Billy Joel has unveiled And So it Goes, an extensive seven-hour, 155-track soundtrack accompanying the HBO documentary of the same name. This remarkable collection became available on streaming platforms early Saturday morning (July 26) and includes a wealth of previously unreleased tracks. These range from rare radio performances to unique mixes of iconic songs from Joel’s illustrious catalog that were crafted specifically for the film. Much like the documentary itself, which highlights the singer-songwriter’s dynamic career on stage, this companion soundtrack is rich in live concert recordings that celebrate his enduring legacy. Moreover, listeners will find insightful commentary and captivating anecdotes from Joel himself, drawn from the film, providing valuable context about the music and its creation.

Discover the Rich Tracklist of the ‘And So it Goes’ Soundtrack

The soundtrack And So it Goes features not only all of Billy Joel’s major hits but also a treasure trove of lesser-known gems. Among its standout offerings are tracks from Joel’s early bands, including The Hassles and his short-lived “heavy metal” outfit, Attila. Additionally, there are newly remixed versions of several songs from his critically panned 1971 debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, which unfortunately suffered from production problems, leading to tracks being mastered at the wrong speed. Another highlight is the debut performance of Joel’s signature piece, “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant,” recorded during a May 1977 concert at C.W. Post in Greenvale, N.Y. This performance was broadcast live on local radio station WLIR-FM, allowing fans a sneak peek at music from the upcoming The Stranger album nearly four months prior to its official release.

Experience Billy Joel’s ‘Scenes From an Italian Restaurant’ Recorded Live at C.W. Post in 1977

This ambitious soundtrack was expertly produced by Joel’s long-time collaborators Steve Cohen, Bradshaw Leigh, and John Jackson. Steve Cohen, who joined Joel’s team in 1974 as the lighting director, emphasizes that the live material featured in the new And So it Goes streaming release is a testament to why it was crucial for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee to utilize his road band in the studio for his albums. This decision ensured that the energy and authenticity of their live performances were preserved in the recordings.

READ MORE: Billy Joel: ‘And So it Goes’ Movie Review

The documentary illustrates Joel’s commitment to his band, revealing that he declined the opportunity to collaborate with the legendary Beatles producer George Martin, who suggested bringing in different musicians. “Billy would write a song, they would enter the studio, perform the song, record it, and then take it live,” Cohen shared on the UCR Podcast. “The recordings mirrored the live performances, as they captured the essence of the music exactly as it was played on stage. There was no disconnect whatsoever.”

Listen to Steve Cohen on the ‘UCR Podcast’

Exciting Future Archive Releases from Billy Joel on the Horizon

Both Cohen and Jackson, who serves as Joel’s archivist, confirm that the soundtrack for And So it Goes is merely the first installment, and fans can look forward to a series of ongoing releases. These will feature archival materials utilized in the film, made available through various platforms, including YouTube. A live performance of “Piano Man,” recorded in 1975 for the Old Grey Whistle Test, is set to be released on YouTube on Monday morning (July 28).

“His team has been proactive in gathering audio and video, including material from screen cams,” Jackson explained on the UCR Podcast during a separate conversation. “Having a sound engineer [Brian Ruggles] with him since 1972 and a visual staging and lighting expert [Cohen] since 1974 was incredibly beneficial. They had the foresight to think, ‘We should really film this and capture it with high-quality audio.’

“Of course, it helped that at a certain point he was generating substantial revenue, which made it feasible to invest in these projects,” Jackson added. “Nonetheless, having such a dedicated team capturing these moments has led to a rich archive. This extensive documentation coincided with his relentless touring schedule from 1971 to the present. Consequently, there is an abundance of material in both his personal vault and Sony’s vault, with minimal overlap. We are committed to thoroughly exploring both archives in the coming years.”

While we eagerly await these future releases, there’s an abundance of music to explore right now on And So it Goes. So, grab your headphones and immerse yourself in this rich musical journey. As you listen, you can discover even more information regarding the origins of each track, thanks to UCR’s Mike Duquette, who conducted a meticulous investigation into the complete track listing.

Listen to Billy Joel’s ‘Stiletto’ Recorded at the Summit in Houston, Texas