I remember my friend coming in with this album, all excited saying "This guy is gonna be bigger than Elton John." I was skeptical, since Elton was the biggest thing since the Beatles at the time. I don't think he quite got to be bigger than Elton, but he sure dominated the 80s. This is still my favorite Billy Joel song though.
it really paints a complete picture of a place and time, better than most 300 page novels could ever do, thats what a fantastic song can do. Transports you to wherever the artist wants to take you, and makes you feel the way he or she wants, its like you're there smelling the grayness that pervades this kids life. But above all what makes this and other joel's songs great, are the passion and heart behind them, he gives you the gift of life, in its sad, pathetic areas and in its magnificent bits too
A sad state of culture today that includes just about everything from books, to Movies, to TV Shows, to music, etc. is that much of the media is void and without meaning and heart and effort put into it. So much is just pointless crap designed to make profit rather than engage people and actually get them entertained and thinking about what they watch. A lot of people just kind of skip straight to the next thing without thinking about what they just looked at. It is all about getting that instant gratification, quick, quick, quick, rather than actually enjoying things and remembering them for the long term. One day we will have more expressive culture again.
This is one of those epic songs that can be played over and over and you never get sick of it, what a classic, I think we all can relate to this in one way or another, if you grew up in that era..
Probably the best use of an organ in rock history. Also possibly the most important song of Billy Joel's career- this is actually the song that got him noticed by Columbia Records after a live performance of it got radio airplay for an entire year in Philadelphia, eventually leading to his signing and the release of the 'Piano Man' album.
Yes, the organ really makes this song complete. Perhaps my favorite Billy Joel song. Liked it from day one and still play it on a regular basis. Oh and it is WMMR. Lived there 68 to 71 after leaving SoCal, then moved to Cleveland and found sister station WMMS waiting for me when I got here. Two legendary radio stations. While MMR still seems to be what they were, sadly MMS is nothing like it was back when. Cheers !
At 73 now, and having survived Woodstock in 69, I still get an awesome rush from this song... it brings back powerful memories of being a hippie, and of a hard-learned lesson in life. Sometimes I still miss that 'special island' but flying away from it gave me life through Christ. 15 years clean now.
Ronald Charles Epstein lesser known? I hear this on the radio all the time by me, but maybe that's because I'm from Long Island and we overplay all of his songs on the radio here
I remember vividly the first time I ever heard this song. I was 16, driving with my aging hippie mother who had just gotten the greatest hits album. She put the tape in the car’s tape deck as we drove through a cold, gray, drizzly late autumn night. “Oh, I hate this song,” she said. “Have you ever heard it? I’ll leave it on if you want to hear it.” I hadn’t. But I was immediately spellbound. The song felt like it was written just for me: an unhappy teenager, not living to my fullest potential and not caring, resenting everything the adults wanted me to be, hating the way I was, hating everything around me, dropping out of school, looking for something, anything, to make me feel alive for a couple minutes. I didn’t have a major drug problem, but I was well acquainted with Percocet and Vicodin. I knew all about that “special island” that used to be only a thought away when I was a child, but which was now all but inaccessible, except when I was high. Soon it would be inaccessible even then. I know the song was written about a total wannabe loser with a fucked up home life, but that’s what I was, and it was like someone finally saw me and didn’t just roll their eyes or turn away with disgust. My mother knew all of this about me and was often the only adult who didn’t yell “where did I go wrong, you had so much potential and now look at you”. Much. Sometimes she did. Sometimes everyone did. But listen, what I choose to remember about this song and my relationship with my mother is how, a few days later, I failed to make my bed before school. When I got home, she had done it for me. When I said, “oh cool, thanks,” she replied with, “Well you’re sixteen and still your mother makes your bed… and that’s tooooo looooong!” We were both laughing and I was like, “At least I’m not 21! I still have 5 years to go!” After that, any time she would make my bed for me, we’d both sing, “and that’s tooooo looooong!” Until I eventually got in the habit of doing it myself 😂 I’m 39 now, she’s been gone a year and a half. But I still think of this song whenever I’m making my bed. I still can’t get to that damn island.
1.) You gotta build your own island. 2.) Turning a depressing song into an in-joke with your mother is wonderful, and it's also wonderful that you keep that with you. Hold onto it.
Sorry for the loss of your mother, who you obviously connected with better than most of us can claim. I'm going to agree with another commentor DodgerOfZion... You've Got to Build Your Own Island and it must not be of the self-destructive type... There are many of us who were so very close to falling off the edge into the abiss... Be thankful that wasn't your fate....
These may be the most well-written, meaningful paragraphs I've ever had the pleasure of reading in a TH-cam comment section. I think your short essay is worthy of publication. Thank you.
Rediscovered this album while in hospital for the third time this year. Headphones on, volume to full and escape the crap going on around me for a while, bliss. Not sure what the organ is in the background during the chorus but wow what a sound!
the organ is in a Methodist church in Chicago at the corner of Lasalle and Randolph, considered the highest chapel in the world since it was installed at the top of a skyscraper, spire and all. My wife's office has a great view of it...
