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{{short description|1986 album by Billy Joel}}
{{short description|1986 studio album by Billy Joel}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
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| cover = The bridge billy joel.jpg
| cover = The bridge billy joel.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| released = July 9, 1986
| released = July 25, 1986
| recorded = 1985–1986
| recorded = 1985–1986
| studio =
| studio = [[Avatar Studios|The Power Station]], Chelsea Sound (North), RCA Studios, New York City and Evergreen Studios, [[Burbank, California]]
*[[Power Station (recording studio)|Power Station]], New York City
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]]<ref name="rs">
*Chelsea Sound (North), New York City
*[[RCA Studios New York#6th Ave|RCA]], New York City
*Evergreen, [[Burbank, California]]
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]]<ref name="rs"/>
| length = 40:06
| length = 40:06
| label = Family Productions/[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| label = Family Productions/[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
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| type = studio
| type = studio
| single1 = [[Modern Woman]]
| single1 = [[Modern Woman]]
| single1date = 1986
| single1date = May 1986
| single2 = [[A Matter of Trust]]
| single2 = [[A Matter of Trust]]
| single2date = 1986
| single2date = July 1986
| single3 = [[This Is the Time (song)|This Is the Time]]
| single3 = [[This Is the Time (song)|This Is the Time]]
| single3date = 1986
| single3date = November 1986
| single4 = [[Baby Grand]]
| single4 = [[Baby Grand]]
| single4date = March 1987<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/436/mode/2up?q=Billy+Joel|title=Great Rock Discography|date=1995 |page=437|isbn=978-0-86241-541-9 |last1=Strong |first1=Martin Charles |publisher=Canongate Press }}</ref>
| single4date = 1987
}}
}}
}}
}}
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| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r10438}}</ref>
| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r10438}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''
| rev2 = ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''
| rev2score = (Mixed)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1986-09-12/entertainment/8603080121_1_african-musicians-moment-album|last=Brogan|first=Daniel|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|title= Turner Outdoes 'Dancer' With 'break Every Rule' Lp > BILLY JOEL, The Bridge, (Columbia)|date=September 12, 1986|access-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref>
| rev2score = (Mixed)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/09/12/turner-outdoes-dancer-with-break-every-rule-lp/|last=Brogan|first=Daniel|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|title= Turner Outdoes 'Dancer' With 'break Every Rule' Lp > BILLY JOEL, The Bridge, (Columbia)|date=September 12, 1986|access-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
| rev3 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
| rev3score = B<ref name="CG80s">{{cite book|first= Robert |last= Christgau |author-link= Robert Christgau |year= 1990 |title= Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s |publisher= [[Pantheon Books]] |isbn= 0-679-73015-X |chapter=Billy Joel|title-link= Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s }}</ref>
| rev3score = B<ref name="CG80s">{{cite book|first= Robert |last= Christgau |author-link= Robert Christgau |year= 1990 |title= Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s |publisher= [[Pantheon Books]] |isbn= 0-679-73015-X |chapter=Billy Joel|title-link= Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s }}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
| rev4 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
| rev4score = (Not favorable)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1986-08-10/entertainment/ca-2082_1_billy-joel|first=Steve|last=Pond|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|title=RECORD RACK > Billy Bites Off Too Much|date=August 10, 1986|access-date=August 31, 2011}}</ref>
| rev4score = (Not favorable)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-08-10-ca-2082-story.html|first=Steve|last=Pond|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|title=RECORD RACK > Billy Bites Off Too Much|date=August 10, 1986|access-date=August 31, 2011}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev5 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev5score = (Favorable)<ref name="rs">{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-bridge-19860911 |title=Billy Joel: The Bridge |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507010203/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-bridge-19860911 |archive-date=May 7, 2016 |access-date=June 21, 2017|date=September 11, 1986 }}</ref>
| rev5score = (Favorable)<ref name="rs">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-bridge-19860911 |title=Billy Joel: The Bridge |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507010203/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-bridge-19860911 |archive-date=May 7, 2016 |access-date=June 21, 2017|date=September 11, 1986 }}</ref>
}}
}}


