I really like this song (and video) for its powerful reality and I admire those people who are working and living so hard but still stand firm! I also admire those who created and performed this song. Carry on!
love BJ my god does not get played over here apart from hits that guy is ordinary done good i love him and sometimes my saviour good luck to all fishermem espash in usa noo with oil spill and good luck to all here in scotland
wonderful song! very underated indeed, and i don't understand why......
but let me tell you what's my opinion, the ones that make playlist on radios or tvs are not all the best, and they don't all deserves such important jobs......
unfortunately. so you must listen what they put you to listen. that's sad, some of us depend on other's ignorance and lack of inspiration, taste and musical feeling.
How did family guy miss thiss when Petr was a fisherman? New England sort of area isn't it? " There aint much future for a man who works the sea/ there aint no islands left for islanders like me "
If you like this song and into the watermen trade, check out the video " The Last Boat Out " . A youtube video about a family of watermen in VA. trying to survive.
Another great song that's alot like this one is Bruce Hornsby's "The Tide Will Rise". It's about the same, telling the story of a profession passed by (making a living on the water).
17 years ago a us. tourist was visiting our island. When he left he gave me a CD player and Billy Joel CD "Storm front" Back then I spended most of my time at see and listening to this nr.
Now I live in europe and have internet .(17 years ago there was no such thing as intertnet) It touches me to hear this song again and actually seeing him singin it.
This song is a true masterpiece it speaks the truth.The songs all about unfair goverment restrictions and pollution making things even more diffacult on an already dwindaling industry.
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I hear this song and think this guy needs to sell his boat and go to a tech school. Perhaps heating and air-conditioning or IT or something like that. His wife and kid are starving while he yodels out in the ocean about the awful fishing.
That's just it, if he could do something different, don't you think he would? Think of it as a family business, he's been doing this all of his life. He probably knows little else. He probably doesn't have the money for it either.
This song, ALLENTOWN, and GOODNIGHT SAIGON show why Billy is the best! He sings each of those songs as if he lived that life. He makes my heart ache!
He is the voice for the those who have done their best even as life beat them down. They keep on going, and Billy is the one who speaks for them. He amazes me!
Yes, Leningrad is wonderful. To know he wrote that when he went to USSR and met the security guy who made Alexa Ray laugh. Billy found out his story, and makes this wonderful, touching song about his life. Genius!
Nobody could believe he hadn't been in Vietnam, he was so perfect in the portrayal of how it was for the guys.
This song is a true gem, IMHO. I wanted to name my older daughter Alexa for it. It reminds me of the tough life of so many people who work around this wide world, and how things have changed for the worse for many of them.
This is.......... I just can't describe it... This man can sing about New York and loneliness, Vietnam, and WWII, Just the way you are, he can jump all over the stage, he can be the smoothest gentleman, and an undercover rebell, and finally write a song like this... It's far away from my environment, but it's like I'm there... That's poetry..... Great man......
As a damn proud Long Islander, one who grew up going fishing with my father off of Captree and Port Jeff and Montauk and Orient, one who is proud of the unique culture and deep history of my home, this song serves as a brutal reminder of how much we've lost. The Sound and the Bays, and the towns that are next to them, are definitely not what they used to be.
One of the best "social songs" ever. There is so much in it... and it feels so beautifully authentic. I only learned yesterday that Mr. Joel indeed did work as a fisherman when he was young, and he does own a Downeaster named Alexa - after his daughter. Maybe the authentic background is what creates such an authentic song?
This song is about the Long Island fishing business. Block island is off the coast and is the farthest point east you can get in the USA. For all of you from Long Island, Billy Joel grew up in Masapequa.
Well I'm a young fishermen. I work on party boats in the summer and commercial boats in the winter. This is definitely my favorite song. Even though I didnt grow up in the 80's I still love this kind of music. I hate that Rap Crap like everyone else my age listens to. The only thing I dont understand in this song is he says they cant find much fish. But from the people I know they said the 80's was a great fishing period, unlike today. Theres not much today at all, and a lot more size limits
i hear ya, my father is a longliner off the cape and has to go farther off, for longer, and work harder than ever, people are making fishermen out to be horrible people when there just trying to make ends meet. No one ever expected to have to go out 100+ miles in 40 ft boats to get a meager ammount of fish. It's a sad scene seeing less and less fishermen.
As a LI Bayman whos family and and friends are in this video, thank you for posting this. We really did have to sell our house in 86 thanks to the city people and the sports fishermen, but we're still here trying our hardest. More awareness is needed to help support us.
littlebit001, you have my eternal support of your story as I know they are true as I have dated an offshore fisherman here in Florida. The video here explains it all to a T. Trials, tribulations...rules and empty nets coming up and it breaks my heart. We need an awareness program for you people. All of you...I will see what I can do for us. God Bless you all and remember you have all of us rooting for you. Especially me and my experiences. Love to you all and hold on...we will prevail...
I have the deepest respect and reguard for those of you that make your living from the sea. Its a beautiful but dangerous place out there. This song hit home for me years ago when it first came out and has always had a place in my heart. When i go the the market the first thing i look at is WHERE the catch came from. If it aint local it doesn't hit my belly. I hope my little bit helps. Be safe out there!!!
LittleBit...hang in there. The greed and corruption are starting to catch up to "the city people" and those big houses and yachts will be in forclosure soon. I am a "city person" but am blue collar through and through.Theres nothing like making a living the old fashion way! On the water!
