Billy Joel-My Lives Boxset

[John K.]

this should be interesting. i'm a considerable billy joel fan. for instance, john, when you mentioned the village green i instantly thought of "scenes from an italian restaurant," which you quoted the lyric from.

And that's exactly why I mentioned it.

The Village Greens are still small shopping areas that Mr. Levitt built into the design of Levittown, Long Island, the first mass produced suburban community in the United States.

As I mentioned, there's the East, West, North, and South Village Greens. A trivial fact, is that although the South Village Green is the most South, it's further East than the East Village Green. And both the East and West Village Greens are more North than the North Village Green.

Hicksville, where BJ grew up, is directly north of Levittown. It's greatest distinction is the fact that Billy Joel grew up there. It's next greatest distinction is that it has a Long Island Rail Road station. I can still here the conductor....Mineola....Westbury.....Hicksville. Change at Hicksville for trains to Bethpage.....

[lizzytysh]

I can still here the conductor....Mineola....Westbury.....Hicksville. Change at Hicksville for trains to Bethpage.....

Something about that just resonates with such nostalgia.


Teratogen ~ Do you happen to work for the CVS chain? I'm thinking their corporate office may subscribe to one, particular service . If I just hang out, I may be able to hear the others .


~ Lizzy

[Teratogen]

no, cvs is pretty much just an east coast thing. since i live on the west coast, california, we don't have them. i work at rite aid. i'm pretty sure those are out on the east as well. in new york i visited both drug stores. my employee discount even worked in ny at the rite aid on broadway a few blocks from columbia!!!

[Diane.]

John K said:

The Village Greens are still small shopping areas that Mr. Levitt built into the design of Levittown, Long Island, the first mass produced suburban community in the United States.

As I mentioned, there's the East, West, North, and South Village Greens. A trivial fact, is that although the South Village Green is the most South, it's further East than the East Village Green. And both the East and West Village Greens are more North than the North Village Green.

That is so interesting to me, John. I used to listen to Billy Joel especially in my student days long ago, and the words:

Do you remember those days hanging out at the village green?
Engineer boots, leather jackets and tight blue jeans
Oh, you drop a dime in the box play the song about New Orleans
Cold beer, hot lights, my sweet romantic teenage nights

Brenda and Eddie were the popular steadies
And the king and the queen of the prom
Riding around with the car top down and the radio on
Nobody looked any finer
Or was more of a hit at the Parkway Diner
We never knew we could want more than that out of life
Surely Brenda and Eddie would always know how to survive.

are indelible in my memory. Those were heady days of music, friends and parties: "We never knew we could want more than that out of life," and those words take me right back to those days. So thanks for filling me in a bit on the background to the words.

I enjoy all the references he has to local places in his lyrics. It underlines how much of himself is in the songs .

Diane

[lizzytysh]

Dear Diane ~

"We never knew we could want more than that out of life"

In spite of many similarities in places, activities, and perspectives re: 'particular people,' it is this line that brings it all home for me, too.

I've even had that thought [but never realized anyone had expressed it that way ~ thank you, Bruce ], as I've thought back on those days in my own life. Yes, those were "heady days" . I still have all my high-school yearbooks, and who would ever have dreamt I would want 'more' beyond my "future plans" than what it states there: "College, then marriage."

Even so, that was 'the future' [the actual concept of which, I had so little, real understanding]. I was so 'very happy' then, including the bit of angst that came my way, primarily the result of love. I say "love" and mean it, as they related to the same person who the "marriage" reference related to, and the only one with whom that status has ever been enjoyed, as well as the same person with whom I spoke last night, and will, again, later tonite. There's been some serious continuity there. The feelings of that time still resonate strongly inside me, and they seemed to be there with such an unquestioned feeling of 'permanence.'

I remember the perceived 'togetherness' of certain people during those times, neither inclusive nor exclusive of those who were the homecoming kings and queens. Those perceptions haven't always borne out, of course. Still, there was a way of knowing all those people during those times that we rarely have the privilege of knowing people in our, day-to-day lives now. It made enjoying my most recent high school reunion so easy, with an unexplainable comfort level that was simply a given.

