The term singer-songwriter refers to someone who writes their own songs and accompanies themselves on a guitar or piano. Originally, the term was applied only to folk and country artists. However, this label has now been stretched to embrace singers and songwriters of all types. The two most celebrated piano-based singer-songwriters are Elton John and Billy Joel. Randy Newman, Jackson Browne, and Joe Jackson are also vital piano-based singer-songwriters. Additionally, newer artists Tori Amos, Sarah McLaughlin, Rufus Wainwright, Fiona Apple, Vanessa Carlton, and Ben Folds continue to keep the singer-songwriter tradition alive.

These artists could also be considered “piano pop,” a style where the piano is the central instrument as opposed to the classic four-piece rock lineup consisting of lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, and drums.

FIGURE 14-10: Synth-Pop Example

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Elton John

Born in 1947, Elton John remains one of the world's leading pop stars. As of this writing, the British singer has sold around 250 million albums. He also has fifty Top 40 hits. Although he is known as a pop stylist, John was influenced early on by gospel, boogie-woogie, and 1950s rock-n-roll. The latter is evident on the hit “Crocodile Rock.” Like most of his contemporaries, John was also influenced by the Beatles. For example, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” draws inspiration from the Beatles' Abbey Road. Together with lyricist Bernie Taupin, John has written such megahits as “Bennie and the Jets,” “Daniel,” “Rocket Man,” “Candle in the Wind,” and many more.

Like other songwriters, John often uses the third scale degree in the bass. In most cases, the third scale degree acts as a leading tone to the root of the next chord. FIGURE 14-11 (from “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”) illustrates this kind of harmonic movement. The lyric that is sung over this passage is “Going back to my plough.” The song is in F major (one flat).

FIGURE 14-11: Elton John Harmonic Movement

In this song, John also moves from a vi to a major III, then to a IV, and finally to a flat VI (borrowed chord). The flatted VI chord is a very effective harmonic twist (see Chapter 6). This is shown in FIGURE 14-12.

FIGURE 14-12: Flattened VI Chord Progression

Billy Joel

Born in 1949, Billy Joel is perhaps the only piano-pop artist who can rival Elton John. Raised in Long Island, Joel hit it big with the 1973 album Piano Man, which became his first gold record. Often misunderstood as a sentimental pop stylist, Joel's songs often address anger, loneliness, and defiance. Moreover, his paeans to women, such as “She's Always a Woman” and “She's Got a Way,” do more than romanticize the opposite sex. Rather, they illuminate the mysteries of love through simple poetic confessions. Influenced by a whole host of musical styles — from blues to European classical — Joel's discography boasts both sophistication and variety.

Joel is a musical chameleon. He is known for his doo-wop-inspired songs, Tin Pan Alley emulations, Beatles-influenced rock, and R&B salutes. FIGURE 14-12 is an example of Billy Joel's R&B-influenced piano style. It is a spinoff on “New York State of Mind,” which is Joel's homage to Ray Charles.

FIGURE 14-13: Billy Joel Harmonic Movement

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