Funny thing about this album for people commenting on his voice. It was actually a mistake, the producer mastered the entire album at the wrong speed. Slightly fast. I really like it!
classic....his voice is timeless, Cold Spring Harbour is so totally underrated...but if you like the raw, young voice of Billy Joel...buy it....listen to it...love it!
Wow, I thought I've heard all of BJ's tunes, and consider myself a huge fan - but somehow I've missed this one over the years... A nice little gem. Thanks for whomever put this one on Youtube! Probably never got a lot of attention because it wouldn't have been considered "radio/air play" worthy, but I agree with an earlier post by deemarie95 - what beautiful poetry... Billy is one of the Greats of our time.
First off..what an adorable photo!!!! Precious! This song has always been one of my favorites and the fact that it never seemed to get a great deal of popularity has always amazed me...poetry...beautiful poetry...Mr. Joel is just too great...(Yes, I sound inarticulate but life goes on!)
This must be from the 1983 "redo" of Cold Spring Harbor. I didn't think I would care to listen to any of the "updated" songs but I really like this one. I always thought the original orchestration was too powerful for a song like this. Don't get me wrong, I love both versions...but I can appreciate the beauty of the lyrics more while listening to this edition of the song. Thanks for posting.
I lost a beloved family member to suicide, and also have other family members with clinical depression and mental illness. This song really touches my heart.
Depression ruined more than 3/4's of my life. I found out Billy Joel wrote this right before his sucide attempt. Then his daughter as we know attempted suicide. Hell this is inherted.......I just know it at least in my family it is
OMG!! I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!!!!!!! I forgot about this one. Aw man, they really screwed this recording up when they pressed it. I have the original album, still a great song and so is this album. I used to slow it down on my turntable to hear it at close to right speed.
I suffer from Depression. It's a bitch, always there (near or far). Until you've been swallowed by it, engulfed in darkness on all sides, you'll never understand it. And I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I just ask the folks who don't suffer from it to try to appreciate that it's real and affects many people, probably some of their loved ones. Call it bad luck, bad genes, or whatever--Depression is a part of my life. I'll cope with it, and I won't judge how others in my boat cope in their own way.
@audreyxmusic Good evening all from Atlanta GA USA. Being depressed and "clinically" depressed are two different things. Every soul on Earth gets depressed from time to time, but when you cannot snap out of it, or continue to go through depression in and out, then you have a chemical imbalance that needs a cure with medication. I went through it in 1999...could not eat, could not sleep, had anxiety issues as well. Without my folks I may have died. God Bless all those with us including BJ.
@FinkChrist Cold Spring Harbor is the name of the album released in 1971. You can get it on CD still I think. I have the CD copy too. I got it about 15 years ago.
@FinkChrist I feel for you, man. I went undiagnosed in HS and throughout college. Rough years with some long stretches of deep depression. Counseling didn't help, but meds have. Took a few years to find the right ones and the right dosage, but I'm combating this mess through chemistry--drugs supplying my brain with the seratonin it won't release on its own.
@FinkChrist Wh3ne I was your age, I went thru it also and this song helped me thru it. My troubles started when I was 13. You will get thru it, be strong. As Billy says, "You go to be hard as the rock in that Ole Rock-n-Roll". Keep fighting back.
Sometimes life isnt being mean, it actually gestures you to go on and do it, it nudges with a still faint desire to just....end it. There is a type of depression that gets to be as hopeless as the universe is endless. And the amount of mental energy it takes to tell life to "suck it" and continue living, is just too much to rally up. If any energry is going to be exerted, it might as well be the energy that will end this cycle of madness...complete and utter madness.
This song is about sucide.... and the photo is of him and the best thing ( well i think) that he ever got. great song and amazing photo of him and alexa , she looks so cute here,,,,,
it takes more courage to live than to die. and billy joel had courage in barrels: to keep going when the record deal went to elton john, when he nearly went bankrupt etc etc. but i gues he kept going because he does what he does because he can't help but do it. ah, what a guy. x
Billy Joel is an American icon. He's a musical icon, a pop icon, an icon in so many ways. This song is one of his earliest, and it's great. You all know the story behind it , I'm sure. Isn't that amazing? It's a damn good suicide note for what that's worth. His voice sounds great and I've always loved his music, but I've been in awe of his lyrics forever. Tomorrow Is Today. Isn't that the truth?
