Honesty (Billy Joel song)

"Honesty"
Single by Billy Joel
from the album 52nd Street
B-side "The Mexican Connection"
"Root Beer Rag"
Released 1979
Format 7"
Recorded 1978
Genre Soft rock
Length 3:53
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Billy Joel
Producer(s) Phil Ramone
Certification Gold (RIAJ)
Billy Joel singles chronology
"Big Shot"
(1979)		 "Honesty"
(1979)		 "Until the Night"
(1979)
Music video
"Honesty" on YouTube

"Honesty" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel. Columbia Records released the song as the third single from his sixth studio album 52nd Street (1978) in 1979. "Honesty" was solely written by Joel, while production was handled by Phil Ramone. The song was not included on any of Joel's US-released compilation packages; however, it appears on the Dutch and Japanese editions of Greatest Hits Volume 2, replacing "Don't Ask Me Why" (1980). "Honesty" is a piano ballad that talks about the inherent lack of shame.

The song received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who generally praised its lyrics and piano instrumentation. It also received comparisons to other songs by Joel. "Honesty" peaked at number twenty-four on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the album's third consecutive top forty hit. It was certified gold by Recording Industry Association of Japan for ringtone download sales of over 100,000 units. Joel performed the song live several times with Elton John and later with Bryan Adams. "Honesty" has been covered and sampled by various artists, most notably by American R&B recording artist, Beyoncé Knowles.

Background and composition

"Honesty" was solely written by Billy Joel while production was handled by Phil Ramone.[1] It is the second song from his sixth studio album 52nd Street (1978).[1] The song was also included on South Korean and Japanese edition of Joel's 1985 compilation Greatest Hits Volume 2 as one of the bonus tracks.[2] The song wasn't included on any of Joel's US released compilation packages; however, it appears on the Dutch edition as well as the aforementioned Japanese edition of Greatest Hits Volume 2, instead of "Don't Ask Me Why" (1980).[2] David Spinozza plays the acoustic guitar in the song, Liberty DeVitto plays the drums and Robert Freedman the horn and string orchestration.[1]

"Honesty" is a piano ballad with synthesizer embellishments.[3] It opens with "sad and tender" piano chords.[3] According to Ken Bielen in his book The Words and Music of Billy Joel, Liberty DeVitto's drums and cymbal crashes, remind listeners that "the track is a predecessor of the power ballads of the 1980s and 1990s".[3] It talks about the inherent lack of honesty even in the closest of relationships. In the song Joel sings the lines "Honesty is such a lonely word".[4][5] Joel further sings about wearing his heart on his sleeve in "Honesty".[6] According to Chuck Klosterman of The New York Times, "[the song] implies that the only way you can tell that someone really cares about you is if they tell you you're bad."[7] "Leningrad" (1989), a song from Joel's eleventh studio album Storm Front, has been compared to "Honesty".[8] According to the sheet music published on the website Musicnotes.com by Faber Music, "Honesty" is a pop rock and classical rock song written in the key of B♭ major.[9] The song is set in common time and performed in a slow tempo of 80 beats per minute.[9] Joel‍‍ '​‍s vocals range from the note of Bb3 to A4.[9]

Reception

While reviewing 52nd Street Stephen Thomas Erlewine of the website Allmusic noted that "Honesty" was one of Joel's best songs.[10] Timothy White of Billboard magazine called the song a pensive pop hit.[11] A writer of Rolling Stone felt that "The sweet music of 'Honesty' is sabotaged by trite lyrics".[12] The Phoenix‍ '​s Michael Lawson noted that the song was "well suited for middle-of-the-road tastes".[13] According to Ken Bielen, "'Honesty' is a plea for truth, not only in romantic relationships but also from the politicians who affect our lives."[3] Adam Graham of MTV News described the song as a "big ballad".[14] The song was nominated in the category for Song of the Year at the 22nd Grammy Awards held on February 27, 1980.[15]

