Popular bands or artists most people love...but you can't stand

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108. billy joel is a mixed bag for me.

i really like his piano work, he puts some real talent into his rock songs.

too many rock piano players, like elton john, are actually quite talented but the piano playing in their songs are nothing impressive.
billy joel has some songs like that as well, of course, but he also has some songs that really show off his talent (root beer rag, e.g.)

his songs are generally a bit to schmaltzy for me, and the more rocking songs sound like he wants to be a tough, rough, bruce springsteen rocker but it just doesn't fit.

then again, there are a few gems in there, especially if you like composition. billy joel learned classical music and it shows in his songwriting.

root beer rag
and so it goes
goodnight saigon
if i only had the words (to tell you)
tell her about it -- great song, though it got way overplayed
the longest time
shameless
the downeaster "alexa"
this night (the melody in the chorus is from beethoven's pathetique)