Not a fan of Joel's big hits, but this is really damn good. His voice just sounds better in this. Sounds a little like Paul McCartney. I know he through the record out the window when he heard they had sped his voice up, but I think it makes him sound better.
It's amazing that one can take a suicide note and turn it into a song. Billy God didn't want you to go. He wanted you here to continue to inspire those of us going through the same struggle.
I swear, a hundred of the hits on this video are mine...Billy captures so well how much I struggle with depression...Believe it or not, this song and "You're Only Human(Second Wind)" got me through the rough patches in life. Thanks, Billy, for talking me off the edge.
I know it may seem that suicide would be the ultimate fuck-you to the big, ugly, sucky face of life... but ACTUALLY, if you think about it, if you hang in there and keep living, you're basically telling life, "Go sit on a carrot! I'm not afraid of you! Suck all you want, I'm not leaving!"
@Picassia i took a half bottle of xanax, and was fully ready to go. i sent the girl i was with at the time a text, telling her what was going to happen, and that more than likely saved my life. she was far away when i did it, but she called the right friends, who picked me up and got me into an ambulance. i owe alot to her. suicide is absolutely ridiculous; i have never allowed myself to feel sorry for what happened. my loved ones deserve better than what i tried to do.
@Picassia Sometimes life isnt being mean, it actually gestures you to go on and do it, it nudges with a still faint desire to just....end it. There is a type of depression that gets to be as hopeless as the universe is endless. And the amount of mental energy it takes to tell life to "suck it" and continue living, is just too much to rally up. If any energry is going to be exerted, it might as well be the energy that will end this cycle of madness...complete and utter madness.
@Picassia suicide is probably the stupidest and most selfish thing a human being is doing because all they do is think of themselves and not the people they leave behind who are left to suffer
@HeizenXD What if you have a accident and are basicly brain dead, would it be less selfish to kill yourself than make someone look after you for the rest of your life? your view is narrow minded
@HeizenXD Bullshit. If your'e depressed enough that you want to take your own life you're not thinking about yourself and trying to leave people behind to suffer. You just don't know what else to do.
I cried while listening to this song. Why? because i haven't played a piano for 4 weeks now. It's getting repaired. I know, its silly to cry for that reason. But i really want to play a piano!
the lyrics are his suicide note. that is why he later wrote the song "Second Wind" in order to be a better role model and show that people really do get past hard times and suicide is not the answer.
I can't put into words how well Billy Joel captures the mindset of a suicidal, severely depressed individual. It's a truly beautiful and insightful song.
billy joel = genius.....it takes real cajones to write a song that is basically pure sadness and a suicide note..and it takes pure talent to make it beautiful song that lasts and can relate to any generation...masterpiece
My inspiration for getting into songwriting. Billy, you are a god. On the horrible day that you die, which is hopefully a long, long time from now, I will ball my eyes out. Billy Joel = fucking legend.
This song really gets to me..... I have a health condition in which the doctor's can't figure out what it is. Everyday I am vomiting constantly, fainting, terrible headaches.......a literal hell, if you will. I've been checked into hospitals, seen the "best-of-the-best" doctors........no idea what's wrong.
I can't make it to school and hardly see my friends anymore. I spend the majority of my days in a doctor's office to hear the same line over and over "We don't know, but we will keep looking"
This has been going on for about a year. The first 9 months I was fairly optimistic, but after that......I've fallen into depression. I've tried to kill myself several times just to get some peace.......I've failed and failed, and I'm in a pit of despair. There is nothing worse then knowing you can't do anything about your life. Anyways.....this song really is the truth. Tomorrow is always today.....it never seems to change....... :(
@teneight78 u mean, after he "failed" to commit suicide, b/c if he actuallt did, then he'd me dead and wouldnt have wrote this song, and have been the legend he is today
knowing that this song was the result of something so major makes it better in the since that its not just some made up hard luck story to get some recognition. this song is amazing.
I get chills hearing the lines "Though I'm living, and I'm singing, and although my hands still play. Soon enough, it will all be over, cause tomorrow is today."
from his first album cold spring harbor. this song was his suicide note. this song is unbelievable on so many levels, especially that it was written by a 20 year old.
Back in the 80s, I used to play this record over and over in my room, in the dark, while having a good cry. Somehow it made me feel better that my fave singer used to feel as sad as I did then.
I'm now well past my teenage years, but still love this song.
