Billy Joel stopped releasing new music for about 17 years before “Turn the Lights Back On,” which came out in February 2024. It was his first new single since “Christmas in Fallujah” in 2007.

Quick scoop

That gap is usually described in the press as a 17-year recording hiatus.

Why people mention a longer gap

Some stories also note that it had been more than 30 years since his last pop album, River of Dreams in 1993, so the answer can sound different depending on whether someone means a single or a full album.

TL;DR

  • First new single: 2024.
  • Previous new single: 2007.
  • Time away from releasing new songs: about 17 years.