"An Innocent Man" is a studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released on August 8, 1983. The album is Joel's tribute to the American popular music of his adolescence, with each of the songs representing a specific, distinct style.
The concept for the album emerged following Joel's experiences on a trip with his daughter to a record store. After listening to a series of doo-wop tunes, he felt motivated to create an album influenced by different musical styles during the 1950s and early 1960s.
Sporting 10 tracks, the album includes "Uptown Girl," a worldwide hit written by Joel about a working-class "downtown man" attempting to win the heart of a rich "uptown girl." The album itself was a major success, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S. and topping the UK Albums Chart for 5 weeks.
Instrumentally, the production features the likes of gospel-like choirs, harmonica, and a guest appearance by The Four Seasons' singer Frankie Valli, further adding to the nostalgic sound. The result is an homage to post-World War II youth culture.
"An Innocent Man" stands as a testament to Joel's creative range, with each track evoking a different aspect of the era that inspired him, from the burgeoning energy of rock-and-roll to the harmonies of Motown and soul.
Recognized for both its lyrical strength and stylistic emulation, the album remains one of Joel's most celebrated works, a significant marker in his musical trajectory, and received several Grammy nominations.