@KnitCat When I was a teen, and depressed (redundant?), I always listened to Billy. It always picked me up. Still does. This song, which is basically a suicide note, really does pick me up, and I don't know why?
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Y'know, it might just be me, but the middle part completely ruins it for me. Everything else is amazing, I love it. But the middle...it just sounds goofy, it takes away from the melancholy atmosphere of the song.
xchriscrossed, I know what you mean, but if you heard the original release (on the original vinyl only) (the way Billy originally intended it to be) you will realize that when he starts singing goofy, the songs starts to really pick up and becomes quite loud and full of music (his band and a LOT of orchestral music) so the singing fits a little better with the music. I have the original album and all the songs are complete remixes from the re-release in the early 80's.
I guess the reason for remixing was Billy probably tried for a more "up-to-date" sound. Actually, not only was it remixed but also had completely different drum, guitar, etc. recordings for some of the songs.
To all who are thinking of suicide...God loves you and even when it seems tough, hang in there. I understand that pain, but prayer helps. I will keep you in my prayers and hope you are safe. Beautiful song by a beaurtiful man that God spared for a reason.
I always attributed to the high voice in this album to his age, not the recording. This version sounds like the remastered(speed-fixed) columbia house one.
The one released by Family Productions with the wrong speed, he sounds a bit like the chipmunks. I have it is vinyl... haven't been able to play it since I don't have a record player or access to one....
This is true. He decided on the furniture polish b/c he figured out that it would taste better than the turpentine that was also in the closet. After he drank the polish, he said, "all I ended up doing was farting all over my mother's furnature." LOL!! He spent a few days - max - at Bellevue and said that they were all crazy and he was just fine. Beautful words and beautiful music from a beautiful man!
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walidosama 18 hours ago
I love this song.. and now I can't get over how cute the picture is that you put with this. So sweet :)
thewearinsweaters 3 days ago
Not even in my mind have I been able to describe to myself how I feel about life, but this song just revealed it to me. It's so sad.
TheFishSnacks 6 days ago
if u dont like this song. something is wrong with u. billy joel is better the Elton John no question
11thegman 1 week ago
Funny thing about this album for people commenting on his voice. It was actually a mistake, the producer mastered the entire album at the wrong speed. Slightly fast. I really like it!
jcohenmd 1 week ago
classic....his voice is timeless, Cold Spring Harbour is so totally underrated...but if you like the raw, young voice of Billy Joel...buy it....listen to it...love it!
whizpyr 1 week ago
that foto brings me close to tears, related to that song...my favourite musician of all times
philemall 2 weeks ago
Wow, I thought I've heard all of BJ's tunes, and consider myself a huge fan - but somehow I've missed this one over the years... A nice little gem. Thanks for whomever put this one on Youtube! Probably never got a lot of attention because it wouldn't have been considered "radio/air play" worthy, but I agree with an earlier post by deemarie95 - what beautiful poetry... Billy is one of the Greats of our time.
soulspacemusic 1 month ago
First off..what an adorable photo!!!! Precious! This song has always been one of my favorites and the fact that it never seemed to get a great deal of popularity has always amazed me...poetry...beautiful poetry...Mr. Joel is just too great...(Yes, I sound inarticulate but life goes on!)
deemarie95 1 month ago
One dislike is definitely from God.. He wanted Billy singing for him..But...
ea5tone 1 month ago
Thank God he didn't commit suicide
MrBaseball101010 1 month ago
@MrBaseball101010 he did.. if his drummer wouldent of saved him lol but he definatly tried..
youtub3username69 1 week ago
Love it!
sergiohincapie1 2 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
He sounds oddly like Paul McCartney in this song....
beatlesfan4eva456 2 months ago in playlist Liked videos 6
@beatlesfan4eva456 My god he kinda does.
lestrange5 1 month ago
@beatlesfan4eva456 Especially when he sings "I'll still believe in you."
billsaintkilda 1 month ago
This song applies to how I feel about my life right now.
candygirl9797 2 months ago
This must be from the 1983 "redo" of Cold Spring Harbor. I didn't think I would care to listen to any of the "updated" songs but I really like this one. I always thought the original orchestration was too powerful for a song like this. Don't get me wrong, I love both versions...but I can appreciate the beauty of the lyrics more while listening to this edition of the song. Thanks for posting.
