| Billy Joel Lyrics Page One |
| A Matter of Trust And So It Goes Allentown An Innocent Man Baby Grand Big Shot Captain Jack Don't Ask Me Why Everybody Loves You Now Falling of the Rain Famous Last Words Get It Right the First Time Goodnight Saigon Got to Begin Again Hey Girl I Go To Extremes I've Loved These Days It's Still Rock And Roll To Me Just the Way You Are Keeping the Faith Leave A Tender Moment Alone Los Angelenos Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel) Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway) Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) My Life New York State of Mind Only the Good Die Young Piano Man Prelude/Angry Young Man Pressure |
| A Matter of Trust Some love is just a lie of the heart. The cold remains of what began with a passionate start. And they may not want it to end but it will it's just a question of when. I've lived long enough to have learned the closer you get to the fire the more you get burned. But that won't happen to us because it's always been a matter of trust. I know you're an emotional girl. It took a lot for you to not lose your faith in this world. But I can't offer you proof that you're going to face a moment of truth. It's hard when you're always afraid. You just recover when another belief is betrayed. So break my heart of you must, it's a matter of trust. You can't go the distance with too much resistance. I know you have doubts but for God's sake, don't shut me out. This time you've got nothing to lose. You can take it, you can leave it, whatever you choose. I won't hold back anything and I'll walk a way a fool or a king. Some love is just a lie of the mind. It's make believe until its only a matter of time. And some might have learned to adjust but then it never was a matter of trust. I'm sure you're aware love, we've both had our share of believing too long when the whole situation was wrong. Some love is just a lie of the soul. A constant battle for the ultimate state of control. After you've heard lie upon lie, there can hardly be a question of why. Some love is just a lie of the heart, the cold remains of what began with a passionate start. But that can't happen to us because it's always been a matter of trust. Always been a matter of trust, always been a matter of trust... And So It Goes In every heart, there is a room, a sanctuary safe and strong to heal the wounds from lovers past until a new one comes along. I spoke to you in cautious tones, you answered me with no pretense. And still I feel I said too much, my silence is my self defense, And every time I've held a rose, it seems I only felt the thorns. And so it goes, and so it goes and so will you soon I suppose. But if my silence made you leave, then that would be my worst mistake. So I will share this room with you and you can have this heart to break. And this is why my eyes are closed, it's just as well for all I've seen. And so it goes, and so it goes and you're the only one who knows. So I would choose to be with you, that's if the choice were mine to make. But you can make decisions too and you can have this heart to break. And so it goes, and so it goes and you're the only one who knows. Allentown Well, we're living here in Allentown and they're closing all the factories down. Out in Bethlehem they're killing time, filling out forms, standing in line. Well, our fathers fought the Second World War, spent their weekends on the Jersey Shore. Met our mothers in the USO, asked them to dance, danced with them slow. And we're living here in Allentown. But the restlessness was handed down and it's getting very hard to stay. Well we're waiting here in Allentown for the Pennsylvania we never found, for the promises our teachers gave, if we worked hard, if we behaved. So the graduations hang on the wall but they never really helped us at all. No, they never taught us what was real, iron and coke and chromium steel and we're waiting here in Allentown. But they've taken all the coal from the ground and the union people crawled away. Every child has a pretty good shot to get at least as far as their old man got but something happened on the way to that place, they threw an American flag in our place. Well, I'm living here in Allentown and it's hard to keep a good man down but I won't be getting very hard to stay. And it's getting very hard to stay and we're living here in Allentown. An Innocent Man Some people stay far away from the door if there's a chance of it opening up. They hear a voice in the hall outside and hope that it just passes by. Some people live with the fear of a touch and the anger of having been a fool. They will not listen to anyone so nobody tells them a lie. I know you're only protecting yourself. I know you're thinking of somebody else, someone who hurt you but I'm not above making up for the love you've been denying you could ever feel. I'm not above doing anything to restore your faith if I can. Some people see through the eyes of the old before they ever get a look at the young. I'm only willing to hear you cry because I am an innocent man. I am an innocent man, oh yes I am. Some people say they will never believe another promise they hear in the dark because they only remember too well, they heard somebody tell them before. Some people sleep all alone every night instead