Billy Joel makes surprise appearance on Eurovision broadcast

musicMay 16, 20261696

Billy Joel made a surprise on-air appearance during the Eurovision broadcast and spoke about his song "Vienna." The show aired a sound bite from Joel and included a live cover of "Vienna" during the program. Joel connected the song's lyrics and history to the contest's host city, Vienna, framing the 1977 track as part of the event's cultural backdrop. His cameo brought an American music icon into the broadcast and renewed attention on "Vienna" as a symbolic tie to the host city.

General Boles

@generalboles.bsky.social

Can we afford Billy Joel? No Can we afford a John Legend impersonator? Just about

432h ago

General Boles14

That was mean, Cesár is a great singer

The Name’s Nutz. Neil Nutz.

@colonelnutz.bsky.social

Billy Joel confirmed as San Marino’s entry next year, then… #eurovision

42h ago

taber

@kvetch.gay

Billy Joel (!!!) appearance talking about Vienna on the Eurovision broadcast?!!

32h ago

Joe Scaramanga

@joescaramanga.co.uk

Even Billy Joel is talking about mothers. What is this mother fixation everyone has tonight? #eurovision

32h ago

Daniel Emerson

@doktorfuttocks.bsky.social

"We can afford Billy Joel talking, but not Billy Joel singing". #Eurovision

52h ago

Thomas Ley

@thomasley.bsky.social

Ui, grosses Risiko des ESC, einen Billy-Joël-Song aufzuführen. Lässt den Rest ziemlich alt aussehen.. #esc2026

52h ago

Lara Seven

@laraseven.bsky.social

If you were wondering "is Eurovision aware that Americans finally are watching?", the inclusion of a sound bite by Billy Joel and having a performer cover his "Vienna" (the current host city) should answer that for you. Personally I would have gone with Ultravox's "this means nothing to me/oh Vienna

42h ago