I was never a fan of his, but have always that this song is one of the best songs ever written. I was able to connect to this song for several reasons that I am not 100% proud of. I am very proud of being able to say I made it through and have been clean for years now. Truly one of the best tracks ever. For me at least.
@@allipat401 Just curious....in December 1997 Billy Joel covered, 'Hey Girl', ( originally by Freddie Scott, I think ) and it seemed such a sad lyrical story, but of course he did a great job. Maybe that can rival Captain Jack in your view....?
@@allipat401 I'm sure you've heard, 'Scenes from an Italian restaurant', another favorite. When I was a kid, I loved everything Billy Joel did......same way I felt about Dan Fogelberg. Have a good night.
This song really helped my 2 sons and one daughter stay away from heroin. My unle Dan saved my life in 1973 by introducing me to this song . I love you Uncle !
I have been given pain RX's in the hospital through an IV after surgery. I thought about that line from this song - "a little push and you will be smiling." I accidently said it to a nurse and she knew exactly what I was talking about. She smiled big and said, "I am taking you to your special island."
❤i dance around the kitchen working when I hear this song it reminds me of how grateful I am for today ❤️ I don't need my "captain jack"anymore thank you Billy 😊
that's very good to hear. i have learning of several that lost the battle and the end of this song says it all. i'm glad i didn't have that challenge ..but opiates are it's own monkey. Done with those too. Congrats
First time hearing this song and I’m 57 years old. I felt like listening to Billy Joel songs tonight. I only got high with captain Jack once in my life and that was enough for me.
So you play your albums and you smoke your pot And you meet your girlfriend in the parking lot Oh, but still you're aching for the things you haven't got What went wrong, mmm
The song is so fully of sympathy but disgust for the hopeless addict. Powerful. Years ago, at home, when I used to play this on the stereo, I always raised the volume after each chorus and into the verse, and would get it freaking loud! It was built to be loud.
To really get this song, the way I do at least, you've got to have lived in the early 70s. Going to the village to get away. Looking at the junkies. Everyone looked like what they called freaks. Todd Rundgren, Mott The Hoople, David Bowie. You can relate to it if you're in your 60s the way I do. But this song and his lyrics that are just as good as John Lennons and Roger Waters lyrics can transcend into any generation. The sign of great artistry. This song is a gem.
Growing up to this song as a kid, I always grew up fearing that I'd become something like Captain Jack. Have to admit it became a motivation for me to avoid that fate!
Still his best damn song. Was recently talking to a couple young women in a pub and they had no clue of its existence despite a professed appreciation for Mr Joel's more popular works. This one always gets me as I was a bit outside the typical popular culture in my teens due to a real messed up home life.
Alright, that’s it. Billy Joel is my favorite musician of all time. We Didn’t Start the Fire, Piano Man, The Ballad of Billy the Kid, Uptown Girl, Vienna, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, all of it. Such good songs.
Long ago left Long Island NY and drinking with Capt Jack at Two Shea's in Manorhaven. Yes Jack was a real person and a local legend. Man this brings me back.
I'm playing my albums, smoking my pot, and meeting no one in a parking lot. The world feels quite dead to me Billy, thank you for putting my thoughts to words decades before I was born.
Heard this for the first time riding in the backseat of my parents car. Maybe 6 years old. Couldn’t process the pure genius of the lyrics at the time, but loved it. Now it’s my top 5 favorite all time songs.
Billy and Elton early stuff was the best man. They were full of emotion-they were hungry for everything. they had passion in their voices and instruments. From struggles of the young. I LOVE their early stuff.
He certainly understands addiction. And depression. Not that it's that hard, but so many people are just too lazy to do the type of thinking that would enable them to understand it.
This reminds me of the time I was broke, sad ,and lonely in the the 80s bumming change in the cold so that I could buy me a 40 oz colt 45 ..to help me forget all my sadness.. problems..now I'm 60 with zero sadness due to my wonderful life.thanks to Jesus..and my big stack of cash is fantastic tooooooo.
It’s crazy being a 21 year old living in a small town right outside of NYC and relating to each verse of this song as much as I do. It’s incredible how timeless Joel’s storytelling is, for him to be writing songs that two kids, 48 years apart, can relate to so strongly.
Can't believe it after all these years of listening to this song along with other songs from the Essential Billy Joel album, I never realised how disturbing this song is (i.e. its lyrics)... now I'll never listen to this song the same way again... O.O
I sang along to this song years before I knew what 'masturbation' was. I'm sure my parents were very happy I never asked them what Captain Jack actually did, 'sitting at home'. As for the rest of the lyrics, you're right. To me, it was just about a sad, lonely kid...
No sugar coating fabulously gut level !!!! Master piece !!! I’m 69 and have never made my bed yet,this year is not looking good either , cat never complains about it 😂
Congratulations on getting 1 million views Captain Jack! This song is absolutely incredible, and I'm honestly surprised that it didn't hit this milestone sooner.
