"The Longest Time" is a doo-wop song by Billy Joel, released in 1984 as the fourth single from the 1983 album An Innocent Man. Following the theme of the album in paying tribute to Joel's musical influences, the song is presented in the style of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. It reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on Billboards Adult Contemporary chart. In the United Kingdom the song reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart.
The song features Joel on lead vocals, all backing vocals, and percussive sounds such as finger snaps and hand claps. When the song is covered by vocal groups, the bass part is typically sung. Phil Ramone and Joel had intended to feature a vocal group but Joel recorded each of the parts himself.
Music video The music video starts with a man (played by Joel) in a gym after his 25th high school reunion party. Looking around at posters of several class awards, he breaks into song as his band, apparently portrayed as his high school friends, enters the gym. As they sing, they alternate between their high school and current selves, ending with their high school selves walking out of the restroom and interacting with a puzzled janitor (Nick Stewart). The video was entirely filmed at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and was directed by Jay Dubin.
Personnel Billy Joel – lead and backing vocals, finger snaps, hand claps Doug Stegmeyer – bass guitar Additional personnel Tom Bahler – vocal arranger
Chart performance Chart (1984–1985)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)15Canada Top Singles (RPM)36Irish Singles Chart18Israel (IBA) Search "Billy Joel" for Israeli chart history.28New Zealand Singles Chart24UK Singles (OCC)25UK Airplay (Music & Media) 9US Billboard Hot 10014US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary1 Year-end chart (1984) RankUS Top Pop Singles (Billboard)89
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