Billy Joel: Only the Good Die Young

[27lw]

Just 2 other thoughts about the song:

1. I always figured that the narrator is singing it to someone rather recently confirmed, so she’d be, what, 15? That’s “starting much too late”, I guess.
2. Even Billy Joel knows that girls are supposed to wear a white dress for Confirmation!!!

 

[Allegra]

The point of “Only the Good Die Young” is clearly stated in the last lines:

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?

It’s about the apparent hypocrisy among Christians.
Sex was considered “bad”, not something to be talked about in a healthy manner.
People “didn’t like” people who were different than they were - especially those who come “from the wrong side of the tracks”. Even though they didn’t really know the person they didn’t like.

But the last line is the real kicker - Did she ever say a prayer for me?
The answer, at the time the song was written, was most definitely “No”.

I like this song a great deal because it reminds me not to make assumptions just because I’m Catholic and someone else is not. God loves them just as much as He loves me.
I may not care for someone - but I must understand that that in itself does not make them a bad person.

Most of all, I need to pray for all God’s creatures, not just those who fit in with my way of thinking. Maybe especially for those who don’t fit.

Thank you Billy Joel for the message.

Go with Love, Go with God

I think you’ve misinterpreted the lyrics. I think he’s saying “Did she ever…” more as an exclaimation than a question. You know, like “and did she ever throw a fit!” or “Did she ever bake such a good cake!” I think he was referencing the dismissive way people say, “I’ll pray for them,” when they think someone’s doing something wrong. I agree with other posters that this is a song about a guy trying to get into some girl’s pants. I don’t boycott Billy Joel, however, because I think it’s a light-hearted song that’s not meant to portray a deeper truth.

 

[randomuser]

I’d love to see a Catholic female singer write a song from a smart, savvy Virginia’s point of view as to why she saw through the male character’s weak arguments! And record it and put it up on YouTube!

Didn’t Liz Phair kinda-sorta do that with “Exile From Guyville,” supposedly her response to the Rolling Stones’ “Exile on Main Street”? Not sure if that counts.

 

[michaeldean]

Okay, I love Billy Joel, and I love this song, but it has given me pause before. The first time I heard it I was like hey, this is catchy, I’m not sure if I’m supposed to like it, though. I agree with the statement that it’s more about a horny boy trying to get in some girl’s pants than it is an attack on religion, and honestly, I think there’s a lot worse out there, so it’s not terribly bothersome to me. If you’re mature enough to discern the message being sent, I don’t really see a problem if you want to listen to it or not. It’s also pretty jocular in tone and to me it’s certainly better than a thousand other songs that are explicit or imply non-consent.

 

[didymus]

I like Billy Joel but this song has always bothered me as well.

Come out Virginia, don’t let me 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

Well, why should you be the one, even if Virginia were willing or in fact looking to lose her virginity maybe she’s looking for somebody besides some random loser.

But they never told you the price that you pay
For things that you might have done…
Only the good die young

Exactly what is the price does a young woman pay for waiting?
As for the good dying young – how about gang violence which kills the bad and their innocent victims as well? Kids killed in drunk driving accidents after graduation parties or spring break?

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?

Well, if Virginnia’s mother is anything like mine I bet she was praying for the young man in the song though he can’t imaging such a thing.

 

[RACJ]

I read part of an old interview with Billy Joel where he pointed out, while trying to defend the song, that in the end, the girl doesn’t give in. He said that for all the protest against the song when it came out, everyone missed that final point. I don’t listen to as much Billy Joel as I used to, but I still enjoy this song from time to time.

Not buying this. The lyrics are juvenile and domineering. The girl in the song doesn’t submit or decline the offensive advances made by this cad. I am sure that many a young girl has failed to discern the specious logic herein, and lost her virginity to an immature loser. Rob

 

[Gigglin4God]

Pssst.

It’s only a song. Nothing more, nothing less. If you want to go after a song because of the lyrics or title, then go after the Rolling Stones song Sympathy For The Devil.

 

[Joy2day]

Well actually the truth is that it is not the good that die young, rather the opposite in this sort of thing. Promiscuity will lead one towards STI’s such as syphilis, chlamydia etc and of course, the worst - HIV. So, I guess, dear Billy Joel is actually quite incorrect, for it is not the good that die young most likely.

If you want to live to a ripe old age = abstinence!!