Storm Front (album)
Encyclopedia
Storm Front is the 11th studio album by Billy Joel
. Released in 1989 (see 1989 in music
), the album featured one of Joel's three #1 hits, "We Didn't Start the Fire
", a fast-paced song, mentioning some of the major historical events that took place in his time, and "Leningrad
", Joel's take on the end of the Cold War.
"I Go to Extremes", a song describing the ups and downs of his life, placed at #6. Other songs that placed in the top 100 were "And So It Goes" (#37), "The Downeaster 'Alexa'" (#57), and "That's Not Her Style" (#77). The cover depicts a storm warning
flag.
), both Russell Javors
and Doug Stegmeyer
were discharged from guitarist and bassist duties. Javors was replaced with Joey Hunting and Foreigner
's Mick Jones, while Stegmeyer was replaced by Schuyler Deale. Band regulars Liberty DeVitto, David Brown and Mark Rivera
were retained.
| style="width:35px; text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|1990 ||rowspan=3|"We Didn't Start the Fire" || Song of the Year
||
|-
| Record of the Year
||
|-
| Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male
||
|-
| style="width:35px; text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|1991 || "Storm Front" || Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male ||
|-
| Storm Front (produced by Billy Joel and Mick Jones) || Producer of the Year (Non-Classical)
||
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
. Released in 1989 (see 1989 in music
1989 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:*January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR...
), the album featured one of Joel's three #1 hits, "We Didn't Start the Fire
We Didn't Start the Fire
"We Didn't Start the Fire" is a song by Billy Joel. Its lyrics are made up from rapid-fire brief allusions to over a hundred headline events between March 1949 and 1989, when the song was released on his album Storm Front...
", a fast-paced song, mentioning some of the major historical events that took place in his time, and "Leningrad
Leningrad (song)
"Leningrad" is a 1989 song written and performed by American singer and songwriter Billy Joel. The song was originally released on his album Storm Front on the Columbia Records label, and went on to be released as a single. It was also released on his Greatest Hits, Vol. 3 compilation. The song...
", Joel's take on the end of the Cold War.
"I Go to Extremes", a song describing the ups and downs of his life, placed at #6. Other songs that placed in the top 100 were "And So It Goes" (#37), "The Downeaster 'Alexa'" (#57), and "That's Not Her Style" (#77). The cover depicts a storm warning
Storm warning
At sea, a storm warning is a warning issued by the National Weather Service of the United States when winds between 48 knots and 63 knots are occurring or predicted to occur soon. The winds must not be associated with a tropical cyclone...
flag.
Track listing
All songs written by Billy Joel.- "That's Not Her StyleThat's Not Her Style"That's Not Her Style" is a song by Billy Joel released as the fifth single from his album Storm Front, as well as the opening track on the album. It was written for Joel's then-wife Christie Brinkley....
" – 5:10 - "We Didn't Start the FireWe Didn't Start the Fire"We Didn't Start the Fire" is a song by Billy Joel. Its lyrics are made up from rapid-fire brief allusions to over a hundred headline events between March 1949 and 1989, when the song was released on his album Storm Front...
" – 4:50 - "The Downeaster 'Alexa'The Downeaster Alexa"The Downeaster 'Alexa" is a song originally released in 1989 on Billy Joel's eleventh studio album Storm Front. The album itself went to number one while the fourth single "The Downeaster 'Alexa'" placed at #57 in the Billboard Hot 100. The song was included on Billy Joel's Greatest Hits Vol...
" – 3:44 - "I Go to ExtremesI Go to Extremes"I Go to Extremes" is the fourth track on Billy Joel's 1989 album, Storm Front. It was released as the second single from the album in 1990. It peaked at the number six position on the Billboard Hot 100, and at #70 on the UK chart. The song was also a top ten hit on both the Adult Contemporary...
" – 4:23 - "ShamelessShameless (song)"Shameless" is the title of a song written by American singer Billy Joel and recorded on his 1989 album Storm Front. His version was a #40 single on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts. Two years later, the song was covered by country music artist Garth Brooks on his third studio album, 1991's...
" – 4:26 - "Storm Front" – 5:17
- "LeningradLeningrad (song)"Leningrad" is a 1989 song written and performed by American singer and songwriter Billy Joel. The song was originally released on his album Storm Front on the Columbia Records label, and went on to be released as a single. It was also released on his Greatest Hits, Vol. 3 compilation. The song...
