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"A Matter of Trust" | ||||
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Single by Billy Joel | ||||
from the album The Bridge | ||||
B-side | "Getting Closer" | |||
Released | 1986 | |||
Recorded | 1985 | |||
Genre | Hard rock [1] | |||
Length | 4:08 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) | Billy Joel | |||
Producer(s) | Phil Ramone | |||
Billy Joel singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"A Matter of Trust" on YouTube |
"A Matter of Trust" is a song by Billy Joel from his 1986 album The Bridge . [2] It was released as the album's second single and became a top ten hit. The song gained major traction in the Soviet Union as part of a state-sponsored television promotion of Joel's songs in preparation for his 1987 USSR concerts, recorded on Kontsert . [3]
The song's music video, directed by Russell Mulcahy and conceived and produced by Paul Flattery, features Joel and his band performing in the basement of a building in St. Mark's Place in New York City's East Village, and also features shots of various people in the city who eventually gather around the building's windows to see Joel perform. Most appear to be enjoying the performance except one woman on a fire escape who yells at them to "shut up!" However, she is ignored, and even members of the NYPD do not mind. Joel's then-wife Christie Brinkley appears in the video holding their baby daughter Alexa. The music video also includes two quick cuts of both Ringo Starr (1:38) and Paul McCartney (2:01) watching from the street. The song differs from most Joel songs in that it is based on electric guitar rather than piano, which gives it a rock edge, compared to the soft-rock balladry with which he is more often associated. It is the only Joel music video that features him on guitar—a factor he cited when saying it was his favorite of all his videos.
Billboard called it "refreshingly untidy rock" with "elegant song structure". [4] Cash Box said that this "generic sounding pop tune may not be one of Joel’s best, but with his gut level vocal and the heavy rock guitar backing featured within it, the tune is given a cutting edge." [5]
During the 2020 presidential cycle and COVID-19 pandemic, CNN broadcast commercials promoting the importance of trust and which featured "A Matter of Trust" as background music. CNN states in an email: "This version's stripped-down instrumentals set against the black and white images create space to pause and reflect on this year's chaotic news cycles, and offer hope for how we can grow better together from these unprecedented times." [6]
Chart (1986–1987) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report) [7] | 3 |
Canada Top Singles (RPM) [8] | 15 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [9] | 48 |
South Africa (Springbok) [10] | 3 |
UK Singles (OCC) [11] | 52 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [12] | 10 |
US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks [13] | 17 |
US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [14] | 14 |
Chart (1986) | Position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report) [15] | 18 |
The Bridge is the tenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released on July 25, 1986. It was Joel's last studio album produced by Phil Ramone as well as the last to feature Joel's long-time bassist Doug Stegmeyer and rhythm guitarist Russell Javors. The album yielded several successful singles, including "A Matter of Trust", "Modern Woman", and "This Is the Time".
Kontsert is the second live album by Billy Joel, released in 1987. The album was recorded during the Soviet leg of Joel's 1987 The Bridge tour. This album was co-produced by Jim Boyer and Brian Ruggles and mixed by Jim Boyer.
"Piano Man" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel. First released as a single in the US on November 2, 1973, it was included on Joel's 1973 album Piano Man. The song is sung from the point of view of a piano player at a bar, describing the patrons. "Piano Man" is based on Joel's real-life experiences as a lounge musician in Los Angeles from 1972 to 1973, which he had decided to pursue in an effort to escape his contracted New York City–based record company at the time, Family Productions, following the poor commercial performance of his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971).
"Uptown Girl" is a song written and performed by American musician Billy Joel from his ninth studio album An Innocent Man (1983), released in September 1983 as the album's second single. The lyrics describe a working-class "downtown man" attempting to woo a wealthy "uptown girl". The 12" EP has the tracks "My Life", "Just the Way You Are" and "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me", whereas some 7" single versions featured "Careless Talk" as a B-side.
"Just the Way You Are" is a song by Billy Joel from his fifth studio album The Stranger (1977), released as the album's second single in early November 1977. It became both Joel's first US Top 10 and UK Top 20 single, as well as Joel's first Gold single in the US. The song also topped the Billboard Easy Listening Chart for the entire month of January 1978.
