I skipped my music post last night, for I was working on one when I fell asleep at the keyboard and woke a few minutes later, too disoriented to continue. I’m starting earlier tonight! I know I’ve already played some Billy Joel this month, but this song popped up somewhere a few days ago and it’s been haunting me ever since … well, okay, not haunting, but I keep finding myself belting out a line or two, completely out of tune, at random moments.
This song was originally released on his first studio album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971) and as a single from that album in some countries the following year. It was also featured as a single from the 1981 live album Songs in the Attic, peaking at #23 in the U.S. and #46 in Canada … as far as I can tell, it did not chart in the UK or elsewhere in Europe. Clive, Gary, David, Roger, Michael … any of you guys remember this one?
According to a friend of Joel’s, one Bruce Gentile, Joel wrote this song about his first wife, Elizabeth.
In a 1981 interview, Joel expressed mixed feelings about the song: “I thought it was cornball for years. I had trouble singing it at first. Then I got into it and decided everybody has a corny side, I suppose”.
She’s Got A Way
Billy Joel
She’s got a way about her
I don’t know what it is
But I know that I can’t live without her
She’s got a way of pleasin’, mmh
I don’t know what it is
But there doesn’t have to be a reason
Anyway
She’s got a smile that heals me, mmh
I don’t know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She’s got a way of talkin’, mmh
I don’t know what it is
But it lifts me up when we are walkin’
Anywhere
She comes to me when I’m feelin’ down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around
She’s got a way of showin’, mmh
How I make her feel
And I find the strength to keep on goin’
She’s got a light around her, ooh
And everywhere she goes
A million dreams of love surround her
Everywhere
She comes to me when I’m feelin’ down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around, ooh, oho
She’s got a smile that heals me, mmh
I don’t know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She’s got a way about her, mmh
I don’t know what it is
But I know that I can’t live without her
Anyway, hey
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Billy Joel
She’s Got A Way lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
I found it interesting that Billy Joel considered this a cornball song. If that’s the case, then thank you Billy for stirring our corny side! I luv Billy Joel, always had always will, soulful pianist extraordinaire. ❤
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I think we are always our own worst critic, but I’m with you … thank you, Billy Joel, for this wonderful, if corny, song!
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Yay likes are back on WP!
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Great one, Jill
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Thanks, John! See if you remember the two I’m playing today … I bet you will … oldies but goodies!
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You should know that I have been listening to music since 1953 so I do have an elephant’s view. 😂
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I did know, which is why I figured you might be the only one other than myself to remember this mornings songs! 😊
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Jill, one of my favorites by Billy Joel. I love the reference to her “way about her.” Keith
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Oh, I’m so glad! Our friends ‘cross the pond hadn’t heard it, and it doesn’t seem to be too popular here, but I always liked it!
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I can’t say I remember this, either from first release or the later live version. It sounds too delicate for the way our charts were in 1972, but a good album track. In those days our main source of new music was BBC Radio 1, or on tv there was Top Of The Pops (the chart show) and the Old Grey Whistle Test (rock and album based). It may have been on the latter but doesn’t ring any bells.
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I wasn’t sure … it didn’t chart at all on your side of the pond, but sometimes that doesn’t mean much. Ah well …
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Sometimes artists get airplay without sales, but I don’t think that was the case with him. It was several years before he started making our charts, either with singles or albums. The first one I recall from the time is 52nd Street, though I did play catch up with his earlier albums later on.
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I don’t remember 52nd Street … I’ll have to check that one out! I’m curious whether you will know the two songs I’m playing later today … they apparently didn’t chart in the UK, but I’m betting you’ll know them … Little Anthony and the Imperials.
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It was his first top ten album here. Tracks you may well know are Honesty and My Life.
I’ve heard of Little Anthony but would be hard pressed to name any of his songs! I await with interest 😉
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🤦 And now I am smacking meself upside the head, for it was just over two weeks ago, March 3rd, that I played “Honesty” here on my music post!!! Duh! Not only that, but I played “My Life” last July! Clive, I am losing my bloomin’ mind! Thanks for jogging my memory … what’s left of it!
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It’s funny, but as I wrote that comment it raised a vague notion that I’d heard Honesty somewhere recently. Absent memory is something that clearly affects us both!
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I think it is a product not so much of our age as of the overload our brains are subjected to these days! (Sounds good, anyway)
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I’ll take it 😂
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Another great song, by Billy Joel. Dont worry, Jill! It meets this evening too. 😉 Thank you, for your everlasting efforts on presenting wonderful songs, and have a good evening! Michael
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I am happy you liked this one, dear Michael! You seem to have much the same taste in music as I do!
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For sure, Jill! We are in need of lyrics, not something sounding like a car crash. Lol xx
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