As much as we may try to inform younger people today of the importance of their enjoying these years, while they have them, as they will likely never be quite so 'carefree,' again, you know how they have no clue of what you speak. We had no idea of just how much and how drastically our lives would change. It's one of those many situations where you've just got to experience it yourself to really understand.

That's a great song. I'd love to hear it.


Teratogen ~ Yes, I'm familiar with Rite-Aid, as well. That discount must've been welcome in NYC, eh? Every little bit helps .



Love,

Lizzy

[Teratogen]

billy joel is like lou reed in that respect: they are both very keen on locations. i forget what the terminology is for when a writer writes mostly about one particular place, usually his or her hometown. mark twain was noted as one of these writers. i'm thinking regionalist, but i'm not sure if that's correct. anyway, yeah, i just wanted to link the two of them up, especially since they're both new yorkers.

[Diane.]

Hi Lizzy,

It's wonderful that you have experienced such a deep and enduring love with a man, even though you are no longer together, you obviously still love each other. I have remained very good friends with two of my former loves. I have always seemed to be able to do friendship much better than I have, in the past anyway, been able to do long-term 'romantic' relationships.

Whilst on the topic of love on the Billy Joel thread. He wrote what I think is one of the best love songs ever written, You're My Home. I shall copy it to the poetry thread, later.

We used to play Billy Joel all the time when I was at college aged 18 to 21, and those words, whilst not directly reflecting the lifestyle (apart from that brilliant line, "we never knew we could want more than that out of life") bring back, like all of his old songs, that sense of freedom and excitement we had back then.

You are so right about the fact that it is impossible to impress on young people how 'carefree' and precious their days are. "If youth but knew, if age but could" is the expression that springs to mind .

I love that New York drawl, Teratogen (may I call it a drawl?). I managed to see BJ in concert once over here, and I was fascinated to listen to his speaking voice, which I had never heard before. (I do have a thing about accents ).

Diane

[Diane.]

PS Lizzy. The rest of the lyrics from that song, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, came into my head, and kind of follow your experience (amd mine, and many other people's). I best copy the whole thing:

Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
A bottle of white, a bottle of red
Perhaps a bottle of rose instead
We'll get a table near the street
In our old familiar place
You and I - face to face
A bottle of red, a bottle of white
It all depends upon your appetite
I'll meet you any time you want
In our Italian Restaurant.

Things are okay with me these days
Got a good job, got a good office
I got a new wife, got a new life
And the family is fine
We lost touch long ago
You lost weight I did not know
You could ever look so nice after so much time.

Do you remember those days hanging out at the village green?
Engineer boots, leather jackets and tight blue jeans
Oh, you drop a dime in the box play the song about New Orleans
Cold beer, hot lights, my sweet romantic teenage nights

Brenda and Eddie were the popular steadies
And the king and the queen of the prom
Riding around with the car top down and the radio on
Nobody looked any finer
Or was more of a hit at the Parkway Diner
We never knew we could want more than that out of life
Surely Brenda and Eddie would always know how to survive.

Brenda and Eddie were still going steady in the summer of '75
when they decided the marriage would be at the end of July
Everyone said they were crazy
"Brenda you know that you're much too lazy
and Eddie could never afford to live that kind of life."
Oh, but there we were wavin' Brenda and Eddie goodbye.

Well they got an apartment with deep pile carpets
And a couple of paintings from Sears
A big waterbed that they bought with the bread
They had saved for a couple of years
They started to fight when the money got tight
And they just didn't count on the tears.

And Rock and Roll!

Well, they lived for a while in a very nice style
But it's always the same in the end
They got a divorce as a matter of course
And they parted the closest of friends
Then the king and the queen went back to the green
But you could never go back there again.

Brenda and Eddie had it already by the summer of '75
From the high to the low to the end of the show
For the rest of their lives
They couldn't go back to the greasers
The best they could do was pick up the pieces
We always knew they would both find a way to get by
That's all I heard about Brenda and Eddie
Can't tell you more 'cause I've told you already
And here we are wavin' Brenda and Eddie goodbye.