'''''The Bridge''''' is the tenth studio album by American singer-songwriter [[Billy Joel]], released on July 9, 1986. It was Joel's last studio album produced by [[Phil Ramone]] as well as the last to feature Joel's long-time bassist [[Doug Stegmeyer]] and rhythm guitarist [[Russell Javors]]. The album yielded several successful singles, including "[[A Matter of Trust]]" (peaking at No. 10), "[[Modern Woman]]" (which also appeared on the ''[[Ruthless People]]'' soundtrack, peaking at No. 10), and "[[This Is the Time (song)|This Is the Time]]" (peaking at No. 18).
'''''The Bridge''''' is the tenth studio album by American singer-songwriter [[Billy Joel]], released on July 25, 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=billy+joel&col=format&ord=asc#search_section|title=RIAA|website=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] }}</ref> It was Joel's last studio album produced by [[Phil Ramone]] as well as the last to feature Joel's long-time bassist [[Doug Stegmeyer]] and rhythm guitarist [[Russell Javors]]. The album yielded several successful singles, including "[[A Matter of Trust]]" (peaking at No. 10), "[[Modern Woman]]" (which also appeared on the ''[[Ruthless People]]'' soundtrack, peaking at No. 10), and "[[This Is the Time (song)|This Is the Time]]" (peaking at No. 18).


==Background==
==Background==
Joel began work on the album—on which two of his major influences ([[Ray Charles]] and [[Steve Winwood]]) made guest appearances—in 1985. Charles sang a duet with Joel on the song "[[Baby Grand]]", and Winwood played [[Hammond organ]] on the song "Getting Closer"; Charles and Winwood later covered "Baby Grand" and "Getting Closer" respectively in concert. Other notable musicians who made guest appearances on the album include jazz musicians [[Ron Carter]] and [[Michael Brecker]], who both played on the jazzy track "[[Big Man on Mulberry Street]]".
Joel began work on the album—on which two of his major influences ([[Ray Charles]] and [[Steve Winwood]]) made guest appearances—in 1985. Charles sang a duet with Joel on the song "[[Baby Grand]]", and Winwood played [[Hammond organ]] on the song "Getting Closer"; Charles and Winwood later covered "Baby Grand" and "Getting Closer" respectively in concert. Other notable musicians who made guest appearances on the album include jazz musicians [[Ron Carter]] and [[Michael Brecker]], who both played on the jazzy track "[[Big Man on Mulberry Street]]".


The album also had some [[New wave music|New wave]] influences. For instance, the first song, "Running on Ice", is heavily influenced by the music of [[the Police]], and "Modern Woman" borrows heavily from the styles of [[Huey Lewis and the News]]. The final song recorded for the album, "Code of Silence", featured [[Cyndi Lauper]] who contributed backing vocals and received co-writing credit for the lyrics; she later covered that song herself in concert. Joel would return the favor by contributing backing vocals on Lauper's song "[[Maybe He'll Know]]" for her 1986 album ''[[True Colors (Cyndi Lauper album)|True Colors]]''.
The album also had some [[New wave music|new wave]] influences. For instance, the first song, "Running on Ice", is heavily influenced by the music of [[the Police]]. Another song particularly influenced by the music of another band, "Modern Woman" borrows heavily from the styles of [[Huey Lewis and the News]]. The final song recorded for the album, "Code of Silence", featured [[Cyndi Lauper]] who contributed backing vocals and received co-writing credit for the lyrics; she later covered that song herself in concert. Joel would return the favor by contributing backing vocals on Lauper's song "[[Maybe He'll Know]]" for her 1986 album ''[[True Colors (Cyndi Lauper album)|True Colors]]''.


