A social history of the 20th Century in 4 mins...Im 60 years old so I can remember and relate to much of the lyrics and events...I love this song...Really glad you reacted to it 👍👍👍
Did you ever see the 1990 to 2012 version? Obviously it wasnt written by Billy, but a TH-camr did a fantastic job summing up the events that took place in the next few decades, so because it recounts my generation, l love it just as much as the original.
I was in high school when this song came out. My history teacher that year decided to have some fun and broke the lyrics down into history lessons for us. My class loved this concept & wished more teachers did stuff like this to keep students engaged,
My 8th grade history teacher was chosen to choose our graduation song and he chose this song and we all loved it. Because he was constantly telling us to do our best to be the change the world needs. I'm 34 now and still carry that with me.
I was 15 when this was a hit. As I recall, the story was that Billy Joel had just turned 40 and was having a conversation with a guy in his 20s who was blaming his generation for all the fucked up shit going on in the world. Billy Joel started explaining to him that his generation didn't start all these fires, and his examples sort of evolved into this song :D
Billy Joel not making any new music in 30 yrs boggles my mind. He always had massive hits on every album he put out and just one day said “I’m Done”. One of the all time greatest musicians.
The final track on his final album was called Famous Last Words and the final chorus goes: And these are the last words I have to say It's always hard to say goodbye But now it's time to put this book away Ain't that the story of my life
Billy Joel’s catalogue is full of songs, some lighthearted and catchy, some beautiful love songs. Some are snapshots of life…check out Goodnight Saigon” or “Allentown”
It's the most depressing song that you just can't help dancing to. Kind of like 99 Red Balloons and I'll Melt With You. Actually, you should check out both of those. For more Billy (it's all variety with him - - he's written in so many different styles) - - Innocent Man, Pressure, Matter of Trust (video version, great fun); Goodnight Saigon, River of Dreams, Honesty..... for a start.
billy joel has some great stuff but this is my favorite Even though it's a history lesson, it's still so catchy. I've listened to it so much that I know all the lyrics. Yeah once you realize everything he's saying it's really impressive.
I love to watch your music reactions every day music is a great deal part of my life my favorite decade is the 80s music there's a band a one hit wonder the band is kajagoogoo the song is too shy if you love Duran Duran one of the members of Duran Duran nick Rhodes discovered kajagoogoo thanks you again for making my day with your music reactions videos
Used to have this as a song I’d sing to impress the crowd….coffee shops to bars and beyond! Never got tips those nights I used WDSTF in my set list! Haha! #facts
You need to listen to the words not just the music. This is a historic lesson about social issues through the decades. The video shows the transitions of a family. Shows that this generation didn’t cause all the world’s problems.
I learned awhile ago that this song was created when a younger acquaintance of Billy said that nothing important had occurred in the previous generation (or something to that affect).. so, being the fairly prolific history buff that he is, he created this song that chronologically goes through major events that had occurred from the time Billy was born (1949) up to 1989.
I participated in an improvised "flash mob" (in the 80's when it wasn't even called that) when this song came over the PA system in our local supermarket, dancing wildly through the aisles with other shoppers. We were so wild and crazy back then.....what haaaa-pened?!?😜😀🤠⚘🐣🐥
Aghh I have to be honest, I'm torn by this reaction because I love your visceral immediate love of the music, but couldn't help but want you to concentrate on the lyrics more at the beginning! That eureka moment halfway through when you realise what the lyrics signify is pretty sweet. Definitely worth a few more listens so you get the full effect of just how literally historic this song is! P.S. my favourite bit has always been the 'Psycho' strings when he mentions that 1960 classic.
One people don't suggest often but is another showing of his versatility, is The Downeaster Alexa. It is beautiful & has a Celtic feel to it. Also, The River of Dreams! It's such a great song & you smile & chair dance the whole time lol!!