" – 4:06 - "State of Grace" – 4:30
- "When in Rome" – 4:44
- "And So It GoesAnd So It Goes"And So It Goes" is a ballad written by Billy Joel in 1983, though it wasn't released until six years later. It appeared as the tenth and final track of his megahit album Storm Front. The original 1983 demo was released on the 2005 box set My Lives. Joel wrote the song about a doomed relationship...
" – 3:38
Cover versions
- In 1991, Garth BrooksGarth BrooksTroyal Garth Brooks , best known as Garth Brooks, is an American country music artist who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart...
recorded "Shameless" on his album Ropin' the WindRopin' the WindRopin' the Wind is the third studio album by American country music artist Garth Brooks. It was released on September 10, 1991 and was his first studio album to debut at #1 the Billboard 200 chart and the Top Country Albums chart...
. Brooks' cover version was also released as a single and reached the top of the U.S. country chartsHot Country SongsHot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
, and also entered the UK Singles Chart. - Paul AnkaPaul AnkaPaul Albert Anka, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor.Anka first became famous as a teen idol in the late 1950s and 1960s with hit songs like "Diana'", "Lonely Boy", and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder"...
covered "I Go to Extremes" on his 2007 album Classic Songs, My WayClassic Songs, My WayClassic Songs, My Way is a 2007 album by Paul Anka. It follows the same formula of his previous album, 2005's Rock Swings.- Track listing :Original Writers/Performers appear in parenthesisDisc 1 - My Way# "Time After Time"...
. - Jennifer WarnesJennifer WarnesJennifer Jean Warnes is an American singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer. She is known for her interpretations of compositions written by herself and many others, as well as an extensive playlist as a vocalist on movie soundtracks.Between 1979 and 1987 Warnes surpassed Frank Sinatra as...
covered "And So It Goes" for her 2001 album The Well.
Production
- Producer: Billy Joel and Mick Jones
- Mixed: Tom Lord-AlgeTom Lord-AlgeTom Lord-Alge is a four-time Grammy Award–winning record producer and mixer. He is the youngest of Vivian Lord's five children, Mark Lord-Alge, Lisa Lord-Alge, Chris Lord-Alge, Jeff Lord-Alge and Tom Lord-Alge...
& Jay Healy - Engineered: Dana Becker, Tim Crich, Jay Healy, Suzanne Hollander, Joe Pirrera & Gary Solomon
- Mastered: Ted JensenTed JensenTed Jensen is an American recording engineer. Jensen is the chief mastering engineer at Sterling Sound. He started his career as a mastering engineer in 1976 and is currently the most active Mastering Engineer in the industry...
Band Personnel
Storm Front marked a radical change in Joel's support band. Since his last studio album (The BridgeThe Bridge (Billy Joel album)
The Bridge is Billy Joel's 10th studio album released by Columbia Records in 1986 and was his final album to be produced by Phil Ramone...
), both Russell Javors
Russell Javors
Russell Javors is an American rock guitarist. He is best known as a primary guitarist for Billy Joel from 1976 to 1989.-Career:...
and Doug Stegmeyer
Doug Stegmeyer
Doug Stegmeyer was a musician best known as the bassist for Billy Joel.-Career:Doug Stegmeyer met Russell Javors in high school. At age 15, Javors was performing songs with childhood friend Liberty DeVitto. From then, the boys, along with Howard Emerson, formed the band Topper.Together they...
were discharged from guitarist and bassist duties. Javors was replaced with Joey Hunting and Foreigner
Foreigner (band)
Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in 1976 by veteran English musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm...
's Mick Jones, while Stegmeyer was replaced by Schuyler Deale. Band regulars Liberty DeVitto, David Brown and Mark Rivera
Mark Rivera
Mark Rivera is a musician, musical director and corporate entertainment provider. In addition to playing soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, Rivera's musical talents encompass vocals, guitar, percussion and keyboards.-Education:...
were retained.
- Billy Joel: Vocal, Piano, Clavinet, Accordion, Hammond Organ, Harpsichord, Organ, Synthesizers, Percussion
- Liberty DeVittoLiberty DeVittoLiberty DeVitto is an American rock drummer. He is best known as the drummer for Billy Joel, but has also played with the NYC Hit Squad and has been a session drummer on recordings of other artists.-Career:...
: Drums, Percussion - David Brown:David Brown (musician)David Brown was the primary bass guitar player for the band Santana from 1966 until 1971, then again from 1973 until 1976. David grew up in Daly City, California...
Guitar, Guitars, Midi Guitar Solo on Storm Front - Joey Hunting: Guitar
- Mick JonesMick Jones (Foreigner)Michael Leslie "Mick" Jones is an English guitarist, songwriter, and record producer best known as the founding member of the rock band Foreigner.-Life and career:...