This really is a great song. I have lived out most of these lyrics, so it holds a special place for me. This really kind of sums up my life in the 80’s, and I listened to it quite often back then, in spite of not really being much of a Billy Joel fan, and it both comforted me and sickened me all at once. Fortunately I can now say that it was another lifetime, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sometimes really miss that “special island”.
One of the most important pop songs of all time! Not many top 40 hits have the lyrical depth of meaning and emotive expression on all levels from composition through production!
Billy Joel is a treasure. There isn't a song of his I can't relate to. Not a song of his I could ever get tired of. When I close my eyes and listen I'm transported back to those days. What a ride. What a time it was. Thank you Billy for so many memories.
Truly a monumental keyboard showcase. And I'm a huge ELP fan, so key's are something I've focused on over the years. But the guitar work, bass, and drumming are wonderful as well. But those key's are amazing, with just enough Hammond B3 and Leslie Speaker to feed the need.
I have listened to this sing a thousand times. I LOVE & get Chills at 2:40 EVERY TIME!!! Then I go back to it 10 times before listening to the rest. 1 of his 100 great song. I don’t say This for many ppl. But Billy? LEGEND!!!!
I'm born and raised Long Island and remember when this song came out. It's STILL A FAVORITE...and I STILL PLAY IT ON REPEAT...I NEVER tire of it! I would love to have someone to listen to it with me who loves it as much as I do...are you out there? I reside in TEXAS 💜 .
I have this album Greatest Hits volume I & volume II, where all these good songs are put together. I don't have a radio in my car anymore. In Norway it is just DAB radio, so all the FM radioes are not working. Now this album is on every day when I drive to and from work, and I never get tired of all these great songs. Billy Joel has been one of my favourite artist since I were quite young! And Captain Jack is fantastic. Good lyrics!
Do your self a favour and listen to all of his works one album at a time. All the good songs aren’t on the Greatest Hits as there are plenty of good songs that are not on there! I bought a 10 album set of LP records in 1985 with great hesitation because I had never bought one album of any artist where I liked every song on an album, some were limited to the radio hits and the rest were terrible. So it was a fantastic journey one album at a time finding songs that I had never heard of, that have could still been hits but had never got the airplay!
@@iainsmith2434 I have some of his album, and I know there is many nice songs that will not be in a best of album any time. And some of them will never be known for many people, because they will not be played in radio stations at all.
Never really listened to billy joel that often but if I had to pick a favorite song 🎵 captain jack would be the one music brings people together and that is something no one can ever take away ✌️🇺🇲
3000yrs later and my guy is still singing actual facts... With your finger up your nose and closet queens. Nothing changes except your perception. Captain Jack will get you by tonight.
A great gem of a closer to a classic album. I'm listening to it now on my stereo, and it sounds great with the quieter parts and louder powerful chorus. Not getting down on the lyrics; enjoying the show!
Coming of age in my teens learning the latest music. This one was great then and still is timeless. One of the first songs I listened to when I first started smoking pot. That’s what I have always called it, pot!
I live near Philadelphia and this song was played in 1972 on a radio concert on WMMR and started Billy on his way to stardom. I remember listening to WMMR back then and they really promoted Billy Joel. It was a controversial song due to the lyrics. You have to remember it was 1972. WMMR FM was the first underground FM station in Philadelphia. Before then all you had was Top 40 am WFIL and WIBG. WMMR played the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin. Artists you never heard on AM radio. Billy Joel performed at the Main Point which was a small coffee house similar to the clubs in NYC like Cafe Wha.
We had a station like that in Buffalo NY,WPHD, I had to keep pen and paper near by just to write down the artist and song! They played album sides, European prog rock groups. I guess with Spotify etc. most people have access to a lot of what's out there.
Easily my favorite song of Billy Joel's. Like others have said, I also remember the first time hearing it. I had just arrived at my destination in my van and was about to get out when the local FM rock station started playing this. It grabbed me from the very first verse and the Captain Jack choruses gave me chills (still does). It was as if Billy Joel had some special insight about me and my friends. I grew up in a smallish city and lived in the 'West End' where all the middle class and upper income neighborhoods were. As a teen this song could have been written about any of us guys whose main vocation was partying and getting high because there was very little else to do. We had everything but felt like we had nothing and this song conveyed that 'quiet desperation' we all felt just under the surface of our laughter and craziness.
Captain Jack took my 2 brothers . Song is about a famous New York heroin dealer from the 70's when times square was a shithole ! This is a kick ass album !"Just a little push and you'll be smiling"
Thanks for sharing that bro I’m sorry those are the circumstances but grateful to see others knowing their stories don’t fall on deaf ears 🤘 rock on my friend
I thought it was simply about smoking pot... but the line about Captain Jack will make you die tonight is obvious as a smack in the head. Pun intended.
I was in college when I first heard this song. I bet I sing some of it to myself every week But haven't listened to it completely in years -at least 30 years. I remember every word. "Well your 21 and your mother still makes your bed". That was me then...for sure.