''The Bridge'' was Joel's last album to carry the "Family Productions" logo which had appeared on all of Joel's albums up to that time as part of a deal that Columbia Records made to get Joel out of his first recording contract with [[Artie Ripp]]'s Family Productions. In the closing song of the album—"Getting Closer"—Joel makes several of what are clearly attacks and observations on the iron-clad contract with Ripp, with references to "my stolen youth", "all the conmen and their acrobats who stomped me in the ground", and "I must live up to contracts".
''The Bridge'' was Joel's last album to carry the "Family Productions" logo which had appeared on all of Joel's albums up to that time as part of a deal that Columbia Records made to get Joel out of his first recording contract with [[Artie Ripp]]'s Family Productions. In the closing song of the album—"Getting Closer"—Joel makes several of what are clearly attacks and observations on the iron-clad contract with Ripp, with references to "my stolen youth", "all the conmen and their acrobats who stomped me in the ground", and "I must live up to contracts".
Line 56: Line 60:
Reviewing in ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s]]'' (1990), [[Robert Christgau]] said: "Maybe [Joel's] youthful lyricism, meaning his knack for the tearjerker, is abandoning him. … Here he's best when he's brassy and literal: failed wise guy in 'Big Man on Mulberry Street,' [[Ray Charles]]'s coequal on 'Baby Grand.' And even at his most rockin' he's seventy-five years retro whether he likes it or not—whenever he doesn't hit it just right you want to quarantine him for life in [[Atlantic City]]."<ref name="CG80s"/>
Reviewing in ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s]]'' (1990), [[Robert Christgau]] said: "Maybe [Joel's] youthful lyricism, meaning his knack for the tearjerker, is abandoning him. … Here he's best when he's brassy and literal: failed wise guy in 'Big Man on Mulberry Street,' [[Ray Charles]]'s coequal on 'Baby Grand.' And even at his most rockin' he's seventy-five years retro whether he likes it or not—whenever he doesn't hit it just right you want to quarantine him for life in [[Atlantic City]]."<ref name="CG80s"/>


In a retrospective interview, Joel said: "Not a happy album. I wasn’t simpatico with the musicians, some of whom I’d been working with a long time. I don’t think the material was good; I was pressured by management to put it out too fast. By the end, I sort of gave up caring, which for me was unusual. I remember reading bad reviews and agreeing with them."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/1993/09/10/billy-joel-critiques-himself/|title=Billy Joel critiques himself|website=Ew.com|access-date=January 3, 2022}}</ref>
In a retrospective interview, Joel said: "Not a happy album. I wasn't simpatico with the musicians, some of whom I'd been working with a long time. I don't think the material was good; I was pressured by management to put it out too fast. By the end, I sort of gave up caring, which for me was unusual. I remember reading bad reviews and agreeing with them."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/1993/09/10/billy-joel-critiques-himself/|title=Billy Joel critiques himself|website=Ew.com|access-date=January 3, 2022}}</ref>


Billy later admitted to ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' that at the time of the album's writing and recording, he was in no mood to be in the studio, saying "[[Christie Brinkley|Christie]] and I had just had [[Alexa Ray Joel|Alexa]], and I'd have much rather have been home with the baby..." This angst over leaving his wife and daughter at home was poured into the album track "Temptation".
Billy later admitted to ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' that at the time of the album's writing and recording, he was in no mood to be in the studio, saying "[[Christie Brinkley|Christie]] and I had just had [[Alexa Ray Joel|Alexa]], and I'd have much rather have been home with the baby..." This angst over leaving his wife and daughter at home was poured into the album track "Temptation".

