Billy Joel says Christie Brinkley ‘was a muse’ for some of his songs

EntertainmentMusic
26 Jul 2025 • 8:03 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • The HBO documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes delves into the relationship between Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley, from their 1983 meeting to their 1994 divorce.
  • Joel described Brinkley as his muse, stating she inspired many of his songs and made him feel like a teenager experiencing romance again.
  • Brinkley initially found their romance “just so much fun” but noted a turning point in 1989 with Joel's “I Go to Extremes” single, which reflected his internal conflict as a family man and “tortured artist”.
  • A significant $90 million fraud lawsuit filed by Joel against his former manager in 1989 further strained their marriage, as it necessitated extensive touring that kept him away from his family.
  • Despite their separation, the former couple maintain a close relationship, with Brinkley considering Joel a “soulmate” and naming her memoir after his hit song “Uptown Girl,” partly inspired by her.

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