of taking a lover to bed. Some people find that it's easier to hate than to wait anymore. I know you don't want to hear what I say, I know you're gonna keep turning away. But I've been there and if I can survive, I can keep you alive, I'm not above going through it again. I've not above being cool for a while, if you're cruel to me I'll understand. Some people run from a possible fight, some people figure they can never win. And although this is a fight I can lose, the accused is an innocent man. I am an innocent man, oh yes I am an innocent man. You know you only hurt yourself out of spite. I guess you'd rather be a martyr tonight. That's your decision but I'm not below anybody I know if there's a chance of resurrecting a love. I'm not above going back to the start to find out where the heartache began. Some people hope for a miracle cure, some people just accept the world as it is. But I'm not willing to lay down and die because I am an innocent man. I am an innocent man, oh yes I am an innocent man. Baby Grand Late at night, when it's dark and cold, I reach out for someone to hold. When I'm blue, when I'm lonely, she comes through, she's the only one who can, my baby grand is all I need. In my time, I've wandered everywhere, around this world, she would always be there, any day, any hour, all it takes is the power in my hands, this baby grand's been good to me. I've had friends but they have slipped away. I've had fame but it doesn't stay. I've made fortunes, spent them fast enough. As for women, they don't last with just one man but baby grand will stand by me. Oh, they say that no one's gonna play this on the radio (I don't believe it, I don't believe it either) They said the melancholy blues were dead and gone. But only songs like these played in minor keys keep those memories holding on. I've come far from the life I've strayed in. And I've got scars from those dives I've played in. Now I'm home and I'm weary and in my bones, every dreary one night stand, but baby grand is coming home with me. Ever since this gig began, my baby grand's been good to me. Big Shot You went uptown riding in your limousine in your fine Park Avenue clothes. You had the Dom Perignon in your hand and the spoon up your nose. But when you wake up in the morning with your head on fire and your eyes too bloody to see, go on and cry in your coffee but don't come bitchin' to me. Because you had to be a big shot, didn't you? You had to open up your mouth. You had to be a big shot, didn't you? All your friends were so knocked out. You had to have the last word, last night, you know what everything's about. You had to have a white hot spotlight, you had to be a big shot last night. They were all impressed with your Halston dress and the people you knew at Elaine's. And the story of your latest success kept 'em so entertained. But now you just can't remember all the things you said and you're not sure you want to know. I'll give you one hint, honey, you sure did put on a show. Yes, yes, you had to be a big shot, didn't you? You had to prove it to the crowd. You had to be a big shot, didn't you? All your friends were so knocked out. You had to have the last word, last night, you're so much fun to be around. You had to have the front page, bold type, you had to be a big shot last night. Well, it's no big sin to stick your two cents in if you know when to leave it alone. But you went over the line, you couldn't see it was time to go home. No, no, no, no, no, no, you had to be a big shot, didn't you? You had to open up your mouth. You had to be a big shot, didn't you, all your friends were so knocked out. You had to have the last word, last night, so much fun to be around. You had to have a white hot spotlight, you had to be a big shot last night. Big shot, oh big shot... Captain Jack Saturday night and you're still hanging around, tired of living in your one-horse town. Like to find a little hole in the ground for a while. So you go to the village in your tie-dye jeans and you stare at the junkies and the closet queens. It's just like some pornographic magazine and you smile. Captain Jack will get you high tonight and take you to your special island. Captain Jack will get you by tonight. Just a little push and you'll be smiling. Your sister's gone out, she's on a date. You just sit at home and masturbate. The phone is gonna ring soon but you just can't wait for that call. So you stand on the corner in you New English clothes and you look so polished from your hair down to your toes. But still your finger's gonna pick your nose after all. But Captain Jack will get you high tonight and take you to your special island. Oh, Captain Jack will get you by tonight. Just a little push and you'll be smiling. So you play your albums and you smoke your pot and you meet your girlfriend in the parking lot. Oh, but still you're aching for the things you have not got. what went wrong? And if you can't understand why your world is so dead, why you've got to keep in style and feed your head. Well, you're twenty-one and still your mother makes your bed and that's too long. But Captain Jack will get you high tonight and take you to your special island. Oh, now, Captain Jack will get you by tonight. Just a little push and you'll be smiling. Captain Jack will get you high tonight and take