Billy Joel, Rick Rubin and the collaboration they never got to make: “Didn’t appeal to me”
Billy Joel and producer Rick Rubin discussed working together, but Joel rejected Rubin’s idea of bringing him “back to my roots”, saying it did not appeal to him. The proposed collaboration never happened, reflecting Joel’s reluctance to make new music unless a project feels creatively worthwhile.
Joel has not released a full studio album since the early 1990s, though he has occasionally returned with new songs, including “Turn the Lights Back On”. The article suggests he might have preferred making piano interpretations of songs by artists such as Led Zeppelin or the Beatles, rather than revisiting his own early style; that idea remained speculation.
In short
- Joel and Rick Rubin considered working together.
- Joel disliked the idea of returning to his roots.
- The collaboration never produced a record.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Joel was entitled to decline a collaboration that did not match his creative interests; returning to an earlier style simply because it was familiar could have felt limiting or inauthentic. If he would only make new music when a project felt worthwhile, holding back may have protected the quality and independence of his work.
The case against
Rubin’s proposal could be seen as a thoughtful way to reconnect Joel with the musical roots that helped shape his songwriting, potentially giving listeners a fresh take on a familiar artist. A collaboration might also have challenged Joel creatively and produced worthwhile new music, even if it revisited an earlier style.
Explained simply
Billy Joel is an American singer, pianist and songwriter known for songs such as “Piano Man” and “Uptown Girl”. He has released no full studio album since the early 1990s, although he has occasionally recorded new songs.
Rick Rubin is a record producer who has worked with artists across several musical styles. He and Joel discussed a possible project, but Joel did not want to follow Rubin’s suggestion of returning to his early musical roots, and they did not work together. The exchange reflects Joel’s stated reluctance to make new music unless the project appeals to him.