Billy Joel has never positioned himself as a technical vocal virtuoso, instead building his reputation on melodic strength and emotional authenticity. His musical identity was profoundly influenced by Ray Charles, whom he admired for infusing every phrase with genuine feeling and lived experience. Joel's early recordings demonstrated this soul influence more overtly than his later work, with albums like Cold Spring Harbor dominated by introspective ballads rather than rock material. Rather than seeking to imitate Charles directly, Joel studied how his idol unified technique with emotion to create conversational, deeply felt performances.

Ray Charles demonstrated the possibility of moving between soul, country, and rock genres whilst maintaining artistic authenticity and soulfulness. Joel absorbed this principle and developed his own voice by balancing his natural vocal directness with the expressive phrasing he valued in Charles' work. When the two recorded together on 'My Baby Grand', their collaboration reflected mutual artistic respect, with both singers showcasing their mastery of soulful delivery. Charles' influence remains audible throughout Joel's catalogue without overwhelming his own identity as a distinctive songwriter and performer.