you to your special island. Well, now, Captain Jack could make you die tonight. Just a little push and you'll be smiling. Don't Ask Me Why All the waiters in your grand cafe' leave their tables when you blink. Every dog must have his everyday, every drunk must have his drink. Don't wait for answers, just take your chances, don't ask me why. All you life you had to stand in line, still you're standing on your feet. All your choices made you change your mind, now your calendar's complete. Don't wait for answers, just take your chances, don't ask me why. You can say the human heart is only make-believe and I am only fighting fire with fire. But you are still a victim of the accidents you leave as sure as I'm a victim of desire. All the servants in your new hotel throw their roses at your feet. Fool them all, but baby, I can tell, you're no stranger to the street. Don't ask for favors, don't talk to strangers, don't ask me why. Yesterday you were an only child, now your ghosts have gone away. You can kill them in the classic style, now you, "parlez vous francais." Don't look for answers, you took your chances, don't ask me why. Don't ask me why. Everybody Loves You Now Baby, all the lights are turned on you, now you're in the center of the stage. Everything revolves on what you do. Ah, you are in your prime, you've come of age. And you can always have your way somehow cause everybody loves you now. You can walk away from your mistakes, you can turn your back on what you do. Just a little smile is all it takes. Yeah, you can have your cake and eat it too. Loneliness will get to you somehow but everybody loves you now. Ah, they all want your white body and they await your reply. Ah, but between you and me and the Staten Island ferry, so do I. All the people want to know your name, soon there will be lines outside your door. Feelings do not matter in your game, yeah, cause nothing's gonna touch you anymore. So your life is only living anyhow and everybody loves you now. Close your eyes when you don't want to see, stay at home when you don't want to go. Only speak to those who will agree, yeah, and close your mind when you don't want to know. You have lost you innocence somehow but everybody loves you now. Ah, you know that nothing lasts forever and it's all been done before. Ah, but you ain't got the time to go to Cold Spring Harbor no more. See how all the people gather round, yeah, isn't it a thrill to see them crawl? Keep your eyes ahead and don't look down, yeah, and lock yourself inside your sacred wall. This is what you wanted, ain't you proud? Cause everybody loves you now. Falling Of The Rain Once upon a time in the land of misty satin dreams, there stood a house and a man who painted nature scenes. He painted trees and fields and animals and streams and he stayed and he didn't hear the falling of the rain. Ah, no he didn't hear the falling of the rain. In the forest green lived a girl who put her hair in braids and she sang as she walked all around the wooded glade. She was glad when the rain came falling on her face and she sang cause she didn't mind the falling of the rain. Ah, no she didn't mind the falling of the rain. Will it always be the same as we recall? Does it touch you when the rain begins to fall? Ah, but I don't want to know and I don't want to see another rainy day without you lying next to me. High upon a hill far away from all the dusty crowd is a boy with his eyes on the ground, his head is bowed, he is a fool and his mind is filled with hopeless dreams and he waits but he will not see the falling of the rain. Ah, no he will not see the falling of the rain. Will it always be the same as we recall? Does it touch you when the rain begins to fall? Ah, but I don't want to know and I don't want to see another rainy day without you lying next to me. So now the boy becomes the man who sits and paints all day but the girl with the braids in her hair has gone away. And it seems that time has brought things to an end, nothing's changed cause you can't stop the falling rain. Ah, no you cannot stop the falling of the rain. Famous Last Words Sitting here in Avalon, looking at the pouring rain. Summertime has come and gone and everybody's home again. Closing down for the season, I found the last of the souvenirs. I can still taste the wedding cake and it's sweet after all these years. These are the last words I have to say, that's why this took so long to write. There will be other words some other day but that's the story of my life. There's comfort in my coffee cup and apples in the early fall. They're pulling all the moorings up and gathering at the Legion Hall. They swept away all the streamers after the Labor Day parade. Nothing left for a dreamer now, only one final serenade. And these are the last words I have to say before another age goes by. With all those other songs I'll have to play, but that's the story of my life. And it's so clear standing here where I am, ain't that what justice is for? Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn anymore. Stack the chairs on the table tops, hang the sheets on the chandeliers. It slows down but it never stops, ain't it sweet after all these years? And these are the last words I have to say, it's always hard to say goodbye. But now it's time to put this book away, ain't that the story of my life? These are the last words I have to say, that's why this took so long to write. There will be other words some other day but that's the story of my life. These are the last words I have to say before another age goes by. With all those other songs I'll have to play, but that's the story of my life. Get It Right the First Time I don't believe in first impressions, for just this once I hope that looks don't deceive. I ain't got time for true confessions. I've got to make the move right now, got to meet that girl somehow. Get it right the first time, that's the main thing. Oh, I can't afford to let it pass. Get it right the next time, that's not the same thing. Oh, gotta make the first time last. I'm not much good at conversation, I never was too good at coming on real strong. But if all it takes is inspiration then I might have just what it takes if I don't make no bad mistakes and I get it right the first time, that's the main thing. Oh, I can't afford to let it pass. Get it right the next time, that's not the same thing. Oh, gotta make the first time last. I might find the courage, yeah, I might get up the nerve but if my timing ain't just right what purpose would it serve? I don't know, I don't know, I don't know how to say those first few words. If I want to put myself in touch, the first few moments mean so much. I suppose it's now or never before that woman walks right out of my life. Just let me pull myself together. I've got to give it one good try Gotta take my chance tonight and get it right the first time, that's the main thing. Oh, I can't afford to let it pass. Get it right the next time, that's not the same thing. Oh, gotta make the first time last. Goodnight Saigon We met as soul mates on Parris Island. We left as inmates from an asylum. And we were sharp, as sharp as knives. And we were so gung ho to lay down our lives. We came in spastic like tameless horses. We left in plastic as numbered corpses. And we learned fast to travel light. Our arms were heavy but our bellies were tight. We had no home front, we had no soft soap. They sent us Playboy, they gave us Bob Hope. We dug in deep and shot on sight and prayed to Jesus Christ with all our might. We had no cameras to shoot the landscape. We passed the hash pipe and played our Doors tapes. And it was dark, so dark at night. And we held on to each other like brother to brother, we promised our mothers we'd write. And we would all go down together, we said we'd all go down together. Yes, we would all go down together. Remember Charlie? Remember Baker? They left their childhood on every acre. And who was wrong? And who was right? It didn't matter in the thick of the fight We held the day in the palm of our hand. They ruled the night and the night seemed to last as long as six weeks on Parris Island. We held the coastline, they held the highlands. And they were sharp, as sharp as knives. They heard the hum of our motors, they counted the rotors and waited for us to arrive. And we would all go down together, we said we'd all go down together. Yes, we would all go down together. Got To Begin Again Well, so here I am at the end of the road, where do I go from here? I always figured it would be like this, still nothing seems to be quite clear. All the words have been spoken and the prophecy fulfilled, but I just can't decide where to go. Yes, it's been quite a day and I should go to sleep but tomorrow I will wake up and I'll know that I've got to begin again though I don't know how start. Yes, I've got to begin again and it's hard. Well, it's been quite a while since I lifted my head and I'm sure the light will hurt my eyes. I see the way that I been spending my days and reality has caught me by surprise. I was dreaming of tomorrow so I sacrificed today and it sure was a grand waste of time. And despite all the truth that's been thrown in my face, I just can't get you out of my mind. But I've got to begin again though I don't know how start. Yes, I've got to begin again and it's hard. Yes, it's hard. Hey Girl Hey girl, I want you to know, I'm gonna miss you so much if you go. And hey girl, I tell you no lie, something deep inside of me's going to die if you must say so long, if this is good bye. Hey girl, this can't be true. How am I supposed to exist without you? And, hey girl, now don't put me on, what's gonna happen to me when you're gone? How will I live, how can I go on? How can I go on? Hey girl. Hey girl, now sit yourself down. I'm not ashamed to get down on the ground and then beg, beg you to stay. Don't go away, hey girl. No, no, no, don't go away, hey girl, don't go away... I Go To Extremes Call me a joker, call me a fool, right at this moment I'm totally cool. Clear as a crystal, sharp as a knife, I feel like I'm in the prime of my life. Sometimes it feels like I'm going to fast, I don't know how long this feeling will last, maybe it's only tonight. Darling, I don't know why I go to extremes. Too high or too low, there ain't no in-betweens. And if I stand or I fall, it's all or nothing at all, darling, I don't know why I go to extremes. Sometimes I'm tired, sometimes I'm shot, sometimes I don't know how much more I've got. Maybe I'm headed over the hill, maybe I've set myself up for the kill. Tell me how much do you think you can take until