''My Lives'' is a box set compilation of demos, outtakes, B-sides, soundtrack cuts, live recordings and album cuts by American

singer/songwriter A singer-songwriter is a musician who writes, composes, and performs their own musical material, including lyrics and melodies. In the United States, the category is built on the folk-acoustic tradition, although this role has transmuted t ...

Billy Joel. It was released on November 22, 2005. The album name is derivative of the Billy Joel song "

My Life My Life may refer to: Autobiographies * ''Mein Leben'' (Wagner) (''My Life''), by Richard Wagner, 1870 * ''My Life'' (Clinton autobiography), by Bill Clinton, 2004 * ''My Life'' (Meir autobiography), by Golda Meir, 1973 * ''My Life'' (Mosley a ...

". The liner notes were written by longtime ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...

'' magazine contributor

Anthony DeCurtis Anthony DeCurtis (born June 25, 1951) is an American author and music critic, who has written for ''Rolling Stone,'' the ''New York Times'', '' Relix'' and many other publications. Career DeCurtis is a contributing editor at ''Rolling Stone'', ...

. The 4-CD set is notable for including numerous tracks that were previously released but had never been available on an official Billy Joel album, including songs from his days with the Lost Souls, the Hassles, and Attila; various

B-sides The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record company ...

; and soundtrack contributions such as "Why Should I Worry?" which his character sang in the Disney animated film ''

Oliver & Company ''Oliver & Company'' is a 1988 American animated musical adventure film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released on November 18, 1988, by Walt Disney Pictures. The 27th Disney animated feature film, it is loosely based on the Cha ...

''. A bonus DVD is also included featuring live performances from ''

River of Dreams ''River of Dreams'' is the twelfth studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released on August 10, 1993. ''River of Dreams'' presented a more serious tone than found in Joel's previous albums, dealing with issues such as trust and ...

'' Tour. The cover of the boxed set was painted by Joel's daughter,

Alexa Ray Joel Alexa Ray Joel (born December 29, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Her parents are singer-songwriter Billy Joel and model Christie Brinkley. Joel released an EP ''Sketches'' (2006) and several singles on independent record ...

, when she was seven years old.

Release

It was Joel's 20th album to chart on the '' Billboard''

200 __NOTOC__ Year 200 ( CC) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Severus and Victorinus (or, less frequently, year 953 ''Ab ur ...

, peaking at in December 2005. In a 2018 interview, Joel seemed to indicate the boxed set was compiled and released without his consent, stating that "it was unfinished stuff that never should have been heard. I didn’t want anything to do with it. I refer to that album as ''Twigs and Stems and Seeds'' — you’re not supposed to smoke that shit."

Track listing

There are five discs included in ''My Lives'': four CDs and one DVD. All songs written by Billy Joel, except where noted.

Disc one

#"My Journey's End" – The Lost Souls (Never-released

demo Demo, usually short for demonstration, may refer to: Music and film *Demo (music), a song typically recorded for reference rather than release * ''Demo'' (Behind Crimson Eyes), a 2004 recording by the band Behind Crimson Eyes * ''Demo'' (Deafhea ...

) – 2:07 #"Time and Time Again" – The Lost Souls (Never-released demo) – 2:00 #"Every Step I Take (Every Move I Make)" –

the Hassles The Hassles were a rock group in the 1960s, most notable for recording the first releases to feature Billy Joel. The group released two full-length albums (United Artists Records) and a number of singles. History The original line-up of the group ...

