| Year | Album Title | RIAA Certification | Notes | |------|-------------|--------------------|-------| | 1985 | Greatest Hits – Volume I & II | Diamond (21x Platinum) | Double album; includes "You're Only Human (Second Wind)". | | 1997 | The Complete Hits Collection: 1973–1997 | — | 4 CDs + bonus disc "The River of Dreams" era. | | 2000 | The Ultimate Collection | — | UK/Europe release. | | 2004 | Piano Man: The Very Best of Billy Joel | 2x Platinum | Single-disc career overview. | | 2008 | The Stranger (30th Anniversary Edition) | — | Includes original album + live tracks. | | 2011 | The Hits | — | Budget single-disc set. | | 2017 | She's Got a Way: Love Songs | — | Themed compilation. |

The early 1970s marked the beginning of Joel's successful solo career. His breakthrough album, (1973), introduced the world to Joel's storytelling and piano-driven songwriting style. The album spawned hits like "Captain Jack" and the title track.