NetDevil Ten..thank you so very much for posting this song..it really hit home for me. Have a very nice holiday for you and your family. Keep posting amazing videos!!!
This song REALLY hits home with me. I dated an offshore fisherman and I know how it all goes down. Just like this song. Every scene and every word is exact in this video. Think twice when you bite into that luxurious seafood dinner and realize it was brought to you by the blood, determination and guts of the fisherman. And THAT will make you appreciate them even more. God Bless them....
I am from the South, but I too find this song haunting. It makes your heart go out to the "men who work the sea" and their families. ...a way of life passing away before our eyes....
As a native New Englander, this song sends chills thru me each time I hear it. Never seemed to have been a big hit outside the North East. God bless all those who make there living by the sea.
what happend to good had workers and long island sound fisherman ,,,,,,,,,,coprate america thats what happend import from every were what the hell happend to this world
They sell us out for the stock they own. We are like something the corporate beings own, they trade us like stock on the market. I am more than that, are you?
Great song about the loss of a way of life. "Like all the locals here I had to sell my home." I would take that to mean the locals can't afford to live in their town anymore after the rich moved in.
Same thing happened in my home about 90 miles north of NYC. The rich moved in drove land and housing prices up and employment down. Farms gone, factories gone and slowly the local are going to be all gone.
twbeam: Thanks for undertstanding what was going on when he wrote this song. It is a testament to an eroding social society we call the USA. We have become a consumer society and no one works with their hands here anymore, they just consume and become fat. Once we were proud, now we are lost at sea, looking for the catch that has gone to China.
Shame on us for allowing this to happen, for allowing our politicians to do it to us. Our lives changed while we were sleeping.
One of the unfortunate things is there are fewer jobs available where one can work with their hands and make a living. If you can find a blue collar job the wages and benefits are pathetic because of the greed of business and the greed of unions, as well.
Billy's the whole package. Writer, Composer, Singer. Most importantly, an incredibly potent storyteller. This song is everything it was meant to be: important, informing, tragic, beautiful.
Great song. Wow, the guy in the video and family of the people it's written about posting on this video. If a song this great was written about my family, I'd listen to it alot I think.
it's almost near impossible for him to make a living fishing in amagansett... and he works harder than any other man i can possibly think of. for those of you that don't appreciate it... keep your opinion to yourself. cause seeing stuff like that really hurts my feelings. this is a beautiful video of my HOMETOWN with beautiful lyrics about my FATHER. and when you insult my father, his occupation, the money my family survives off of, and LONG ISLAND. i have no respect for you.
i hate ignorant people. my FATHER is in this video (along with his friends and my uncle lester and my great-uncle lester's grave) and he is in this video because he is amazing at what he does. regardless of the fact that it is near impossible to make a living as a commercial fisherman, and yet he works harder than any man ever should have to. and dad is friends with billy joel because billy joel understands the concept. "to proud to leave i work my fingers to the bone"
emw you left out the havens if you look close you will see the guy they are talking about who was a baymen like his father was before him were Havens.nothing againts they Lesters just didnt want the Havens name omitted plus i was the main fisherman in the video.Thanks to Billy for asking me to play the part and by the way i had to take a regular job but still do a little oystering and clamming on the side.Yep the Island went to hell in a hand basket
Fishing a cakewalk?? I know NOTHING about fishing, but HUGESUNGLASSES, your comment is disrespectful. My cousin was a fisherman in Alaska for ten years and narrowly escaped death...TWICE. And all the work is going to big fisheries and overseas. I guess it doesn't provide much of a living anymore if you work for yourself.
couple great shows on discovery channel about life as fisherman...deadliest catch and lobster wars. makes me think of this song every time i watch them. infact I believe lobster wars takes place in the waters that Billy speaks of in this song.
You are right.Lobster wars is filmed on Georges bank. When Billy says "tell my wife I am trolling Atlantis" he is referring to Atlantis Canyon which is on the southern end of Georges Bank. Cheers Jim
Hehe. I always thought it meant that the guy was drowning. It used to make the song even more dramatic to me. Interesting to see what it's really meant to mean.
jst wanted to say this is off one amazin flim sadly cant remeber the name but try t find it ud love it the storyline is jst like the song lol brilliant
This story of this song is about a man trying to support his family. He doesn't just want money. This is his life. If you listen, you hear him saying how difficult his life is, but there isn't anything else that he can do ('but there ain't no island left for islanders like me'). This is a family job for him('I am a bayman like my father was before'), not just an easy job for money. It's the same with my father's side of the family. This song is about real fishermen, not some of the ones today.
The "white collar elites" ? Please. The further one lives from nature the more likely they are to destroy it, and manicured lawns and golf courses dont count. There is nothing natural about those. By the way, great song.
You Morons. This about a a man who lives up to his responsiblities. Works hard for little, but keeps at it to provide for his family. I know many men like this back in Rhode Island, more of a man than most of you.
i weep when i hear him mention the vineyard. i have a house down there and when i'm not there i feel poor. but when i am down there, my friends and i go out to the bars and drink and scoop broads. when the bars close, we scoot back to my house and take ecstacy and watch hot girl on girl shit in my hot tub. sad song indeed.