"Honesty" peaked at number sixteen on the Canadian Singles Chart.[16] On July 28, 1979 the song debuted at number thirty one on the Dutch Top 40 which later become its peak position.[17] The next week, the song fell seven positions placing at number thirty eight.[17] However on August 11, 1979, "Honesty" charted at number thirty five before falling out of the chart the next week.[17] In New Zealand, "Honesty" debuted at number forty seven, on June 10, 1979 and later peaked at number thirty eight. After its peak position, the song fell out of the chart.[18] On the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US, the song peaked at number twenty four.[19][20] In May 2009, Joel's version was certified gold by Recording Industry Association of Japan for ringtone download sales of over 100,000 units.[21]

Live performances

Joel performed the song with Elton John at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey in July 1994. First, they sang "Your Song" (1970) by John and after that they performed "Honesty" while playing on the piano.[22] "Honesty" was also performed by John and Joel on March 29, 1995 in SkyDome, Toronto.[23] The same routine was performed in May 1998 in Dublin.[24] On July 31, 2006, Joel performed the song at a free concert, at the Colosseum, Rome, Italy.[25][26]

Credits and personnel

Credits for "Honesty" are taken from 52nd Street liner notes.[1]

Track listing

  1. "Honesty" – 3:53
  2. "The Mexican Connection" – 3:38
  1. "Honesty" – 3:53
  2. "Root Beer Rag" – 2:59
  1. "Honesty"
  2. "My Life"

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (1979) Peak
position
Canadian Singles Chart[16] 16
Finnish Singles Chart[29] 29
France (French single)[30] 1
Italian Singles Chart[31] 36
Japan Oricon Singles Chart[32] 53
align="left"Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] 31
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[18] 38
South African Singles Chart[33] 8
align="left"US Billboard Hot 100[19] 24

Certifications

Region Certification
Japan (RIAJ)[34]
CD Single		 Gold
Japan (RIAJ)[21]
Digital format: Chaku Uta Full		 Gold
France (SNEP)[35] Gold

Cover versions

Belgian jazz musician, Toots Thielemans, recorded a harmonica instrumental cover version of the song with a five-piece combo at Nippon Columbia's Grand Studio in Tokyo, Japan in 1979.[3] "Honesty" has been particularly popular in South Korea and Japan for decades and covered by East Asian musicians including Hajime Mizoguchi on his album yours;tears (2007),[36] and K on his album The Timeless Collection Vol. 1 (2007).[37] In 1981, Mexican singer David Haro recorded under the title "Sinceridad" from the album Calido.[38] "From Marcy to Hollywood", a song by American rappers Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek and Sauce Money from the soundtrack album The Players Club, (1998) featured a sample of "Honesty".[39] During his audutions for Fox's Glee, Canadian actor Cory Monteith sang "Honesty".[40] Fellow Glee actor Kevin McHale, as his character Artie Abrams, covered the song in the show's 2013 tribute episode "Movin' Out". In 2010, Swedish singer Helen Sjöholm covered the song for her 2010 album Euforia – Helen Sjöholm sjunger Billy Joel under the title "Ärlighet".[41] Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal sings a cover of the song in the 2005 film Happy Endings.

In March 2012, eleventh season contestant of American Idol, Hollie Cavanagh, covered the song. Her performance received mixed reviews from the judges of the show, who said that she was "a little pitchy" and added that she seemed to be "overthinking" the song.[42] Amy Reiter of Los Angeles Times noted that "her clear, crisp tone, crashed and burned on 'Honesty,' missing notes and losing her way".[42] Laura Prudom of The Huffington Post was mixed about her performance writing, "She was occasionally pitchy on this song, and seemed to be overthinking it in parts and allowing the song to overwhelm her... Unusually, she seemed both nasal and pitchy in the early parts of the performance... her choice of a pantsuit was completely baffling, since it made her look nearer 40 than 20."[43] Later, during an interview, Cavanagh revealed that she had difficulties singing the song because she had never heard it before.[44][45]

Beyoncé Knowles version

Beyoncé Knowles (pictured; 2008) covered "Honesty" for her album I Am... Sasha Fierce