What’s crazy is that I had no idea exactly what this song is about until very recently…and I clearly remember hearing it on the radio when it was fairly new. 🫡 to those who lived it and lived to speak of it and 😢🙏🏾 those who did not.
@@guitarslim56 The narrator in this song is talking about a fairly aimless guy who copes through drugs. Heroin, I think. “Captain Jack will get you high tonight…Captain Jack will get you by tonight…Captain Jack will help you die tonight…” Dude might be better off if he was a pirate, LOL
I remember my friend coming in with this album, all excited saying "This guy is gonna be bigger than Elton John." I was skeptical, since Elton was the biggest thing since the Beatles at the time. I don't think he quite got to be bigger than Elton, but he sure dominated the 80s. This is still my favorite Billy Joel song though.
*cough cough* dominated the 70s too *cough cough*
@@theoo.2019 1977-1984
@@manco828 idk I would say we didn't start the fire was pretty sucessful too
@@theoo.2019 Yeah but his peak were those years.
@@manco828 piano man was pretty good too
it really paints a complete picture of a place and time, better than most 300 page novels could ever do, thats what a fantastic song can do. Transports you to wherever the artist wants to take you, and makes you feel the way he or she wants, its like you're there smelling the grayness that pervades this kids life. But above all what makes this and other joel's songs great, are the passion and heart behind them, he gives you the gift of life, in its sad, pathetic areas and in its magnificent bits too
juan altredo Could not have put that better ;)
Speaking of novels, this song goes together really well with the theme of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
juan altredo yup
Hear Hear! This is excellent composition, straight ahead rock and roll and an excellent ballad all rolled into one !
A sad state of culture today that includes just about everything from books, to Movies, to TV Shows, to music, etc. is that much of the media is void and without meaning and heart and effort put into it. So much is just pointless crap designed to make profit rather than engage people and actually get them entertained and thinking about what they watch. A lot of people just kind of skip straight to the next thing without thinking about what they just looked at. It is all about getting that instant gratification, quick, quick, quick, rather than actually enjoying things and remembering them for the long term. One day we will have more expressive culture again.
This is one of those epic songs that can be played over and over and you never get sick of it, what a classic, I think we all can relate to this in one way or another, if you grew up in that era..
Probably the best use of an organ in rock history.
Also possibly the most important song of Billy Joel's career- this is actually the song that got him noticed by Columbia Records after a live performance of it got radio airplay for an entire year in Philadelphia, eventually leading to his signing and the release of the 'Piano Man' album.
Thank You Ed Shoky at 93.3 WMME👍
Yes, the organ really makes this song complete. Perhaps my favorite Billy Joel song. Liked it from day one and still play it on a regular basis. Oh and it is WMMR. Lived there 68 to 71 after leaving SoCal, then moved to Cleveland and found sister station WMMS waiting for me when I got here. Two legendary radio stations. While MMR still seems to be what they were, sadly MMS is nothing like it was back when.
Cheers !
Well, he does mention masturbation, so you may right about that.
Procul Harum hammond organ on whiter shade of pale. Period.
Boston does a great job incorporating the organ into their songs too IMO
At 73 now, and having survived Woodstock in 69, I still get an awesome rush from this song... it brings back powerful memories of being a hippie, and of a hard-learned lesson in life. Sometimes I still miss that 'special island' but flying away from it gave me life through Christ. 15 years clean now.
Shows your just a cool guy!
A friend of mien would probably say: Drugs may bring you to a special island, but Christ will bring you to a special land.
Christ, like drugs, is another lie.
@@ge2623 You will remember saying these words when you get to hell someday.
@@ge2623 who asked?
This is one of Billy Joel's lesser-known and socially-aware songs.
Ronald Charles Epstein lesser known? I hear this on the radio all the time by me, but maybe that's because I'm from Long Island and we overplay all of his songs on the radio here
Lesser known, no.
Lesser APPRECIATED, and socially aware, I'd agree.
did he write any songs that aren't socially aware to at least some degree? ^^
Not lesser known, merely decades old.
dude, its on the greatest hits that sold countless copies. You are high Captain Hack!
My pioneer 9001 and Bose 901's shook my room in 75 with this song. Sure do miss those nights.
Same
I remember vividly the first time I ever heard this song. I was 16, driving with my aging hippie mother who had just gotten the greatest hits album. She put the tape in the car’s tape deck as we drove through a cold, gray, drizzly late autumn night.
“Oh, I hate this song,” she said. “Have you ever heard it? I’ll leave it on if you want to hear it.”
I hadn’t. But I was immediately spellbound. The song felt like it was written just for me: an unhappy teenager, not living to my fullest potential and not caring, resenting everything the adults wanted me to be, hating the way I was, hating everything around me, dropping out of school, looking for something, anything, to make me feel alive for a couple minutes.
I didn’t have a major drug problem, but I was well acquainted with Percocet and Vicodin. I knew all about that “special island” that used to be only a thought away when I was a child, but which was now all but inaccessible, except when I was high. Soon it would be inaccessible even then.
