More Billy Joel Hits to Play on Guitar
Billy Joel’s career spans decades of unforgettable music, from soulful ballads to upbeat pop-rock anthems.
This second collection of Billy Joel guitar lessons dives into more of his hits, including fan favourites like Uptown Girl, the reflective The River Of Dreams, and the rocking You May Be Right. Each tutorial breaks down the chords, strumming, and arrangement so you can confidently play these songs on your acoustic guitar.
Whether you’re performing for friends or practicing at home, these lessons capture the spirit of Billy Joel’s original recordings.
🎸 Overview Video - “Watch This Preview of My Best BIlly Joel Guitar Songs”
Billy Joel Song List
1. She's Always A Woman2. She's Got A Way
3. Sleeping With The TV On
4. Summer Highland Falls
5. The River Of Dreams
6. Uptown Girl
7. We Didn't Start The Fire
8. Your May Be Right
9. You're My Home
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. She's Always A Woman - Learn To Play On Guitar
She's Always A Woman was a #17 hit for Billy Joel back in 1977.
The song hails from the album "The Stranger".
Chords And Strumming
This one is played in standard tuning with no lead required with a down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. The chords here are plenty and they include D, Dsus, A, G, D/Gb, Gb, Bm, Bm/A, A7, A/Db, Bm/Ab, E, A/Ab, Gm, Em, Dm, Dm/C, Dm/B, C, G6, A#, A#/A, E/Ab and an E7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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2. She's Got A Way - Learn To Play On Guitar
She's Got A Way goes all the way back to 1971 to the album "Cold Spring Harbour".
Billy Joel wrote this one about his first wife Elizabeth and mentioned the song was a bit corny but he re-recorded it again in 1981 for his first live album, "Songs In The Attic".
Chords And Strumming
Another one with plenty of chords and they are G, D/Gb, Em, G7, C, D, Ebmaj9, Csus2, Am, Gm, D/Db, Edim, Bm, D7, B7, Gb and an Em7 but no lead work and in standard tuning. For rhythm play a down strokes or use a down down up down down up rhythm pattern.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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3. Sleeping With The Television On - Learn To Play On Guitar
Sleeping With The Television On was on the 1980 "Glass Houses" album.
The song was never released as a single.
Chords And Strumming
For this one I play an up up down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern in standard tuning but no lead required. The chords you'll need here are Gmaj7, A, Bm/D, D, A/C#, Bm, G, D/F#, Bm, Em, F#, D/Gb and an A7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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4. Summer Highland Falls - Learn To Play On Guitar
Summer Highland Falls is from his Turnstyles album in 1976. Often times musicians don't record with the same people you see on stage. There are "studio musicians" and "live on tour stage musicians".
This entire "Turnstyles" album was re-recorded after Joel was disappointed with the initial recording using studio musicians. So he used his road band in the studio to re-do the entire album and took over himself as producer.
Chords And Strumming
I play a capo 3rd fret on this one in standard tuning and some lead work required. For chords you'll play a D, D/Gb, Em, G, A7, E7, A#, Bm, Bm/A, E, A, A7sus, A7 and a C with a down up down up up down up and repeat rhythm pattern.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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5. The River Of Dreams - Learn To Play On Guitar
The River Of Dreams is from the album of the same name and hit the airwaves as a single in 1993.
The song reached #1 in the US, Australia and New Zealand.
Chords And Strumming
The original key here is with no capo but I'm capoed on the 3rd fret in standard tuning. Play a down up up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern with the chords G, C, D, Em, Em/D and A7 with some picking required.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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6. Uptown Girl - Learn To Play On Guitar
Uptown Girl inspiration for this song came from an encounter with Christy Brinkley, Whitey Houston and Elle McPherson and was going to call the song Uptown Girls, but then changed the title. He also said Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons gave him the idea for the vibe of the song.
It was a #1 in five countries but peaked at #2 in the US.
This one should be on your Billy Joel guitar songs setlist for a bar. This track is on the album "An Innocent Man".
Chords And Strumming
This one I play with a capo 2nd fret in standard tuning with the chords D, Em, Gbm, G, A7, A#, Gm, Cm, F, Am and an Fdim. For rhythm play a down down up down up down up repeat pattern and no lead in this one.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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7. We Didn't Start The Fire - Learn To Play On Guitar
We Didn't Start The Fire was one of seven singles released from the album "Storm Front" in 1989-1990.
This was the biggest single reaching #1 in the US and a top 10 in several other countries.
Chords And Strumming
The rhythm here is a down down up down down down up down and repeat pattern in standard tuning but some lead riffs blended into the rhythm. The chords you'll need are G, D, Em, C and an A.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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8. You May Be Right - Learn To Play On Guitar
You May Be Right peaked at #7 in the US and #6 in Canada.
The track can be found on the "Glass Houses" album from 1980.
Chords And Strumming
Some lead required here in standard tuning with a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern For chords play an A, E, Bm, G, E7, D and a Gbm.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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9. You're My Home - Learn To Play On Guitar
You're My Home came about as Billy Joel was broke in 1973 while out n California and couldn't afford to buy his wife at the time a Valentines Day gift, so he wrote this song for her instead.
Helen Ready covered the song but Joel apparently did not really like her version. This track is on the 1981 album "Songs In The Attic".
Chords And Strumming
I play a capo 3rd fret here in standard tuning but no lead required. The chords are D, Dmaj7, G, A7, D7, Gbm, Em, Bm and A with a down up down up down up with a steady shuffle rhythm pattern.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Back To Song List
With songs that range from soft and romantic to high-energy rock and roll, Billy Joel offers something for every guitarist. These tutorials are built to help you sound authentic while keeping the arrangements accessible for solo performance.
If you’ve enjoyed learning these songs, explore our other Billy Joel page for more classics, or browse our full artist library for even more guitar-friendly favourites. Keep practicing, keep playing, and let Billy Joel’s music inspire your next performance. Feel free to check out artists such as George Harrison or Paul Simon.
If you liked this more Billy Joel guitar songs page you might also like ... (click images)
Acoustic Versions Of Rock Songs
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