==Singles==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
!Year
!Single
!Country
!Chart
!Position
|-
|rowspan="8"|1986
!scope="row" rowspan="3"|"Modern Woman"
|rowspan="3"|United States
|[[Adult Contemporary (chart)|''Billboard'' AC]]<ref name="AC">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/billy-joel/chart-history/asi/ |title=Billy Joel Chart History: Adult Contemporary |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=September 18, 2020}}</ref>
|7
|-
|[[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name="Hot 100">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/billy-joel/chart-history/hsi/ |title=Billy Joel Chart History: Hot 100 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=September 18, 2020}}</ref>
|10
|-
|[[Mainstream Rock Tracks|''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock]]<ref name="Mainstream Rock">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/billy-joel/chart-history/rtt/ |title=Billy Joel Chart History: Mainstream Rock |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=September 18, 2020}}</ref>
|34
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="5"|"A Matter of Trust"
|Australia
|Kent Music Report
|3
|-
|rowspan="3"|United States
|''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref name="Hot 100" />
|10
|-
|''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock<ref name="Mainstream Rock" />
|14
|-
|''Billboard'' AC<ref name="AC" />
|17
|-
|United Kingdom
|UK Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16696/billy-joel/ |title=BIlly Joel {{!}} full Official Chart History |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=September 18, 2020}}</ref>
|52
|-
|rowspan="5"|1987
!scope="row" rowspan="3"|"This Is the Time"
|rowspan="5"|United States
|''Billboard'' AC<ref name="AC" />
|1
|-
|''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref name="Hot 100" />
|18
|-
|''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock<ref name="Mainstream Rock" />
|32
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"|"Baby Grand"
|''Billboard'' AC<ref name="AC" />
|3
|-
|''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref name="Hot 100" />
|75
|}


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
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== Personnel ==
== Personnel ==
* [[Billy Joel]] – lead and backing vocals, acoustic piano (1-3, 5–9), synthesizers (1–4, 6–8), electric guitar (3), [[Fender Rhodes]] (9)
* [[Billy Joel]] – lead and backing vocals, acoustic piano (1–3, 5–9), synthesizers (1–4, 6–8), electric guitar (3), [[Fender Rhodes]] (9)
* David Brown – guitar (1–4, 6, 8, 9), 12-string acoustic guitar (8)
* David Brown – guitar (1–4, 6, 8, 9), 12-string acoustic guitar (8)
* [[Russell Javors]] – guitar (1–4, 6, 8, 9)
* [[Russell Javors]] – guitar (1–4, 6, 8, 9)
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|align="center"|17
|align="center"|17
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Japanese Albums Chart|Oricon]])<ref name="Jachart">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=Oricon Entertainment|location=[[Roppongi]], Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon Albums Chart|Oricon]])<ref name="Jachart">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=Oricon Entertainment|location=[[Roppongi]], Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9}}</ref>
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|2
|-
|-
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|align="center"|38
|align="center"|38
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="USchart">{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/billy-joel/chart-history/tlp/ |title=Billy Joel Chart History: ''Billboard'' 200 |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=June 24, 2020}}</ref>
!scope="row"|US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="USchart">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/billy-joel/chart-history/tlp/ |title=Billy Joel Chart History: ''Billboard'' 200 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=June 24, 2020}}</ref>
|align="center"|7
|align="center"|7
|-
|-
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|48
|48
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums Chart<ref name="JPYearend">{{cite web|url=http://entamedata.web.fc2.com/music/music_a1986.html |script-title=ja:年間アルバムヒットチャート 1986年（昭和61年） |trans-title=Japanese Year-End Albums Chart 1986|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums Chart<ref name="JPYearend">{{cite web|url=http://entamedata.web.fc2.com/music/music_a1986.html|script-title=ja:年間アルバムヒットチャート 1986年（昭和61年）|trans-title=Japanese Year-End Albums Chart 1986|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=November 13, 2013|archive-date=November 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102183739/http://entamedata.web.fc2.com/music/music_a1986.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|34
|34
|-
|-
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|85
|85
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1987/top-billboard-200-albums|title=''Billboard'' 200 Albums &nbsp;– Year-End&nbsp;– 1987|work=Billboard|access-date=June 24, 2020}}</ref>
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1987/top-billboard-200-albums|title=''Billboard'' 200 Albums &nbsp;– Year-End&nbsp;– 1987|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 24, 2020}}</ref>
|50
|50
|}
|}
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|artist=Billy Joel|title=The Bridge|access-date=July 25, 2012|relyear=1986|award=Platinum|number=2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|artist=Billy Joel|title=The Bridge|access-date=July 25, 2012|relyear=1986|award=Platinum|number=2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan (Oricon Charts)|nocert=yes|salesamount=250,000|salesref=<ref name="Jachart" />}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan (Oricon Charts)|nocert=yes|salesamount=250,000|salesref=<ref name="Jachart" />}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=The Bridge|artist=Billy Joel|type=album|relyear=1986|region=New Zealand|award=Gold|id=3239}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=The Bridge|artist=Billy Joel|type=album|relyear=1986|id=1987-02-20|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|region=New Zealand|award=Gold}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|artist=Billy Joel|title=The Bridge|access-date=July 25, 2012|relyear=1986|award=Silver}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|artist=Billy Joel|title=The Bridge|access-date=July 25, 2012|relyear=1986|certyear=1986|award=Silver|id=6808-3083-2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Billy Joel|title=The Bridge|access-date=July 25, 2012|relyear=1986|award=Platinum|number=2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Billy Joel|title=The Bridge|access-date=July 25, 2012|relyear=1986|award=Platinum|number=2}}
{{certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}
{{certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}