A bottle of reds, a bottle of whites
Whatever kind of mood you're in tonight
I'll meet you anytime you want
In our Italian Restaurant.

[Diane.]

I have decided to resist the urge I have to plaster BJ lyrics all over the forum. But somewhere there is a thread on the world's saddest songs. I listened to this one today, as part of my trip down memory lane.

Honesty
If you search for tenderness
It isn't hard to find
You can have the love you need to live
But if you look for truthfulness
You might just as well be blind
It always seems to be so hard to give

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you

I can always find someone
To say they sympathize
If I wear my heart out on my sleeve
But I don't want some pretty face
To tell me pretty lies
All I want is someone to believe

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you

I can find a lover
I can find a friend
I can have security
Until the bitter end
Anyone can comfort me
With promises again
I know, I know

When I'm deep inside of me
Don't be too concerned
I won't ask for nothin' while I'm gone
But when I want sincerity
Tell me where else can I turn
Because you're the only one that I depend on

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you

[jerry]

Wouldn't it be nice to maybe someday have a LC boxset? Some more live cds.And some dvds?He's always been on one record label so that should make any remastering of his albums and other releases pretty easy.I think.

[lizzytysh]

I agree that that'd be a great idea, Jerry. One day, maybe....hopefully. I can't get enough of the Live cds.

They've been doing a huge amount of coverage, on NPR the last two days, regarding "Walk the Line" [the new film on Johnny Cash], and it's bringing out a lot from his boxed set "Unearthed." A lot of previously-unreleased material on it . The movie sounds like it's going to be excellent. His daughter has a great voice, too. I was surprized that when she speaks, it's not with a Southern accent. Not to change the subject from Billy Joel, but what an incredible man Johnny was. He lived so many lives in his one. He also read virtually non-stop and was extremely smart. He loved June Carter heart and soul.

I remember that song "Honesty," Diane. I like it very much, too. It's sad in a different way than one might normally think, isn't it. I'm really interested in hearing/reading the song you mentioned "You're My Home" ~ if the song is anything like the title, it 'says it all' ~ it's the prevailing feeling over all those I've ever experienced with my former husband. Whenever we would come together for anything, a visit, a reconciliation, or simply an encounter, the only way I could ever accurately and adequately describe my deep feeling of comfort was, "I'm home again" and, of course, it made no difference where we were.

I've been the same as you, with former boyfriends/paramours/lovers/loves [whichever word applies]. Even though the relationship was redefined for us, the friendship always tended to remain; even though, with a couple, it may have taken awhile for that to happen. Breaking up didn't mean they had transformed into a monster, even though some 'monstrous' things may have occurred to show us we simply weren't a good fit for a long-term relationship. I'm like you in that area, as well ~ though, I must say, I've been more than a bit distracted when in those realms; with one eye in the present, and one eye on the past, the chances for success are pretty compromised. I'm happy for you in your marriage. I know [intuitively ] how much it means to you .

Yes, deep and enduring; even though we didn't spill out of high school into marriage, but were apart for 5 years first. [No formula is a true predictor for success ~ we'd known each other, and gone together the majority of the time, since I was 13 and he was 12. He's had a tremendous impact and influence on my life.] Nothing really dramatic that caused our split, though; simply a difference in our day-to-day goals and approach to life, that crystallized after we married, and I still would never dream of calling him derogatory names [though I may have, whilst still together, in the midst of the heat of 'passionate' anger, said a derogatory thing or two ; life's too short for all that now, though ~ should've been then, too, but, hey, I've heard it said that "youth is wasted on the young," right ?]. I'll love him until the day I die. Still, life goes on, doesn't it .

Love [ahhhh, it feels good to use that sign-off again ],
Lizzy

[Teratogen]

shit. since we're talking about billy joel's songs (and i think he's one of the greatest lyricists EVER), i've got a few that really touch me. "piano man" is probably the saddest song he's done, but everyone knows that one inside and out i bet. here are two that really hit me when i listen to them.