the heart in you is starting to break? Sometimes it feels like it will, Darling, I don't know why I go to extremes. Too high or too low, there ain't no in-betweens. And if I stand or I fall, it's all or nothing at all, darling, I don't know why I go to extremes. Out of the darkness, into the light, leaving the scene of the crime. Either I'm wrong or I'm perfectly right every time. Sometimes I lie awake, night after night, coming apart at the seams. Eager to please, ready to fight, why do I go to extremes? And if I stand or I fall, it's all or nothing at all, darling, I don't know why I go to extremes. Darling, I don't know why I go to extremes. Too high or too low, there ain't no in-betweens. You can be sure when I'm gone, I won't be out there too long. Darling, I don't know why I go to extremes. It's Still Rock And Roll To Me What's the matter with the clothes I'm wearing? "Can't you tell that your tie's too wide?" Maybe I should buy some old tab collars? "Welcome back to the age of jive. Where have you been hiding out lately, honey? You can't dress trashy till you spend a lot of money." Everybody's talking 'bout the new sound, funny, but it's still rock and roll to me. What's the matter with the car I'm driving? "Can't you tell that it's out of style?" Should I get a set of while wall tires? "Are you gonna cruise the miracle mile? Nowadays you can't be too sentimental, your best bet's a true baby blue Continental." Hot funk, cool punk, even if it's old junk, it's still rock and roll to me. Oh, it doesn't matter what they say in the papers cause it's always been the same old scene. There's a new band in town but you can't get the sound from a story in a magazine aimed at your average teen. How about a pair of pink sidewinders and a bright orange pair of pants? "You could really be a Beau Brummel, baby, if you just give it half a chance. Don't waste your money on a new set of speakers, you get more mileage from a cheap pair of sneakers." Next phase, new wave, dance craze, any ways, it's still rock and roll to me. What's the matter with the crowd I'm seeing? "Don't you know that they're out of touch?" Should I try to be a straight "A" student? "If you are then you think too much. Don't you know about the new fashion honey? All you need are looks and a whole lotta money." It's the next phase, new wave, dance craze, any ways, it's still rock and roll to me. Everybody's talking 'bout the new sound, funny, but it's still rock and roll to me. I've Loved These Days Now we take our time so nonchalant and spend our nights so bon vivant. We dress our days in silken robes, the money comes, the money goes. We know it's all a passing phase. We light our lamps for atmosphere and hang our hopes on chandeliers. We're going wrong, we're gaining weight, we're sleeping long and far too late. And so it's time to change our ways but I've loved these days. Now as we indulge in things refined, we hide our hearts from harder times. A string of pearls, a foreign car but we can only go so far on caviar and Cabernet. We drown our doubts in dry champagne and soothe our souls with fine cocaine. I don't know why I even care, we get so high and get nowhere. We'll have to change our jaded ways but I've loved these days. So before we end, and then begin, we'll drink a toast to how it's been. A few more hours to be complete, a few more nights on satin sheets, a few more times that I can say I've loved these days. Just The Way You Are Don't go changing, to try and please me, you never let me down before. I don't imagine you're too familiar and I don't see you anymore. I would not leave you in times of trouble, we never could have come this far. I took the good times, I'll take the bad times, I'll take you just the way you are. Don't go trying some new fashion, don't change the color of your hair. You always have my unspoken passion although I might not seem to care. I don't want clever conversation, I never want to work that hard. I just want someone that I can talk to, I want you just the way you are. I need to know that you will always be the same old someone that I knew. What will it take till you believe in me the way that I believe in you? I said I love you and that's forever and this I promise from the heart. I could not love you any better, I love you just the way you are. I don't want clever conversation, I never want to work that hard. I just want someone that I can talk to, I want you just the way you are. Keeping the Faith If it seems like I've been lost in "let's remember," if you think I'm feeling older and missing my younger days, oh, then you should have known me much better cause my past is something that never got in my way, oh no. Still I would not be here now if I never had the hunger. And I'm not ashamed to say the wild boys were my friends. Oh, cause I never felt the desire till their music set me on fire, then I was saved, yeah. That's why I'm keeping the faith, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, keeping the faith. We wore matador boots, only Flagg Brothers had them with the Cuban heel. Iridescent socks with the same color shirt and a tight pair of chinos. Oh, I put on my shark skin jacket, you know the kind with the velvet collar and ditty-bop shades, oh yeah. I took a fresh pack of Luckies and a mint called Sen-Sen, my old man's