LoneAsianCajun 2 months ago
@LoneAsianCajun Agreed. I think it works better this ways.
evilemperordude 1 month ago
I lost a beloved family member to suicide, and also have other family members with clinical depression and mental illness. This song really touches my heart.
cass0718 2 months ago
Depression ruined more than 3/4's of my life. I found out Billy Joel wrote this right before his sucide attempt. Then his daughter as we know attempted suicide. Hell this is inherted.......I just know it at least in my family it is
jerzeytpke 3 months ago
OMG!! I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!!!!!!! I forgot about this one. Aw man, they really screwed this recording up when they pressed it. I have the original album, still a great song and so is this album. I used to slow it down on my turntable to hear it at close to right speed.
DizziNY1 3 months ago
"I don't care to know the hour, cause it passes anyway."
That is a true observation and fact.
ThexNerd 3 months ago
Im gonna jump of a cliff after listening to this
aghahowa11 3 months ago
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FinkChrist 3 months ago
Dude, I'm not the mushy, emotional type person, but God I love this photo. It's just so simple and honest. Not to mention it's fucking adorable.
FinkChrist 3 months ago
I suffer from Depression. It's a bitch, always there (near or far). Until you've been swallowed by it, engulfed in darkness on all sides, you'll never understand it. And I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I just ask the folks who don't suffer from it to try to appreciate that it's real and affects many people, probably some of their loved ones. Call it bad luck, bad genes, or whatever--Depression is a part of my life. I'll cope with it, and I won't judge how others in my boat cope in their own way.
JohnnyCxviii 4 months ago 3
@JohnnyCxviii So true. You honestly cannot understand it unless you've had it. Which is why everyone who doesn't have it leaves me. Hahaha.
audreyxmusic 4 months ago
@audreyxmusic Good evening all from Atlanta GA USA. Being depressed and "clinically" depressed are two different things. Every soul on Earth gets depressed from time to time, but when you cannot snap out of it, or continue to go through depression in and out, then you have a chemical imbalance that needs a cure with medication. I went through it in 1999...could not eat, could not sleep, had anxiety issues as well. Without my folks I may have died. God Bless all those with us including BJ.
MrBeagle22 3 months ago
@MrBeagle22 I know...I have clinical depression, too. I've had the same problems. It's really tough.
audreyxmusic 3 months ago
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FinkChrist 3 months ago
@FinkChrist Cold Spring Harbor is the name of the album released in 1971. You can get it on CD still I think. I have the CD copy too. I got it about 15 years ago.
DizziNY1 3 months ago
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FinkChrist 3 months ago
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FinkChrist 3 months ago
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FinkChrist 3 months ago
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FinkChrist 3 months ago
@FinkChrist I feel for you, man. I went undiagnosed in HS and throughout college. Rough years with some long stretches of deep depression. Counseling didn't help, but meds have. Took a few years to find the right ones and the right dosage, but I'm combating this mess through chemistry--drugs supplying my brain with the seratonin it won't release on its own.
JohnnyCxviii 3 months ago
@FinkChrist Wh3ne I was your age, I went thru it also and this song helped me thru it. My troubles started when I was 13. You will get thru it, be strong. As Billy says, "You go to be hard as the rock in that Ole Rock-n-Roll". Keep fighting back.
DizziNY1 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Sometimes life isnt being mean, it actually gestures you to go on and do it, it nudges with a still faint desire to just....end it. There is a type of depression that gets to be as hopeless as the universe is endless. And the amount of mental energy it takes to tell life to "suck it" and continue living, is just too much to rally up. If any energry is going to be exerted, it might as well be the energy that will end this cycle of madness...complete and utter madness.
Adaeze611 4 months ago
This song is about sucide.... and the photo is of him and the best thing ( well i think) that he ever got. great song and amazing photo of him and alexa , she looks so cute here,,,,,
nomnomnomblah 4 months ago
Billy battled with the depression himself from an early age.
Life is for living guys..stop the harsh words..
There's too much negativity on this tiny planet..
I love Billy Joel forever..
Check out my happy tune
lovemusic745 5 months ago 2
Oh God, this song makes me well up within seconds... Perfectly sums up how I felt when I was suffering with depression...
EdNortonisMineLol 6 months ago 5
That picture is so cute.
ZUPERCURTIS 8 months ago 6
A great song, Billy is the man!
