It's weird because I don't think it's his best song but it is still my favorite, possibly because it has a raw beauty and vulnerability to it. As his 4th most streamed song I'm surprised hardly anyone has reacted to it.
This is my husband’s and daughter’s song, when she was one, he was in an airplane accident, and she sat on his lap and loved him better. This song always makes me think of that time.
I was seriously dating a guy I loved very much when this song first came out. Alas, it didnt work out, but he used to sing this to me all the time and said Billy Joel wrote it about me. I've never forgotten that. Great song!
From Billy's 1977 album, The Stranger. This was the A Side to "Just the Way You Are", another great hit. It entails dealing in a relationship with each other qualities and faults. Just a beautiful song with a great melody and Billy's vocals so pure and sweet. Almost McCartney like. Billy said he was inspired by Gordon Lightfoot's mellow acoustic guitar ballads. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Cosmo. Great choice. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
That's both surprising and understandable, even audible when you listen with that knowledge. Something of a tribute to our national troubadour. Thanks for sharing that, Mary. Greetings from Leslieville in Toronto's east end. 🇨🇦
I was 11 when this song was released, too young to have a cassette deck or record player, but I did have a transistor radio, and would stay up late each night in bed, turning the dial until I heard this song. Even at that young age, I felt a desire to lose myself in the embrace of a girl, and this song was like that embrace.
One of the most beautiful songs ever! My personal fave by him is one that no one else seems to be mentioning, "Honesty". That one really hits close to home. Thanks Harri
This album is the one that made Billy a worldwide superstarJust about every song is memorable and Hall of fame worthy! You could put the whole album in the Library of Congress!.It is This epic album is called The Stranger.
I had heard some Billy Joel songs prior to this one - Piano Man, Anthony's Song, Just The way You Are - but this is the song that got me to buy the album. I've been a huge fan ever since. Great song.
the one and only BILLY. never again will there be a musician with these melodies - these lyrics. i consider myself very lucky to be in the generation that he is from.
It was written about his first wife. She was a tough business woman in the music industry and people complained about her. Billy’s attitude was I don’t care what she does to you in business, when she comes home at night She’s Always A Woman to Me. I love the line “She never gives up and she never gives in, she just changes her mind”. I can relate to that.
My sister hates this song because of the lyrics. She misinterpreted them and thought it was demeaning to women. I need to set her straight one of these days. :) This is probably my favorite by him.
I recommend This Night from the Innocent Man album. The song's second chorus is from the second movement of Beethoven's La Pathetique. It is quite good, despite not being one of Billy Joel's biggest hits.
Melody: A+ Lyrics: A++ At first I was reminded of Bob Dylan's "Just like a Woman." Then it reminded me a bit of Shakespeare's sonnets to the Dark Lady femme fatale. Not too many pop lyricists merit that comparison.
Harri brother, I love you're channel. I regret that I didn't check out Billy J as a teenager. Simply an incredible songwriter. Incredible performer. You are pretty cool too brother. ❤
I haven't listened to Billy Joel for years. My favorite song is Piano Man and always will be. This one is pretty good too. It's later than what I used to listen to of Billy Joel.
I’ve heard this song a thousand times; but I never understood how these conflicting character traits could exist inside the woman Billy Joel describes. Leave it to Harri, to solve this 40 year mystery, of how she can “cut you and laugh while you bleed”, but always be “a woman to me”.
Top notch song, I've always felt this is also relatable to unrequited love - falling in love with a girl who carries herself with such self-contained poise, so close yet so distant and finding a suitable put down just as you think you are getting somewhere. Somehow the prize is so marvellous that you feel it is worth pursuing ad infinitum.
This always struck as being an amazingly similar structure and melody to Annie's Song by John Denver and Your Song by Elton John while still being totally original. Still a great song after all these years!
Hey bestie! I’d love to hear you react to Just the Way You Are. Not because of Joel, even though he’s beautiful in it, but bc of the sax accompaniment by jazz sax legend Phil Woods. Iconic sax work
Masterful. The translation that came up on the screen was unintentionally amusing though. All that stuff about haunted fields and shirts ☺. Entertaining.