(Album version) ( William Joel, T. Michaels, V. Gorman) – 2:28 #"You've Got Me Hummin'" – The Hassles (Album version) ( Isaac Hayes, David Porter) – 2:28 #"Amplifier Fire (Part 1)" – Attila (Joel, Jonathan Small) – 3:06 #"Only a Man" (Never-released demo) – 3:16 #" She's Got a Way" ( Cold Spring Harbor album studio version) – 2:56 #"Oyster Bay" (Never-released demo) – 3:44 #" Piano Man" (Never-released demo) – 2:52 #"The Siegfried Line" (Never-released demo) – 2:35 #"New Mexico" (Never-released demo) (became " Worse Comes to Worst") – 2:37 #"Cross to Bear" (Never-released demo) – 4:20 #"

Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway) "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)" is a song written and originally recorded by Billy Joel which appeared as the final song on his album ''Turnstiles'' in 1976. Several live performances of the song have been released. He has perf ...

" (Never-released demo) – 4:50 #"These Rhinestone Days" (Never-released demo) (became "I've Loved These Days") – 3:00 #"Everybody Has a Dream" (Album version; does not end with the instrumental reprise of the whistled theme from " The Stranger") – 4:36 #"

Only the Good Die Young "Only the Good Die Young" is a song from Billy Joel's 1977 rock album '' The Stranger''. It was the third of four singles released from the album. Song information "Only the Good Die Young" was controversial for its time, with the lyrics written ...

" (Never-released alternate reggae version) – 3:39 #" Until the Night" (Album version) – 6:38 #"

Zanzibar Zanzibar (; ; ) is an insular semi-autonomous province which united with Tanganyika in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania. It is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the mainland, and consists of many small islan ...

" (Album version; longer trumpet solo) – 6:47 #"

It's Still Rock and Roll to Me "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" is a song written and performed by Billy Joel, from the hit album '' Glass Houses''. Released in 1980, the song peaked at number 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 charts for two weeks, from July 19 through August 1, ...

" (Album version) – 2:58

Disc two

Captain Jack Captain Jack may refer to: People * Calico Jack (1683–1720), a pirate in the 18th century * Captain Jack (Hawaiian) (died 1831), Naihekukui, commander of Kamehameha's fleet and father of Kalama * Captain Jack (fl. 1830s on), Kaurna man in c ...

" (Never-released live version) – 7:22 #"The End of the World" (Never-released demo) (Became "Elvis Presley Blvd.") – 3:22 #"The Prime of Your Life" (Never-released demo) (Became "

The Longest Time "The Longest Time" is a doo-wop song by Billy Joel, released in 1984 as the fourth single from the 1983 album '' An Innocent Man''. Following the theme of the album in paying tribute to Joel's musical influences, the song is presented in the st ...

") – 3:43 #"She's Right on Time" (Album version) – 4:14 #"Elvis Presley Blvd." ( B-side of "

Allentown Allentown may refer to several places in the United States and topics related to them: *Allentown, California, now called Toadtown, California *Allentown, Georgia, a town in Wilkinson County *Allentown, Illinois, an unincorporated community in Taze ...

") – 3:15 #"Nobody Knows But Me" (from ''In Harmony II'') – 2:55 #"

An Innocent Man ''An Innocent Man'' is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released on August 8, 1983. The concept album is a tribute to the American popular music of Joel's adolescent years with Joel paying homage to a number of ...

" (Album version) – 5:19 #"Christie Lee" (Never-released demo) – 4:02 #"Easy Money" (Album version) – 4:06 #"

And So It Goes "And So It Goes" is a song written by Billy Joel in 1983, though it was not released until six years later. It appeared as the tenth and final track of his 1989 studio album '' Storm Front''. The original 1983 demo was released on the 2005 box se ...

" (Never-released demo) – 3:14 #"

I'll Cry Instead "I'll Cry Instead" is a song written by John Lennon (credited to Lennon–McCartney), and recorded by the English rock band the Beatles for their third studio album, '' A Hard Day's Night'' (1964), a part-studio and part-soundtrack album to thei ...

" (Live, B-side of "

" (

John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...

) – 2:25 #"

Keeping the Faith ''Keeping the Faith'' is a 2000 American romantic comedy film written by Stuart Blumberg, and starring Ben Stiller, Edward Norton (in his directorial debut), Jenna Elfman, Eli Wallach, and Anne Bancroft. This film was released by Touchstone Pi ...

