Billy Joel - Kennedy Center Honors - Elton John

[TheJediKenneth]

I wonder when Billy Joel will be honored.

[915buck]

as far as the piano goes, elton is not even close to billy!!!

[MrMatt1606]

@915buck are you kidding. billy even says elton kicks his ass on piano. sure billy is great but elton is the best at piano.

[MrMatt1606]

@MrMatt1606 he doesn't even do anything in this

[erion1ful]

Of course the scardy cats...I mean democrats would have to make a Bush comment. Just watch the video for God's sake. Good Job Billy!

[Annsla]

This is not meant to be rude or anything (Good heavens no, I like the man!), but why is Elton rocking his head in such a strange manner? Like around 0:28. Is he digging whilst being verklempt, or it there something else to it?

[har9020]

Billy Joel has synasthesia. Look it up.

[Shancolemanvideo]

Rocking!!! Bill Joel performing love it.

[elchamber]

HE'S CHOKING! DO SOMETHING YOU BASTARDS!...just kidding around.

[CAK11891]

The funny thing.. and I LOVE Billy and Elton... is that John Williams, who was also being honored, could probably school them both at the piano! :)

[Meskiagkasher]

@CAK11891 deubtful.

[77edster]

What a p1sser having to sing to Bush

[danijo3625]

why isnt elton singing?

[matimaui]

@danijo3625 respect for billy

[rcktman757]

"the bitch is back" is one of Billy Joels' favorites to perform live w/Elton when they toured together....so for you that are wondering, I believe that is why he chose that one

[joemoe23]

bitch is back is what was chosen? i hate that song. couldn't have been can you feel the love tonight? or Crocodile Rock?

[weirdguy75]

once again I must share my disgust at bush being there

[the81kid]

wow, that was pretty good. he even managed the high notes... just about!

[Stunatra]

Bush looks like he was into this.

[Cuotita]

Gosh, this just made my day, after being amazed over and over again, this is just the perfect surprise, I did not know that B.J. sung this song, glad to listen to him :)

[MrMaxElvis]

nice vid :D

[pablpfanque]

Bush is such a buzzkill.

[WikeddTung]

@pablpfanque is "buzz" your nickname for the economy? lolol : )

[kate10170]

@pablpfanque Laura too. They sat there like they were frozen.

[jillh426]

@pablpfanque Yeah, I bet all the artists who were honored during the Bush years hated that it was him in the White House.

[funkmike]

It sucks watching all those stiff assholes in the balcony seats not even pretending to rock out to "The Bitch is Batch".

[kate10170]

@funkmike Thought the same thing. Check out Kid Rock at this gig. At least he got their no-rhythm asses out of their seats.

[crittendon1000]

this seemed to be an odd choice for the kennedy center honors....the bitch is back? i'd have gone with Your Song.

[xkcman]

@crittendon1000 why? it's a 30 year old classic, and im pretty sure the commander in chief was snorting lines to that song, please be realistic.

[MegaObserver1]

@crittendon1000 Billy wanted something uptempo to seque from Bennie And The Jets. I would have selected Honky Cat, Crocodile Rock or Philadelphia Freedom.

[NashvilleClay]

Dame Joan didn't look none too happy.

[67dwilkes]

You know nothing and talk out teh side of your kneck. It seems to me that ones that like to sterotype need to look in the mirror.

[ThingsWeSaidToday]

bahahaha the bushes ohhh they make me laugh thank god they're gone... love billy joel and elton john!!!

[MrDevonpianochris]

Very Nice Piano Playing

[weirdguy75]

I love Elton and Billy to no end but Bush being there just killed everything. Fuck you, you fucking nazi.

[mizofan]

Elton has a great new album The Union, with Leon Russell; 5 stars in Rolling Stone *****

[oMisFiTx]

billy you hero ! :D

[RyanLies]

but he looks very old there .. 2004 ? wow he was not even 60

[xkcman]

its elton fucking john for for christ's sake, i believe that pretty much trumps all

[WikeddTung]

billy did good! elton is hard to sing cuz of the falsetto but billy killed it.

[xterra43]

Bitch is back? Cmon select a better EJ song to honor him.

