Don’t miss the two-part docuseries ‘Billy Joel: And So It Goes’
Don’t miss the two-part docuseries ‘Billy Joel: And So It Goes’
The new HBO doc will feature previously unforeseen performance videos and raw interviews with the piano man.
His songs have created the soundtrack to music lovers’ lives for over half a century, and finally, Billy Joel is telling his full, unedited story. The new two-part documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” will premiere on HBO and HBO Max on Friday, July 18 at 8 p.m. ET, with Part Two airing a week later. The doc will feature previously unseen performance footage and home videos, as well as interviews with Joel himself and the most important people in both his personal and professional lives. You can watch “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” with a subscription to HBO Max.
How to watch ‘Billy Joel: And So It Goes’
- When: Part One: Friday, July 18 at 8 p.m. ET | Part Two: Friday, July 25 at 8 p.m. ET
- TV: HBO
- Stream: Watch with a HBO Max.
- From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.
Everything you need to know about ‘Billy Joel: And So It Goes’
When does ‘Billy Joel: And So It Goes’ come out?
“Billy Joel: And So It Goes” is a two-part documentary series. The first installment will air on HBO and HBO Max at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, July 18. The second will premiere a week later at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, July 25. Both parts of the documentary will run two hours and 24 minutes.
Will you be able to stream ‘Billy Joel: And So It Goes’ for free?
Unfortunately, no. HBO Max does not currently offer a free trial of any length; however, Warner Bros. Discovery’s flagship streaming service does have multiple subscription tiers, so you can pick the one that best fits your budget.
HBO Max’s ad-supported tier costs $10 per month, so if you don’t mind a few commercials mixed into your doc, then this is a pretty good deal. The streamer also has a pair of ad-free options if you prefer a more premium viewing experience. The base ad-free tier is $17 monthly, while the Ultimate Ad-Free option costs $21 per month.
HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
Watch a trailer for ‘Billy Joel: And So It Goes’
What is ‘Billy Joel: And So It Goes’ about?
In a new two-part documentary packed with rare footage, candid interviews, and more than a few emotional gut punches, fans will be able to get the full, in-depth story of Billy Joel’s life and career. In “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and six-time GRAMMY winner opens up like never before, giving fans unprecedented access to the piano man.
With a legendary career of over six decades of iconic songs and unforgettable stage performances, the doc pulls back the curtain on the superstar, from the early Long Island family drama that shaped his worldview, to the hits that defined multiple generations. “And So It Goes” will feature dozens of unreleased performances, old home movies, and raw one-on-one interviews with Joel himself.
The singer will also tell the full backstories of such hits as “Just the Way You Are” and “Uptown Girl,” and yes, they are just as personal as you’d imagine. Whether it’s first loves, musical betrayals, or career-defining moments, Joel’s life and art are inextricably linked — and this documentary doesn’t shy away from the messier parts of either.
In addition to with Joel, the filmmakers also spoke to some of the most influential people in the performers personal and professional lives, including friend and former collaborator Jon Small, ex-wife and former manager Elizabeth Weber, ex-wives Christie Brinkley and Katie Lee, daughter Alexa Ray Joel, wife Alexis Roderick Joel, members of his band, and musical contemporaries, such as Bruce Springsteen, Sting, John Mellencamp, Nas, Pink, Garth Brooks, Paul McCartney, and more.
What will the first part of ‘Billy Joel: And So It Goes’ be about?
While you might not expect it from someone who has accomplished as much as he has, even as he approaches his 80s, Billy Joel is still figuring things out.
In the first part of “And So It Goes,” Joel reflects on a childhood marked by the absence of his father and a working-class upbringing on Long Island. The singer-songwriter traces the emotional through-line that shaped his life and music and owns up to his missteps, both personal and professional.
Joel details how his earliest songwriting successes were fueled by the whirlwind relationship with his first wife, Elizabeth Weber. With candid commentary from collaborators and peers, Joel breaks down how a pivotal business deal led to the creation of “Piano Man,” the song that would launch him into the mainstream. Despite his commercial success, Joel’s path hasn’t exactly been smooth.
He’s brutally honest about his rocky relationship with critics, his struggles with alcohol, and the emotional toll of a complicated personal life. A serious motorcycle crash nearly took away his ability to play piano, leaving his future as a performer hanging in the balance. But as the documentary shows, resilience has always been part of the Billy Joel story. Through decades of triumphs and setbacks, he kept turning life into music — even when it nearly broke him.
What will the second part of ‘Billy Joel: And So It Goes’ be about?
With the release of “The Nylon Curtain” in 1982, Billy Joel took a sharp creative turn, channeling the anxieties and ambitions of working-class America through tracks like “Allentown” and “Goodnight Saigon.”
No longer content with just writing hits, he dug deeper, wrestling with personal history, including a long-awaited reunion with his estranged father and uncovering the harrowing journey of his Jewish grandparents escaping Nazi Germany, which helped shape the haunting ballad “Vienna.”
After years of relentless touring, Joel found a brief reprieve in St. Barths, where a chance meeting with Christie Brinkley led both to their marriage and one of his most iconic songs, “Uptown Girl.”
But fame was never something Joel fully embraced. Behind the hits and high-profile romances was an artist constantly recalibrating — navigating heartbreak, business pitfalls, and the exhausting demands of celebrity.
Still, Joel found ways to evolve, whether through his collaboration with Elton John, a return to classical composition, or his record-breaking Madison Square Garden residency. Now, with the steady support of his wife Alexis Roderick Joel and their children, he’s settled into a new rhythm — one where the stage remains a sanctuary, and the music keeps telling the story he’s still writing.
Billy Joel: And So It Goes
An expansive portrait of the life and music of Billy Joel, exploring the love, loss, and personal struggles that fuel his songwriting. With unprecedented access to never-before-seen performances, home movies, and personal photographs, along with extensive, in-depth one-on-one interviews, the documentary intimately explores the life and work of Joel, whose music has endured across generations.