Song Meanings and Facts

Song Meanings and Facts

Category: Billy Joel

A Matter of Trust

Billy Joel

“A Matter of Trust” by Billy Joel 

Relatively speaking, “A Matter of Trust” is very metaphorical in its approach. But what Billy seems to be getting at premise-wise is that it’s more or less inevitable that after the initial state of...

“She’s Always a Woman” by Billy Joel

Billy Joel

“She’s Always a Woman” by Billy Joel

Despite the title of this song potentially sounding sexist to some, quite to the contrary it is the Piano Man’s version of a feminist tune. Or stated differently analyzing this song hastily can easily lead to misinterpreting...

Uptown Girl

Billy Joel

“Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel

At the center of this narrative are two characters. One is the titular “uptown girl”, with the uptown adjective basically meaning that she is from a well-to-do, classy background. Meanwhile the singer himself is a “downtown man” which...

River of Dreams

Billy Joel

“The River of Dreams” by Billy Joel

Billy Joel grew up in a Jewish household and has also dabbled in Christianity as a youth. But by and large he is recognized as an atheist, which is interesting given the religious undertone of this track. But that...

Billy Joel

Billy Joel

“Piano Man” by Billy Joel

“Piano Man” is actually an autobiographical piece based on a particular juncture in Billy Joel’s life and career. At the time, he was working as a “piano man”, i.e. a lounge musician, in Los Angeles. And...