Funny when I hear it I think of how the fishing boats are destroying the ecology of the ocean. I guess everyone is a bad guy in this story. The health of Gardiners bay is greatly reduced because of the "workin folk" on Long Island such as the farmers and fishermen who see the land and waters as just a way to make money. Ironically the white collar NYC elites do better by nature because they want a nice place to live above all else for a vacation home.
i've known commercial fishermen all my life, from the south jersey shore to riverhead. i almost weep when i hear the line, 'we passed the bell in gardner's bay', cuz i know friends of my parents that were 'baymen'.american imperialism spreads itself around the world, but she wont stoop to help her own.
AdriftNWo is correct. My uncle used to keep his boat at Smitty's in Broad Channel and we used to go out with him in Jamaca Bay,along Coney Island,Riis Park and the "Tin Can Grounds". The foreign ships would come in and drag the bottom for what ever they could come up with. If a fish was too small they would keep it anyway, nobody to police them. My uncle used to call them " Draggers" because they would drag the bottom and keep whatever they got. He wanted to shoot them.
My parents have raised me on the lyrics of Billy Joel... something about truly LIVING in the music has been carried from my parent's childhood- through their lives- and into mine. :::nods::- as a Navy brat- even through the Government- sometimes it's the only job you have. Blessings to the "bay men".
This song makes me feel sad whenever I hear it, but I feel better knowing it outlines for many the suffering of those who have nowhere to go, and work the same job becasue it's all they have. I have loved it ever since I was a child. The love I have for this song goes to the extent that I have memorised its tune, and whenever I sing the lyrics without musical accompaniment, I can hear the tune in my head.
Man this song makes me so sad, and I think about whenever im on my boat. I feel so bad for the guys I see out there at four in the morning pulling in empty pots
In the 50's, 60's, into the 70's, the Russians, and, Japanese, factory ships (and others) use to come and net and keep everything with one inch nets. Uncle Sap did nothing to protect our grounds till the fishery collapsed. Don' t believe me, ask any of the commercial guys that were around at the time. Ignorance and apathy, fueled by greed is the greatest poison of mankind. We will all pay the price eventually.
Fishermen work their asses off this is a good song.I was on a lobster boat once and a crab boat twice I made good money but kicked the shit out of myself doing it so I like this song
thank you... this song is still amazing.. this was one of the first albums ever given to me... i think i was 9 years old... i remember playing this over and over... even more amazing now... -steph ;)
Well, Long island's Got an anthem, Now we need a flag.
Good Island Motto in there, "There ain't no Island left for Islanders Like Me" Gone are the days of the Farms, Feilds and fisheries, now we have McMansions and SUVs.
Blame the hamptons, with their straw hats and Dan's Papers.
This is one of my favorites by Billy Joel. The story told is truly happenening to the New England fishing industry. Billy's daughter is named Alexa. Thanks for posting.
It's about Long Island fishermen, who are normally known as "baymen." Not the lyric "there ain't no island left for Islanders like me." And believe me, this situation burns we Islanders up beyond description.
Ah! Thanks for the correction and the info about Baymen. I do know from living in Rhode Island and Mass. that The fishermen there are also going out farther and farther to catch enough to make ends meet
Pollution being of of the problems wit fish caught closer to the shore. A really good song.
In general we Long Islanders are an obnoxious, arrogant and proud bunch (see "Yankee fan.") Islanders love the Island and many of my generation watched our waters turn to sh1t as we grew up. It really gets us crazy. BJ mentions areas where the baymen once were. So many have moved inland for other jobs. Even if they do get a decent catch, the heavy metal content in the meat can be dangerous.
You have to read this!! you won't believe it!!! don't stop now!! make a wish - - - - - - - . . . . . Now that you have your wish it will happen! in exclatly 4 days. just copy this and paste it to 4 videos!! only one wish use it wisely and it WILL HAPPEN!!! but if you break the chain your wish will be the opposite
I remember Shelter Island Sound and Gardiner's Bay when the water was so clear you could see to China. Fihs, bay scallops abound...another time...another era. Freezing ice barely subsisting in the Winter scalloping....
I live in the east and I personally have no connection to the fishing industry, but this song has a profound impact on me, the lyrics , the story, and the music. Great song.
In the 50's, 60's, into the 70's, the Russians, and, Japanese, factory ships (and others) use to come and net and keep everything with one inch nets. Uncle Sap did nothing to protect our grounds till the fishery collapsed. Don' t believe me, ask any of the commercial guys that were around at the time. Ignorance and apathy, fueled by greed is the greatest poison of mankind. We will all pay the price eventually.
hangover tnks ♥
ladyMustaine1 3 weeks ago
Had totally forgotten about this song, but just watched Hangover 2 and it all came flooding back! :) Brilliant!
daehllaw 8 months ago in playlist Anke 4
I really like this song (and video) for its powerful reality and I admire those people who are working and living so hard but still stand firm! I also admire those who created and performed this song. Carry on!
MikacBG 9 months ago
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This song is so powerful!
♫ Like all the locals here I've had to sell my home
Too proud to leave I work my fingers to the bone♪♪♪
Ggdivhjkjl 10 months ago
This song is so powerful!
♫ Like many people here I had to sell my home
Too proud to leave I work my fingers to the bone♪♪♪
Ggdivhjkjl 10 months ago
Every man who has kids and wife could find himself in this song! One of my favorite!
isandic 1 year ago 3
The most beautiful song in the world !!!!!!!
peacebre 1 year ago
ONE OF BILLY JOEL'S BEST SONGS, EXPECIALLY FOR ITS CONTENTS.
