Billy Joel returned to the Grammy Awards stage at the 66th annual ceremony to perform his new single “Turn the Lights Back On.” The emotional performance, complete with a live orchestra, showcased Joel’s soulful vocals as he serenaded the crowd with his latest romantic ballad.
Prior to his performance, Joel reflected on his break from songwriting and how Freddy Wexler convinced him to start writing and recording music again after a two-year hiatus. Joel shared that Wexler helped him find joy in songwriting again after feeling like he had lost it for a while.
Joel’s performance at the Grammys marked his first in 22 years, and “Turn the Lights Back On” is his first solo song in 17 years. The song was co-written by Joel, Wexler, Wayne Hector, and Arthur Bacon. Joel’s last solo release was in 2007 and his last full-length album was in 2011.
Throughout his career, Joel has been nominated for 23 Grammy awards and has won six times. His first win was in 1979 for “Just the Way You Are,” and his most recent nomination was in 2002 for “New York State of Mind,” a re-recording with Tony Bennett.