[bookwormpianist]

if judy garland were still alive, they'd do an Honor for her im sure..EVERYONE WHO THINKS THEY SHOULD DO ONE FOR HER DEPSITE THAT SHES PASSED COMMENT BACK

judy forever-i will always love you for your amazing personality and talent, and your wonderful soul

[Kaalec]

@bookwormpianist Yeah they can prop her decaying corpse up there in the private box and the gay community can come by and kiss its feet. She's dead, get over it.

[bookwormpianist]

@Kaalec no need to be so cruel to me or Judy

[squeaky00]

sigh sorry to say but mr joel has lost his voice and it wasnt to great to start with....maybe you should concentrate on song writing sir

[RyanLies]

@squeaky00 well saw some new live versions of his own songs.. he sounds great there

maybe he was not in best shape

[Eddie4518]

I love these guy's music!

[bobnegro1]

its the Kennedy awards, The president has to be there, & He has nothing to do with it, its a committe that picks the artist, Thank god! All though Im sure he tried to veto it.

lol.

[weirdguy75]

I know I've bitched about this before but I love to rant. Billy and Reg are my idols but Bush being there ruined it for me! But I found it ironic that the retarded texan was at a gig honouring a "homosexual." Bush like many republicans are racist, homophobic, over christianized, and just flat out the dumbest most ignorant fuckin people on earth.

[ryson1969]

@weirdguy75 You do realize that you are an idiot.If not I thought I would let you know.Thanks and have a great day.

[1caninelover]

How old are you all? 7 or 8...past your bedtime children.

[timmhg]

Hey! At their age they sing almost the same way.

[deweypug]

This guy rocks! I admire him so much. (Go Levittowner's)

[bigbabysweets2]

Ok, Billy to much makeup and where is the fatted cow...........dude !!!

[iDrowzee]

I've forgotten how much I love this song

[WhtMaleLover]

um billy joel can definitely get it now... :-)

[krjmom3]

I was thinking they should honor the Beatles.. since there are only 2 left. But maybe they already have.

[batfan903]

I was wondering, can the Kennedy Center honor give posthumous honors? Because it would be a fantastic night to honor Elvis, Michael, and John Lennon. That would be a fantastic show!!!

[pittresident]

@batfan903

Michael? Michael Jackson? Why? How would they honor him, by bringing a couple of very young boys on stage and molesting them?

[batfan903]

Now that was low!!! Minus the controversy aside they should honor his music!!!!

[pittresident]

No thanks, a child molester doesn't need this kind of honor.

[cindyshealed]

Nothing proven.  How `bout we string you up?

[pittresident]

Whatever, too many claims against Michael Jackson molesting kids for it to be an urban legend.

[cindyshealed]

Oh? There was a prevaling message in my old school about me that wasn't true. Truth about MJ is nobody will ever know.

[givebeesachance]

You were a slut and you had an abortion. It's ok. Nobody cares on the internet.

[buckeyelover1978]

shut your stupid ass up before i molest your mom

[JohnTaupin]

only Elton can do his songs haha.. he owns them!

[Timothyjazz]

I love these two guys. Watching them playing the music together is the best thing. But I think billy had too much make up on his face that night...

[charbonneau00]

i love billy joel so freaking much!! maybe not his best performance but u can never go saying that he sucked on a song cause its impossible for billy joel to suck at a song i mean it billy he is great at everything he does

[langleywil]

I love John Williams is kind of dancing and REALLY into this..LOL it's great!

[dmich428]

This is not Billy's best performance...of any of these songs. Then again 2004 wasn't his best year....saw them this month and they were amazing.

[KinkyCoilz]

OMGGGG!!!! I was apart of the choir who sang backup for some of the artists singing for this. I remember walking into rehearsal and this chick screamed, "OH MY GOD, ITS BILLY JOELLLLL!!!!" Half of the people in there went CRAZY. Meanwhile my friends and I are lookin around like "who the hell is Billy Joel??" HAHA! Cool dude, though.

[myaniqued]

sad sad commentary ... how do you not know who Billy Joel is???

[alextreme400]

A lot of people don't know who billy joel is. But then you make them listen to Tell her about it, uptown girl, piano man, honesty, just the way you are, etc et they're like : OHHH that's HIM !

[mdc28]

Yeah...Jeeezus....

