This, pop superstar Joel's breakout LP, came years after he first hit the charts with the novelty-ish "Piano Man." In the meantime, the New York-based songwriter released two lackluster and stylistically confused platters that blunted interesting songs with a sound that was neither Elton mellow nor Elton attitude. Produced by Phil Ramone, The Stranger took those who had written Joel off as a one-hit wonder by surprise ("Just the Way You Are" was among the biggest hits of 1977) and it remains a solid introduction to Joel's restless muse at a crucial point in his career.

Tracklist

A1 Movin' Out
A2 The Stranger
A3 Just The Way You Are
A4 Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
B1 Vienna
B2 Only The Good Die Young
B3 She's Always A Woman
B4 Gets It Right THe First TIme
B5 Everybody Has A Dream