Billy Joel to Receive Gershwin Prize for Popular Song

Long Island’s own Billy Joel will receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the U.S. national library announced Tuesday.

The Piano Man, who penned such hits at “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant,” “New York State of Mind” and “Uptown Girl” is the sixth artist to receive the award. 

The Gershwin Prize honors living musical artists whose lifetime contributions in the field of popular song exemplify the standard of excellence associated with George and Ira Gershwin.

“Billy Joel is a storyteller of the highest order," said Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, when he announced the news Tuesday.

"There is an intimacy to his songwriting that bridges the gap between the listener and the worlds he shares through music," he added. "When you listen to a Billy Joel song, you know about the people and the place and what happened there. And while there may be pain, despair and loss, there is ultimately a resilience to it that makes you want to go to these places again and again."

"The great composer, George Gershwin, has been a personal inspiration to me throughout my career,” Joel said. “And the library’s decision to include me among those songwriters who have been past recipients is a milestone for me.”

A multi-Grammy winner, Joel will receive the prize in Washington, D.C. in November. 

Previous prize recipients include Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and the late Hal David, and Carole King.