[eroticdriving]

@myaniqued Sad, but it's the truth. My generation, with very few exceptions, is ruled by the charts of now. I'm one of the only kids in my grade to know who Billy is and love him.

[timmhg]

@myaniqued, only a real moron does not know who is Billy Joel.

[TheStranger84]

The best duo of all time, Billy Joel and Sir Elton John!!! I have seen them twice (2002 and 2009) and still the greatest concert I have witnessed.

[EzrinJem2]

I can't tell if Elton's digging it or cringing!

[amgor2000]

looks like he's singing along to me

[sgtpepper1138]

kind of a bummer, they all look really stiff.

[daward2]

Oh he's diggin it. Look at him when the song shifts to Bitch is Back.

[benc5040]

Cheap rubbish.

[rwalker2006]

Go @#@*% your self., homo-phobe.

[olivfred003]

great billy joel, thanks Elton for this song

[ffrancesccaaaa]

im going to their concert july 30th in philly (: (: (: <33333333333 i cant wait.

[mocus1]

you can tell Elton is really enjoying himself watching Billy ape him

[vintagecoolwhitegirl]

i <3 this song and i love wen billy sings it

but did it sound like he said "we'll kill the calf" instead of fatted calf?

[thegaythespian]

I Love Elton's outfit

(Rainbow nerd)

[bushbasher85]

They give that rainbow sash to everyone the Kennedy Center honors.

[jsnow489]

The rainbow is the ribbon attached to the medal the Kennedy Center issues to all their honorees.

[Dazzo60]

Both legends and Billy does these covers justice, who cares who is better I know i could not pick ! Great video thank you !

[DMEAD123]

i love them both!

[steinwayzap]

I'm so glad Billy Joel sounds much better now. This was like the worst he has ever sounded. And it's still decent haha

[fascistamericadotnet]

1.45 No musical celebration would be complete without a psychopathic satan worshipper. Always has to be one.

[timmydogman]

For some reason they always show up!

[aragmail]

yeah u right...

[Joelesque]

so right!

[fascistamericadotnet]

haha look how stiff and formal they all look in the toff box at 1.10. They look like they have come to witness a man put to death.

[CrissyJB]

I love Billy so much, i mean his music, and elton is faboulous, I've loved them both since i was kid and that has never changed, well now i love them more

[greeniem]

both are simply musically delicious

[JacktheladEngland]

And to be fair I think that Billy should have a tribute from Elton, I would love to see that

[JacktheladEngland]

The best tribute to Elton!

[CrazyKrivdaCarnival]

y was he performing for elton?

[ScottfromBKLYN]

It's the Kennedy Center Honors. Part of the Honors are having other popular performers performing the songs of the honorees.

[daught33]

Love both. Elton is better though!

[Title27GT]

No.

[chopinjoelman91]

booooooooo! Billy Joel is proly one of the greatest lyricists and musicians ever...EJ doesn't write his own lyrics

[greeniem]

yes, you are a bad ass with impeccable taste.

[princev11]

elton is better though i must admit

but billys great 2

billy even says eltons better and is honored to be sitting next to elton at the face to face shows

[hollykill]

they have both made songs that will never be forgotten, but i like billy's voice better =]

[MasterFeelgood]

OMG! Dummy Dubya was rockin out!

[ejrocks01]

how can billy do this better than elton , no way , his song, his trade mark he plays it amazingly. If you actually listen billys playing a much more simple version

[BJfan99]

ya i can tell. but it does make sense too. he had to learn the lyrics and stuff. good catch man

[hvcchvcc]

OH my god, Billy sings so good! He doesn't sounds like a tired old man. Really surprised me! :D

[LaPavoniMac]

I agree!! I like Billy Joel over Elton John, but they are both great!!

[mrmacphisto89]

I guess I'll have to be the odd one out and prefer Elton; but I still love Joel.

[greeniem]

EJ is best

[rafalweb]

Wjy does BJ look like he's had multiple Botox injections? Still rocks.

[pdkobet]

you think he hasn't?

[woodstock1330]

Botox...lmao. I doubt it.

[lujas10]

Always amazes me just how well this guy can sing, excellent songwriter and piano player-he is, after all, the piano man!