I know the song was written about a total wannabe loser with a fucked up home life, but that’s what I was, and it was like someone finally saw me and didn’t just roll their eyes or turn away with disgust.
My mother knew all of this about me and was often the only adult who didn’t yell “where did I go wrong, you had so much potential and now look at you”. Much. Sometimes she did. Sometimes everyone did.
But listen, what I choose to remember about this song and my relationship with my mother is how, a few days later, I failed to make my bed before school. When I got home, she had done it for me. When I said, “oh cool, thanks,” she replied with,
“Well you’re sixteen and still your mother makes your bed… and that’s tooooo looooong!”
We were both laughing and I was like, “At least I’m not 21! I still have 5 years to go!”
After that, any time she would make my bed for me, we’d both sing, “and that’s tooooo looooong!” Until I eventually got in the habit of doing it myself 😂
I’m 39 now, she’s been gone a year and a half. But I still think of this song whenever I’m making my bed.
I still can’t get to that damn island.
1.) You gotta build your own island.
2.) Turning a depressing song into an in-joke with your mother is wonderful, and it's also wonderful that you keep that with you. Hold onto it.
😥 sorry for your loss.
Sorry for the loss of your mother, who you obviously connected with better than most of us can claim. I'm going to agree with another commentor DodgerOfZion... You've Got to Build Your Own Island and it must not be of the self-destructive type... There are many of us who were so very close to falling off the edge into the abiss... Be thankful that wasn't your fate....
These may be the most well-written, meaningful paragraphs I've ever had the pleasure of reading in a TH-cam comment section. I think your short essay is worthy of publication. Thank you.
Agree with others, beautiful comment, moving tribute.
How could one person write so many brilliant songs? It never fails to amaze me. What a genius
the man is blessed
This is actually one of my favorite Billy Joel songs.
Same 👍
its about heroin right? a little push and you'll be smiling? yea it's my favorite too
It’s about drugs and stuff like that
It's my favorite. He has so many good songs but this one is his best imo.
My favorite all-time songs is Scenes/Italian Restaurant. Love this one tho too.
Rediscovered this album while in hospital for the third time this year. Headphones on, volume to full and escape the crap going on around me for a while, bliss. Not sure what the organ is in the background during the chorus but wow what a sound!
Couldn't agree more
the organ is in a Methodist church in Chicago at the corner of Lasalle and Randolph, considered the highest chapel in the world since it was installed at the top of a skyscraper, spire and all. My wife's office has a great view of it...
We’re any of ur patients on drugs
@@mkervelegan Seriously? This is absolutely awesome!
*chorus
I was never a fan of his, but have always that this song is one of the best songs ever written. I was able to connect to this song for several reasons that I am not 100% proud of. I am very proud of being able to say I made it through and have been clean for years now. Truly one of the best tracks ever. For me at least.
Keep up the good work and good life, Mike. You deserve it.
Much love and respect for you Mike...& this is my favorite Billy Joel song.
@@allipat401 Just curious....in December 1997 Billy Joel covered, 'Hey Girl', ( originally by Freddie Scott, I think ) and it seemed such a sad lyrical story, but of course he did a great job. Maybe that can rival Captain Jack in your view....?
@@67marlins not sure because I’m not familiar with that song but I will definitely check it out, thank you🤙
@@allipat401 I'm sure you've heard, 'Scenes from an Italian restaurant', another favorite.
When I was a kid, I loved everything Billy Joel did......same way I felt about Dan Fogelberg.
Have a good night.
This song really helped my 2 sons and one daughter stay away from heroin. My unle Dan saved my life in 1973 by introducing me to this song .
I love you Uncle !
I L9VE him too❤ thank you Uncle Dan for saving John's life 😊
After all these years, I still blast this song while going down the highway!
Really fan right here y’all!
You go girl! Good taste!
There’s no other way to play it!!! Highway, thru my small town. If it on….it’s on 10. 👍😊
Billy Joel could have been an author. but he chose to tell stories through music, thank you Billy Joel
He's a musical author 😉
Hauntingly real and honest lyrics. The anthem of lonely teens everywhere, regardless of they went to The Island or not.
I have been given pain RX's in the hospital through an IV after surgery. I thought about that line from this song - "a little push and you will be smiling." I accidently said it to a nurse and she knew exactly what I was talking about. She smiled big and said, "I am taking you to your special island."
A very deep and descriptive track life and it carries some type of reality which is to me a superb way of saying well I'm here
Great one
I used to slam Tuinal"s and Nebutal"s back in the day
What a stupid fake story
Oh my gosh, that's fantastic! .Must have been a bit of a comfort at a scary time for you ❤
I was a teenager growing up in the suburbs of Long Island smoking pot when this came out. It was poetry to us.
I wish I could’ve grown up with this as my high school music
Don't take drugs kids
What city? I'm from Hicksville just like Billy. My brother went to Hicksville high school class of '65.
How does it feel knowing that you're literally the kids Billy wrote this song about?