Hey, Anton you can react to Everybody`s changing by Keane ,Im Like a bird by Nelly furtado, Hand in my pocket by Alanis morisette, Anyone by Roxette....some great 2000`s songs
2:58 the man is smaller than the woman, or at least it seems that way bcs of her hairstyle and her shoes. he can't do anything about it with the fashion for men in late 50s. So he's taking it out on his son, seeing the son's "failure" to grow physically as his own failure.
Billy Joel always amazes me because his lyrics don’t follow that traditional simple rhyme of chorus / verse / chorus that we expect, I always wondered how he remembered such disparate lyrics (songs from an Italian restaurant is another great example)
I actually did make a video using this song and its lyrics many many years after this song came out but it was long and tedious process because I had to time the words just right because of the way the way he sang the song in that rapid fire way it took me about a week to do I had no pictures that either just the lyrics and a few fire effects if I had to do it all over again I would have done pictures other than that it turned out pretty cool sadly I don't have any way getting the video on TH-cam due to it being made on an old computer.
I believe in the video they show him playing the bongos. It’s sad that he stopped releasing albums cause of popularity. He couldn’t handle his woman at the time being a celebrity and having to be in the limelight. He just liked creating music. I haven’t seen yet on your channel as I’m going through it but he has a song called “You’re only Human(Second Wind)” it’s a song about everyone makes mistakes. Think before you act. It’s from personal experience as he tried to kill himself in the late 70s.
Billy's best has to be Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out On Broadway), his apocalyptic vision of the demise of New York. The original album version is excellent, but the definitive version is on his live album Songs In the Attic, which is a truly seminal masterpiece of a performance.
So, I'm in the house drinkin beer and watching...church services. Damned Boomers before me started a fire in the back. I fought it a bit, then ran outside to yell at Millenials for playing on their phones while their turn came! 😎
Dude, you have no idea of Billy Joel's range. He and Elton John sort of have parallel careers and where at the peak during the same era (they even perform together at times).
A social history of the 20th Century in 4 mins...Im 60 years old so I can remember and relate to much of the lyrics and events...I love this song...Really glad you reacted to it 👍👍👍
Did you ever see the 1990 to 2012 version? Obviously it wasnt written by Billy, but a TH-camr did a fantastic job summing up the events that took place in the next few decades, so because it recounts my generation, l love it just as much as the original.
@@KoolKeithProductions Fall Out Boy have done an up-to-date version too, although not in chronological order like Billy's.
@@seanscanlon9067 I'm not the biggest fan of FOB, but l might just give that song a try
@@KoolKeithProductions I personally think that they should have left it alone. 😄
I was in high school when this song came out. My history teacher that year decided to have some fun and broke the lyrics down into history lessons for us. My class loved this concept & wished more teachers did stuff like this to keep students engaged,
My AP US History teacher did this in '92, such a great synopsis of events in the last 50+ years.
My 8th grade history teacher was chosen to choose our graduation song and he chose this song and we all loved it. Because he was constantly telling us to do our best to be the change the world needs. I'm 34 now and still carry that with me.
I was 15 when this was a hit. As I recall, the story was that Billy Joel had just turned 40 and was having a conversation with a guy in his 20s who was blaming his generation for all the fucked up shit going on in the world. Billy Joel started explaining to him that his generation didn't start all these fires, and his examples sort of evolved into this song :D
Billy Joel can do anything you want! People try to pigeon hole him, but it’s impossible. A true American Treasure.
3:47 - the sound effect from the movie "Psycho" just when the lyrics mention it
What is actually completely crazy is that every verse is 1 year in history in the correct order!
"Rock and roll and cola wars, I can't take it anymore!" Same, Billy. Same.
It’s literally a history book within a song.
Billy Joel not making any new music in 30 yrs boggles my mind. He always had massive hits on every album he put out and just one day said “I’m Done”. One of the all time greatest musicians.
