The Stranger singer was referring to Elton John's comments in a 2011 Rolling Stone interview. The Blue Moves musician talked about Joel “not writing his music anymore,” asserting that it was “either fear or laziness.” Elton felt that his fellow singer was “coasting.” He further remarked on the canceled tours and Billy needing rehab:

Billy Joel opens up about DUI rumors, his friendship fallout with Elton John and his struggles with alcohol in the HBO documentary 'And So It Goes'

In the new documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes, the Piano Man singer admitted that there was “bad blood” between himself and Sir Elton after an interview the latter gave to Rolling Stone in 2011, opening up about how past joint tours of theirs had to be cancelled due to “illnesses and various other things” including the former’s “alcoholism”.