In 1977, Linda Ronstadt persuaded Billy Joel to keep a song. Now, it has over 398,000,000 streams

Linda Ronstadt persuaded Billy Joel to keep “Just the Way You Are” on his 1977 album *The Stranger* after he and his band considered leaving it off. The song went on to become one of Joel’s best-known recordings, illustrating how Ronstadt’s instinct for a strong song could help other musicians recognise its potential.

Joel recalled that Ronstadt told him they were “crazy” to discard it; he and his band had thought its gentleness made it a “chick song”. The track’s soft electric piano, relaxed rhythm and Phil Woods’ alto saxophone give it an intimate sound, and it has since amassed more than 398 million streams. Ronstadt had also helped Don Henley and Glenn Frey develop their country-rock sound.