'Just the Way You Are' is my song today. It was recorded by Billy Joel from his fifth studio album 'The Stranger' in 1977 and was released as the album's lead single. It became both Joel's first 'US Top 10' and 'UK Top 20' single (reaching Number 3 and Number 19 respectively), as well as being Joel's first gold single in the US. The song also topped the 'Billboard Easy Listening Chart' for the entire month of January 1978. ‘Just the Way You Are’ garnered two 'Grammy Awards for Record of the Year' and 'Song of the Year' in 1979.
Billy Joel wrote the song for his first wife (who was also his business manager at the time) Elizabeth Weber. After Joel and Weber split in 1982, Joel rarely performed the song live after 1986 until the 2000s. Joel has publicly stated that he disliked playing the song live in the wake of his acrimonious divorce from his first wife.
The saxophone solo that features prominently in the recording was played by Phil Woods, a well-known jazz performer and Grammy award winner.
Happy birthday, Rebecca. Love You. Dad xxx
Love and peace Bill xxx