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The Story Behind: Billy Joel - The Stranger, Ep. 247
Episode 24716th February 2026 • 1001 Album Complaints • The Chop Unlimited
00:00:00 01:44:27

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Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Billy Joel was an underground success playing to small theaters around America when he decided to take his road band into the studio to create his breakout success The Stranger. The team get together to discuss clarinet solos, working class singalongs, and the concept within a concept album that Phil dreamt about one time.

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Listen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0snQ6XSGhqzbAB6Tf6lGWL?si=3cfe1ccb5e3849ac

Listen to The Stranger here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/3IILMjMMnoN2sKzgesX8KV?si=yX85IYJaS_yJjyTOLufgGg

Intro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly Crushers

Outro music: After the Afterlife by MEGA

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Next week's album: Can - Tago Mago

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