Billy Joel - The Downeaster "Alexa"

I remember when my dad used to take me out at Cape Cod when I was young and we'd fish. I spent many years working with him until he got hurt and couldn't take me out anymore. But this song reminds me of those times.

Relaxing and honest.
Billy Joel is the BEST!

This one of the best Billy Joel songs ever, because of his honestly to the trade. In my opinion anyway. I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it many years ago.

Caged in Florida, but an Islander for life.

Only people on Long Island know the true meaning of "there aint no island left for islanders like me" really means.... over the years LI has changed so much. My family had a farm in the Hamptons (Bridgehampton) which is no longer. The days of the way it used to be on the Island is long gone. Now I "Live Free, Or Die" in NH.

you dont think people from other fishing towns understand this? i think it hits home to people from all over, not just long island.
look on the bright side-your grandfather owned land in the hamptons and probably got priced out of it and sold his land for multiples more than he paid for it. that didnt happen in all housing markets.

It's like that in a lot of places, i hope Hell has a special place for people in realestate, they bring in the rich people and push out the local people. Money talks and poor people walk.

It's worldwide problem.Overfishing. Farm fishing will take over.

Guys! you are right! but the fishing subject is the first layer of what his talking about, the messege is how things have changed and how a man sacrifices himself and bleed for the ones he loves, putting away pleasures, time with the family, countles things that he could do, even himself, to give his family a good living and provide. This song has a lot of things that u can talk about. Billy Joel is a great, great writter and composer! one of my favorites!

God loves you as do I for your words and sensetivity to this song... I spent many years out of New Bedford Ma scalloping and fishing God Bless you for your words God Bles you