Good music to get high while listening to it.
The bartender at the bar I worked at in my twenties would play this religiously at closing time.
Shame that barkeep missed the opportunity to play Piano Man instead.. Much more relevant
@@88_TROUBLE_88 at least it was less cliché
@@88_TROUBLE_88 pre brinkley BJ was good...after her not so much
...that sounds fun :(
A song I can truly call magnificent, haunting, and powerful. The use of the pipe organ is brilliant
❤i dance around the kitchen working when I hear this song it reminds me of how grateful I am for today ❤️ I don't need my "captain jack"anymore thank you Billy 😊
that's very good to hear. i have learning of several that lost the battle and the end of this song says it all. i'm glad i didn't have that challenge ..but opiates are it's own monkey. Done with those too. Congrats
❤
Clean and sober six months today but still miss that island😢 Hard to pick his best song as there are so many but this is up there. NJ ❤
Stay strong dude ❤❤
Sober 15 months today and grateful but damn, this sounds like the excitement before things became a problem...
Well done with six months. Here’s to 6 months more! You can do it!
Congratulations my friend
every BJ song pre-brinkley was good...after her..not so much
First time hearing this song and I’m 57 years old. I felt like listening to Billy Joel songs tonight. I only got high with captain Jack once in my life and that was enough for me.
Captain Jack the Oyster Bay dealer from the early 70s?
心から感動できる永遠の名曲ですね
So you play your albums and you smoke your pot
And you meet your girlfriend in the parking lot
Oh, but still you're aching for the things you haven't got
What went wrong, mmm
My sister had this album and sometimes when I'd play it, my mother would raise an issue!
I have loved this man for 40 years and I still can't help myself. This song has its own kinda "high".
The song is so fully of sympathy but disgust for the hopeless addict. Powerful.
Years ago, at home, when I used to play this on the stereo, I always raised the volume after each chorus and into the verse, and would get it freaking loud! It was built to be loud.
To really get this song, the way I do at least, you've got to have lived in the early 70s. Going to the village to get away. Looking at the junkies. Everyone looked like what they called freaks. Todd Rundgren, Mott The Hoople, David Bowie. You can relate to it if you're in your 60s the way I do. But this song and his lyrics that are just as good as John Lennons and Roger Waters lyrics can transcend into any generation. The sign of great artistry. This song is a gem.
This is honestly one of my favorite songs of all time it's perfect in so many ways
The song is pure magic!!
@@ThePrinceofLight-j2l It came from the Stars...and Billy recorded it
Growing up to this song as a kid, I always grew up fearing that I'd become something like Captain Jack. Have to admit it became a motivation for me to avoid that fate!
Some believe that capt.jack is a syringe full of n.y.c.heroin??
You thought that you would become a brand of whiskey?
@@guitarslim56😂🤣😆 I can't lol
My favorite Billy Joel song of all time.
Still his best damn song. Was recently talking to a couple young women in a pub and they had no clue of its existence despite a professed appreciation for Mr Joel's more popular works.
This one always gets me as I was a bit outside the typical popular culture in my teens due to a real messed up home life.
A classic about the sadder reality of life, as relevant now as it was then perhaps
Truly
This song is almost as haunting as Billy's face on the album cover.
His best song
Masterpiece
Billy's early music is like Elton's - true gems that we don't hear a lot on today's radio - still magic!
Alright, that’s it. Billy Joel is my favorite musician of all time. We Didn’t Start the Fire, Piano Man, The Ballad of Billy the Kid, Uptown Girl, Vienna, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, all of it. Such good songs.
My God how could I forget about We Didn't Start The Fire. He's so dynamic, it really is as if two completely sifferent artists made these two songs.
He’s in my top 5 🙌🏼
That’s just the beginning too. There are 50 more!! 👍
Ruthlessly real. Tragic and yet so mellow.
This song is a masterpiece from Mr. Joel.
greatest storyteller of all time
Don’t say that to Harry Chapin fans!
Long ago left Long Island NY and drinking with Capt Jack at Two Shea's in Manorhaven. Yes Jack was a real person and a local legend. Man this brings me back.
"Well, you're 21 and still your mother makes your bed. And that's too long."
I can relate.
That's what they call The Peter Pan complex.....
U can relate,, , ur Kidding me right!!!
well ^ ^ ???
v ?
Nowadays moving out at 21 is early but back then people left home at 16-18
babies that live with their parents , WHO WONT GROW UP
The 70’s was a hangover decade and this is the Anthem.
I'm playing my albums, smoking my pot, and meeting no one in a parking lot. The world feels quite dead to me Billy, thank you for putting my thoughts to words decades before I was born.
That's deep my friend
Heard this for the first time riding in the backseat of my parents car. Maybe 6 years old. Couldn’t process the pure genius of the lyrics at the time, but loved it. Now it’s my top 5 favorite all time songs.
Billy and Elton early stuff was the best man. They were full of emotion-they were hungry for everything. they had passion in their voices and instruments. From struggles of the young. I LOVE their early stuff.
i've never felt music so much until Billy. Thanks God
His best album ever, not one bad song.
