Synopsis

Billy Joel performs "Honesty" seated at a piano inside a dimly lit studio. The camera stays close to the singer and his instrument, emphasizing the song's intimate, confessional mood rather than building a separate narrative. Soft shadows, restrained staging, and deliberate close-ups keep attention on Joel's vocal performance as he sings about the difficulty of finding truth and sincerity in personal relationships. The straightforward presentation reflects the emotional directness of the ballad and its focus on vulnerability.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video was released in 1979, following "Honesty"'s appearance on Joel's 1978 album *52nd Street* and its release as the album's third US single.

• There are two known video versions. They are substantially identical until the final verse, where the vocal performance differs.

• The clip is a performance-based promo rather than a narrative production. Its dark studio setting and piano-centered staging reinforce Joel's established image as a singer-songwriter and pianist.

• "Honesty" reached No. 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song later gained renewed attention through cover versions, including Beyonce's 2008 recording.

• The studio recording was produced by Phil Ramone and features acoustic guitar by David Spinozza, drums by Liberty DeVitto, and horn and string arrangements by Robert Freedman.