To we men who've been in love with a real woman...It's so easy to relate to Billy's words...:)...I've only had two in my 40 plus years of dating...You think of them and ~sigh~... Good times...
Great tune, heard it's between Elle Macpherson and Christie Brinkley, he married the latter. Still hoping you take a listen to 'The Stranger' another great tune by Billy I think many can relate to. Thanks Harri
Billy dated both in the 80s and later married Christie but this song is from 1977 when Christie would have been about 23 and Elle around 13. Uptown Girl or Uptown Girls as it was originally called, is about Christie and Elle.
I’ve never really understood the criticism of Joel for implying that the woman has flaws and darkness in her. But I read it completely differently: she’s capable of those things, but only if you don’t treat her right…because for ME, she’s always a woman. It’s not her, it’s you. They’re not shortcomings, they’re the proper response. Because again, for ME, she’s always a woman.
"She'll casually cut you and laugh while you're bleeding", doesn't sound like the guy did anything to deserve such treatment. Also, "suddenly cruel", sounds wanton.
@@loadedorygun I interpret that line as his acknowledgement of her dichotomy of character (e.g. "kind" & "cruel"), and that he accepts the bad with the good, because to him the good is so good that it outweighs the bad. Which really is what so many men (and women) do when in love, especially with a highly attractive, charismatic, dual-natured partner like the one Billy describes here--they justify their lover's unkind behavior by accepting their two opposite sides as a package deal well worth it. I know you interpret it differently, but does my interpretation make sense, or is it contradicted elsewhere in the lyrics?
@@Cosmo-Kramer stellar pick my friend. I find it very hard to rank Billy Joel songs, but one of my favorites is "She's Always a Woman". BTW how've you been kind sir?
@@greybeard2280 Thanks, stranger. lol Been pretty good. Had to slow down for a while, but I'm gradually gettin' back in the game. Haven't seen our pal imadrummin lately. Is he okay, I hope?
@@Cosmo-Kramer I've emailed drummin a couple times with no response as of yet. Had to slow down? Hopefully not due to your health my friend. So good hearing from you brother!
From "The Stranger" to "An Innocent Man," Billy Joel was one of the most creative, prolific songwriters in the world. His approach defied genre and was unapologetically human (flaws and all). The parallels to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen are unfair because each did their own thing as well as anyone ever has.
My interpretation is that she's horrible but he loves her anyway 😆😆 You'll never go wrong with Billy Joel. He's a genius and this song is one of my favorites.
Yes. If the woman cuts the man accidently and laughs about it, then the man must have done something to deserve it. LOL I love your reactions and perspective on music, but that line made me laugh out loud. Because just like men, most women are nuts.
This song to me was Billy Joel's best because the lyrics are a beautiful painting. I disagree with you Harry. I don't think he was referring to women in general. It was about a specific one. The woman to me was very special but also difficult to live with. She's her own person, sort of narcissistic, but confident too. Yes, he throws in the line about blame it on yourself but I think that's only a small part of it.
I've always considered this to be Billy Joel's most beautiful song. Have loved it since it first hit the radio.
You might want to listen to Summer Highland Galls.
@JOEL LIEBLER Another favorite! (But I still give the edge to She's Always A Woman.) Be a good one to request, though.
It's weird because I don't think it's his best song but it is still my favorite, possibly because it has a raw beauty and vulnerability to it. As his 4th most streamed song I'm surprised hardly anyone has reacted to it.
This is my husband’s and daughter’s song, when she was one, he was in an airplane accident, and she sat on his lap and loved him better. This song always makes me think of that time.
I was seriously dating a guy I loved very much when this song first came out. Alas, it didnt work out, but he used to sing this to me all the time and said Billy Joel wrote it about me. I've never forgotten that. Great song!
❤
This is a great example of Billy Joel's mastery with lyrics and the piano. Also the use of humming is amazing here.
From Billy's 1977 album, The Stranger. This was the A Side to "Just the Way You Are", another great hit. It entails dealing in a relationship with each other qualities and faults. Just a beautiful song with a great melody and Billy's vocals so pure and sweet. Almost McCartney like.