THIS VIDEO MAKES IT GREATER.
CELCP 1 year ago
this song is so fab! :)
CrazyNative4 1 year ago
damn, i love this! :)
CrazyNative4 1 year ago
The song's driving beat and passion, with excellent lyrics has made this one of my top favorite songs of all time. Amazing video.
Kidzpreacher 1 year ago 3
love BJ my god does not get played over here apart from hits that guy is ordinary done good i love him and sometimes my saviour good luck to all fishermem espash in usa noo with oil spill and good luck to all here in scotland
audreyhepburn21 1 year ago
wonderful song! very underated indeed, and i don't understand why......
but let me tell you what's my opinion, the ones that make playlist on radios or tvs are not all the best, and they don't all deserves such important jobs......
unfortunately. so you must listen what they put you to listen. that's sad, some of us depend on other's ignorance and lack of inspiration, taste and musical feeling.
allcatslover 1 year ago 3
How on earth did Family Guy miss this when Peter was a fisherman?
"There aint much future left for a man who works the sea/
there aint no islands left for islanders like me" could easily be Rhode island if you wanted it to be.
Great tune, though. Bit like Allentown in it's theme.
RonnieJamesable 1 year ago
How did family guy miss thiss when Petr was a fisherman? New England sort of area isn't it? " There aint much future for a man who works the sea/ there aint no islands left for islanders like me "
Rhode Island anyone?
Awesome tune this btw.
RonnieJamesable 1 year ago
i agree wit Super
kevinp860 1 year ago
this song is awsome 10/10
flybeetle27 1 year ago
If you like this song and into the watermen trade, check out the video " The Last Boat Out " . A youtube video about a family of watermen in VA. trying to survive.
The8641 2 years ago
great lyrics great music great vid and oh yeah Billy sings with his heart
01Moodies 2 years ago
Another great song that's alot like this one is Bruce Hornsby's "The Tide Will Rise". It's about the same, telling the story of a profession passed by (making a living on the water).
kpz1234 2 years ago
17 years ago a us. tourist was visiting our island. When he left he gave me a CD player and Billy Joel CD "Storm front" Back then I spended most of my time at see and listening to this nr.
Now I live in europe and have internet .(17 years ago there was no such thing as intertnet) It touches me to hear this song again and actually seeing him singin it.
Amazing!!!
1977gmw 2 years ago 3
this song reminds me of sailing under the verranzno bridge when i did it is such an experience
ilikpatoez 2 years ago
Great song 631 represent!
GowenGeterDipper88 2 years ago
This song is a true masterpiece it speaks the truth.The songs all about unfair goverment restrictions and pollution making things even more diffacult on an already dwindaling industry.
SuperAuschwitz 2 years ago
Too damn good! Im not even a big fan of Billy Joel, but this is amazing!
TheMuenzer 2 years ago 2
I have bills to pay and children who need food
I got people back on land that count on me
And a good captain cant fall asleep
bkeay100 2 years ago 3
Huge Billy Joel fan. I believe this is one of his best pieces of work. Powerful and emotional.
ssgrobbie 2 years ago 2
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I hear this song and think this guy needs to sell his boat and go to a tech school. Perhaps heating and air-conditioning or IT or something like that. His wife and kid are starving while he yodels out in the ocean about the awful fishing.
marky2112 2 years ago
That's just it, if he could do something different, don't you think he would? Think of it as a family business, he's been doing this all of his life. He probably knows little else. He probably doesn't have the money for it either.
TristanSparrow 2 years ago
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juliamacadam 2 years ago
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taylordurden666 2 years ago
This song, ALLENTOWN, and GOODNIGHT SAIGON show why Billy is the best! He sings each of those songs as if he lived that life. He makes my heart ache!
He is the voice for the those who have done their best even as life beat them down. They keep on going, and Billy is the one who speaks for them. He amazes me!
cards0486 2 years ago
I would add LENINGRAD.
But yeah... I agree with you!
TrejosEd 2 years ago
Yes, Leningrad is wonderful. To know he wrote that when he went to USSR and met the security guy who made Alexa Ray laugh. Billy found out his story, and makes this wonderful, touching song about his life. Genius!
Nobody could believe he hadn't been in Vietnam, he was so perfect in the portrayal of how it was for the guys.
cards0486 2 years ago
Only Billy Joel could sing this powerful a song and play an accordion. Thank you for posting this, this definitely ranks amongst his best. ^_^
Zaleone7 2 years ago
Great tune !!!!!
Pollution and Long Liners killing everything in sight are the reason "these waters aren't the way they used to be".
roswellyeti 2 years ago
This song is a true gem, IMHO. I wanted to name my older daughter Alexa for it. It reminds me of the tough life of so many people who work around this wide world, and how things have changed for the worse for many of them.
And Billy Joel is simply an ARTIST.
ninaquero 2 years ago
the movement of the guy throwing his cig at the end of the video, is as strong as the song itself. well done!
divermg 2 years ago
Block Island? Nantucket? Nice.
FollyWantACracker 2 years ago
This is.......... I just can't describe it... This man can sing about New York and loneliness, Vietnam, and WWII, Just the way you are, he can jump all over the stage, he can be the smoothest gentleman, and an undercover rebell, and finally write a song like this... It's far away from my environment, but it's like I'm there... That's poetry..... Great man......
