"The Longest Time" is a doo-wop song by Billy Joel, released in 1984 as the fourth single from the 1983 album An Innocent Man. Following the theme of the album in paying tribute to Joel's musical influences, the song is presented in the style of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. It reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart.[2] In the United Kingdom the song reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart.
| "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], acapella | |||
| Length | 3:40 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Billy Joel | |||
| Producer(s) | Phil Ramone | |||
| Billy Joel singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
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
editThe 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 (Nick Stewart). The video was entirely filmed at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and was directed by Jay Dubin.
Chart performance
edit| 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
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[12] | Silver | 250,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[13] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ Duchan, Joshua S. (2012). Powerful Voices: The Musical and Social World of Collegiate A Cappella. University of Michigan Press. p. 39. ISBN 9780472118250.
- ^ Schruers, Fred (2014). Billy Joel. Crown Publishing Group. p. 199. ISBN 9780804140201.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. 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.
- ^ "British single certifications – Billy Joel – The Longest Time". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "American single certifications – Billy Joel – The Longest Time". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 20, 2021.