Maps of Music

The Bridge (1986)

Where the lyrics of The Bridge take you, and where it was really made.

The last song recorded for this album credits Cyndi Lauper as a co-writer of its lyrics, and she had been working in the next studio when Joel got stuck.

Key places

Chelsea Sound, one of the recording studios (1986)

Recording site Chelsea Sound — Chelsea Sound is one of the New York studios named in the album credits as a recording site. The pin uses the candidate coordinate, which is less certain than a building-level match. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

The Power Station, New York (1986)

Recording site Power Station Studio — The Power Station in New York is named as a recording and mixing site for the album. The studio now appears under the Power Station at BerkleeNYC name. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Evergreen Studios, Burbank (1986)

Recording site Evergreen Recording Studios — Evergreen Studios in Burbank, California is named among the sites where the album was digitally recorded. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• The Bridge: tenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel
• Released July 25, 1986
• Last studio album produced by Phil Ramone
• Last album to feature long-time bassist Doug Stegmeyer and rhythm guitarist Russell Javors
• Singles: 'A Matter of Trust' (No. 10), 'Modern Woman' (No. 10), 'This Is the Time' (No. 18)
• 'Modern Woman' also appeared on the Ruthless People soundtrack

Background

• Work on the album began in 1985
• Ray Charles sang a duet with Joel on 'Baby Grand'
• Steve Winwood played Hammond organ on 'Getting Closer'
• Charles and Winwood later covered 'Baby Grand' and 'Getting Closer' in concert
• Jazz musicians Ron Carter and Michael Brecker played on the jazzy 'Big Man on Mulberry Street'
• Opening track 'Running on Ice' was heavily influenced by the Police
• 'Modern Woman' borrowed heavily from the style of Huey Lewis and the News
• The final song recorded, 'Code of Silence', featured Cyndi Lauper on backing vocals and gave her co-writing credit for the lyrics
• Joel returned the favor with backing vocals on Lauper's 'Maybe He'll Know' for her 1986 album True Colors
• The Bridge was Joel's last album to carry the 'Family Productions' logo
• That logo was part of a deal Columbia Records made to get Joel out of his first recording contract with Artie Ripp's Family Productions
• The closing song 'Getting Closer' includes attacks on that contract

Recording

• Digitally recorded at The Power Station, Chelsea Sound and RCA Studios in New York, and Evergreen Studios in Burbank, California
• Mixed at The Power Station in New York
• Mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York using Direct Metal Mastering

Cover

• Cover painting by Brad Holland
• Photography by Patrick Demarchelier, Larry Busacca, Phil Ramone, Charles Reilly and Sam Emerson

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · ko.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Early life

• Born May 9, 1949 in the Bronx, New York City; raised in Hicksville on Long Island.
• Began piano lessons at age four at his mother's insistence.
• Saw the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show and decided to pursue a music career.
• Played in the Echoes, the Hassles, and Attila before going solo.

Career

• Debut solo album Cold Spring Harbor (1971); signed with Columbia Records in 1972 after a Philadelphia radio broadcast of "Captain Jack".
• Breakthrough with The Stranger (1977), Columbia's best-selling release at that time.
• 52nd Street (1978) won the Grammy for Album of the Year.
• Released 12 self-written studio albums from 1971 to 1993; over 160 million records sold worldwide.
• Performed a long Madison Square Garden residency from 2014 to 2024.
• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Robert Christgau in Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s (1990) wrote that Joel's youthful lyricism and knack for the tearjerker seemed to be abandoning him
• Christgau found Joel best when brassy and literal, citing 'Big Man on Mulberry Street' and 'Baby Grand' with Ray Charles
• Christgau added that even at his most rocking, Joel stays stuck in a style seventy-five years old

Reappraisal

• Joel said in a retrospective interview that it was not a happy album
• He said he did not get along with some musicians he had worked with for a long time
• He said he did not think the material was good and that management pressured him to release it too fast
• He said he later read bad reviews and agreed with them

Records

• Billboard 200 (US): No. 7
• United States: 2× Platinum certified on 6 April 1987 for 2 million sales
• Singles: 'A Matter of Trust' No. 10, 'Modern Woman' No. 10, 'This Is the Time' No. 18, 'Baby Grand' No. 75

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Joel said he was in no mood to be in the studio because he and his wife had just had their daughter Alexa, and the unease over leaving them at home fed into 'Temptation'
• 'Code of Silence' was written when Joel was stuck on the lyrics, and Cyndi Lauper, working in the next studio, visited and wrote down words she associated with his piano playing
• Ray Charles later covered 'Baby Grand' and Steve Winwood later covered 'Getting Closer' in concert
• 'Getting Closer' includes attacks on the contract with Artie Ripp
• 'Modern Woman' appeared on the Ruthless People soundtrack and reached No. 10 as a single

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · ja.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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