IvanKaramazov22 2 years ago
Exactly! You said what I was trying to say so much better than I could.
And with 'WE DIDN'T START THE FIRE' he sang the entire life of his, and my, generation.
No wonder teachers use it as a study tool in school. It's America's history from 1950 on.
cards0486 2 years ago
What a great song. How come I never heard it before?
rozniy 2 years ago
you and me both!!
retrosam84 2 years ago
good song
impyism 2 years ago
Win win win.. all those memories..
mommywhereisdaddy 2 years ago
As a damn proud Long Islander, one who grew up going fishing with my father off of Captree and Port Jeff and Montauk and Orient, one who is proud of the unique culture and deep history of my home, this song serves as a brutal reminder of how much we've lost. The Sound and the Bays, and the towns that are next to them, are definitely not what they used to be.
goisles 2 years ago
one of Billy Joels best songs, also like A matter of trust and Leningrad
18KOFF19 2 years ago
Excellent song very much underated
JJT1959 2 years ago 16
Yes, we love to, here on the Hungary
Dajjer09 2 years ago
One of the best "social songs" ever. There is so much in it... and it feels so beautifully authentic. I only learned yesterday that Mr. Joel indeed did work as a fisherman when he was young, and he does own a Downeaster named Alexa - after his daughter. Maybe the authentic background is what creates such an authentic song?
Buntrabe 2 years ago 3
I Love this song!!!!!!!!!
Rammids 2 years ago
fantastic song! :D
09Elitesniper 2 years ago
The boy at 1:14 is cute! Billy sends the greatest messages through his songs! Like they aren't always great but the teach you a lesson!
lucydog232 2 years ago
Great Song, Great Artist - He IS the Piano Man
ThaBeatDontStop 2 years ago 2
Cant wait to see you in Pula (Croatia) next Wednesday night
minxbadge 2 years ago
one of the best songs I know...great video
loxixedo 2 years ago 3
great song
struby96 2 years ago 3
love this song .voted
blackbelly73 2 years ago 2
Yes. The black and white express weariness, chillness and much more. Beautiful song.
michatko 2 years ago 3
I think the black and white video is a better reflection of the message. It is a great song.
ashland1977 2 years ago 2
Great song, great video, I wish it was in colour though!
robbiecornish 2 years ago 2
Im going to call my daughter alexa...this is one of my favourite music video's and me and my partner think its a beautiful name
dottyrad 2 years ago 2
Genial !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AWFBonn 2 years ago 2
Love Billy's song,my dad played them a lot when I was little.
Tomj2110 2 years ago 2
look at 3:00 thats my dad
3245267 2 years ago 2
Cool,how did he get in the clip?
bcibibcibcpCB 2 years ago
wow my Dad look so young in this video!!
3245267 2 years ago
Who is your dad in here?
goingutube 2 years ago
Die Tiefe der Gefühle rührt zu Tränen - großer Song...
JakobMierscheid 2 years ago
FirefighterJohnM i totally agree with you rap sucks and oldies rock
mitandahalf 2 years ago
As an ex-fisherman from the "other" coast
I ahve always loved and respected this haunting song..the video is great!
canfor5 2 years ago 2
Great great song
MonTiblet 2 years ago 2
hello buddy, you are right, very authentic, hope the boys did not get seasick,,,all the mess all over the galley
thesuperbowlingdude 2 years ago
This song is about the Long Island fishing business. Block island is off the coast and is the farthest point east you can get in the USA. For all of you from Long Island, Billy Joel grew up in Masapequa.
bamdude3 2 years ago
OMG thats my name ALEXA!!! its like he wrote this song for me!!!
Uatemypickle 2 years ago 2
I am Alexandra and always felt this is "my" song though I am not any kind of vessel!!:))
paramecium032 2 years ago
Me too1 my name is Alexa LOL☺
XxAlexa15 2 years ago
This song is so great and powerful. Gives me the chills. Love Billy Joel -:))
balltuss2 3 years ago 2
The Perfect Storm didn't include this song. Pity.
bazadata 3 years ago
Well I'm a young fishermen. I work on party boats in the summer and commercial boats in the winter. This is definitely my favorite song. Even though I didnt grow up in the 80's I still love this kind of music. I hate that Rap Crap like everyone else my age listens to. The only thing I dont understand in this song is he says they cant find much fish. But from the people I know they said the 80's was a great fishing period, unlike today. Theres not much today at all, and a lot more size limits
FirefighterJohnM 3 years ago 2
if i ever get enough money for a boat this song will be the only song aloud to play on board.
thehock69 3 years ago
i hear ya, my father is a longliner off the cape and has to go farther off, for longer, and work harder than ever, people are making fishermen out to be horrible people when there just trying to make ends meet. No one ever expected to have to go out 100+ miles in 40 ft boats to get a meager ammount of fish. It's a sad scene seeing less and less fishermen.
newbuddyerror 3 years ago
awesome songg
Maddenzoo05 3 years ago
good song
very emotional
guitarhero972 4 years ago
As a LI Bayman whos family and and friends are in this video, thank you for posting this. We really did have to sell our house in 86 thanks to the city people and the sports fishermen, but we're still here trying our hardest. More awareness is needed to help support us.