==Singles==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
!Year
!Single
!Country
!Chart
!Position
|-
|rowspan="8"|1986
!scope="row" rowspan="3"|"Modern Woman"
|rowspan="3"|United States
|[[Adult Contemporary (chart)|''Billboard'' AC]]<ref name="AC">{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/billy-joel/chart-history/asi/ |title=Billy Joel Chart History: Adult Contemporary |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=September 18, 2020}}</ref>
|7
|-
|[[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name="Hot 100">{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/billy-joel/chart-history/hsi/ |title=Billy Joel Chart History: Hot 100 |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=September 18, 2020}}</ref>
|10
|-
|[[Mainstream Rock Tracks|''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock]]<ref name="Mainstream Rock">{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/billy-joel/chart-history/rtt/ |title=Billy Joel Chart History: Mainstream Rock |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=September 18, 2020}}</ref>
|34
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="5"|"A Matter of Trust"
|Australia
|Kent Music Report
|3
|-
|rowspan="3"|United States
|''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref name="Hot 100" />
|10
|-
|''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock<ref name="Mainstream Rock" />
|14
|-
|''Billboard'' AC<ref name="AC" />
|17
|-
|United Kingdom
|UK Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16696/billy-joel/ |title=BIlly Joel {{!}} full Official Chart History |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=September 18, 2020}}</ref>
|52
|-
|rowspan="5"|1987
!scope="row" rowspan="3"|"This Is the Time"
|rowspan="5"|United States
|''Billboard'' AC<ref name="AC" />
|1
|-
|''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref name="Hot 100" />
|18
|-
|''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock<ref name="Mainstream Rock" />
|32
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"|"Baby Grand"
|''Billboard'' AC<ref name="AC" />
|3
|-
|''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref name="Hot 100" />
|75
|}


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 21:10, 20 November 2024

The Bridge
Studio album by
Billy Joel
ReleasedJuly 25, 1986
Recorded1985–1986
Studio
GenreRock[1]
Length40:06
LabelFamily Productions/Columbia
ProducerPhil Ramone
Billy Joel chronology
Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II
(1985) 		The Bridge
(1986) 		КОНЦЕРТ
(1987)
Singles from The Bridge
  1. "Modern Woman"
    Released: May 1986
  2. "A Matter of Trust"
    Released: July 1986
  3. "This Is the Time"
    Released: November 1986
  4. "Baby Grand"
    Released: March 1987[2]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
Chicago Tribune(Mixed)[4]
Christgau's Record GuideB[5]
Los Angeles Times(Not favorable)[6]
Rolling Stone(Favorable)[1]

The Bridge is the tenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released on July 25, 1986.[7] It was Joel's last studio album produced by Phil Ramone as well as the last to feature Joel's long-time bassist Doug Stegmeyer and rhythm guitarist Russell Javors. The album yielded several successful singles, including "A Matter of Trust" (peaking at No. 10), "Modern Woman" (which also appeared on the Ruthless People soundtrack, peaking at No. 10), and "This Is the Time" (peaking at No. 18).

