"An Innocent Man" is a 1983 song performed by Billy Joel released as the third single from his album of the same name. The song, whose musical style is an homage to Ben E. King and the Drifters, reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the third consecutive top 10 single from the album.Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 8th Edition (Billboard Publications) It also spent one week at No. 1 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart.Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications)
Joel was quoted in a 1997 interview describing the high notes he sang during the song: "I had a suspicion that was going to be the last time I was going to be able to hit those notes, so why not go out in a blaze of glory? That was the end of Billy's high note."
Reception Cash Box said that "sounding soulful with a suburban lilt, Joel takes a cue from the Righteous Bros. in a performance that recalls Joel’s previous 'Until the Night.'"
Walter Everett described the song's lyrics as "one of Joel's deepest".
Chart positions Chart (1983–1984)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)23Israel (IBA) Search "Billy Joel" for Israeli chart history.19Spain Airplay (Top 40 Radio)33UK Airplay (Music & Media) 13US Billboard Hot 10010US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks1 Venezuela (UPI)5 Year-end chart (1984) RankUK Singles (Gallup)64US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)72
Certifications
See also List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1984 (U.S.)
References