LittleBit001 4 years ago 7
littlebit001, you have my eternal support of your story as I know they are true as I have dated an offshore fisherman here in Florida. The video here explains it all to a T. Trials, tribulations...rules and empty nets coming up and it breaks my heart. We need an awareness program for you people. All of you...I will see what I can do for us. God Bless you all and remember you have all of us rooting for you. Especially me and my experiences. Love to you all and hold on...we will prevail...
alaina66 4 years ago
Keep the faith. We are all trying.
A friend
1davidpilgrim 4 years ago
littlebit,
I have the deepest respect and reguard for those of you that make your living from the sea. Its a beautiful but dangerous place out there. This song hit home for me years ago when it first came out and has always had a place in my heart. When i go the the market the first thing i look at is WHERE the catch came from. If it aint local it doesn't hit my belly. I hope my little bit helps. Be safe out there!!!
hillwalker54 3 years ago
LittleBit...hang in there. The greed and corruption are starting to catch up to "the city people" and those big houses and yachts will be in forclosure soon. I am a "city person" but am blue collar through and through.Theres nothing like making a living the old fashion way! On the water!
LongLiner61 3 years ago
NetDevil Ten..thank you so very much for posting this song..it really hit home for me. Have a very nice holiday for you and your family. Keep posting amazing videos!!!
alaina66 4 years ago
Speak out as loud as you can! Find a way to make this change, you have the power. We have the power.
1davidpilgrim 4 years ago
Is there any hope here? The ocean has changed, so have we.
This is the future we have chosen if we like it or not. Can we turn back the hands of time? Do you care? I do! I do!
1davidpilgrim 4 years ago
I feel more for the fish that is keeping us alive than the person who hunted it. O_o
emmteez 4 years ago
This song REALLY hits home with me. I dated an offshore fisherman and I know how it all goes down. Just like this song. Every scene and every word is exact in this video. Think twice when you bite into that luxurious seafood dinner and realize it was brought to you by the blood, determination and guts of the fisherman. And THAT will make you appreciate them even more. God Bless them....
alaina66 4 years ago 3
I am from the South, but I too find this song haunting. It makes your heart go out to the "men who work the sea" and their families. ...a way of life passing away before our eyes....
MrPinksBane 4 years ago
As a native New Englander, this song sends chills thru me each time I hear it. Never seemed to have been a big hit outside the North East. God bless all those who make there living by the sea.
MMA1991 4 years ago 2
great song!!
asuraa2001 4 years ago 2
the world is ruined thanks to humans.
emmteez 4 years ago
Not as ruined as it will become I am afraid. Thanks for caring!
1davidpilgrim 4 years ago
You are a human, change it!
1davidpilgrim 4 years ago
what happend to good had workers and long island sound fisherman ,,,,,,,,,,coprate america thats what happend import from every were what the hell happend to this world
gioiaferrante 4 years ago
They sell us out for the stock they own. We are like something the corporate beings own, they trade us like stock on the market. I am more than that, are you?
1davidpilgrim 4 years ago
It has been awile shince I have heard this song, it is great.
1davidpilgrim 4 years ago
Great song about the loss of a way of life. "Like all the locals here I had to sell my home." I would take that to mean the locals can't afford to live in their town anymore after the rich moved in.
Same thing happened in my home about 90 miles north of NYC. The rich moved in drove land and housing prices up and employment down. Farms gone, factories gone and slowly the local are going to be all gone.
Sad.
twbaem 4 years ago
twbeam: Thanks for undertstanding what was going on when he wrote this song. It is a testament to an eroding social society we call the USA. We have become a consumer society and no one works with their hands here anymore, they just consume and become fat. Once we were proud, now we are lost at sea, looking for the catch that has gone to China.
Shame on us for allowing this to happen, for allowing our politicians to do it to us. Our lives changed while we were sleeping.
1davidpilgrim 4 years ago
One of the unfortunate things is there are fewer jobs available where one can work with their hands and make a living. If you can find a blue collar job the wages and benefits are pathetic because of the greed of business and the greed of unions, as well.
Sadly, we are "still" asleep.
twbaem 4 years ago
for anyone who knows, likes, bla bla bla fishing... a GREAT SONG.
17steve 4 years ago
Billy's the whole package. Writer, Composer, Singer. Most importantly, an incredibly potent storyteller. This song is everything it was meant to be: important, informing, tragic, beautiful.
VicJAyala 4 years ago 2
this might be joel's best song. love it.
Derayne33 4 years ago 3
Agreed brother.
1davidpilgrim 4 years ago
Great song with an Irish scent
towep 4 years ago
Great song. Wow, the guy in the video and family of the people it's written about posting on this video. If a song this great was written about my family, I'd listen to it alot I think.
badmonkey91 4 years ago
~What a painful message on the open waters.
archtopone 4 years ago
it's almost near impossible for him to make a living fishing in amagansett... and he works harder than any other man i can possibly think of. for those of you that don't appreciate it... keep your opinion to yourself. cause seeing stuff like that really hurts my feelings. this is a beautiful video of my HOMETOWN with beautiful lyrics about my FATHER. and when you insult my father, his occupation, the money my family survives off of, and LONG ISLAND. i have no respect for you.
emw0925d1 4 years ago
i hate ignorant people. my FATHER is in this video (along with his friends and my uncle lester and my great-uncle lester's grave) and he is in this video because he is amazing at what he does. regardless of the fact that it is near impossible to make a living as a commercial fisherman, and yet he works harder than any man ever should have to. and dad is friends with billy joel because billy joel understands the concept. "to proud to leave i work my fingers to the bone"
emw0925d1 4 years ago 3
emw you left out the havens if you look close you will see the guy they are talking about who was a baymen like his father was before him were Havens.nothing againts they Lesters just didnt want the Havens name omitted plus i was the main fisherman in the video.Thanks to Billy for asking me to play the part and by the way i had to take a regular job but still do a little oystering and clamming on the side.Yep the Island went to hell in a hand basket
homeishell159 4 years ago
omg.
