And So It Goes' interviews all four of his wives and candidly examines singer's struggles with money, alcohol and critics

In an exclusive preview clip from the new HBO documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” that aired July 18 on TODAY, the "Piano Man" explains how classical music shaped the songs he has made during his decadeslong career.

"I was depressed to the point of almost being psychotic," Joel says in the documentary. "I figured, that's it, I don't want to live anymore."

I’ve long believed that the first hugely popular music you realize you hate is in many ways as important a discovery as the first music you realize you love. There’s something crucial and formative about the recognition that an artist whose music is beloved by millions makes your skin crawl,

The "Piano Man" singer said he got "punched in the nose, which I deserved," after telling his best friend Jon Small that he was seeing his wife, Elizabeth Weber.

And So It Goes” provides a window into the rocker’s creative process and personal life. The two-part film features more than 100 of Joel’s songs, interviews with Joel, his family and friends, and some of the biggest names in music,

He didn’t see the film until it was finished, so he stuck by that, and we took that as permission to tell the real story about Billy Joel.”

Alexa Ray Joel watched the new documentary about her father, 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes,' with mom Christie Brinkley. The film premieres in two parts on July 18 and July 25, on HBO Max.