Featuring Toots Thielemans: Leave A Tender Moment Alone

Our third example featuring Toots Thielemans is a 1983 hit by Billy Joel – “Leave a Tender Moment Alone.” Joel wrote the songs for “An Innocent Man” –  an album he recorded following his divorce from his first wife and was feeling a bit nostalgic for his teenage years. The songs on this album all have a flavor that hints at the primal years of rock ‘n roll.

“Leave a Tender Moment Alone,” which hinted at a more relaxed version of pop music, was the fifth of six singles released from “An Innocent Man.” It was the only one of the six that didn’t chart within the top 20, as it peaked at #27. Its softer side though brought the single to the number one slot on the Adult Contemporary charts.

Playing the solo on the intro and the solo proper is chromatic harmonica virtuoso Toots Thielemans. Good stuff from the harmonica master.