emw0925d1 4 years ago
Fishing a cakewalk?? I know NOTHING about fishing, but HUGESUNGLASSES, your comment is disrespectful. My cousin was a fisherman in Alaska for ten years and narrowly escaped death...TWICE. And all the work is going to big fisheries and overseas. I guess it doesn't provide much of a living anymore if you work for yourself.
gelf315 4 years ago
couple great shows on discovery channel about life as fisherman...deadliest catch and lobster wars. makes me think of this song every time i watch them. infact I believe lobster wars takes place in the waters that Billy speaks of in this song.
rms42 4 years ago
You are right.Lobster wars is filmed on Georges bank. When Billy says "tell my wife I am trolling Atlantis" he is referring to Atlantis Canyon which is on the southern end of Georges Bank. Cheers Jim
LongLiner61 4 years ago
Hehe. I always thought it meant that the guy was drowning. It used to make the song even more dramatic to me. Interesting to see what it's really meant to mean.
betlamed 4 years ago
aint heard this sond in like forever pmsl wow sooo chuffed !!!!!
steviebaybe 4 years ago
This is a great song. Im not from New England but form a small fishing port in Nova Scotia and this song is like looking in a mirror.
zcr19 4 years ago
jst wanted to say this is off one amazin flim sadly cant remeber the name but try t find it ud love it the storyline is jst like the song lol brilliant
steviebaybe 4 years ago
best most underrated joel song ever
panterastang 4 years ago
Fishing is not a cake walk god I wanna kick your ass. New England for life baby! Come to my town and see what kidna men we have
MadMatt1030 4 years ago
Im Matt from New England too..hell yeah. fishing for shizzle!
I was fishing on block island 2 weeks ago.
panterastang 4 years ago
fishing = cakewalk
hugesunglasses 4 years ago
you = retarded
fishing = one of most dangerous and difficult jobs in the world.
panterastang 4 years ago
Wow, this is deep...
castingtherunes 4 years ago
I like the imagerary of " taking on diesel back in Montauk yesterday, left this morning from the bell in Gardener's Bay..."
PepperWhite62 4 years ago
A great song written about how globalization has destroyed our coastal fishing industries. Great lyric.
MichiganMuzz 4 years ago
please. these dudes got it made.
hugesunglasses 4 years ago
This story of this song is about a man trying to support his family. He doesn't just want money. This is his life. If you listen, you hear him saying how difficult his life is, but there isn't anything else that he can do ('but there ain't no island left for islanders like me'). This is a family job for him('I am a bayman like my father was before'), not just an easy job for money. It's the same with my father's side of the family. This song is about real fishermen, not some of the ones today.
MxT4ever 4 years ago
The "white collar elites" ? Please. The further one lives from nature the more likely they are to destroy it, and manicured lawns and golf courses dont count. There is nothing natural about those. By the way, great song.
ashland1977 4 years ago
This is a beautiful song. Thanks for putting it up.
MxT4ever 4 years ago
You Morons. This about a a man who lives up to his responsiblities. Works hard for little, but keeps at it to provide for his family. I know many men like this back in Rhode Island, more of a man than most of you.
rtwski 4 years ago
God this song is so stupid.
Dendeii1 4 years ago
Then you obviously don't understand it.
Sircornflakes 4 years ago 2
i weep when i hear him mention the vineyard. i have a house down there and when i'm not there i feel poor. but when i am down there, my friends and i go out to the bars and drink and scoop broads. when the bars close, we scoot back to my house and take ecstacy and watch hot girl on girl shit in my hot tub. sad song indeed.
hugesunglasses 4 years ago
Funny when I hear it I think of how the fishing boats are destroying the ecology of the ocean. I guess everyone is a bad guy in this story. The health of Gardiners bay is greatly reduced because of the "workin folk" on Long Island such as the farmers and fishermen who see the land and waters as just a way to make money. Ironically the white collar NYC elites do better by nature because they want a nice place to live above all else for a vacation home.
r0ck3tsm0k3 4 years ago
i've known commercial fishermen all my life, from the south jersey shore to riverhead. i almost weep when i hear the line, 'we passed the bell in gardner's bay', cuz i know friends of my parents that were 'baymen'.american imperialism spreads itself around the world, but she wont stoop to help her own.
njminer1 4 years ago
AdriftNWo is correct. My uncle used to keep his boat at Smitty's in Broad Channel and we used to go out with him in Jamaca Bay,along Coney Island,Riis Park and the "Tin Can Grounds". The foreign ships would come in and drag the bottom for what ever they could come up with. If a fish was too small they would keep it anyway, nobody to police them. My uncle used to call them " Draggers" because they would drag the bottom and keep whatever they got. He wanted to shoot them.
salpolizzi 4 years ago
My parents have raised me on the lyrics of Billy Joel... something about truly LIVING in the music has been carried from my parent's childhood- through their lives- and into mine. :::nods::- as a Navy brat- even through the Government- sometimes it's the only job you have. Blessings to the "bay men".