JHjaltason 9 months ago 3
Thank you Billy
ffreddie 10 months ago
it takes more courage to live than to die. and billy joel had courage in barrels: to keep going when the record deal went to elton john, when he nearly went bankrupt etc etc. but i gues he kept going because he does what he does because he can't help but do it. ah, what a guy. x
Ro3ieful 11 months ago
Thank God that suicide attempt was an epic fail <3
sosodefgurl1 1 year ago 17
This is a sad song, but it just becomes downright heartbreaking when paired with this image.
MisterFezMartin 1 year ago 4
A beautiful song, and it makes you realize Billy Joel had a lot of big questions, too. Makes you look at the big picture, I guess.
squirrelflight5 1 year ago 3
That's one kick-butt suicide note.
meggyloox3 1 year ago 8
I guess Satan and Hitler don't like good music?
VanillaAlces 1 year ago 108
@VanillaAlces i love your reply
bandd53 2 months ago
@VanillaAlces hahaha the image of Satan and Hitler sitting at a computer desk and disliking a youtube video... nice
dayah17 2 months ago
@VanillaAlces
I love you
therealcritic28 2 days ago
What a powerful song. Billy and his piano are more than enough for a great song!
JFelipe6 1 year ago 2
Billy Joel is an American icon. He's a musical icon, a pop icon, an icon in so many ways. This song is one of his earliest, and it's great. You all know the story behind it , I'm sure. Isn't that amazing? It's a damn good suicide note for what that's worth. His voice sounds great and I've always loved his music, but I've been in awe of his lyrics forever. Tomorrow Is Today. Isn't that the truth?
Andy1Emcee 1 year ago 5
Not a fan of Joel's big hits, but this is really damn good. His voice just sounds better in this. Sounds a little like Paul McCartney. I know he through the record out the window when he heard they had sped his voice up, but I think it makes him sound better.
superman11978 1 year ago 3
It's amazing that one can take a suicide note and turn it into a song. Billy God didn't want you to go. He wanted you here to continue to inspire those of us going through the same struggle.
LilPetit 1 year ago 2
@LilPetit
Billy Joel is still alive, you know that, right?
Kahgro 1 year ago
@Kahgro Yes.
LilPetit 1 year ago
This is the most tasteful suicide note I've ever heard.
Thank the lord that you continued your life and made much more wonderful music, Billy!
FrogMelonProductions 1 year ago 6
it's only common courtesy to leave a suicide note....but even better to have it turned into a great song.
bobbypinhead 1 year ago
my favorite billy joel song. No doubt in my fucking mind
chordize 1 year ago 2
Quite simply put, this is one of the most beautiful and genuine songs ever written.
planesandpianos 1 year ago
I swear, a hundred of the hits on this video are mine...Billy captures so well how much I struggle with depression...Believe it or not, this song and "You're Only Human(Second Wind)" got me through the rough patches in life. Thanks, Billy, for talking me off the edge.
SingingInTheRain1993 1 year ago
I'm glad it didn't kill me. I'm glad I'm still here.
Adaeze611 1 year ago
I know it may seem that suicide would be the ultimate fuck-you to the big, ugly, sucky face of life... but ACTUALLY, if you think about it, if you hang in there and keep living, you're basically telling life, "Go sit on a carrot! I'm not afraid of you! Suck all you want, I'm not leaving!"
Picassia 1 year ago 118
@Picassia...Ye...fuck you life....you're not gonna put me down anymore...right on!
jim15utube 1 year ago
@Picassia bloody well said mate :)
imranchaudhry 10 months ago
@Picassia i took a half bottle of xanax, and was fully ready to go. i sent the girl i was with at the time a text, telling her what was going to happen, and that more than likely saved my life. she was far away when i did it, but she called the right friends, who picked me up and got me into an ambulance. i owe alot to her. suicide is absolutely ridiculous; i have never allowed myself to feel sorry for what happened. my loved ones deserve better than what i tried to do.
bijibadness 4 months ago
@Picassia Sometimes life isnt being mean, it actually gestures you to go on and do it, it nudges with a still faint desire to just....end it. There is a type of depression that gets to be as hopeless as the universe is endless. And the amount of mental energy it takes to tell life to "suck it" and continue living, is just too much to rally up. If any energry is going to be exerted, it might as well be the energy that will end this cycle of madness...complete and utter madness.