: Guitar on Storm Front, Guitar Solo on State of Grace - Schuyler Deale: Bass
- Jeff JacobsJeff JacobsJeff Jacobs is a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives. He is currently the mayor of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis.-References:...
: Synthesizers, Horn Arrangement - Don Brooks: Harmonica
- John MahoneyJohn MahoneyJohn Mahoney is a British born American actor, known for playing Martin "Marty" Crane, the retired police officer, father of Kelsey Grammer's Dr...
: Keyboards, Keyboard Programming - Crystal TalieferoCrystal TalieferoCrystal Taliefero is an American multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. Since 1989 she has been a touring and recording member of the Billy Joel Band...
: Percussion - Sammy Merendino: Electronic Percussion
- Kevin Jones: Keyboard Programming
- Doug Kleeger: Sound Effects
- Dominic Cortese: Accordion
- World Famous Incognito Violinist: Fiddle
- Lenny Pickett: Saxophone
- Andrew LoveAndrew LoveAndrew Love is an American actor and voice actor who work for Funimation Entertainment, ADV Films, Seraphim Digital, and OkraTron 5000. He graduated from the University of Houston with a B.A. degree in acting and directing...
, Wayne Jackson: The Memphis HornsThe Memphis HornsThe Memphis Horns are an American horn section made famous by their many appearances on Stax Records. They have been called "arguably the greatest soul horn section ever." Originally a sextet, the Memphis Horns gradually slimmed down to a duo, Wayne Jackson on trumpet and Andrew Love on tenor... - Bill Zampino: Choral Arrangement
- Chuck ArnoldChuck ArnoldChuck Arnold was an American racecar driver. Arnold drove sporadically in the USAC Championship Car series, racing between 1959 and 1968, with 11 starts, including the 1959 Indianapolis 500...
: Choral Leader - Arif MardinArif MardinArif Mardin was a Turkish-American music producer, who worked with hundreds of artists across many different styles of music, including jazz, rock, soul, disco, and country...
: Orchestral Arrangement - Background Vocals: Billy Joel, Mick Jones, Richard MarxRichard MarxRichard Noel Marx is an American adult contemporary and pop/rock singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He had a string of hit singles in the late 1980s and 1990s, including "Endless Summer Nights", "Right Here Waiting", "Now and Forever", and "Hazard"...
, Crystal Taliefero, Jeff Jacobs, Patricia Darcy-Jones, Frank Floyd, Brian Ruggles, Joe Lynn Turner, Ian Lloyd, Brenda White King, Curtis King
Grammy Awards
|-| style="width:35px; text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|1990 ||rowspan=3|"We Didn't Start the Fire" || Song of the Year
Grammy Award for Song of the Year
The Song of the Year is one of the four most prestigious awards in the Grammy Awards ceremony, if not in all of the American music industry. It has been awarded since 1959 and unlike the Record of the Year award, which goes to the performer and production team of a single song, Song of the Year...
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|-
| Record of the Year
Grammy Award for Record of the Year
The Record of the Year is one of the four most prestigious Grammy Awards presented annually. It has been awarded since 1959.-History:The honorees through its history have been:*1959-1965: Artist only.*1966-1998: Artist and producer....
||
|-
| Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male
Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance was awarded between 1966 and 2011...
||
|-
| style="width:35px; text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|1991 || "Storm Front" || Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male ||
|-
| Storm Front (produced by Billy Joel and Mick Jones) || Producer of the Year (Non-Classical)
Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
The Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical has been awarded since 1975. The award had several minor name changes:*from 1975 to 1977, the award was known as Best Producer of the Year...
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Peak positions
| Chart (1989-90) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Albums Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
1 |
| United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
1 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
5 |
| German Media Control Albums Chart | 5 |
| Japanese Oricon Albums Chart Oricon , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc... |
8 |
| New Zealand Albums Chart | 9 |
| Austrian Albums Chart Ö3 Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 is the name of the official Austrian singles chart, as well as the radio show which presents it, aired Fridays on Hitradio Ö3. The show presents the Austrian singles, ringtones and downloads chart. It premiered on 26 November 1968 as Disc Parade and was presented by Ernst Grissemann... |
10 |
| Dutch Mega Albums Chart MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
14 |
| Swiss Albums Chart Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
30 |
Certifications and sales
Year-end charts
| Chart (1989) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart | 41 |
| UK Albums Chart | 73 |
| Chart (1990) | Position |
| U.S. Billboard Year-end | 10 |