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Storm Front

by Billy Joel

Released: October 23, 1989

Art rock, arena rock, hard rock, new wave

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

"Storm Front" is the eleventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released on October 23, 1989. Other tracks that garnered attention include "And So It Goes" (No. 37), "The Downeaster 'Alexa'" (No. 57), and "That's Not Her Style" (No. 77). The cover art features a maritime storm warning flag, indicating wind forces 10–12, the highest intensity on the Beaufort scale.

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Essential Tracks

That's Not Her Style

Other tracks that garnered attention include "And So It Goes" (No. 37), "The Downeaster 'Alexa'" (No. 57), and "That's Not Her Style" (No. 77).

Shameless

Joel has mentioned that the title track was inspired by the driving rhythm of Peter Gabriel's 1986 song "Sledgehammer." In addition, Garth Brooks covered the song "Shameless" in 1991 on his album Ropin' the Wind, achieving success as a single and topping the U.S. country charts while also charting in the UK.

Storm Front

"Storm Front" is the eleventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released on October 23, 1989.

And So It Goes

Other tracks that garnered attention include "And So It Goes" (No. 37), "The Downeaster 'Alexa'" (No. 57), and "That's Not Her Style" (No. 77).

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Billy Joel - Storm Front

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Reception

This album marked Joel's third to reach No. 1 on the U.S. charts and features his hit single "We Didn't Start the Fire," a fast-paced track that lists significant historical events and cultural icons from 1949 (the year of Joel's birth) up to 1989. Another notable single from the album is "I Go to Extremes," which reflects the highs and lows of Joel's emotional experiences, peaking at No. 6 on the charts. Joel has mentioned that the title track was inspired by the driving rhythm of Peter Gabriel's 1986 song "Sledgehammer." In addition, Garth Brooks covered the song "Shameless" in 1991 on his album Ropin' the Wind, achieving success as a single and topping the U.S. country charts while also charting in the UK.

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The Complete Album Story

"Storm Front" is the eleventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released on October 23, 1989. This album marked Joel's third to reach No. 1 on the U.S. charts and features his hit single "We Didn't Start the Fire," a fast-paced track that lists significant historical events and cultural icons from 1949 (the year of Joel's birth) up to 1989.

Another notable single from the album is "I Go to Extremes," which reflects the highs and lows of Joel's emotional experiences, peaking at No. 6 on the charts. Other tracks that garnered attention include "And So It Goes" (No. 37), "The Downeaster 'Alexa'" (No. 57), and "That's Not Her Style" (No. 77). The album was also recognized with five Grammy Award nominations.

The cover art features a maritime storm warning flag, indicating wind forces 10–12, the highest intensity on the Beaufort scale. Joel has mentioned that the title track was inspired by the driving rhythm of Peter Gabriel's 1986 song "Sledgehammer."

In addition, Garth Brooks covered the song "Shameless" in 1991 on his album Ropin' the Wind, achieving success as a single and topping the U.S. country charts while also charting in the UK.