In 2008, American recording artist, Beyoncé Knowles re-recorded Billy Joel's version of the song produced by Scott Storch for a compilation album of her former group Destiny's Child, titled Mathew Knowles & Music World Present Vol.1: Love Destiny.[46][47][48] The song was later included on the platinum edition of her third solo album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008).[49][50][51] Pip Ellwood of Entertainment Focus described Knowles' version of the song as a "turgid" ballad that doesn't "add too much to the record".[52] Serving as the sixteenth track to Knowles' platinum edition re-release of I Am... Sasha Fierce, the song contrasts with previous tracks such as "Why Don't You Love Me".[53] It showcases Knowles' "soulful" voice and "outstanding" vocal range as stated by Hannah Spencer of the website Allgigs.[53] Ken Bielen in his book The Words and Music of Billy Joel wrote, "Backed primarily by an electronic keyboard and an urban rhythm and blues arrangement, she stays faithful to the original ballad with a bittersweet vocal performance."[3] "Honesty" was performed during Knowles' concert at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul on October 20, 2009 as part of her worldwide I Am... Tour (2009–10).[54] The song became very popular on the South Korea Gaon International charts, peaking at number two.[55] It became the 9th and 173rd best-selling single in 2010 and 2011 in South Korea respectively selling over 800,000 digital downloads.[56][57]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
South Korea Gaon International Chart[58] 2
Chart (2011) Peak
position
South Korea Gaon International Chart[59] 2

Year-end charts

Chart (2010) Position
South Korea Gaon International Chart[56] 9
Chart (2011) Position
South Korea Gaon International Chart[57] 173

