which was a technique requested by the sound engineer of drummer Liberty Devitto.
The song was also a #1 in Canada. The song hails from the "Glass Houses" album.
Chords And Strumming
I play a capo 3rd fret here in standard tuning with a little bit of lead work. For chords you'll play an A, Dbm, G, D, Gbm, B7, E, Bm, Db, F and C with a down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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6. Just The Way You Are - Learn To Play On Guitar
Just The Way You Are hails from "The Stranger" album from 1977. This was a career launching song for Joel as his first top 10 in the US, reaching #3, and won Grammy's for Record Of the Year and Song Of The Year.
Yeah that will get you noticed for sure. The released single was about a minute shorter than the album version.
Chords And Strumming
This one has no lead work but a few chords including D, Dsus, Bm, G, D7, Gm, G6, Am, Esus, E, A7, Em, Gbm and B7 in standard tuning. For rhythm play a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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7. Keeping The Faith - Learn To Play On Guitar
Keeping The Faith is from the album "An Innocent Man" and peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Christy Brinkley, Richard Pryor and Joe Piscopo all appear in the music video.
Chords And Strumming
I play this one in standard tuning with a capo 2nd fret. No lead with the chords D, G, A and an Em and played with a steady down up down up shuffle pattern.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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8. Only The Good Die Young - Learn To Play On Guitar
Only The Good Die Young was one of four singles were released from "The Stranger" album back in 1977. Because the song was considered anti-catholic at the time because the guy in the song was lusting after a catholic girl, many radio stations got pressure from the church.
Of course the controversy drove up sales as it always does. And the guy in the song never scored with the girl in the end. The song peaked at #24 in the US.
Chords And Strumming
This song has some lead blended into the rhythm in standard tuning with the chords F, G, Am, C, D and C7. For rhythm play a down up down up and repeat pattern.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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9. Piano Man - Learn To Play On Guitar
Piano Man reflects what Billy Joel played in the bar scenes in the beginning of his climb, and this song reflects some of the characters he'd encounter in piano lounges in Los Angeles in the early 1970's. This song was his first major hit peaking at #4 on the Easy Listening chart.
During the last half of the 1970's, all of Billy Joel's singles did better in Canada than in the US. The track can be found on the "Piano Man" album of 1973.
Chords And Strumming
There is some lead in here in standard tuning playing a down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. The chords you'll need are C, G6, Am, Am/G, F, G, Em, D and a D/Gb.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Back To Song List
Learning Billy Joel songs on guitar is a rewarding way to connect with one of pop music’s greatest storytellers. Each tutorial here is designed to help you master the chord changes, strumming techniques, and subtle nuances that make these classics shine.
When you’re ready to keep the music going, check out our other artist pages like best Bruce Springsteen guitar songs or best Bryan Adams guitar songs for even more great songs to learn and play. Billy Joel’s timeless catalogue offers endless inspiration for guitar players at any level — and these lessons will help you bring his music to life.
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Billy Joel & Elton John On Leno
Here is a great clip of Billy Joel and Elton John hamming it up a bit with Jay Leno.
Acoustic Versions Of Rock Songs
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