Zenmeow 4 years ago
Just like Piano Man, Baby Grand, A Matter of Trust, and most of his other songs, this is a Billy Joel Giant.
greywolf271 4 years ago
This song makes me feel sad whenever I hear it, but I feel better knowing it outlines for many the suffering of those who have nowhere to go, and work the same job becasue it's all they have. I have loved it ever since I was a child. The love I have for this song goes to the extent that I have memorised its tune, and whenever I sing the lyrics without musical accompaniment, I can hear the tune in my head.
WeissDraconis 4 years ago
Man this song makes me so sad, and I think about whenever im on my boat. I feel so bad for the guys I see out there at four in the morning pulling in empty pots
MadMatt1030 4 years ago
WIND TO YOUR BACK.
SAILINJUNKIE 4 years ago
In the 50's, 60's, into the 70's, the Russians, and, Japanese, factory ships (and others) use to come and net and keep everything with one inch nets. Uncle Sap did nothing to protect our grounds till the fishery collapsed. Don' t believe me, ask any of the commercial guys that were around at the time. Ignorance and apathy, fueled by greed is the greatest poison of mankind. We will all pay the price eventually.
AdriftNWo 4 years ago
this song is defiately the best song for a guy who wants to work his but off on the roling seas
luckyDiRaimoxo23 4 years ago
Fishermen work their asses off this is a good song.I was on a lobster boat once and a crab boat twice I made good money but kicked the shit out of myself doing it so I like this song
tripwire00 4 years ago
thank you... this song is still amazing.. this was one of the first albums ever given to me... i think i was 9 years old... i remember playing this over and over... even more amazing now... -steph ;)
w4040 4 years ago
Well, Long island's Got an anthem, Now we need a flag.
Good Island Motto in there, "There ain't no Island left for Islanders Like Me" Gone are the days of the Farms, Feilds and fisheries, now we have McMansions and SUVs.
Blame the hamptons, with their straw hats and Dan's Papers.
RIP Olde Eastport.
Strangedays365 4 years ago
i on a down ester
ICE2A 4 years ago
This is one of my favorites by Billy Joel. The story told is truly happenening to the New England fishing industry. Billy's daughter is named Alexa. Thanks for posting.
Maffay613 4 years ago
It's about Long Island fishermen, who are normally known as "baymen." Not the lyric "there ain't no island left for Islanders like me." And believe me, this situation burns we Islanders up beyond description.
Arkady63 4 years ago
Ah! Thanks for the correction and the info about Baymen. I do know from living in Rhode Island and Mass. that The fishermen there are also going out farther and farther to catch enough to make ends meet
Pollution being of of the problems wit fish caught closer to the shore. A really good song.
Maffay613 4 years ago
In general we Long Islanders are an obnoxious, arrogant and proud bunch (see "Yankee fan.") Islanders love the Island and many of my generation watched our waters turn to sh1t as we grew up. It really gets us crazy. BJ mentions areas where the baymen once were. So many have moved inland for other jobs. Even if they do get a decent catch, the heavy metal content in the meat can be dangerous.
Arkady63 4 years ago
Did anyone catch that the "wife" at 1:52 or so is the chick who plays the sergeant on "Homicide: Life on the Street"?
stacap6 4 years ago
alexa is a beautiful name ;-)
alexweghexhex 4 years ago
love this song-cuz it's the only song with my name in it!<3!
sexilexie2468 4 years ago
this is reeaaalllyyyy good!
fam6ss 4 years ago
i love this song.
tzekonst 4 years ago
i herd he likes to fish for tuna. :)
flowersrus 4 years ago
Billy is king.... great song!!! Thanks for posting!
mayorofthornberry 4 years ago
Man, I wish Billy Joel never got old and released more than one song in 14 years...he's awesome!
BluesMaddy 4 years ago
superb si atat! un din cel mai tari piese cu joel, cand zice aiaiaiaio! imi aduce cu baniciu. si el era tare!
allcatslover 4 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
yugmodnar 4 years ago
The rythm of the song reminds me of tidal waves. Joel is a musical genius.
sheer0 4 years ago
I remember Shelter Island Sound and Gardiner's Bay when the water was so clear you could see to China. Fihs, bay scallops abound...another time...another era. Freezing ice barely subsisting in the Winter scalloping....
globalmkts1 4 years ago
Beautiful song, thank u, i love it ^_^
SeaPiper 4 years ago
my niece is named after this song.lol. awesome song.
elliviasnicker15 4 years ago
It's such a haunting song. The video is beautiful, as well. Thanks for posting it; I'd never seen it. :)
LaTromboniste 4 years ago
teehee, i love this song. My real name is Alexa!
raebaby93 4 years ago
Born and Raised on the Island
This song captivates The Life of the true fisherman.... I Love It!
sherina71 4 years ago
I live in the east and I personally have no connection to the fishing industry, but this song has a profound impact on me, the lyrics , the story, and the music. Great song.
Foreever4 4 years ago
In the 50's, 60's, into the 70's, the Russians, and, Japanese, factory ships (and others) use to come and net and keep everything with one inch nets. Uncle Sap did nothing to protect our grounds till the fishery collapsed. Don' t believe me, ask any of the commercial guys that were around at the time. Ignorance and apathy, fueled by greed is the greatest poison of mankind. We will all pay the price eventually.
AdriftNWo 4 years ago
LOL, Uncle Sap!
castingtherunes 4 years ago