Few artists have captured the human condition in song quite like Billy Joel. His music — at once deeply personal and universally resonant — has chronicled love, loss, and the winding roads in between. This summer, HBO will present Billy Joel: And So It Goes, a two-part documentary that promises to cast fresh light on the man behind the melodies.
The project is helmed by Emmy-winning filmmakers Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, whose previous work has delved into the lives of cultural icons such as Jane Fonda and Steven Spielberg. Their latest effort will offer, in their words, “an expansive portrait of the life and music of Billy Joel, exploring the love, loss and personal struggles that fuel his song writing.”
What sets And So It Goes apart from previous accounts of Joel’s career is its depth of access. The documentary will feature unseen performances, intimate home videos, and personal photographs, all interwoven with extensive one-on-one interviews. Lacy, reflecting on her experience crafting the film, admits to approaching Joel’s story with fresh eyes.
"For those who think they know Joel's story, as well as those who are not as familiar, I believe this two-part film is both a revelation and a surprise," she explained. "I was drawn to his story as someone who knew little at the outset, and was astounded at how autobiographical his songs are and how complex his story is. We are gratified that Bill trusted us with his story, which we have told as honestly as possible, diving into territory which has not been explored before."
The documentary arrives at a moment of transition for Joel. Earlier this year, he postponed several tour dates due to an unspecified medical issue, pushing some performances as far ahead as spring and summer 2026. However, his return to the stage is already mapped out, with select shows featuring guest appearances from Stevie Nicks or Sting.
For fans, Billy Joel: And So It Goes may serve as both a retrospective and a rediscovery — an opportunity to hear familiar songs through the lens of the life that shaped them. HBO has yet to announce an exact release date, but for those who have followed Joel’s career, the wait will undoubtedly be worth it.
