Billy Joel: The Longest Time (1983)

The Longest Time
written by Billy Joel
performed by Billy Joel
recorded at Chelsea Sound and A&R Recording, Inc., in New York, NY, in the Spring 1983
originally released on his "An Innocent Man" album (Columbia QC 38837) on 9 August 1983
single issued as Columbia 39-04400 in March 1984

In the summer of 1983, when the album was released, oldies station WCBS-FM opted to play "The Longest Time" in regular rotation along with the first single "Tell Her About It". At that time, WCBS-FM mixed in some new songs with the oldies. The song got very favorable reviews and the public wanted "The Longest Time" to be the follow up single. Instead, Columbia chose "Uptown Girl" as the second single. Late in November, "The Longest Time" was again passed over for the title song from the album, "An Innocent Man". "The Longest Time" was finally released as the album's forth single.

By the way, Joel takes all 14 vocal parts in this recording. You can listen to the single version or, if you wish, check out the original music video.