Hey at least he's not doing like kiss and dragging it out too long😎
The final track on his final album was called Famous Last Words and the final chorus goes:
And these are the last words I have to say
It's always hard to say goodbye
But now it's time to put this book away
Ain't that the story of my life
Billy Joel’s catalogue is full of songs, some lighthearted and catchy, some beautiful love songs. Some are snapshots of life…check out Goodnight Saigon” or “Allentown”
MTV used to play this all the time in 1989. Loved it then and still love it now!
It's the most depressing song that you just can't help dancing to. Kind of like 99 Red Balloons and I'll Melt With You. Actually, you should check out both of those. For more Billy (it's all variety with him - - he's written in so many different styles) - - Innocent Man, Pressure, Matter of Trust (video version, great fun); Goodnight Saigon, River of Dreams, Honesty..... for a start.
River of Dreams is one of my favs. Just The Way You Are. Always A Woman To Me. New York State of Mind.
Love the song, and video, A Matter Of Trust. More Billy Joel❤️❤️❤️
Great reaction! You're so right, it's been going on forever. Next up..."She's Always a Woman".
A history lesson for sure 🔥
A history lesson in a song. Genius!
billy joel has some great stuff but this is my favorite Even though it's a history lesson, it's still so catchy. I've listened to it so much that I know all the lyrics. Yeah once you realize everything he's saying it's really impressive.
I love to watch your music reactions every day music is a great deal part of my life my favorite decade is the 80s music there's a band a one hit wonder the band is kajagoogoo the song is too shy if you love Duran Duran one of the members of Duran Duran nick Rhodes discovered kajagoogoo thanks you again for making my day with your music reactions videos
Used to have this as a song I’d sing to impress the crowd….coffee shops to bars and beyond! Never got tips those nights I used WDSTF in my set list! Haha! #facts
Definitely a great song. I like this reaction video. I enjoyed seeing how you really got into the video.
I would love if Billy Joel picked up where this song left off. Do from the 80’s to today.
You need to listen to the words not just the music. This is a historic lesson about social issues through the decades. The video shows the transitions of a family. Shows that this generation didn’t cause all the world’s problems.
The Earth is burning, we didn't start the fire, but we're not doing anything to put it out and soon we'll all die burned
Hi Anton, i like your reacts, big greets from germany 😉👍
You should check out his song "scenes from an Italian restaurant" in my opinion his greatest song ❤️✌️
I learned awhile ago that this song was created when a younger acquaintance of Billy said that nothing important had occurred in the previous generation (or something to that affect).. so, being the fairly prolific history buff that he is, he created this song that chronologically goes through major events that had occurred from the time Billy was born (1949) up to 1989.
I participated in an improvised "flash mob" (in the 80's when it wasn't even called that) when this song came over the PA system in our local supermarket, dancing wildly through the aisles with other shoppers. We were so wild and crazy back then.....what haaaa-pened?!?😜😀🤠⚘🐣🐥
You must check out the meanings of each lyric !
River of dreams is great! Or goodnight Saigon. You are only human, uptown girl, the longest time, ...
River of Dreams is such a masterpiece!
Big Man on Mulberry Street, It's Still Rock and Roll to Me.
@@sexysadie2901 still rocking to me is one of my favorites
River of Dreams is so so good.
I vote for “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant”, the closest thing Billy Joel has to a Bohemian Rhapsody
The lyrics are from Billy Joel's birth through 1989. He's the baby in the beginning of the video. The kitchen chances through the decades.
Probably should listen and watch again to get the intended meaning on this one
Aghh I have to be honest, I'm torn by this reaction because I love your visceral immediate love of the music, but couldn't help but want you to concentrate on the lyrics more at the beginning! That eureka moment halfway through when you realise what the lyrics signify is pretty sweet. Definitely worth a few more listens so you get the full effect of just how literally historic this song is! P.S. my favourite bit has always been the 'Psycho' strings when he mentions that 1960 classic.
I hear ya, its hard to focus on 2 things at once properly :)
One people don't suggest often but is another showing of his versatility, is The Downeaster Alexa. It is beautiful & has a Celtic feel to it. Also, The River of Dreams! It's such a great song & you smile & chair dance the whole time lol!!
