Billy Joel Shares His Bold, Controversial Opinion of The Beatles’ ‘White Album’

Billy Joel is opening up about what he really thinks of The Beatles White Album.

In an interview with Bill Maher for his Club Random podcast on Monday, July 21, the “Vienna” musician reflected on the record while discussing classic double albums with the TV host.

During the conversation, Maher, 69, brought up the White Album as a classic, but Joel, 76, had a difference of opinion.

“I’m not a big fan of the White Album, but some people love it,” he said.

Joel added: “I hear it as a collection of half-assed songs they didn’t finish writing because they were too stoned, or they didn’t care anymore. I think they had fragments and they put them on the album.”

The “Piano Man” hitmaker then claimed that “John [Lennon] was dissociating at that point.”

“I think Paul [McCartney] was carrying the weight,” added Joel.

While sharing his perspective, the “Uptown Girl” artist noted that the English rockers “had their ups and downs,” which is why the White Album wasn’t up to par.

“Sometimes they were more prolific and sometimes they weren’t, and I hear that in some of those things,” said Joel.

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The first part of Joel’s documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes premiered on Friday, July 18.

The documentary details some of the more harrowing events of Joel’s life, such as the near-fatal 1982 motorcycle crash he experienced, along with his two suicide attempts. 

It also features family photos, home videos and archival footage of him performing throughout his decades-long career. Additionally, some of Joel’s greatest hits are featured, such as “Big Shot,” My Life,” “Uptown Girl” and “Vienna.”

Artists like McCartney, 83, Bruce Springsteen and Pink are also featured in the documentary.

The second part of Billy Joel: And So It Goes will premiere on July 25 via HBO Max.