Background

[edit]

Joel began work on the album—on which two of his major influences (Ray Charles and Steve Winwood) made guest appearances—in 1985. Charles sang a duet with Joel on the song "Baby Grand", and Winwood played Hammond organ on the song "Getting Closer"; Charles and Winwood later covered "Baby Grand" and "Getting Closer" respectively in concert. Other notable musicians who made guest appearances on the album include jazz musicians Ron Carter and Michael Brecker, who both played on the jazzy track "Big Man on Mulberry Street".

The album also had some new wave influences. For instance, the first song, "Running on Ice", is heavily influenced by the music of the Police. Another song particularly influenced by the music of another band, "Modern Woman" borrows heavily from the styles of Huey Lewis and the News. The final song recorded for the album, "Code of Silence", featured Cyndi Lauper who contributed backing vocals and received co-writing credit for the lyrics; she later covered that song herself in concert. Joel would return the favor by contributing backing vocals on Lauper's song "Maybe He'll Know" for her 1986 album True Colors.

The Bridge was Joel's last album to carry the "Family Productions" logo which had appeared on all of Joel's albums up to that time as part of a deal that Columbia Records made to get Joel out of his first recording contract with Artie Ripp's Family Productions. In the closing song of the album—"Getting Closer"—Joel makes several of what are clearly attacks and observations on the iron-clad contract with Ripp, with references to "my stolen youth", "all the conmen and their acrobats who stomped me in the ground", and "I must live up to contracts".

Critical reception

[edit]

Reviewing in Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s (1990), Robert Christgau said: "Maybe [Joel's] youthful lyricism, meaning his knack for the tearjerker, is abandoning him. … Here he's best when he's brassy and literal: failed wise guy in 'Big Man on Mulberry Street,' Ray Charles's coequal on 'Baby Grand.' And even at his most rockin' he's seventy-five years retro whether he likes it or not—whenever he doesn't hit it just right you want to quarantine him for life in Atlantic City."[5]

In a retrospective interview, Joel said: "Not a happy album. I wasn't simpatico with the musicians, some of whom I'd been working with a long time. I don't think the material was good; I was pressured by management to put it out too fast. By the end, I sort of gave up caring, which for me was unusual. I remember reading bad reviews and agreeing with them."[8]

Billy later admitted to Rolling Stone that at the time of the album's writing and recording, he was in no mood to be in the studio, saying "Christie and I had just had Alexa, and I'd have much rather have been home with the baby..." This angst over leaving his wife and daughter at home was poured into the album track "Temptation".

Singles

[edit]
Year Single Country Chart Position
1986 "Modern Woman" United States Billboard AC[9] 7
Billboard Hot 100[10] 10
Billboard Mainstream Rock[11] 34
"A Matter of Trust" Australia Kent Music Report 3
United States Billboard Hot 100[10] 10
Billboard Mainstream Rock[11] 14
Billboard AC[9] 17
United Kingdom UK Singles Chart[12] 52
1987 "This Is the Time" United States Billboard AC[9] 1
Billboard Hot 100[10] 18
Billboard Mainstream Rock[11] 32
"Baby Grand" Billboard AC[9] 3
Billboard Hot 100[10] 75

Track listing

[edit]

All songs composed by Billy Joel, except "Code of Silence" written by Joel and Cyndi Lauper.

Side one

  1. "Running on Ice" – 3:15
  2. "This Is the Time" – 4:59
  3. "A Matter of Trust" – 4:09
  4. "Modern Woman" – 3:48
  5. "Baby Grand" (duet with Ray Charles) – 4:02

Side two

  1. "Big Man on Mulberry Street" – 5:26
  2. "Temptation" – 4:12
  3. "Code of Silence" (backing vocals by Cyndi Lauper) – 5:15
  4. "Getting Closer" – 5:00

Personnel

[edit]
  • Billy Joel – lead and backing vocals, acoustic piano (1–3, 5–9), synthesizers (1–4, 6–8), electric guitar (3), Fender Rhodes (9)
  • David Brown – guitar (1–4, 6, 8, 9), 12-string acoustic guitar (8)
  • Russell Javors – guitar (1–4, 6, 8, 9)
  • Liberty DeVitto – drums (1–4, 6–9), percussion (9)
  • Doug Stegmeyer – bass guitar (1–4, 6, 7, 8)
  • Mark Rivera – tenor saxophone (4), alto saxophone (7)