Billy said he was inspired by Gordon Lightfoot's mellow acoustic guitar ballads. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Cosmo. Great choice. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Yes, it is almost McCartney-like. Great observation. Thanks for commenting, Mary. :)
A great album for sure. I think "Anthony's Song" and "Only the Good Die Young" were my favorites from the LP.
That's both surprising and understandable, even audible when you listen with that knowledge. Something of a tribute to our national troubadour. Thanks for sharing that, Mary. Greetings from Leslieville in Toronto's east end. 🇨🇦
As a songwriter you can't do much better than aspiring to capture a bit of Gordon Lightfoot.
@@davepeterschmidt5818 no argument there, mate. 😉👍🎶
I was 11 when this song was released, too young to have a cassette deck or record player, but I did have a transistor radio, and would stay up late each night in bed, turning the dial until I heard this song. Even at that young age, I felt a desire to lose myself in the embrace of a girl, and this song was like that embrace.
Billy Joel has so many amazing songs I have to say this is one of his top in my humble opinion. Nice Cosmo and a great reaction Harri.
Thank you, my dear, for commenting.
One of the most beautiful songs ever! My personal fave by him is one that no one else seems to be mentioning, "Honesty". That one really hits close to home. Thanks Harri
I think Harri covered Honesty and Just the Way You Are, as well as other Joel songs. He is really a fan since listening. 🙂
This album is the one that made Billy a worldwide superstarJust about every song is memorable and Hall of fame worthy! You could put the whole album in the Library of Congress!.It is This epic album is called The Stranger.
Gorgeous song so beautiful
I had heard some Billy Joel songs prior to this one - Piano Man, Anthony's Song, Just The way You Are - but this is the song that got me to buy the album. I've been a huge fan ever since. Great song.
What a beautiful song!❤❤❤
I’ve always loved this song!
Lyrically I think it is his best. Real poetry here.
the one and only BILLY. never again will there be a musician with these melodies - these lyrics. i consider myself very lucky to be in the generation that he is from.
„The most she will do is throw shadows at you“ - masterful lyrics!
It was written about his first wife. She was a tough business woman in the music industry and people complained about her. Billy’s attitude was I don’t care what she does to you in business, when she comes home at night She’s Always A Woman to Me. I love the line “She never gives up and she never gives in, she just changes her mind”. I can relate to that.
My sister hates this song because of the lyrics. She misinterpreted them and thought it was demeaning to women. I need to set her straight one of these days. :) This is probably my favorite by him.
Been married for 35 years, no truer words then this song…
I recommend This Night from the Innocent Man album. The song's second chorus is from the second movement of Beethoven's La Pathetique. It is quite good, despite not being one of Billy Joel's biggest hits.
Melody: A+ Lyrics: A++ At first I was reminded of Bob Dylan's "Just like a Woman." Then it reminded me a bit of Shakespeare's sonnets to the Dark Lady femme fatale. Not too many pop lyricists merit that comparison.
well said!!! awesome reaction to a Timeless gem....
Harri brother, I love you're channel.
I regret that I didn't check out Billy J as a teenager. Simply an incredible songwriter. Incredible performer. You are pretty cool too brother. ❤
Seems like he’s fantastic Billy Joel songs are endless wonderful love you
I haven't listened to Billy Joel for years. My favorite song is Piano Man and always will be. This one is pretty good too. It's later than what I used to listen to of Billy Joel.
This Is Basically The Burmuda Love Triangle 📐 of Billy's Greatest Ballads- 1. Just The Way You Are 2. Honesty 3. She's Always A Woman-
All beautiful! But I must say that the triangle is actually a pentagon. I would add "She's got a way" and "And so it goes".😉
@@kmach1000 I Hear Ya, Katia💥🎼🥂
All about soul
@@riccardoangeli802 Oh, so many... Love that too!
I love how he dropped the "g" from "bleedin" to make it rhyme with "Eden."
It's in the rock and roll hall of fame, my friend.
Probably my favorite Billy Joel song. I even sing it, to calm my cat, on the way to the vet.
