Billy Joel's early recordings benefited significantly from his partnership with acclaimed producer Phil Ramone, who shaped several of his classic albums by offering artistic guidance and technical refinement. After years of consistent collaboration, Joel recognised the need for a different creative voice and enlisted Mick Jones from Foreigner to bring a fresh approach to his production work.

Joel found Jones's assertive musical opinions and collaborative spirit particularly valuable, appreciating his willingness to engage in substantive creative discussions. This partnership introduced a weightier production sound to Joel's music, crafted specifically for the massive concert venues he was now filling, whilst maintaining the fundamental integrity of his songwriting.