Additional personnel

Production

  • Producer – Phil Ramone
  • Production coordinator – Joseph D'Ambrosio
  • Engineer – Jim Boyer
  • Associate engineers – Steve Boyer, David Dickson, Bradshaw Leigh and Fred Tenny.
  • Technical support – Ricki Begin, Peter Bergren, Mark Betts, Steve Buller, Cary Butler, Gary Ciuzio, Ed Evans, Bruce Howell, Joe Lopes, Frank Rodriguez, Billy Rothschild, Joe Salvatto, Audrey Tanaka and Phil Vachon.
  • Support system – Barry Bongiovi, Jim Flynn and The Power Station staff.
  • Digitally recorded at The Power Station, Chelsea Sound and RCA Recording Studios (New York, NY); Evergreen Studios (Burbank, CA).
  • Mixed at The Power Station (New York, NY).
  • Mastering by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound (New York, NY).
  • Acoustic piano supplied by Yamaha.
  • Design – Mark Larson
  • Cover painting – Brad Holland
  • Photography – Patrick Demarchelier
  • Sleeve photos – Larry Busacca, Phil Ramone and Charles Reilly.

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[34] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Japan (Oricon Charts) — 250,000[21]
New Zealand (RMNZ)[35] Gold 7,500^
United Kingdom (BPI)[36] Silver 60,000^
United States (RIAA)[37] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Billy Joel: The Bridge". Rolling Stone. September 11, 1986. Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  2. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). Great Rock Discography. Canongate Press. p. 437. ISBN 978-0-86241-541-9.
  3. ^ The Bridge at AllMusic
  4. ^ Brogan, Daniel (September 12, 1986). "Turner Outdoes 'Dancer' With 'break Every Rule' Lp > BILLY JOEL, The Bridge, (Columbia)". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (1990). "Billy Joel". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Pantheon Books. ISBN 0-679-73015-X.
  6. ^ Pond, Steve (August 10, 1986). "RECORD RACK > Billy Bites Off Too Much". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  7. ^ "RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America.
  8. ^ "Billy Joel critiques himself". Ew.com. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d "Billy Joel Chart History: Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c d "Billy Joel Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  11. ^ a b c "Billy Joel Chart History: Mainstream Rock". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  12. ^ "BIlly Joel | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  13. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 156. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  14. ^ "Billy Joel – The Bridge – austriancharts.at" (ASP) (in German). Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  15. ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (August 30, 1986). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. – via Internet Archive. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  16. ^ "Top Albums/CDs – Volume 45, No. 6". RPM. November 1, 1986. Archived from the original (PHP) on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  17. ^ "dutchcharts.nl Billy Joel – The Bridge" (ASP). dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  18. ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (September 6, 1986). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. – via Internet Archive. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  19. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 263. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  20. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved May 31, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Billy Joel".
  21. ^ a b Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  22. ^ "charts.nz – Billy Joel – The Bridge" (ASP). Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  23. ^ "norwegiancharts.com Billy Joel – The Bridge" (ASP). Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  24. ^ "swedishcharts.com Billy Joel – The Bridge" (ASP). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  25. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Billy Joel – The Bridge". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  26. ^ "Billy Joel > Artist > Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  27. ^ "Billy Joel Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  28. ^ "Album Search: Billy Joel – The Bridge" (in German). Media Control. Archived from the original (ASP) on September 3, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  29. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  30. ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums of 1986". RPM. December 27, 1986. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  31. ^ 年間アルバムヒットチャート 1986年（昭和61年） [Japanese Year-End Albums Chart 1986] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  32. ^ "Top 100 Albums of '87". RPM. December 26, 1987. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  33. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums  – Year-End – 1987". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  34. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Billy Joel – The Bridge". Music Canada. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  35. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Billy Joel – The Bridge". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  36. ^ "British album certifications – Billy Joel – The Bridge". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  37. ^ "American album certifications – Billy Joel – The Bridge". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
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