Is Billy Joel song offensive?

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Fredhn

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Recently, the Billy Joel song “Only the Good Die Young” has been getting regular play on the local radio station whose motto is “family friendly and workplace safe”. I have written to the station stating that I found the song offensive to my Catholic faith due to lyrics such as “Catholic girls start much too late” and scoffing references to Confirmation, Rosary, the cross and statues. The station manager stated that as a Catholic, he is not offended; the song is popular and so he will play it. I would like to hear your opinions on whether you find the song offensive and why. Thanks.
 
I hate that song. It makes me want to punch Billy Joel in the face. Men preying on women, especially nice Catholic ones, is one thing that gets me in butt-kicking mode.
 
Exactly how I feel, and I used to like that song, before I was awakened from a deep spiritual sleep. It is offensive and demeaning to women and Catholics in general. But it does nicely point out who really is demeaning to women, the Church or “hip” society.
 
I used to like the song until one day when I really heard the lyrics. I literally wanted to scream and became much more aware of lyrics of tunes that have nice beats!
 
i havent heard this song yet. sounds pretty offensive though.
 
I would have to describe it as “reveling in the exquisit filth of sin.”
 
funny, I just heard this song for the first time in a while today and was thinking of posting the same question.
 
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adstrinity:
For the lyrics go here: billyjoel.com/frameset_lyrics.html

I really don’t find it offensive.
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He’s trying to take the virginity of a girl and the method of seducing her that he’s using is telling her that her faith is worthless. He’s a scumbag.
 
I think it’s pretty thought provoking… did you read the line about the judgemental attitude her mother had towards him? Sometimes I think it’s no wonder people make fun of Christianity when those who are Christians are so judgemental.

“But did she ever say a prayer for me?..”

That line is pretty telling.
 
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Steph700:
I think it’s pretty thought provoking… did you read the line about the judgemental attitude her mother had towards him? Sometimes I think it’s no wonder people make fun of Christianity when those who are Christians are so judgemental.

“But did she ever say a prayer for me?..”

That line is pretty telling.
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Yeh I agree, but the whole song is pretty much preying on good Catholic girls.
 
Oh, after disparaging the Church and the girl’s beliefs, and her family (ie. attacking her every way he can) he whines that maybe they didn’t pray for him? Well, they may have. But, anyway, the statement is just another form of attack. Lies, doubt, misdirection of thought, clouding of loyalties to family and Church…sound demonic?
 
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oldfogey:
Oh, after disparaging the Church and the girl’s beliefs, and her family (ie. attacking her every way he can) he whines that maybe they didn’t pray for him? Well, they may have. But, anyway, the statement is just another form of attack. Lies, doubt, misdirection of thought, clouding of loyalties to family and Church…sound demonic?
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Well, it could be a situation of which came first, the chicken or the egg. Maybe he fell for this girl and then decided to attack her faith and family. Maybe he started with bad personal experiences with the Church and then happened to fall for a Catholic girl who he wanted to “rescue” from what he thought was a bad religion and a bad family.

In all likelihood he’s never seen an example of a devout Catholic who wasn’t sheltered and cared about the world around them. Sometimes it is hard to find Christians who aren’t legalistic, and in his personal experience he may have only known people who hid behind the walls of the church and looked at outsiders with judgemental attitudes.

I don’t know… who knows what he was thinking when he wrote this song.
 
I do not find it too offensive, as I am pretty sure Billy Joel did not write the song to insult Catholic girls.
 
Yadda yadda…I think it’s more likely Billy Joel is a CINO who really dislikes the Church because the “bad experiences” he had with it were when the Church’s teachings interfered with his desires…and that is the plain sense of the song, so I think it is what he was thinking.
 
Well, if Virginia’s mom won’t pray for Billy Joel, I’ll say a prayer for him. I don’t think that’s what he’s really hoping for, …
 
I have been boycotting Billy Joel for years because of this song, don’t allow his music in the house or in my car. I also think the entire assumption about marriage that underlies the pina colada song is warped.
 
Like many here, when I was in my spiritual hybernation, I dug this song…not for the words but the melody. Then about a few years ago, I actually “listened” to the words. Very offensive indeed. And then learning about Mr Joel, it wasnt surprising, being he is an anti catholic…I also find it ironic that this very wealthy man is always driving his car into trees and entering rehab time and time again, saying he feels empty…gee I wonder why? :rolleyes:

I’d rather listen to AC/DCs Highway to Hell than that Billy Joel song.

My second most offensive pop song is John Lennons’ Imagine…same thing happened to me…one day I stopped and “listened” to the words. Not surprising that Lennon was another secularist who was very anti catholic…“Imagine theres no Heaven…”
 
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puzzleannie:
I have been boycotting Billy Joel for years because of this song, don’t allow his music in the house or in my car. I also think the entire assumption about marriage that underlies the pina colada song is warped.
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I can take or leave this song, but I really HATE the Pina Colada Song (or anything by Rupert Holmes!).

Peace.
 
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