" – 4:54 Incorrectly listed as the 12" remix, which originally ran for 5:27. This is actually the 7" remix. #" Modern Woman" (Album version) – 3:51 #" Baby Grand" ( Duet with

Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...

) (Album version) – 4:05 #"Getting Closer" (Duet with Steve Winwood) (Never-released alternate version) – 5:39 #"House of Blue Light" (B-side of "

We Didn't Start the Fire "We Didn't Start the Fire" is a song written and published by American musician Billy Joel. The song was released as a single on September 18, 1989, and later released as part of Joel's album '' Storm Front'' on October 17, 1989. A list song, i ...

") – 4:45 #"Money or Love" (Never-released demo) – 4:02 #" The Times They Are A-Changin'" (Live album version) (

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career sp ...

) – 2:54

Disc three

#" The Downeaster 'Alexa'" (Album version) – 3:45 #"

I Go to Extremes "I Go to Extremes" is the fourth track on American singer Billy Joel's 11th studio album, '' Storm Front'' (1989). It was released as the second single from the album in 1989. It reached the number-six position on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 a ...

" (Live, April 1990 LA Sports Coliseum, never released) – 4:53 #" Shout" (Live) (

O'Kelly Isley O'Kelly "Kelly" Isley Jr. (December 25, 1937 – March 31, 1986) was an American singer and one of the founding members of the family group the Isley Brothers. Biography The eldest of the Isley Brothers, Kelly started singing with his brothe ...

Ronald Isley Ronald Isley (; born May 21, 1941) is an American recording artist, songwriter, record producer, and occasional actor. Isley is the lead singer and founding member of the family music group The Isley Brothers. Early life Born in 1941 to Sally ...

Rudolph Isley Rudolph Bernard Isley (born April 1, 1939 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an American singer-songwriter and is one of the founding members of The Isley Brothers. Life and career Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Rudy began singing in church at a youn ...

) – 5:50 #" All Shook Up" ( ''Honeymoon in Vegas'' soundtrack) (

Otis Blackwell Otis Blackwell (February 16, 1931 – May 6, 2002) was an American songwriter whose work influenced rock and roll. His compositions include " Fever" (recorded by Little Willie John), " Great Balls of Fire" and " Breathless" (recorded by Jerr ...

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one ...

) – 2:09 #"

Heartbreak Hotel "Heartbreak Hotel" is a song recorded by American singer Elvis Presley. It was released as a single on January 27, 1956, Presley's first on his new record label RCA Victor. It was written by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden, with credit being ...

" (''Honeymoon in Vegas''

soundtrack A soundtrack is recorded music accompanying and synchronised to the images of a motion picture, drama, book, television program, radio program, or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack ...

) (

Mae Boren Axton Mae Boren Axton (September 14, 1914 – April 9, 1997) was known in the music industry as the "Queen Mother of Nashville." She co-wrote the Elvis Presley hit single "Heartbreak Hotel" with Tommy Durden. She worked with Mel Tillis, Reba McEntire, ...

Tommy Durden Thomas Russell Durden (December 15, 1919 – October 17, 1999) was an American steel guitarist and songwriter, who is most notable for co-writing Elvis Presley's breakthrough hit, "Heartbreak Hotel". Biography He was born in Morgan County, G ...

) – 3:21 #" When You Wish Upon a Star" ('' Simply Mad About the Mouse: A Musical Celebration of Imagination'' soundtrack) (

Leigh Harline Leigh Adrian Harline (March 26, 1907 – December 10, 1969) was an American film composer and songwriter. He was known for his "musical sophistication that was uniquely 'Harline-esque' by weaving rich tapestries of mood-setting underscores and ...

Ned Washington Ned Washington (born Edward Michael Washington, August 15, 1901 – December 20, 1976) was an American lyricist born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Life and career Washington was nominated for eleven Academy Awards from 1940 to 1962. He won the Bes ...

