This summer, HBO is highlighting one of the most legendary American songwriters of the last fifty years. *Billy Joel: And So It Goes*, a two-part original documentary directed by Emmy awardees Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, is set to debut on July 18, with the second part airing the subsequent Friday, on July 25.
Both episodes will also be accessible for streaming on demand through [HBO Max](https://bgr.com/entertainment/new-on-hbo-max-june-2025/).
The documentary will provide, among other insights, a comprehensive and profoundly personal depiction of [Billy Joel](https://www.billyjoel.com/), tracing his journey from his childhood on Long Island to his emergence as a chart-topping, six-time Grammy laureate and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Featuring access to Joel, the film integrates rare home videos, personal photographs, and previously unseen performance clips to chart the peaks and valleys of a career that has lasted over sixty years.
In simpler terms: This is an essential viewing for anyone who has ever sung along to the chorus of “Piano Man” at the top of their lungs.
According to HBO, the first part of the documentary will delve into Joel’s childhood, which was influenced by the absence of his father, and will also trace his transformation from a local band keyboardist to a solo performer. Audiences will witness him candidly discussing early heartbreak, the creative triggers behind hits such as “Just the Way You Are,” and the business arrangement that propelled his initial breakout success. This episode also addresses Joel’s battles with alcohol, his complex relationship with critics, and a near-fatal motorcycle crash that nearly derailed his career.
The second part will investigate the more philosophical aspects of Joel’s songwriting. Viewers will get the narrative behind songs like “Allentown,” “Goodnight Saigon,” and “Vienna,” along with gaining further insights into his relationship with his father and the family history that shaped him.
Beyond the music, *And So It Goes* will examine the highs and lows of Joel’s relationships, his experiences as a father, and how he has navigated the challenges that accompany fame. It is also a tale of fresh starts, as Joel discovers new creative paths, recovers from setbacks, and establishes a legacy that encompasses everything from classical works to his historic tenure at Madison Square Garden. In addition to Joel himself, the documentary features conversations with Joel’s ex-wife Christie Brinkley, his daughter Alexa Ray Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Nas, Sting, Garth Brooks, and Paul McCartney, among numerous others.