Captain Jack

Saturday night and you're still hangin' around
You're tired of livin' in your one horse town
You'd 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 like some pornographic magazine, and you smile

But 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 'n' you'll be smilin'
Oh yeah, yeah

Your sister's gone out, she's on a date
And you just sit at home and masturbate
Your phone is gonna ring soon,
But you just can't wait, for that call

So you stand on the corner in your new English clothes
And you look so polished from your hair down to your toes
But still your fingers gonna pick your nose, after all

But 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 'n' you'll be smilin'
Oh yeah, yeah

So you decide to take a holiday
You got your tape deck and your brand new Chevrolet
Ah, but there's no place to go anyway and what for

You've got everything, but nothin's cool
They just found your father in the swimming pool
And you guess you won't be going back to school anymore

But 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 'n' you'll be smilin'
La da, da
Oh yeah, yeah

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 haven't got,
What went wrong

And if you can't understand why your world is so dead
And why you've got to keep in style and feed your head
Well, you're twenty one and still you mother makes your bed
And that's too long

But 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 'n' you'll be smilin'
Yeah, Captain Jack will get you by tonight
Yeah, Captain Jack will get you by tonight


River of Dreams

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
From the mountains of faith
To a river so deep
I must be looking for something
Something sacred I lost
But the river is wide
And it's too hard to cross

And even though I know the river is wide
I walk down every evening and I stand on the shore
And try to cross to the opposite side
So I can finally find what I've been looking for

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the valley of fear
To a river so deep
And I've been searching for something
Taken out of my soul
Something I would never lose
Something somebody stole

I don't know why I go walking at night
But now I'm tired and I don't want to walk anymore
I hope it doesn't take the rest of my life
Until I find what it is that I've been looking for

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the jungle of doubt
To a river so deep
I know I'm searching for something
Something so undefined
That it can only be seen
By the eyes of the blind
In the middle of the night

I'm not sure about a life after this
God knows I've never been a spiritual man
Baptized by the fire, I wade into the river
That runs to the promised land

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the desert of truth
To the river so deep
We all end in the ocean
We all start in the streams
We're all carried along
By the river of dreams
In the middle of the night


other things i really love about billy joel are, not necessarily just his love songs like "just the way you are," "she's always a woman," and "she's got a way," but the many songs where he talks about his personal relationship problems i guess you could say. i use that in lack of a better term. but he has a lot of advice to give in these songs. like "extremes," "tell her about it," "innocent man," "a matter of trust," "you're only human (second wind)," "the longest time," "you may be right," "only the good die young," "big shot," "the stranger," etc. they are very informative. and speaking of informative, being a former history teacher he had a lot to talk about, like with "goodnight saigon" and, of course, probably the greatest song about history ever made, "we didn't start the fire." but then there were his story songs like the one i just mentioned, "captain jack," plus "movin' out (anthony's song)," "allentown," "say goodbye to hollywood," and even some of the other i previously mentioned here had stories to them, especially our topic of choice here, "scenes from an italian restaurant." and there's also his nostalgic side, with songs like "keeping the faith," "it's still rock and roll to me," and "new york state of mind." and of course, who can resist the creepy-rockin' synth riff to "pressure"??? hahahaha. can you tell i really dig this man?

[Diane.]

Hi Lizzy.

I remember that song "Honesty," Diane. I like it very much, too. It's sad in a different way than one might normally think, isn't it. I'm really interested in hearing/reading the song you mentioned "You're My Home" ~ if the song is anything like the title, it 'says it all' ~ it's the prevailing feeling over all those I've ever experienced with my former husband. Whenever we would come together for anything, a visit, a reconciliation, or simply an encounter, the only way I could ever accurately and adequately describe my deep feeling of comfort was, "I'm home again" and, of course, it made no difference where we were.

You really shouldn't encourage me to post song lyrics, but I'm glad you do . I haven't written song lyrics all over the place since I was about 19. Not until I came on here.