) – 3:42 #"

In a Sentimental Mood "In a Sentimental Mood" is a jazz composition by Duke Ellington. He composed the piece in 1935 and recorded it with his orchestra during the same year. Lyrics were written by Manny Kurtz; Ellington's manager Irving Mills gave himself a perc ...

" (''

A League of Their Own ''A League of Their Own'' is a 1992 American sports comedy-drama film directed by Penny Marshall that tells a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). The film stars Tom Hanks, Geena ...

'' soundtrack) ( Duke Ellington, Manny Kurtz, Irving Mills) – 4:02 #"Motorcycle Song" (Never-released demo) (Became "

All About Soul "All About Soul" is a song by American musician Billy Joel, released in October 1993 as the third single from his 12th studio album, ''River of Dreams''. The single was produced by Danny Kortchmar and Joe Nicolo and features backing vocals by Co ...

") – 4:19 #"You Picked a Real Bad Time" (B-side of "

") – 4:56 #"

The River of Dreams "The River of Dreams" is a song by American musician Billy Joel. It is the title track and first single from his 1993 album, ''River of Dreams.'' The song was a hit, peaking at number three on the US and UK charts, making it Joel's best-charting ...

" (Never-released alternate version) (features a melodic bridge from "

Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)" is the seventh track from Billy Joel's 1993 album ''River of Dreams'', released in 1994 as the fourth and final single for the album. It was inspired by Alexa Ray Joel, his daughter by Christie Brinkley. The song ...

") – 5:49 #" A Hard Day's Night" (Live) (Lennon, McCartney) – 2:47 #"Light as the Breeze" (Album version) (

Leonard Cohen Leonard Norman Cohen (September 21, 1934November 7, 2016) was a Canadian singer-songwriter, poet and novelist. His work explored religion, politics, isolation, depression, sexuality, loss, death, and romantic relationships. He was inducted in ...

) – 6:14 #" To Make You Feel My Love" (Album version) (Dylan) – 3:52 #"Hey Girl" (Album version) ( Gerry Goffin, Carole King) – 3:57 #"Why Should I Worry" ( ''Oliver & Company'' soundtrack) (

Dan Hartman Daniel Earl Hartman (December 8, 1950 – March 22, 1994) was an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. Among songs he wrote and recorded were " Free Ride" as a member of the Edgar Winter Group, and the solo hits ...

Charlie Midnight Charlie Midnight (born Charles Kaufman, 1954) is an American songwriter, record producer, and founder of Midnight Production House. He has been nominated for the 1987 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song (Writer, " Living in America" by James Brown), ...

) – 3:33 #"Where Were You (On Our Wedding Day?)" ('' Runaway Bride'' soundtrack) (

Harold Logan Harold Logan was a New Zealand bred Standardbred pacer that won two New Zealand Trotting Cups. He was a leading performer in 1931 and 1932. In 1932, he won the New Zealand Trotting Cup with a handicap of 60 yards. Pedigree Harold Logan was b ...

, John Patton,

Lloyd Price Lloyd Price (March 9, 1933May 3, 2021) was an American singer-songwriter, record executive and bandleader, known as "Mr. Personality", after his 1959 million-selling hit, "Personality". His first recording, "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", was a hit for S ...

) – 1:58 #"

Highway 61 Revisited ''Highway 61 Revisited'' is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on August 30, 1965, by Columbia Records. Having until then recorded mostly acoustic music, Dylan used rock musicians as his backing band on ever ...

" (Never-released demo) (Dylan) – 5:11

Disc four

Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" is a song written and recorded by Billy Joel originally appeared on his 1977 album '' The Stranger''. The track details the singer's disgust with the upwardly mobile bourgeois aspirations of working- and lower-middle- ...