I love this song so much and Billy Joel songs in general. Can never get enough of him. Thanks for sharing this memory.💞
This song and River of Dreams are my favorites by Billy Joel. He is such a fantastic artist!!
I’ve heard this song a thousand times; but I never understood how these conflicting character traits could exist inside the woman Billy Joel describes.
Leave it to Harri, to solve this 40 year mystery, of how she can “cut you and laugh while you bleed”, but always be “a woman to me”.
A masterpiece ❤❤❤❤❤
Top notch song, I've always felt this is also relatable to unrequited love - falling in love with a girl who carries herself with such self-contained poise, so close yet so distant and finding a suitable put down just as you think you are getting somewhere. Somehow the prize is so marvellous that you feel it is worth pursuing ad infinitum.
l believe that the woman in the photo is Laetitia Casta, one of the most beautiful supermodels of the 1990's.
Hi Hari. I see you are getting close to 100,00 subscribers. Congratulations! (will there be a party)
A beautiful song. Wonderful reaction Harri!
This always struck as being an amazingly similar structure and melody to Annie's Song by John Denver and Your Song by Elton John while still being totally original. Still a great song after all these years!
My second favorite from Billy Joel!!!!! Absolutely amazing song.
One of his greatest songs. I love this - the lyrically contrasts are amazing.
Thanks for the great content!
One of my all time favorite artists, Billy has a great voice and a huge collection of great songs! Like your reaction!
Harri, this and She's Got A Way About Her are his best. You should do that next.
Fabulous.
Hey bestie! I’d love to hear you react to Just the Way You Are. Not because of Joel, even though he’s beautiful in it, but bc of the sax accompaniment by jazz sax legend Phil Woods. Iconic sax work
Harri has already reacted to that one and thought that it was a Barry White original.
he should do his song And so it goes.
@@markvanderstelt8999 he's done that one too.
Fantastic xxx
I agree that it's a great song. I also agree with the gist of your interpretation. Good reaction!
I gotta say these marvelous lyrics make this woman sound like someone I would hate. To me this is not a love song at all but an indictment.
The man is a poet
HARRI.WHAT a great reaction..Billy Joel is a great singer and writer..I love ALL his songs.Thanks
The man is good ! he takes us on trips from Captain Jack to Goodnight Saigon to this - and everything in between .
Love the devotion, I think any woman would want that
I don't know why but this song reminds me to my grandmother
Check out his song Captain Jack and Keeping The Faith
Thoughtful reactions to songs like this will take you right past 100K subs Harri and on to new hights -keep it up-love to you from the heart of Texas!
Masterful. The translation that came up on the screen was unintentionally amusing though. All that stuff about haunted fields and shirts ☺. Entertaining.
It was used in an advert for John Lewis at Christmas a while ago, that maybe why it sounds familiar.
This is probably my favorite by Billy Joel. Great reaction.
To we men who've been in love with a real woman...It's so easy to relate to Billy's words...:)...I've only had two in my 40 plus years of dating...You think of them and ~sigh~... Good times...
Billy Joel is my favorite singer/storyteller/musician.
There's no end to the good Billy Joel tunes. I highly recommend "Stiletto."
Great tune, heard it's between Elle Macpherson and Christie Brinkley, he married the latter. Still hoping you take a listen to 'The Stranger' another great tune by Billy I think many can relate to. Thanks Harri
In fact, he wrote this song about his first wife Elizabeth, who became his manager at the time.
Billy dated both in the 80s and later married Christie but this song is from 1977 when Christie would have been about 23 and Elle around 13.
Uptown Girl or Uptown Girls as it was originally called, is about Christie and Elle.
absolute gem of a song masterful match of lyric and melody
The point. Missed it mate!
Great great song from a fantastic singer songwriter
Solo Billy puede componer semejante maravilla 💕
❤
I once danced the Vienna Walz on this song with the best ballroom dancer in my class. It was magic
You may have heard it…….it was used on a John Lewis advert.
Check the Keeping The Faith music video. I was the studio manager and it's a great song and fun video
Great song, funny video.
The was an amazing album and still holds up.