Hey, Anton you can react to Everybody`s changing by Keane ,Im Like a bird by Nelly furtado, Hand in my pocket by Alanis morisette, Anyone by Roxette....some great 2000`s songs
Gotta do Billy Joel PRESSURE
2:58 the man is smaller than the woman, or at least it seems that way bcs of her hairstyle and her shoes. he can't do anything about it with the fashion for men in late 50s. So he's taking it out on
his son, seeing the son's "failure" to grow physically as his own failure.
Billy Joel always amazes me because his lyrics don’t follow that traditional simple rhyme of chorus / verse / chorus that we expect, I always wondered how he remembered such disparate lyrics (songs from an Italian restaurant is another great example)
This is an amazing song from billy joel. Its my favorite👍👍👍👍👍👍
This was the era of "step by step" and vanilla ice maybe earlier. Lol 😆 we made oour own lyrics out of this song 🎵 nostalgic for wild kids.
Love this song
Please react to Billy Joel Italian Restaurant. It's awesome. And The Stranger. I love watching your reactions. Thanks
I actually did make a video using this song and its lyrics many many years after this song came out but it was long and tedious process because I had to time the words just right because of the way the way he sang the song in that rapid fire way it took me about a week to do I had no pictures that either just the lyrics and a few fire effects if I had to do it all over again I would have done pictures other than that it turned out pretty cool sadly I don't have any way getting the video on TH-cam due to it being made on an old computer.
3:53 again, kinda messed up to be happily smiling at that photograph
Another great react 🤟 Bro, will you come back? 🙏
Matter of Trust by BJ is my fav.
I believe in the video they show him playing the bongos. It’s sad that he stopped releasing albums cause of popularity. He couldn’t handle his woman at the time being a celebrity and having to be in the limelight. He just liked creating music. I haven’t seen yet on your channel as I’m going through it but he has a song called “You’re only Human(Second Wind)” it’s a song about everyone makes mistakes. Think before you act. It’s from personal experience as he tried to kill himself in the late 70s.
he has an a capella song called the longest time.
Billy's best has to be Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out On Broadway), his apocalyptic vision of the demise of New York. The original album version is excellent, but the definitive version is on his live album Songs In the Attic, which is a truly seminal masterpiece of a performance.
Billy Joel songs to react to "A Matter of Trust" official video, "Only Human (second wind)" official video, and "I Got to Extremes" official video.
So many Billy Joel songs to suggest but I'd pick Stiletto because it's cool AF and no one seems to mention it.
Sheldon Cooper on the bongos!
He had some great hits!
So, I'm in the house drinkin beer and watching...church services.
Damned Boomers before me started a fire in the back.
I fought it a bit, then ran outside to yell at Millenials for playing on their phones while their turn came!
😎
There will always be a fire in the house.
There will always be somewhere to sit...in the house!
Please do
Goodbye Saigon. It's very powerful.
Proof life is too short.
If you talk during THIS particular song, you'll miss so much
Yes and yes
We started some of those fires. The government eliminated a lot of people on that list
3:08 - it's disturbing to see reacting youtubers smiling at this part
Dude, you have no idea of Billy Joel's range. He and Elton John sort of have parallel careers and where at the peak during the same era (they even perform together at times).
I Go To Extremes and The Downeaster 'Alexa' next
❤❤❤❤❤
“My Life,” is a great BJ song you might like 👍. Just not “Uptown Girl” pleeaaase!
Can you please react to Robert Palmer song called Know by now
Please
Gen Z wouldn’t have any idea what the lyrics mean at all!
I've loved this song since it came out, but BJ sure made a boring video for a great song.
And the drums!!
You picked one of his worst songs. What's next? Starship?
But the song is some 12 years old. Are you from Russia or what ??
Sorry, I checked on google, it's from 1989 ;)
That's an interesting interpretation but it's totally wrong. The generational wars were not a thing when this song came out.