Adaeze611 4 months ago
@Picassia suicide is probably the stupidest and most selfish thing a human being is doing because all they do is think of themselves and not the people they leave behind who are left to suffer
HeizenXD 4 months ago
@HeizenXD What if you have a accident and are basicly brain dead, would it be less selfish to kill yourself than make someone look after you for the rest of your life? your view is narrow minded
novalution86 4 months ago
@HeizenXD Bullshit. If your'e depressed enough that you want to take your own life you're not thinking about yourself and trying to leave people behind to suffer. You just don't know what else to do.
audreyxmusic 4 months ago 2
@Picassia thats a good amount of thumbs friend :)
MRCALIfornyay 3 months ago
@Picassia Nice speech Obama, suicide isn't about saying f-you. At all.
Hayden279 2 months ago 2
I cried while listening to this song. Why? because i haven't played a piano for 4 weeks now. It's getting repaired. I know, its silly to cry for that reason. But i really want to play a piano!
Khang112 1 year ago 6
This has been flagged as spam show
the lyrics are his suicide note. that is why he later wrote the song "Second Wind" in order to be a better role model and show that people really do get past hard times and suicide is not the answer.
peacedreamer88 1 year ago
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peacedreamer88 1 year ago
I heard this was his suicide note turned into lyrics
theman3320 1 year ago
I can't put into words how well Billy Joel captures the mindset of a suicidal, severely depressed individual. It's a truly beautiful and insightful song.
insomniabelow 1 year ago
@insomniabelow I should hope he does, this song is based of a suicide note he wrote in 1970.
thrashguitarmaster70 1 year ago
This is probably my favorite Joel song, yet it's not even on my CD with 27 songs of his.. grrr
NESHero 1 year ago
billy joel = genius.....it takes real cajones to write a song that is basically pure sadness and a suicide note..and it takes pure talent to make it beautiful song that lasts and can relate to any generation...masterpiece
someone missed the like button too
tazzdog7 1 year ago 5
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tazzdog7 1 year ago
Billy Joel, for me, was one of the best storytellers in history.
kmacmuzikmafia27 1 year ago 5
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FernandinhoToscano 1 year ago
I have this album, on vinyl. Excellent song.
DizziNY 1 year ago
The sweetest photo.
stevelom60 1 year ago 5
Lol. Suicide note= song.
Nice Joel.
poopsyproductions 1 year ago
He's a genius- suicidal or not.
loveshilaaax3 1 year ago
2:26 is so mad :)
michaellovegrove 1 year ago
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BoxLineProductions 1 year ago
All of his songs on CSH don't even sound like him.
ph4nt0mf1ng3rs 1 year ago
@ph4nt0mf1ng3rs that is because they messed up when pressing it to vinyl. It made him souind like a chipmunk, yet his greatness shown through.
DizziNY 1 year ago
Billy Joel is one of the greatest song writers of all time, if i could write a song like him.. i don't think i'd leave my piano.
loveshilaaax3 1 year ago 3
Story of my life, right here.
MrBriyung 1 year ago
@valdezmiguel2 HEY ASSHOLE.!
U R OUT OF ORDER HERE.
STAY OFF.!
jocksmen 1 year ago
@jocksmen
you're an asshole.
also your name looks like jock-semen.
go kill yourself violently using a power drill.
valdezmiguel2 1 year ago
@valdezmiguel2 sick fuck
and I hear u always were.?
jocksmen 1 year ago
@jocksmen valdez..like
the oil slick...lol..LOSER.
jocksmen 1 year ago
@valdezmiguel2 BTW THERE IS NO
E IN JOCKSMEN..LOL.
jocksmen 1 year ago
@jocksmen JUST 1 E LOL.
jocksmen 1 year ago
@jocksmen / jocksemen
why do you add periods before terminal punctuation (exclamation points, periods, etc.)
valdezmiguel2 1 year ago
The current anthem to my life (sigh). God, Billy Joel is amazing!
sjg500 1 year ago
possessed by Paul McCartney!! Wonderful anyhow
JLorz84 1 year ago
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JLorz84 1 year ago
Absolutely beautiful..Who else cried?
muffehshu 1 year ago
@muffehshu mostly just faggots and women. the type of women who kill themselves when they are like 20
valdezmiguel2 1 year ago
@valdezmiguel2 your a fuckin loser
JStevens95 1 year ago
My inspiration for getting into songwriting. Billy, you are a god. On the horrible day that you die, which is hopefully a long, long time from now, I will ball my eyes out. Billy Joel = fucking legend.