"You're Only Human (Second Wind)" is a song written and performed by Billy Joel that originally appeared on Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II in 1985. The song deals with teenage depression and suicide. It became a top-ten hit, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Addicted to Love" is a song by English rock singer Robert Palmer released in 1986. It is the third song on Palmer's eighth studio album Riptide (1985) and was released as its third single. The single version is a shorter edit of the full-length album version.
"Drive" is a song by American rock band the Cars from their fifth studio album, Heartbeat City (1984). It was released on July 23, 1984, as the album's third single. Written by Ric Ocasek, the track was sung by bassist Benjamin Orr and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange with the band. Upon its release, "Drive" became the Cars' highest-charting single in most territories. In the United States, it peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary chart. It reached number five in the United Kingdom, number four in West Germany, number six in Canada and number three in Ireland.
"My Life" is a song by Billy Joel that first appeared on his 1978 album 52nd Street. A single version was released in the fall of 1978 and reached No. 2 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart. Early the next year, it peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Dreams" is a song by Van Halen released in 1986 from the album 5150. It was the second single from that album, and it reached # 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as #24 on the Cash Box Top 100. Nine years after its original release, "Dreams" introduced the band to a new generation of fans when it appeared in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie and on its soundtrack album.
"Back on the Chain Gang" is a song written by American-British musician Chrissie Hynde, originally recorded by her band the Pretenders and released as a single by Sire Records in September 1982. The song was included on The King of Comedy soundtrack album in March 1983 and was later included on the Pretenders' third album, Learning to Crawl, in January 1984.
"Big Shot" is a song performed by Billy Joel from his 1978 album 52nd Street as its opening track, released as a single in early 1979. The song would become the second hit single from the album, peaking at #14 in the United States.
Here is the discography of American singer-songwriter Billy Joel. He has released 13 studio albums, seven live albums, 18 compilation albums, 10 video albums, 82 singles, three promotional singles, and 45 music videos. Throughout his career, he has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists in history. According to Recording Industry Association of America, Joel has sold 85 million certified albums in the United States, making him the 4th best-selling solo artist of all time. Billboard ranked him as the 9th Greatest male soloist of all time.
"I Wanna Go Back" is a 1984 song by American rock band Billy Satellite, written by band members Monty Byrom, Danny Chauncey, and Ira Walker, that achieved major popularity when recorded by Eddie Money in 1986. Another version was recorded by former Santana/Journey keyboardist/singer Gregg Rolie for his self-titled 1985 debut solo album.
"It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" is a song written and performed by Billy Joel, from the hit album Glass Houses. Released in 1980, the song peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, from July 19 through August 1, 1980, making it Joel's first number 1 hit single in the United States. The song spent 11 weeks in the top 10 and was the 7th biggest hit of 1980 according to American Top 40.
"Tell Her About It" is a song written and performed by Billy Joel from his album An Innocent Man (1983), released as the album's first single in 1983. In the song, the singer exhorts a young man to tell the woman he loves how he feels about her before he misses his chance. It hit the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week on September 24, 1983, replacing "Maniac" by Michael Sembello. The single was certified Gold by the RIAA for US sales of over 500,000 copies.
"The Night Is Still Young" is a 1985 song by Billy Joel, released as the second single from his compilation album Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II. It is the second of two new songs on the album, the first being "You're Only Human ." The song peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and found better success on the Adult Contemporary chart, peaking at number 13. A live version of the song appears on 12 Gardens Live.
"You May Be Right" is a song written and performed by rock singer Billy Joel, released as a single and the opening track from his 1980 album Glass Houses. The single reached No. 7 on the US charts and No. 6 in Canada. It failed to chart, however, in the UK, unlike his preceding and succeeding singles "All for Leyna" and "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me". The Japanese single features "Close to the Borderline" as a B-side.
"Baby Grand" is the fourth and final single released off Billy Joel's album The Bridge. A duet with Joel and Ray Charles, the song is a ballad dedicated to the baby grand piano, and the relationship it can share with its players. The two originally got together when Joel contacted Charles about the naming of his daughter, Alexa Ray, after Charles. Charles then suggested they create a song together.
"Modern Woman" is a song performed by Billy Joel from his album The Bridge. It was the album's lead-off single and was featured on the soundtrack to the film Ruthless People. In the film, the song removes an instrumental break present in the original. It was a Top 10 hit on Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1986.