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Joel, Billy (1978). 52nd Street (Compact Disc). Billy Joel. Family Productions/Columbia Records.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sources for the Dutch and Japanese editions of Greatest Hits Volume 2:
    • Greatest Hits Volume 2 (Dutch Edition). Billy Joel. Columbia Records. 1985.
    • Greatest Hits Volume 2 (Japanese Edition). Billy Joel. Columbia Records. 1985.
    • Greatest Hits Volume 2 (South Korean Edition). Billy Joel. Columbia Records. 1985.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Bielen, Ken (2011). The Words and Music of Billy Joel. p. 131. ISBN 9780313380167. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  4. ↑ Marvez, Alex (March 11, 2011). "Lack of trust hurts NFL talks". Herald Sun (The Herald and Weekly Times. News Corporation). Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  5. ↑ Norman, Matthew (October 20, 2011). "Rugby World Cup 2011: Well done Warren Gatland, you honestly cost Wales the World Cup". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  6. ↑ Moore, Rick (February 20, 2012). "Tommy Womack: Now What!". American Songwriter. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  7. ↑ Klosterman, Chuck (September 15, 2002). "The Stranger". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  8. ↑ Holden, Stephen (October 18, 1989). "The Pop Life". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Joel, Billy (1978). "Billy Joel - Honesty Sheet Music (Digital Download)". Musicnotes.com. Faber Music. MN0043571.
  10. ↑ Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "52nd Street - Billy Joel". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  11. ↑ White, Timothy (December 3, 1994). "A portrait of The Artist". Billboard (Prometheus Global Media): 14. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Billy Joel: Album Guide". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  13. ↑ Lawson, Michael (November 25, 1978). "Billy Joel - 52nd Street, Columbia". The Phoenix (Phoenix Media/Communications Group). p. 69. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  14. ↑ Graham, Adam (March 21, 2012). "'American Idol' Top 10 In A Billy Joel State Of Mind". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  15. ↑ Arar, Yardena (January 9, 1980). "Grammy awards field a definite mixed bag". The Spokesman-Review. Cowles Publishing Company. p. 70. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Top Singles - Volume 31, No. 11, June 09 1979". Library and Archives Canada. June 9, 1979. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 "Dutchcharts.nl – Billy Joel – Honesty" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Charts.org.nz – Billy Joel – Honesty". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Billy Joel Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Billy Joel. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  20. ↑ Serpick, Evan. "Billy Joel: Biography". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 財団法人　日本レコード協会 > 各種統計 > 有料音楽配信認定 > 2009年5月 "(RIAJ - Statistics - Music Download Certification Awards - May 2009)" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  22. ↑ Strauss, Neil (July 25, 1994). "POP REVIEW; Elton John and Billy Joel: So Alike, So Different". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  23. ↑ Sakamoto, John (April 30, 1995). "Concert Review: SkyDome, Toronto - Mar 29, 1995". Jam!. Sun Media. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  24. ↑ Hooper, Niamh (May 30, 1998). "Polished piano pair serenade fans with face to face concert". Irish Independent (Independent News and Media). Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  25. ↑ "Joel And Adams Team Up For Free Concert". Contactmusic.com. August 1, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  26. ↑ The Associated Press (August 1, 2006). "Billy Joel, Bryan Adams Perform Free Show". Fox News Channel. News Corporation. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  27. ↑ Honesty (US single, 7"). Billy Joel. United States: Columbia Records. 1979.
  28. ↑ Honesty (Dutch single, 7"). Billy Joel. United States: Columbia Records. 1979.
  29. ↑ 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.
  30. ↑ "Infodisc: Bilan J". Infodisc.fr. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Hitparade Italia: Per Interprete" (in Italian). Hitparade Italia. Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana.
  32. ↑ Okamoto, Satoshi (2006). Oricon Single Chart Book: Complete Edition 1968-2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. ISBN 4-87131-076-0.
  33. ↑ ""Honesty" on the South African Singles Chart". Springbok Radio. May 4, 1979. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
  34. ↑ "Japanese single certifications – ビリー・ジョエル – オネスティ" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan.
  35. ↑ "French single certifications – Billy Joel – Honesty" (in French). InfoDisc. Select BILLY JOEL and click OK
  36. ↑ "Hajime Mizoguchi - yours;tears". CD Japan. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  37. ↑ The Timeless Collection Vol. 1 (Compact Disc). K. Studioseven Recordings. 2007.
  38. ↑ Calido (Compact Disc). David Haro. 1981.
  39. ↑ The Players Club (Compact Disc). Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek and Sauce Money. Heavyweight/A&M. 1998.
  40. ↑ "Glee's song and dance all new for Cory Monteith". CBC.ca. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 18, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  41. ↑ Euforia – Helen Sjöholm sjunger Billy Joel (Compact Disc). Helen Sjöholm. Universal Music Group. 2010. 060252753381.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Reiter, Amy (March 22, 2012). "'American Idol' recap: The top 10 take on Billy Joel (Poll)". Los Angeles Times. Gannett Company. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  43. ↑ Prudom, Laura (March 22, 2012). "'American Idol' Recap: The Top 10 Perform The Songs Of Billy Joel". The Huffington Post. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  44. ↑ Deerwester, Jayme (May 11, 2012). "Hollie's exit interview: 'Something was just different'". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  45. ↑ Amabile Angermiller, Michele (May 11, 2012). "'American Idol' Castoff Hollie Cavanagh Stands by Her Song Choice, Despite Jimmy Iovine's Criticism". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  46. ↑ "Mathew Knowles and Music World Present, Vol. 1: Love Destiny". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  47. ↑ "Mathew Knowles and Music World Present, Vol. 1: Love Destiny". Amazon.com. Amazon Inc. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  48. ↑ Mathew Knowles & Music World Present Vol.1: Love Destiny (Compact Disc). Destiny's Child. Columbia Records. 2008.
  49. ↑ "I Am...Sasha Fierce (Platinum Edition)". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  50. ↑ "I Am...Sasha Fierce [Platinum Edition]". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  51. ↑ I Am... Sasha Fierce (Platinum Edition). Beyoncé Knowles. Columbia Records. 2008. 0088697417352.
  52. ↑ Ellwood, Pip (November 7, 2008). "Beyonce - I Am...Sasha Fierce Platinum Edition". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 Spencer, Hannah. "I Am... Sasha Fierce - Beyoncé Platinum Album Review". Allgigs. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  54. ↑ Beyoncé Knowles (October 20, 2009). I Am... Tour. Olympic Gymnastics Arena, Seoul, South Korea.
  55. ↑ "Honesty Debuts At Number 2 In Korea". Gaon Chart. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 "Annual South Korea International Chart - 2010". Gaon Chart. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 "Annual South Korea International Chart - 2011". Gaon Chart. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  58. ↑ "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: January 3, 2010 to January 9, 2010)". Gaon Chart. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  59. ↑ "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: July 24, 2011 to July 30, 2011)". Gaon Chart. Retrieved March 19, 2012.

External links