The secret to penning a truly good romantic ballad and not just some sappy, overcooked piece of cheese is to lace the song with regret and pain - you know, things that actually happen in life and in relationships. Billy Joel has always understood this. Even his most overplayed ballads (with the possible exception of "Just the Way You Are," which is has admittedly lapsed into cliché) like "Always A Woman," "All About Soul," and "She's Got A Way" include lyrics that portray either the singer or the woman as someone who is other than perfect, often down-right unpleasant, but is saved by the other or their love for them - but almost always for being loved by them.

"All My Life" is no exception, and that it is the first song Billy has written lyrics to and recorded in nearly a decade and a half, makes it notable, special and means this woman must be a doozy. The woman, of course, is Joel's wife Katey, for whom he penned this ballad back in 2005 as a Valentine. Let's just say, as Valentine's gifts go, if all us guys could crank out lyrics like this for our women we'd be melting many a hearts and our night lives would be far more eventful and exciting.

Joel's biggest asset has always been his writing and it doesn't fail him here, but his words are backed by a beautiful orchestral band, his still deft ivory tickling, and his ageless voice that can turn from being as gruff and forceful as Springsteen to as smooth and silky as Elton on a dime. Here he embraces his inner Sinatra, but this is not some hack throwback ala a certain other classic rocker's recent stab at such things.

So he can still play, write and sing. And currently he's spent the last year and a half touring his brains out to adoring, sellout crowds and rave reviews saying he's as great an entertainer as he ever was. So why don't we hear more from Billy Joel? He hasn't done an album of new rock material since 1993's "River of Dreams." That album would be a fine note to go out on if must, but I'm hoping this song will galvanize him into remembering just what it was he loved so much about writing and recording new music.

Only time will tell, but here's to hoping we don't have to wait all our lives to find out.

** As a B-Side this single includes a live version of another ballad, "You're My Home," which is originally from 1973's "Piano Man" album. That song still holds up. This version was recorded during his current tour last year and was released as a bonus download along with a live "Sleeping with the Television On" to those who purchased his recent live album "12 Gardens Live" from Sony on-line.

*** One side note: If you go to Billy's website, there are maybe half a dozen neat pictures of a very dapper Joel from the recording sessions of this song and a short history of this song's evolution, yet three is no booklet with picture, lyrics, or notes from Joel included here. Too bad considering it's the first new thing the guy has put out in almost 15 years. Throw us a bone Columbia! I guess we can't complain for two bucks, though. The song is easily worth more than that all by itself.

When I purchased this cd I did not know what to expect. I have been a Billy Joel fan for my whole life. I was very surprised during the first listen. Even though it sounded something like Frank Sinatra would write it still has the Billy Joel feel. Both with the music and timing. As this fan grows older this is a welcome sound. I hope there is more to come. Joseph Leonardi

Billy Joel briefly returned to pop/rock songwriting after retiring from the genre in 1993 with ALL MY LIFE. I just read about this recently in People Weekly magazine and I'm sure he has a new pop/rock album in the works now. Based on other reviews I read,I'd believe that AML is a beautiful soft rock piece coupled with the previously released originally on 1973's PIANO MAN,YOU'RE MY HOME. Joel's fans were let down by his plan to convert from pop/rock to classical music. They heard rumors about Joel never performing,recording or touring again. However,for the sake of his fans,Joel never completely turned away from pop/rock,having giving concerts consisting of his pop/rock compositions. Not too long ago,he recorded his 2000 YEARS-THE MILLENIUM CONCERT album(New Year's Eve 1999-New Year's Day 2000,to be exact) and admitted that his classical compostions weren't much different than the pop/rock ones that his fans know and love. 2000 YEARS was the last show of the tour that began in January 1998(Billy then promoted GREATEST HITS VOLUME 3). Billy also did 12 sold-out shows at his regular New York City venue,Madison Square Garden between late 2005 and early 2006 that resulted in the recording of the double CD,12 GARDENS LIVE(he then promoted the multi-disc MY LIVES). Billy recorded 2000 YEARS at MSG as well. Billy wrote ALM for his third and current wife Katie(the couple wed in October 2004).

What happens with Billy? It is the age what it has affected? Why it wants to be the cartoon of Sinatra?

Honestly I continue waiting the return of great pop rock or good new wave rock of Glass Houses! But Billy sadly very sadly your music is made for old man's lovers of Sinatra. Argggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!