" (Live) – 3:44 #"

You May Be Right "You May Be Right" is a song written and performed by rock singer Billy Joel, released as a single from his 1980 album '' Glass Houses''. The single reached No. 7 on the US charts and No. 6 in Canada. It failed to chart, however, in the UK unli ...

" (Duet with Elton John) (Live, July 1994 Giants Stadium and never released) – 4:50 #"

Big Shot Big Shot may refer to: Fiction * Big Shot, an animated superhero character on the television show '' The Tick'' created by cartoonist Ben Edlund in 1986 * Big Shot, the former mascot of the Philadelphia 76ers until 1996 * ''Big Shot'', a fiction ...

" (Live from ''The Essential Video Collection'') – 4:45 #"

Don't Worry Baby "Don't Worry Baby" is a song by American rock band the Beach Boys from their March 1964 album ''Shut Down Volume 2''. Written by Brian Wilson and Roger Christian, Wilson's lead vocal on the track is considered one of his defining performance ...

" (Live from '' An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson'') (Roger Christian, Brian Wilson) – 3:27 #"

Goodnight Saigon "Goodnight Saigon" is a song written by Billy Joel, originally appearing on his 1982 album ''The Nylon Curtain'', about the Vietnam War. It depicts the situation and attitude of United States Marines beginning with their military training on Parr ...

" – Vietnam Veterans Version (Live) – 6:30 #"

Los Angelenos "Los Angelenos" is a song written by Billy Joel that was first released on his 1974 album ''Streetlife Serenade''. A live version was released on the 1981 album ''Songs in the Attic''. Lyrics and music The Long Island-raised Joel wrote the song ...

" (Live 1980 from "The Essential Video Collection") – 3:54 #"

New York State of Mind "New York State of Mind" is a song written by Billy Joel that initially appeared on the album '' Turnstiles'' in 1976. Although it was never released as a single, it has become a fan favorite and a song that Joel plays regularly in concert. Joe ...

" (Live from '' America: A Tribute to Heroes'') – 6:01 #"Opus 1. Soliloquy (On a Separation)" – 11:22 #"Opus 8. Suite For Piano (Star-Crossed) I. Innamorato" – 7:46 #"Opus 8. Suite For Piano (Star-Crossed) II. Sorbetto" – 1:31 #"Opus 8. Suite For Piano (Star-Crossed) III. Delusion" – 3:35 #"Elegy: The Great Peconic" (Performed by

London Symphony Orchestra The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is a British symphony orchestra based in London. Founded in 1904, the LSO is the oldest of London's symphony orchestras. The LSO was created by a group of players who left Henry Wood's Queen's Hall Orc ...

, From "Music of Hope") – 6:51 #" Glass Houses Promo Talk (Appears as an untitled track on the album)" – 9:00 * Note: Two tracks ("Josephine

emo Emo is a rock music genre characterized by emotional, often confessional lyrics. It emerged as a style of and hardcore punk from the Washington D.C. hardcore punk scene, where it was known as emotional hardcore or emocore and pioneered b ...

and "So Long, Reverend Ike") are available for download and streaming as bonus tracks.

Disc five (DVD)

:Live from the ''

'' Tour: #" No Man's Land" #"

Pressure Pressure (symbol: ''p'' or ''P'') is the force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area over which that force is distributed. Gauge pressure (also spelled ''gage'' pressure)The preferred spelling varies by country and e ...

" #"

The Ballad of Billy the Kid "The Ballad of Billy the Kid" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel from the album '' Piano Man''. It was also issued as a single in the UK backed with "If I Only Had The Words (To Tell You)." Artistic license The song is Joel's fict ...

" #"

Leningrad Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...

" #"

" #"Shades of Grey" #"

" #"

" #" A Hard Day's Night" #"

" #" Piano Man" #"

" – "Umixit" Track #"

" – "Umixit" Track

References

{{Authority control B-side compilation albums Billy Joel compilation albums 2005 compilation albums 2005 live albums 2005 video albums Columbia Records compilation albums Live video albums Demo albums