I wouldn't mind betting that there are more people on this forum who used to write song lyrics all over their school books than exist in a similar sample of the general population .

You're My Home

When you look into my eyes
And you see the crazy gypsy in my soul
It always comes as a surprise
When I feel my withered roots begin to grow
Well, I never had a place that I could call my very own
But that's alright my love,
'Cause your my home

When you touch my weary head
And you tell me ev'rything will be alright
You say use my body for your bed
And my love will keep you warm throughout the night
Well, I'll never be a stranger
And I'll never be alone
Where ever we're together that's my home

Home can be the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Indiana early morning dew
High up in the hills of California
Home is just another word for you

If I traveled all my life
And I never get to stop and settle down
Long as I have you by my side
There's a roof above and good walls all around
You're my castle, you're my cabin and my instant pleasure dome
I need you in my house 'cause you're my home

Lizzy said:

I've been the same as you, with former boyfriends/paramours/lovers/loves [whichever word applies]. Even though the relationship was redefined for us, the friendship always tended to remain; even though, with a couple, it may have taken awhile for that to happen. Breaking up didn't mean they had transformed into a monster, even though some 'monstrous' things may have occurred to show us we simply weren't a good fit for a long-term relationship. I'm like you in that area, as well ~ though, I must say, I've been more than a bit distracted when in those realms; with one eye in the present, and one eye on the past, the chances for success are pretty compromised. I'm happy for you in your marriage. I know [intuitively ] how much it means to you .

Well, until a few years ago I was clueless as to how to keep a relationship going. I've always kept too distant from partners in the past, and that old 'drifting apart' thing would happen, so one day something would happen to make one of us realise that 'this is not a forever thing'. There's not enough glue to hold things together long-term if you can't stay close to each other. But I have, as I say, remained very good friends with two of my former boyfriends, one of whom is like an extra brother to me.

Life is a learning experience and I consider everyone I know, and everyone I meet, to be my teacher.

Yes, deep and enduring; even though we didn't spill out of high school into marriage, but were apart for 5 years first. [No formula is a true predictor for success ~ we'd known each other, and gone together the majority of the time, since I was 13 and he was 12. He's had a tremendous impact and influence on my life.] Nothing really dramatic that caused our split, though; simply a difference in our day-to-day goals and approach to life, that crystallized after we married, and I still would never dream of calling him derogatory names [though I may have, whilst still together, in the midst of the heat of 'passionate' anger, said a derogatory thing or two ; life's too short for all that now, though ~ should've been then, too, but, hey, I've heard it said that "youth is wasted on the young," right ?]. I'll love him until the day I die. Still, life goes on, doesn't it .

That's lovely, Lizzy. Such special friendships are priceless. Life always goes on, yes. But life is nowhere near long enough to make all the mistakes, learn from them, and finally get some semblance of your dreams, plus fit everything else in, is it?

Love,

Diane

[Diane.]

Teratogen, I love the live version of Captain Jack so much. When he sings it live he changes the lyrics in the last chorus to "Captain Jack could make you die tonight." Another great song about people "dying" in a loving embrace ! (Actually, I think Captain Jack is about a drug thing, but for me it's not).

Thanks for your review of his work. So many titles in there I love. Allen Town and Only the Good Die Young I have not heard for years and I intend to rectify that tomorrow now you've reminded me. Don't forget Miami 2017 (seen the lights go out on Broadway), and I've Loved These Days. And All About Soul. Why don't I just list all his songs ?. I'm always delighted to discover other people who love Billy Joel. His songs are a mixture of good old rock n roll (and some slower ballads) and simply put but piercing truths about life. I'm going to have a bit of fun and pick out some of his best lines tonight, which may well find themselves being posted here sometime soon.

Diane

[lizzytysh]

But life is nowhere near long enough to make all the mistakes, learn from them, and finally get some semblance of your dreams, plus fit everything else in, is it?

~ Yeah, I've been meaning to take that up with some, big guy, who I can't quite name .


Love,
Lizzy