One of his best songs he made
My favorite!!
I think Billy Joel understands addiction one of our legends of our time
He certainly understands addiction. And depression. Not that it's that hard, but so many people are just too lazy to do the type of thinking that would enable them to understand it.
This cover on the LP scared the bejesus outta me when I was a kid listening to this . Loved it anyway. Haunts me to this day
Going to see Billy and Rod in September/24.
Finally.
Hope it was good
This reminds me of the time I was broke, sad ,and lonely in the the 80s bumming change in the cold so that I could buy me a 40 oz colt 45 ..to help me forget all my sadness.. problems..now I'm 60 with zero sadness due to my wonderful life.thanks to Jesus..and my big stack of cash is fantastic tooooooo.
AMEN THANK YOU JESUS!!! LOVE
It’s crazy being a 21 year old living in a small town right outside of NYC and relating to each verse of this song as much as I do. It’s incredible how timeless Joel’s storytelling is, for him to be writing songs that two kids, 48 years apart, can relate to so strongly.
Can't believe it after all these years of listening to this song along with other songs from the Essential Billy Joel album, I never realised how disturbing this song is (i.e. its lyrics)... now I'll never listen to this song the same way again... O.O
I sang along to this song years before I knew what 'masturbation' was. I'm sure my parents were very happy I never asked them what Captain Jack actually did, 'sitting at home'. As for the rest of the lyrics, you're right. To me, it was just about a sad, lonely kid...
I know
maybe now you're listening to the song how it was actually intended to be heard
Yeah. Billy was being a jealous little price when he wrote this.
Billy is a legend......head phones on and I'm there !!!!!!
I just discovered this song for the first time....it is legendary!
No sugar coating fabulously gut level !!!! Master piece !!! I’m 69 and have never made my bed yet,this year is not looking good either , cat never complains about it 😂
My favorite Billy Joel song of all time. Thanx for posting this.
Congratulations on getting 1 million views Captain Jack! This song is absolutely incredible, and I'm honestly surprised that it didn't hit this milestone sooner.
Captain Jack is an ethereal composition lifting my spirit and transcending over past moments of my life.
Billie, this is one of the BEST ever. Billie, thanks for the MUSIC, the memories, the profound words.
Captain jack is a masterpiece.
I can visualize every word…. I lived every word in this song
This really is a great song. I have lived out most of these lyrics, so it holds a special place for me. This really kind of sums up my life in the 80’s, and I listened to it quite often back then, in spite of not really being much of a Billy Joel fan, and it both comforted me and sickened me all at once. Fortunately I can now say that it was another lifetime, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sometimes really miss that “special island”.
Being in recovery now back in the old days this was my herion today I listen every day so I NEVER forget where I came from
Teresa - keep up the good work - you deserve to be clean, healthy and happy.
One of the most important pop songs of all time! Not many top 40 hits have the lyrical depth of meaning and emotive expression on all levels from composition through production!
The distribution of this song was inspired.
Boy, does this bring back memories of my teenage years in the 70s on Long Island
Billy Joel is a treasure. There isn't a song of his I can't relate to. Not a song of his I could ever get tired of. When I close my eyes and listen I'm transported back to those days. What a ride. What a time it was. Thank you Billy for so many memories.
好きな歌なので聴けてよかったです！ありがとうございます
Truly a monumental keyboard showcase. And I'm a huge ELP fan, so key's are something I've focused on over the years. But the guitar work, bass, and drumming are wonderful as well. But those key's are amazing, with just enough Hammond B3 and Leslie Speaker to feed the need.
I’ve always considered this song to have elements of prog. So as an ELP fan I can understand why it resonates.
reminds me so much of the 70's
I have listened to this sing a thousand times. I LOVE & get Chills at 2:40 EVERY TIME!!! Then I go back to it 10 times before listening to the rest.
1 of his 100 great song. I don’t say This for many ppl.
But Billy? LEGEND!!!!
Billy Joel's music got me through 10 years of really bad times he kept my spirits up big-time thank you Billy thank you Billy thank Billy.
I'm born and raised Long Island and remember when this song came out. It's STILL A FAVORITE...and I STILL PLAY IT ON REPEAT...I NEVER tire of it! I would love to have someone to listen to it with me who loves it as much as I do...are you out there? I reside in TEXAS 💜 .
My favourite song. Never get tired of it. I always play it as loud as possible.
I have this album Greatest Hits volume I & volume II, where all these good songs are put together. I don't have a radio in my car anymore. In Norway it is just DAB radio, so all the FM radioes are not working. Now this album is on every day when I drive to and from work, and I never get tired of all these great songs. Billy Joel has been one of my favourite artist since I were quite young! And Captain Jack is fantastic. Good lyrics!
