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Billy Joel in Iraq State of Mind
Billy Joel took on the Vietnam War in "Goodnight Saigon." Now the Piano Man has emerged from semiretirement to tackle Iraq.
Sort of.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's latest single, "Christmas in Fallujah," premiered Tuesday on iTunes Dec. 4.
But not only is the track pianoless, it's also devoid of Joel's vocals. Instead, the pop legend has passed singing duties to Cass Dillon, a 21-year-old upstart singer-songwriter from his native Long Island.
On his Website, Joel said the song was inspired by letters he received from soldiers who have taken solace in his tunes during their tours in the war-torn country. He combined their sentiments with his own impressions of the battle.
"We came with the crusaders to save the Holy Land," goes one verse. "It's Christmas in Fallujah, and no one gives a damn."
"I thought it should be [sung by] somebody young, about a soldier's age," the 58-year-old Joel explained. "I wanted to help somebody else's career. I've had plenty of hits. I've had plenty of airplay. I've had my time in the sun. I think it's time for somebody else, maybe, to benefit from my own experience."
Joel was first introduced to Dillon through Tommy Byrnes. Joel's longtime guitarist and the musical consultant for the Broadway tuner Movin' Out has served as a mentor to the younger musician.
Joel and Byrnes flew the newcomer—who has mostly played bars and coffee shops in his short career, often covering Joel's hits—to San Francisco in October. The trio recorded "Christmas in Fallujah" on Nov. 11, Veterans Day.
Joel and Dillon premiered the song together onstage in Chicago Dec. 1.
"I feel so honored and blessed to have this opportunity," Dillon said. "When someone of that stature, with that history of great songs behind him with such a huge catalog asks you to sing something he's written, there's nothing you can do but be completely honored to perform."
Net proceeds generated from downloads of "Christmas in Fallujah" will be donated to Home for Our Troops, a nonprofit that builds specially adapted homes for severely disabled veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition to "Christmas in Fallujah," iTunes has also released a six-song EP of original Dillon compositions, A Good Thing Never Dies.
Although Joel hasn't released a studio album in the longest time, "Christmas in Fallujah" is the second tune he's written in the past year. He wrote and recorded "All My Life" as an anniversary present to his new wife, Katie Lee Joel. The track was released in February—his first pop single since 1993's River of Dreams album.
Meanwhile, the ivory tickler, who performed the National Anthem at the Super Bowl earlier this year, has also contributed a track to Five for Fighting frontman John Ondrasik's CD for the Troops, a free compilation produced exclusively for military personnel. Along with Five's hit "100 Years," the disc also includes Joel's 1977 cut "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," Sarah McLachlan's "Wintersong," Josh Groban's "February Song" and the Fray's "How to Save a Life."
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