[jlaz89]

It is without a doubt that Billy should be honored by the Kennedy Center, even though I'm sure he could care less about something as material as that. You're a legend, Billy, keep rockin' for yourself and no one else!

[Davidtatts]

yes!

[twizzybutt]

*raises both hands high in the air*

[Juliaflo]

Anyone who thinks that William Martin Joel should get the Kennedy Center honors....RAISE YOUR HAND.

[jlaz89]

My hands are both touching the sky!

[rafalweb]

Hands and feet in the air

[musicalmemories]

"Raises hands"

[ChrisDutch]

@Juliaflo You're on. My hand's up. Next year. Just do it.

[GForceRush]

Why is Rush Limbaugh playing acoustic guitar?

[biggerthanlife01]

john mcCain is an eaa you nus

[kansascitymatt]

lol hilarious... poloraph is kind of like Jeff Foxworthy with a small hint of Ayn Rand... He's the type of guy the book "whats the matter with kansas" is all about... He'll probably vote for McCain because of the Gods and the Guns. His half retarded kids though will, when they graduate from the vo-tech school, say: dad, everyone knows that poor white trash like us should always vote democrat, even if they are running a nigger!

[ilonija]

thi is nice song , but i like Sir Elton´s version :D

[bobby6900]

homo is a terrible thing to say im straigh but u have to respect everyone on here ..if two guys or two girls love each other...whats so wrong? the world needs more love than hate your comment really hit me hard ...dont say anything if you can't be nice...your mother did a terrible job raising you

[bobby6900]

benny and the jets

[Islwynpaul]

There is a distinct difference in musical tastes here. Rolling Stone magazine gave 3 stars or more to 18/22 of Joel's albums, whilst only awarding the same score to 11/38 of Elton's. Not being a great fan of either artist I have to wonder is the difference Patriotism on the part of an American publication or just a difference in musical taste. I have to conclude that it must be a little of both. Mind you, saying that I have to disagree with a lot of the Rolling Stone album star rating system.

[ilsy74]

A classic pianist playing to a real penis

[mjpunk1234]

wow Bush was at a concert honoring Elton John.... who knew?!

I, for one, did not know.

[clooneygirl07]

if Bush was there, then anyone is possible lols

[IamLouder]

yeah but elton doesn't like bush

[bobby6900]

enough homophobia on here knock it off

[bobby6900]

you are demented

[MedievalMind]

First, the act of homosexuality can be seen in nature as well as human history since the beginning of civilization. This is not a justification, merely a fact. Your own vocabulary suggests a lack of education. Perhaps you should lay down before you hurt someone. Go back to your church and preach your hate and leave the rest of civilization to evolve.

[princev11]

anyone no if elton johns mother is still alive?

cuz i remember in 2000, she was at his concert in new york city

so anyone no?

[bobdole9696]

I'm pretty sure she is. I mean, if she had passed away I think Sir Elton would be upset and it would be in the news. anyway, I remember that his parents (well, his mother and step-father) were present at his civil union in Britain.

[bobdole9696]

seeing Bush (as much as I despise him) rocking to the Bitch is Back: priceless.

[princev11]

i was just gonna say that lol

[1358531]

haha eltons glasses are great!

[PollyWFrog]

People! Stop with the arguements and filthy language! You spoil it for others! If you don't like it, don't watch it, but stop being so childish. These men are respected musicians, for good reason. Bush is around the same age group, probably enjoyed them when he was younger, as did many of us. Big deal! He has a right to listen to performers same as us. It's not a political statement, it's love of music, and respect. He's not there for politics. And amazed666, you're illiterate. Get a clue!

[amazed66]

Sorry can you tell me what I'm supposed to have done wrong here please? :)

Oh and I'll confess to being many things but clueless and illiterate are none of them, although I do admit that I might make the odd typing mistake now and again and was thinking about starting a support group for safety in numbers......all crup tipysts uf teh wurld untie! :)

[weirdguy75]

you know what bisco, my guess is you are a brain washed republican and your entitled to your own opinion about things as am i so i believe seeing bush there ruined it. so please fuck off!

[bisco7]

I'm sure your teachers are proud of you. Learn to spell, get a life, don't let the little things bother you. The sitting President has been at the Kennedy Center Ceremony EVERY year since they started it.99.9% of the people put politics aside and enjoy the artistry of the people being celebrated. You should do te same.

