The Longest Time
| "The Longest Time" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Billy Joel | ||||
| from the album An Innocent Man | ||||
| B-side | "Christie Lee" | |||
| Released | March 1984 | |||
| Recorded | 1983 | |||
| Genre | Doo-wop[1] | |||
| Length | 3:40 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Billy Joel | |||
| Producer(s) | Phil Ramone | |||
| Billy Joel singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"The Longest Time" is a
The song features Joel on lead vocals, all backing vocals, and percussive sounds such as finger snaps and hand claps.[3] When the song is covered by vocal groups, the bass part is typically sung.[4] Phil Ramone and Joel had intended to feature a vocal group but Joel recorded each of the parts himself.[5]
Music video
The music video starts with a man (played by Joel) in a gym after his 25th high school reunion party. Looking around at posters of several class awards, he breaks into song as his band, apparently portrayed as his high school friends, enters the gym. As they sing, they alternate between their high school and current selves, ending with their high school selves walking out of the restroom and interacting with a puzzled janitor. The video was entirely filmed at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and was directed by Jay Dubin.
Chart performance
| Chart (1984–1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) [6] | 15 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7] | 36 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 18 |
New Zealand Singles Chart
|
24 |
UK Singles Chart[8]
|
25 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 14 |
| US Billboard Adult Contemporary[10] | 1 |
| Year-end chart (1984) | Rank |
|---|---|
| US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[11] | 89 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[12] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Molanphy, Chris (April 30, 2020). "Still Billy Joel to Me Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 127.
- ^ "The Longest Time by Billy Joel Songfacts". songfacts.com.
- ISBN 9780472118250.
- ISBN 9780804140201.
- ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "RPM 50 Singles". collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Billy Joel Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Billy Joel Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Talent Almanac 1985: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 96, no. 51. December 22, 1984. p. TA-19.
- ^ "American single certifications – Billy Joel – The Longest Time". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
External links
- 'The Longest Time' Music Video on YouTube
