Billy Joel says Taylor Swift is The Beatles of her generation

• Billy Joel told USA Today that Taylor Swift is like The Beatles of her generation.
• "She's productive and keeps coming up with great concepts and songs and she's huge," he said.

Billy Joel praised Taylor Swift in a recent interview with USA Today, comparing the singer-songwriter to The Beatles.

"Taylor is also a very talented girl and she's productive and keeps coming up with great concepts and songs and she's huge," he said.

"You have to give her high marks," he continued. "She knows music and she knows how to write. She's like that generation's Beatles."

Joel also spoke highly of Adele, calling her "a phenomenal singer, kind of a Streisand throwback," referring to Barbra Streisand.

Both women are poised to unveil blockbuster projects in the coming weeks. "Red (Taylor's Version)," a rerecording of Swift's beloved fourth album, will be released on November 12. Adele's highly anticipated fourth album, "30," is slated for release one week later on November 19.

Asked about Olivia Rodrigo, who name-drops Joel in her hit single "Deja Vu," and BTS, whose member V cited Joel as a major influence, Joel said he's "grateful" for his enduring popularity.

"When I was a kid, my generation didn't take to my parents' music," he said.

"We weren't a back-looking generation and there are a lot of younger people now looking backward and they like their parents' music, which is a strange phenomenon," he continued. "I look out [in the crowd] and see so many young people. I'm grateful for it, especially because they make more noise. It's a great mix."