THE GREATEST OF ALL TUNES (G.O.A.T.) is a series of posts, producing my 100 favorite songs of all time. The master list is here, and I update it about every two weeks or when I have another 10 songs or so.

Confession: I liked this song, but didn’t love it until I heard Melissa Etheridge cover it on The Howard Stern Show. There’s a long, talking intro but if you fast-forward to 1:20 you’ll hear the whole thing and if it doesn’t send chills up your spine you might be dead. I’ve often thought about making a “Top 10 Songs About Begging For Sex.” This song would probably be #2. Right behind Meat Loaf’s Paradise by the Dashboard Lights, which isn’t a better song but my God is it epic on the topic of losing your virginity. I can’t imagine any song has said more on the subject.

Billy Joel was born on May 9, 1949. In celebration of his birthday, here’s some covers of other great songs he wrote–but the only one that will make the G.O.A.T. list is Only The Good, so it’s first–then after the break, if you want more cover versions, hit “next” and you’ll get some tasty ones!