Cosmo Kramer- I love this nod to Seinfeld! Thanks to you both! ❤❤
Great react.
I’ve never really understood the criticism of Joel for implying that the woman has flaws and darkness in her. But I read it completely differently: she’s capable of those things, but only if you don’t treat her right…because for ME, she’s always a woman. It’s not her, it’s you. They’re not shortcomings, they’re the proper response. Because again, for ME, she’s always a woman.
"She'll casually cut you and laugh while you're bleeding", doesn't sound like the guy did anything to deserve such treatment. Also, "suddenly cruel", sounds wanton.
@@Cosmo-Kramer well that’s weird, cause she’s always a woman to me.
@@loadedorygun I interpret that line as his acknowledgement of her dichotomy of character (e.g. "kind" & "cruel"), and that he accepts the bad with the good, because to him the good is so good that it outweighs the bad. Which really is what so many men (and women) do when in love, especially with a highly attractive, charismatic, dual-natured partner like the one Billy describes here--they justify their lover's unkind behavior by accepting their two opposite sides as a package deal well worth it. I know you interpret it differently, but does my interpretation make sense, or is it contradicted elsewhere in the lyrics?
Billy Joel also gives great concert.
❤❤❤❤❤
classic
Nobody tells a story through their songs like Joel does!
A great pick, Cosmo. I would put this in Billy Joel's top for me and that is saying a lot. Harri, Superb review!!
Thanks, Dave. I rank it second, behind only, "Piano Man".
@@Cosmo-Kramer stellar pick my friend. I find it very hard to rank Billy Joel songs, but one of my favorites is "She's Always a Woman". BTW how've you been kind sir?
@@greybeard2280 Thanks, stranger. lol Been pretty good. Had to slow down for a while, but I'm gradually gettin' back in the game. Haven't seen our pal imadrummin lately. Is he okay, I hope?
@@Cosmo-Kramer I've emailed drummin a couple times with no response as of yet. Had to slow down? Hopefully not due to your health my friend. So good hearing from you brother!
Super hero? I always thought of her as a Super villain.
Agreed.
Sometimes it is our imperfections that make us perfect :)
Basically he saying this woman is self centered , mean and egocentric. But that's what she is and he loves her anyway.
Yes, you get it.
Think I heard him say this was written about Christie Brinkley when they were together.
Gotta check out his Allentown music video
The beautiful laetitia casta is the girl in the thumbnail pic❤❤❤❤❤
The female mystique
From "The Stranger" to "An Innocent Man," Billy Joel was one of the most creative, prolific songwriters in the world. His approach defied genre and was unapologetically human (flaws and all). The parallels to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen are unfair because each did their own thing as well as anyone ever has.
BTW, The Stranger is an amazing album when heard as a whole.
Please do Only The Good Die Young by him........please
Find "Light As the Breeze" and check it out.
Tutti gioielli quelli di Piano Man .... Consiglio di guardare il duetto con Tootsie Thilemans... Leave a tender moment alone ..... LIVE
Loved this song since 11, but I have never dated girls like this
So a character from Seinfeld told you to listen to this .... cool 😎
Must be about Christie Brinkley, his supermodel wife at the time.
No, he made this song nearly a decade before he married, or even dated, Christie.
She is simply woman.
more Billy... how about some older stuff maybe Summer Highland Falls
KOSMO, know exactly what you mean. But a lot of it was sure nice for awhile. Then reality sets in.
Check out captain jack
My interpretation is that she's horrible but he loves her anyway 😆😆
You'll never go wrong with Billy Joel. He's a genius and this song is one of my favorites.
Yes. If the woman cuts the man accidently and laughs about it, then the man must have done something to deserve it. LOL I love your reactions and perspective on music, but that line made me laugh out loud. Because just like men, most women are nuts.
This song to me was Billy Joel's best because the lyrics are a beautiful painting. I disagree with you Harry. I don't think he was referring to women in general. It was about a specific one. The woman to me was very special but also difficult to live with. She's her own person, sort of narcissistic, but confident too. Yes, he throws in the line about blame it on yourself but I think that's only a small part of it.