SalsaShark542 1 year ago
thank god he didnt actually die
ShatteredBomb 1 year ago
2:28 just gets to me..sums it alll upp.
leiter222 1 year ago
dont give up. we all fall and then tested to see if we ll get back up! I know you ll be fine . just think about how many people have it worst!
albe1500 1 year ago 2
This song really gets to me..... I have a health condition in which the doctor's can't figure out what it is. Everyday I am vomiting constantly, fainting, terrible headaches.......a literal hell, if you will. I've been checked into hospitals, seen the "best-of-the-best" doctors........no idea what's wrong.
PTLover647 1 year ago 3
I can't make it to school and hardly see my friends anymore. I spend the majority of my days in a doctor's office to hear the same line over and over "We don't know, but we will keep looking"
PTLover647 1 year ago 2
This has been going on for about a year. The first 9 months I was fairly optimistic, but after that......I've fallen into depression. I've tried to kill myself several times just to get some peace.......I've failed and failed, and I'm in a pit of despair. There is nothing worse then knowing you can't do anything about your life. Anyways.....this song really is the truth. Tomorrow is always today.....it never seems to change....... :(
PTLover647 1 year ago 2
@PTLover647 are you okay??
TheMagedMan 1 year ago
You need to see doctor House. Sorry, I have a morbid sense of humor.
freezedriedpoop 1 year ago
@freezedriedpoop actually house would proboly just beat him/her with his cane hoping thta would work
Beatlerock4 1 year ago
@PTLover647 NEVER GIVE UP!!
I know it sounds cliche as hell, but there will come a day where you will get better. YOU WILL
Keep looking. Keep going to different doctors. Know that the day will come where you will feel healthy and ALIVE again.
And when that day comes, EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE WILL FEEL AMAZING compared to how you feel now.
You will really have a new-found appreciation for being able to simply breathe and be healthy, when 99% of everybody else takes this for granted.
STAY ALIVE!!
samesongtwice 1 year ago
Comment removed
timris 1 year ago
@PTLover647
I'm sorry to hear that the doctors cant find out whats wrong with you, I wish you the best, God Bless You...
SMyD77777 1 year ago
these lyrics are based off of a note he wrote before he attempted to commit suicide
mattjohnskipmoo12 1 year ago 3
really-'cause of divorce and those diseases??that seems to come out,in these lyrics,so hard....
timris 1 year ago
o lord this IS jr. highschool for me...7th grade...
amaxamon 1 year ago
The chord intro begins like 'Twinkle Twinkle little star' just like the Beatles 'Let It Be'.
rusty1491 1 year ago
Axl rose @ 2:27 lol
theradical1merchant 1 year ago 3
Why furniture polish? that's a horrible way to kill yourself. (good thing he didn't try something more effective tho)
thepeter 1 year ago 2
well he says he drank furniture polish because it looked tastier than bleach:)
montypython11111 1 year ago 6
this is actually his suicide note from the 1970s
if you dont believe me google it
germino777 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
he committed suicide?
Endl3ssorrow 2 years ago
no he was about to in the 70s
germino777 2 years ago
@Endl3ssorrow yeah...after he committed suicide, he wrote this song. its a very sad story.
teneight78 2 years ago 3
hehe
yelizard 2 years ago
@teneight78 u mean, after he "failed" to commit suicide, b/c if he actuallt did, then he'd me dead and wouldnt have wrote this song, and have been the legend he is today
SirJaglavak 1 year ago
@teneight78 haha wow i think you mean attempted
Beatlerock4 1 year ago
@Endl3ssorrow He attempted to. If he did, he wouldn't be here... And music would be at a terrible loss.
RogerIyengarDotCom 1 year ago
Very nice
gezzish 2 years ago
Please tell me where you got that picture.
danief22 2 years ago
knowing that this song was the result of something so major makes it better in the since that its not just some made up hard luck story to get some recognition. this song is amazing.
cheymckenzie96 2 years ago
indeed, his daughter like her father is a very talented singer. must be passed down =]
CaptainDonou 2 years ago
Makes me cry... what a giant musician. The Best!
jst1998 2 years ago 4
absolutely!
OnceUponAnEyeShadow 2 years ago
I get chills hearing the lines "Though I'm living, and I'm singing, and although my hands still play. Soon enough, it will all be over, cause tomorrow is today."
What a haunting, yet beautiful, song.
DarkWarriorXII 2 years ago 5
Outstanding song.
