FOUR REASONS WHY BILLY JOEL IS BETTER THAN YOU REALIZE

Guest post by Jacob Stone

There are a number of reasons why ‘Moving Out (Anthony’s Song)‘ rules.

Reason one is the piano vamp that underpins the whole tune. It rules. It turns a fairly standard melody into a brilliant, staccato pop groove and motivates the verse in a uniquely, sexy fashion. That’s right, Billy Joel is SEXY.

Reason two is Joel’s uniquely working class lyrical take on the drudgery and futility of 9 to 5 employment….

“Sargent (sic) O’Leary spends his day on the beat, and by night he becomes a bartender. He works at Mr. Catchatory’s down on Sullivan Street, across from the medical center. He’s saving up his money for a Cadillac (ack-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack), but you oughta know by now. You can’t drive to work with a broken back. At least he can polish the fender…”

Deceptively complicated rhyming structures that roll musically off the tongue, rough and ready, and never get lost up the songwriter’s arse. It tells a story, and people relate to that.

Reason three is the descending chordal part (“Well, it seems such a waste of time… Well, if that’s what it’s all about…”) that accompanies the movement out of the verse, which not only opens up the arrangement and relieves tension, it also allows us some color and functions as a melodic metaphor – an insight into Joel’s world, and a counterpoint to the staccato stricture of the 9 to 5 lifestyle depicted in the verse.

Reason four is Joel’s consistent knack for memorable melodies that seems as effortless as his lyrical hooks. Witness the sax part after the chorus vocal hook “I’m… moving out”. You know the one, and if you don’t, you will after one listen.

For these reasons and many more, Billy Joel kicks your motherfucking arse all over town. Ask your dad.

Billy Joel – ‘Moving Out (Anthony’s Song)’

Ed: Jake is a super-talented music writer, reviewer and musician. You may have heard him sing in a little band called Bluejuice. He also has the most comprehensive knowledge of kick-ass tunes on the planet, as aptly demonstrated by today’s blog.

Get your Billy Joel on here.