[weirdguy75]

why was bush thetre why did the atmospher ehave to be ruined

[bisco7]

If a 2 second shot of the President of the United States ruins the atmosphere for you, you've got bigger problems than he has.

You should also learn to spell you MORON.

[cathy8680]

You're an idiot! The president, whoever he or SHE may be, is always at the Kennedy Center Honors. Don't be a retard!

[Ziecca]

Really awesome

[cjpenny666]

and also wot u on about mutantlarva? he clearly didnt release the millenium concert dvd. Your argument is dismised as you got such a easy trhing as that wrong. And fuck me, id take 3 million 4 playin the drums. whilst liberty was gud hes bin replaceable as billy is as popular as ever so 3 million 4 a cog in the works is a fair amount

[cjpenny666]

why is elton struglin with the words? and that guy behind must have a knife in his back hes as wooden as a dividing fence. gud performance

[chefboy1313]

My goal was to upset both of you...I win.

[nikibeth]

Umm....yeah sure, I'm really upset - heartbroken, even! ;D

Oh, and of course - you win! (Whatever the hell that means!) It seems to calm you and make you happy.

[chefboy1313]

Ha Ha.  I win.

[Mster2008]

Chefboy, does that stand for Chefboy-r-an-idiot? This is a forum for discussion.

Hey Nikibeth, Roll On!

[chefboy1313]

Mster2008 and nikibeth - hey idiots...if you want to have a conversation please send IM's, use email or text message. Don't us Youtube.

Friggin morons.

[nikibeth]

Hey chefboy1313,

Not to state the obvious, but have U not just done the same thing U are chastising me for? I can only surmise that U calling me a friggin moron & idiot shows your lack of intelligence & vocabulary. In addition, I wasn't aware that U were the etiquette police here on YouTube. Get a grip on reality & lighten up. I made a comment on the video & others exchanged with me. Where's your comment on the video as opposed to commenting on me?

I'll play it your way: Talk about a moron!

[LykopisGilneas]

o good lord I saw Bush hahahahha

[LykopisGilneas]

that was good. I hope Elton lied it all around.

[LykopisGilneas]

Not as good as Elton of course, but it was still good.

[MutantLarva]

billy joel looks bad and real old the bald cheap prick...he is a cheap douche...screwed his long time drummer liberty devito...wouldnt help out an old pal...and whats with elton? when he watches billy singing/butchering his songs he looks like he wants to strangle him...this blows...these two should move to miami and play shuffle board and go to the early bird specials with all the other old jews...

[willtherock]

Wow, you obviously have NO idea of Billy and Elton's history and how much respect Elton has for Billy. Furthermore, your inane comment suggests that you have no taste in music and have NO idea of what it is to be a human being.

[MutantLarva]

first off...i've seen elton and billy together twice in concert...seperatly i have seen billy about five times and elton about ten times....so i dont need an education from u....this clip sucks...billy sucks on this and elton looks like a wax museum figure...and billy is a cheap prick...doesnt mean that in their day they were great talents and terrific showman...

[amazed66]

There are really only 2 people who know why Billy and Liberty fell out and it's probably not you or me and it all boils down to what anyone else has heard or read. I've read that Liberty wanted to be paid royalties for some of the songs he played on or had some input on but I wouldn't say that was the same as a co-write. Also read Liberty was the highest paid band memeber and made over $3 million when with Billy. Then again, like I said before, I couldn't say if that's true or not.

[MutantLarva]

liberty made over 3 million? and how long was he with billy??? 25 years? big friggin deal....there are a-hole's who lost people's money on wall street that made more then that in one year........billy joel is a cheap prick...and his alcoholism will catch up with him...only reason his teenage bride hasnt dumped her old bloated hubby is cause of an iron clad pre-nup.

[amazed66]

Well some people don't make $3 million in a lifetime and that's supposedly the money Liberty made just from working for Billy, or did you want Billy to pay him when he worked with other acts too? I doubt Liberty had to spend any money on travelling expenses and hotels while with Billy either and he was even playing a show in London the night his daughter Tori was born, so I doubt he'd miss her birth for just pocket money.