Trojans and his Old Spice after shave. Oh, combed my hair in a pompadour, like the rest of the Romeos wore, a permanent wave. We were keeping the faith, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, keeping the faith. You can get just so much from a good thing. You can linger too long in your dreams. Say goodbye to the oldies but goodies. Cause the good old days weren't always good and tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems. Learned stickball as a formal education. Lost a lot of fights but it taught me how to lose O.K. Oh, I heard about sex but not enough. I found you could dance and still look tough anyway. Oh, yes I did. I found out a man ain't just being macho. Ate an awful lot of late night drive-in food, drank a lot of take-home pay. I thought I was the Duke of Earl when I made it with a red-haired girl in a Chevrolet, yeah. We were keeping the faith, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, keeping the faith. You know the good old days weren't always good and tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems. I told you my reasons for the whole revival. Now I'm going outside to have an ice cold beer in the shade. Oh, I'm going to listen to my 45's, ain't it wonderful to be alive when the rock 'n' roll plays, yeah. When the memory stays, yeah. I'm keeping the faith, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, keeping the faith. I'm keeping the faith, yes I am. I'm keeping the faith, yes I am... Leave A Tender Moment Alone Even though I'm in love, sometimes I get so afraid I'll say something so wrong just to have something to say. I know the moment isn't right to tell the girl a comical line to keep the conversation light, I guess I'm just frightened out of my mind. But if that's how I feel then it's the best feeling I've even known. It's undeniably real, leave a tender moment alone. Yes, I know I'm in love but just when I ought to relax, I put my foot in my mouth cause I'm just avoiding the facts. If the girl gets too close, if I need some room to escape, when the moment arrives, I'd tell her it's all a mistake. But that's not how I feel, no that's not the woman I know. She's undeniably real so leave a tender moment alone. But it's not only me breaking down when the tension gets high. Just when I'm in a serious mood, she is suddenly quiet and shy. Leave a tender moment, leave it alone. I know the moment isn't right to tell the girl a comical line to keep the conversation light, I guess I'm just frightened out of my mind. But if that's how I feel then it's the best feeling I've even known. It's undeniably real, leave a tender moment alone. Leave a tender moment, leave it alone... Los Angelenos Los Angelenos all come from somewhere to live in sunshine, their funky exile. Midwestern ladies, high-heeled and faded, drive sleek new sports cars with their New York cowboys. Hiding up in the mountains, laying low in the canyons, going nowhere on the streets with their Spanish names. Making love with the natives in their Hollywood places, making up for all the time gone by. Los Angelenos all come from somewhere cause it's all so easy to become acquainted. Electric babies, blue-jeaned and jaded, such hot sweet schoolgirls, so educated. Tanning out in the beaches with their Mexican reefers, no one ever has to feel like a refugee. Going into garages for exotic massages, making up for all the time gone by. Hiding up in the mountains, laying low in the canyons, going nowhere on the streets with their Spanish names. Making love with the natives in their Hollywood places, making up for all the time gone by. Los Angelenos all come from somewhere. It's so familiar, their foreign faces. Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel) Goodnight, my angel, time to close your eyes and save these questions for another day. I think I know what you've been asking me, I think you know what I've been trying to say. I promised I would never leave you and you should always know, wherever you may go, no matter where you are, I never will be far away. Goodnight, my angel, now it's time to sleep and still so many things I want to say. Remember all the songs you sang for me when we went sailing on an emerald bay. And like a boat out on the ocean, I'm rocking you to sleep, the water's dark and deep inside this ancient heart, you'll always be a part of me. Goodnight, my angel, now it's time to dream, and dream how wonderful your life will be. Someday your child may cry and if you sing this lullaby then in your heart, there will always be a part of me. Someday we'll all be gone but lullabies go on and on, they never die, that's how you and I will be. Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway) I've seen the lights go out on Broadway, I saw the Empire State laid low. And life went on beyond the Palisades, they all bought bright Cadillacs and left there long ago. We held a concert out in Brooklyn to watch the Island bridges blow. They turned our power down and drove us underground but we went right on with the show. I've seen the lights go out on Broadway, I saw the ruins at my feet. You know we almost didn't notice it, we'd see it all the time on Forty-Second Street. They burned the churches up in Harlem like in that Spanish Civil War. The flames were everywhere, but no one really cared, it always burned up there before. I saw the lights go out on Broadway, I watched the mighty skyline fall. The boats were waiting at the Battery, the union went on strike, they never sailed at all. They sent a carrier out from Norfolk and picked the Yankees up for free. They said that Queens could stay, they blew the Bronx away and sank Manhattan out to sea. You know those lights were bright on Broadway but that was so many years ago, before we all lived here in Florida, before the Mafia took over Mexico. There are not many who remember, they say a handful still survive to tell the world about the way the lights went out, and keep the memory alive. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) Anthony works in the grocery store, saving his pennies for someday. Mama Leone left a note on the door, she said, "Sonny, move out to the country." Working too hard can give you a heart attack, you oughta know by now. Who needs a house out in Hackensack? Is that what you get for your money? And it seems such a waste of time, if that's what it's all about, Mama, if that's moving up then I'm movin' out. I'm movin' out. Sergeant O'Leary is walking the beat, at night he becomes a bartender. He works at Mister Cacciatore's down on Sullivan Street across from the medical center. He's trading in his Chevy for a Cadillac, you oughta know by now. And if he can't drive with a broken back, at least he can polish the fenders. And it seems such a waste of time, if that's what it's all about, Mama, if that's moving up then I'm movin' out. I'm movin' out. You should never argue with a crazy mind, you oughta know by now You can pay Uncle Sam with overtime, is that all you get for your money? And if that's what you had in mind, oh, if that's what it's all about, Mama, if that's moving up then I'm movin' out. I'm movin' out... My Life Got a call from an old friend, we used to be real close, said he couldn't go on the American way. Closed the shop, sold the house, bought a ticket to the West Coast, now he gives them a stand-up routine in L.A. I don't need you to worry for me cause I'm all right, I don't want you to tell me it's time to come home. I don't care what you say anymore, this is my life, go ahead with your own life, and leave me alone. I never said you had to offer me a second chance, I never said I was a victim of circumstance. I still belong, don't get me wrong and you can speak your mind but not on my time. They will tell you you can't sleep alone in a strange place, then they'll tell you you can't sleep with somebody else. Oh, But sooner or later you sleep in your own space. Either way, it's okay to wake up with yourself. I don't need you to worry for me cause I'm all right, I don't want you to tell me it's time to come home. I don't care what you say anymore, this is my life, go ahead with your own life, and leave me alone. I never said you had to offer me a second chance, I never said I was a victim of circumstance. I still belong, don't get me wrong and you can speak your mind but not on my time. I don't care what you say anymore, this is my life, go ahead with your own life, and leave me alone. New York State of Mind Some folks like to get away, take a holiday from the neighborhood. Hop a flight to Miami Beach or Hollywood. I'm taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River line- I'm in a New York state of mind. I seen all the movie stars in their fancy cars and their limousines, been high in the Rockies under the evergreens, but I know what I'm needing and I don't want to waste more time- I'm in a New York state of mind. It was so easy living day by day, out of touch with the rhythm and the blues. But now I need a little give and take, the New York Times, the Daily News. It comes down to reality and it's fine with me cause I've let it slide, don't care if it's Chinatown or Riverside. I don't have any reasons, I've left them all behind- I'm in a New York state of mind. It was so easy living day by day, out of touch with the rhythm and the blues. But now I need a little give and take, the New York Times, the Daily News. It comes down to reality and it's fine with me cause I've let it slide, don't care if it's Chinatown or Riverside. I don't have any reasons, I've left them all behind- I'm in a New York state of mind. I'm just taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River line cause I'm, I'm in a New York state of mind. Only the Good Die Young Come out Virginia, don't let me wait, you Catholic girls start much too late. But sooner or later it comes down to fate, I might as well be the one. They showed you a statue and told you to pray, they built you a temple and locked you away. But they never told you the price that you pay for things that you might have done, only the good die young. You might have heard I run with a dangerous crowd, we ain't too pretty we ain't too proud. We might be laughing a bit too loud but that never hurt no one. So come on, Virginia, show me a sign, send up a signal, I'll throw you the line. The stained-glass curtain you're hiding behind never lets in the sun, you know that only the good die young. You got a nice white dress and a party on your confirmation. You got a brand new soul and a cross of gold. But Virginia they didn't give you quite enough information. You didn't count on me