Do your self a favour and listen to all of his works one album at a time. All the good songs aren’t on the Greatest Hits as there are plenty of good songs that are not on there! I bought a 10 album set of LP records in 1985 with great hesitation because I had never bought one album of any artist where I liked every song on an album, some were limited to the radio hits and the rest were terrible. So it was a fantastic journey one album at a time finding songs that I had never heard of, that have could still been hits but had never got the airplay!
@@iainsmith2434 I have some of his album, and I know there is many nice songs that will not be in a best of album any time. And some of them will never be known for many people, because they will not be played in radio stations at all.
Never really listened to billy joel that often but if I had to pick a favorite song 🎵 captain jack would be the one music brings people together and that is something no one can ever take away ✌️🇺🇲
3000yrs later and my guy is still singing actual facts... With your finger up your nose and closet queens. Nothing changes except your perception. Captain Jack will get you by tonight.
A great gem of a closer to a classic album. I'm listening to it now on my stereo, and it sounds great with the quieter parts and louder powerful chorus. Not getting down on the lyrics; enjoying the show!
I started dating my wife right around the time when this song came out. Great memories over the years from Billy's music.
my favorite Billy Joel song which is the very first of his many beautiful songs!
Can I just say that Lenny is the most prettiest man and most talented ever in this decade !!
Love the bass guitar. Amazing.
Bass and drums are phenomenal!!!
One of my favourite songs of all time. Bit sad, though.
right?
Wooosh Bait What is it truly about?
@@robwizproductions look it up douchebag
Only a bit? It's damn depressing. But I guess it's good as a cautionary tale.
Dudes. This is about a guy who's life isn't going anywhere. And captain jack is a metaphor for a drug. The point is that life sucks.
Still a great song after all these years.
Coming of age in my teens learning the latest music. This one was great then and still is timeless. One of the first songs I listened to when I first started smoking pot. That’s what I have always called it, pot!
1:37 That lone twangy guitar just hanging the notes out there......perfect.
Realty think this is his best song. He has a lot of them but this one hits different.
Love Billy Joel ever since I was a little girl still do. Love you all
I live near Philadelphia and this song was played in 1972 on a radio concert on WMMR and started Billy on his way to stardom. I remember listening to WMMR back then and they really promoted Billy Joel. It was a controversial song due to the lyrics. You have to remember it was 1972. WMMR FM was the first underground FM station in Philadelphia. Before then all you had was Top 40 am WFIL and WIBG. WMMR played the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin. Artists you never heard on AM radio. Billy Joel performed at the Main Point which was a small coffee house similar to the clubs in NYC like Cafe Wha.
We had a station like that in Buffalo NY,WPHD, I had to keep pen and paper near by just to write down the artist and song! They played album sides, European prog rock groups. I guess with Spotify etc. most people have access to a lot of what's out there.
My favorite Billy Joel song , takes me back
This song is brilliantly written.
The Captain Jack will get you high lyrics are fast paced and the come down lyrics are slower paced.
I can see why he and Elton John were compared so much early in their careers.
This is so daunting and so beautiful at the same time. What a paradox
Great music now matter
what decade you listen to it
100 years from now they will listening to this and
saying WOW!!!
Thanks "BIG RO" for turning me on to this when we were 17. RIP .
this song never fails to get me LIT!
Atprick B
Me to !!
This is about drugs how are u lit
Are you slow?
Easily my favorite song of Billy Joel's. Like others have said, I also remember the first time hearing it. I had just arrived at my destination in my van and was about to get out when the local FM rock station started playing this. It grabbed me from the very first verse and the Captain Jack choruses gave me chills (still does). It was as if Billy Joel had some special insight about me and my friends. I grew up in a smallish city and lived in the 'West End' where all the middle class and upper income neighborhoods were. As a teen this song could have been written about any of us guys whose main vocation was partying and getting high because there was very little else to do. We had everything but felt like we had nothing and this song conveyed that 'quiet desperation' we all felt just under the surface of our laughter and craziness.
Captain Jack took my 2 brothers . Song is about a famous New York heroin dealer from the 70's when times square was a shithole ! This is a kick ass album !"Just a little push and you'll be smiling"
Thanks for sharing that bro I’m sorry those are the circumstances but grateful to see others knowing their stories don’t fall on deaf ears 🤘 rock on my friend
That's back when the N.Y.C. red light district ran right through Times square.
I was there..
I thought it was simply about smoking pot... but the line about Captain Jack will make you die tonight is obvious as a smack in the head. Pun intended.
I was in college when I first heard this song. I bet I sing some of it to myself every week But haven't listened to it completely in years -at least 30 years. I remember every word. "Well your 21 and your mother still makes your bed". That was me then...for sure.
What’s crazy is that I had no idea exactly what this song is about until very recently…and I clearly remember hearing it on the radio when it was fairly new.
🫡 to those who lived it and lived to speak of it and 😢🙏🏾 those who did not.
Pirates?
@@guitarslim56 The narrator in this song is talking about a fairly aimless guy who copes through drugs. Heroin, I think. “Captain Jack will get you high tonight…Captain Jack will get you by tonight…Captain Jack will help you die tonight…”
Dude might be better off if he was a pirate, LOL