Schalkelinho 2 years ago
the words are largly taken from a suicide he left... truely from the hart right here. Taken from the lowest depths of human emotion.
jsmerf541 2 years ago
Great photo of the great Billy Joel with his daughter Alexa, and a great song from his first album. Thanks for posting it.
impersonator58 2 years ago
from his first album cold spring harbor. this song was his suicide note. this song is unbelievable on so many levels, especially that it was written by a 20 year old.
TheMagedMan 2 years ago 3
Here he shows what a great songwriter he is, from his first solo album.
bitnize 2 years ago
who is the girl on the piano?
jaecht83 2 years ago
I believe it's his daughter Alexa Ray Joel born in 1986, she's also involved with music.
bitnize 2 years ago
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HeartsTatum 2 years ago
Billy Joel is amazing. End of story.
sweenyscissorhands 2 years ago 73
Agreed
straightshots 2 years ago
this is one of those rare instances that i find it so amazing that one artist has both keyboard music and vocals as powerful as this...what a gift!
1218firefly 2 years ago 6
this shows like 100% of the beatles influence on him, amazing song
hippie7guitarist 2 years ago 3
He really looks like Lars Ulrich in this photo.
Axl4life 2 years ago
What the fuck are you talkin about
HammernHeads 2 years ago
depression
moondog006 2 years ago
This song sounds great on a soprano sax, I discovered, but even better on a piano when Billy Joel sings it! So sad, but so beautiful. Epic win by BJ.
TheTerminalMoose 2 years ago
Back in the 80s, I used to play this record over and over in my room, in the dark, while having a good cry. Somehow it made me feel better that my fave singer used to feel as sad as I did then.
I'm now well past my teenage years, but still love this song.
KnitCat 2 years ago 36
This has been flagged as spam show
emo?
TheSunGotBrighter 2 years ago
@KnitCat When I was a teen, and depressed (redundant?), I always listened to Billy. It always picked me up. Still does. This song, which is basically a suicide note, really does pick me up, and I don't know why?
rickseiden 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Y'know, it might just be me, but the middle part completely ruins it for me. Everything else is amazing, I love it. But the middle...it just sounds goofy, it takes away from the melancholy atmosphere of the song.
xchriscrossed 2 years ago
Agreed.
Sceptrix 2 years ago
xchriscrossed, I know what you mean, but if you heard the original release (on the original vinyl only) (the way Billy originally intended it to be) you will realize that when he starts singing goofy, the songs starts to really pick up and becomes quite loud and full of music (his band and a LOT of orchestral music) so the singing fits a little better with the music. I have the original album and all the songs are complete remixes from the re-release in the early 80's.
kenorca 2 years ago
I guess the reason for remixing was Billy probably tried for a more "up-to-date" sound. Actually, not only was it remixed but also had completely different drum, guitar, etc. recordings for some of the songs.
kenorca 2 years ago
To all who are thinking of suicide...God loves you and even when it seems tough, hang in there. I understand that pain, but prayer helps. I will keep you in my prayers and hope you are safe. Beautiful song by a beaurtiful man that God spared for a reason.
marquie1 2 years ago 4
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bobbypinhead 2 years ago
Such a damn beautiful song, and his voice back then was so young and delicate....THIS, ladies and gentlemen, is music.
ManfredMitchum 2 years ago 8
LOLLERSKATES!!! UR A FAG, BRO!!!
BennyAndTheJets678 2 years ago
whered you get that picture its pretty cool haah
sportzkid979 2 years ago
I always attributed to the high voice in this album to his age, not the recording. This version sounds like the remastered(speed-fixed) columbia house one.
The one released by Family Productions with the wrong speed, he sounds a bit like the chipmunks. I have it is vinyl... haven't been able to play it since I don't have a record player or access to one....
artzygrrl 2 years ago
when i first read the lyrics to this song i cried it is so sad ! i love the music though:)
stillettosrock 2 years ago 2
Billy Joel tried to commit suicide by drinking furniture polish, and some of the lyrics were in his suicide note.
When he recovered, he decided to base his experiences into a song.
So that's pretty much how it came about.
RockMusicLover73 2 years ago
This is true. He decided on the furniture polish b/c he figured out that it would taste better than the turpentine that was also in the closet. After he drank the polish, he said, "all I ended up doing was farting all over my mother's furnature." LOL!! He spent a few days - max - at Bellevue and said that they were all crazy and he was just fine. Beautful words and beautiful music from a beautiful man!
harborheart66 2 years ago
He sounds like Paul McCartney in this one
Maninthebottle 2 years ago 2
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