Billy Joel’s favourite Elton John song | CPT PPP Coverage

“We’re good. I think the press likes to make it like there’s a feud going on. There isn’t, really. We respect each other, and we love each other,” Joel confirmed on New Zealand radio after the reported falling out was mentioned on air.

Since beginning in 1994, the Face to Face tour allowed the pair of musicians to make musical history and play at the world’s biggest venues. While in the eyes of some, the idea of pairing them up for the tour could be seen as an opportunistic cash grab, those attending the shows and singing their hearts out didn’t care.

Every night, they’d begin the show by duetting on a handful of songs, which started the evening in a jubilant fashion. For Joel, it was an honour to share the stage with one of his musical favourites and close friend. He also regularly performed his favourite Elton John song ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’.

To celebrate Elton’s 75th birthday in 2022, Joel spoke about his love of the track and reminisced about their days of performing it together. “I really loved that song from the first time I ever heard it. We used to play it together during the shows while we were on the ‘Face to Face Tours’ – for 16 years,” he explained.

Joel continued: “I always liked playing that unorthodox chord progression and singing the soaring melody in that song. It was a particularly special moment in those shows that I always looked forward to. I still do it from time to time on my own — but it’s not the same without Elton there, too. Rock on, old friend!”

‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ was released in 1973 and became an international super-hit for Elton as his star continued to spiral. Although they no longer tour together, Joel’s decision to occasionally perform it during his solo shows instead of a track from his immensely strong back catalogue highlights the pianist’s strong affinity to the classic creation.

Watch Elton John and Billy Joel duet on ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’.