Billy Joel is back. The 74-year-old legendary musician performed his first new pop song in decades, “Turn the Lights Back On,” at the 2024 Grammy Awards on Sunday.
Wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses, he played the new tune on a grand piano alongside his longtime touring band and a string section. The song, which he co-wrote with Justin Bieber/Ariana Grande songwriter Freddy Wexler, is both a love ballad and a message to his loyal fans, who have long waited for another new tune.
I’m late, but I’m here right now / And I’m trying to find the magic / That we lost somehow,” Joel sings in the chorus. “Maybe I was blind / But I see you now.”
The crowd rewarded Billy Joel with a warm response and a standing ovation, as he smiled and gave a humble bow. Host Trevor Noah praised him as “one of the greats” and announced that he would return later to close the show.
And he did. After Taylor Swift won the Album of the Year award, Joel came back to the stage for a rocking rendition of his 1980 classic “You May Be Right.” He showed off his skills on the keys and his voice sounded strong as ever. He ended the night with a bang, as confetti rained down on the audience and the stage.
Billy Joel’s Grammys appearance marked his first televised performance of his new single, which he dropped on February 1st. It was also his first Grammy performance since 2002, when he sang “New York State of Mind” with Tony Bennett.
He has won six Grammys and received an impressive 23 nominations in his career. He also received the Grammy Legend Award in 1991.
