It's ironic that the criticism is about Billy Joel's "awfulness" within the pop music genre. When did pop music attain status as a cultural pinnacle? Heaven forbid the likes of Billy Joel taint the pristine waters of musical wonders like Britney Spears, Milli Vanilli and Falco!

Billy Joel actually rates pretty highly within the genre - a classically trained musician that can actually compose REAL multi-part music (not just a flimsy repeated tune against a 4/4 tempo). And he's not a bad singer either. He's versatile and composes in different musical styles - unlike many of the "one trick ponies" in the field.

I saw others mention Elton John and Paul McCartney - I agree. They and their bodies of music are all up there as some of the very best that "pop music" has delivered.

Smugness seems to be one of your key reasons Billy Joel is "awful" at what he does. You're pretty smug about that aren't ya!