when you were counting on your rosary. They say there's a heaven for those who will wait, some say it's better but I say it ain't. I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints, the sinners are much more fun, you know that only the good die young. You say your mother told you all that I could give you was a reputation. She never cared for me but did she ever say a prayer for me? Come out, come out Virginia, don't let me wait, you Catholic girls start much too late. But sooner or later it comes down to fate, I might as well be the one, only the good die young, only the good die young... Piano Man It's nine o'clock on a Saturday, the regular crowd shuffles in. There's an old man sitting next to me making love to his tonic and gin. He says, "Son, can you play me a melody? I'm not really sure how it goes. But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete when I wore a younger man's clothes." La la la, de de da... Sing us a song, you're the piano man, sing us a song tonight. Well, we're all in the mood for a melody and you've got us feeling all right. Now John at the bar is a friend of mine, he gets me my drinks for free. And he's quick with a joke or to light up your smoke but there's someplace that he'd rather be. He says, "Bill, I believe this is killing me," as the smile ran away from his face. "Well I'm sure that I could be a movie star if I could get out of this place." La la la, de de da... Now Paul is a real estate novelist who never had time for a wife. And he's talking with Davy who's still in the navy and probably will be for life. And the waitress is practicing politics as the businessmen slowly get stoned. Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness but it's better than drinking alone. Sing us a song, you're the piano man, sing us a song tonight. Well, we're all in the mood for a melody and you've got us feeling all right. It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday and the manager gives me a smile cause he knows that it's me they've been coming to see to forget about life for a while. And the piano, it sounds like a carnival and the microphone smells like a beer and they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar and say, "Man, what are you doing here?" La la la, de de da... Sing us a song, you're the piano man, sing us a song tonight. Well, we're all in the mood for a melody and you've got us feeling all right. Prelude/Angry Young Man There's a place in the world for the angry young man with his working class ties and his radical plans, he refuses to bend, he refuses to crawl, and he's always at home with his back to the wall. And he's proud of his scars and the battles he's lost, and he struggles and bleeds as he hangs on the cross and he likes to be known as the angry young man. Give a moment or two to the angry young man, with his foot in his mouth and his heart in his hand. He's been stabbed in the back, he's been misunderstood, it's a comfort to know his intentions are good. And he sits in a room with a lock on the door, with his maps and his medals laid out on the floor and he likes to be known as the angry young man. I believe I've passed the age of consciousness and righteous rage, I found that just surviving was a noble fight. I once believed in causes too, I had my pointless point of view, and life went on no matter who was wrong or right. And there's always a place for the angry young man, with his fist in the air and his head in the sand. And he's never been able to learn from mistakes, so he can't understand why his heart always breaks. But his honor is pure and his courage as well, and he's fair and he's true and he's boring as hell and he'll go to the grave as an angry old man. And there's always a place for the angry young man, with his fist in the air and his head in the sand. And he's never been able to learn from mistakes, so he can't understand why his heart always breaks. But his honor is pure and his courage as well, and he's fair and he's true and he's boring as hell and he'll go to the grave as an angry old man. Pressure You have to learn to pace yourself, pressure. You're just like everybody else, pressure. You've only had to run so far, so good. But you will come to a place where the only thing you feel are loaded guns in your face and you'll have to deal with pressure. You used to call me paranoid, pressure. But even you can not avoid, pressure. You turned the tap dance into your crusade. Now here you are with your faith and your Peter Pan advice. You have no scars on your face and you cannot handle pressure. All grown up and no place to go. Psych 1, Psych 2, what do you know? All your life is Channel 13, Sesame Street, what does it mean? Pressure. Pressure. Don't ask for help, you're all alone. Pressure. You'll have to answer to your own pressure. I'm sure you'll have some cosmic rationale. But here you are in the ninth, two men out and three men on. Nowhere to look but inside where we all respond to pressure. Pressure. All your life is Time Magazine. I read it too, what does it mean? I tell you what it means- pressure. I'm sure you'll have some cosmic rationale. But here you are with your faith and your Peter Pan advice. You have no scars on your face and you cannot handle pressure. Pressure, pressure, one, two, three, four, pressure. |