Album: Piano Man (1973)

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• Saturday night, and you're still hanging around
  You're tired of living in your one horse town
  You'd like to find a little hole in the ground
  For a while
  Mmm-hmm
  
  So, you go to the Village in your tie-dye jeans
  And you stare at the junkies and the closet queens
  It's like some pornographic magazine
  And you smile
  Mmm-hmm
  
  But Captain Jack will get you high tonight
  And take you to your special island
  Captain Jack will get you by tonight
  Just a little push, and you'll be smiling
  Oh, yeah, yeah
  
  Your sister's gone out, she's on a date
  And you just sit at home and masturbate
  Your phone is gonna ring soon but you just can't wait
  For that call
  Mmm-hmm
  
  So, you stand on the corner in your new English clothes
  And you look so polished from your hair down to your toes
  Oh, but still your finger's gonna pick your nose
  After all
  Mmm-hmm, yeah
  
  But Captain Jack will get you high tonight
  And take you to your special island
  Captain Jack will get you by tonight
  Just a little push, you'll be smiling
  Oh, oh, oh
  Oh, yeah, yeah
  
  So, you decide to take a holiday
  You got your tape deck and your brand new Chevrolet
  Ah, there ain't no place to go anyway
  What for?
  Mmm-hmm
  
  So, you've got everything, ah, but nothing's cool
  They just found your father in the swimming pool
  And you guess you won't be goin' back to school
  Anymore
  
  But Captain Jack can get you high tonight
  And take you to your special island
  Oh, Captain Jack will get you by tonight
  Just a little push and you'll be smiling
  La-la-la
  Oh, yeah, yeah
  
  So, you play your albums and you smoke your pot
  And you meet your girlfriend in the parkin' lot
  Oh, but still you're aching for the things you haven't got
  What went wrong?
  Mmm-hmm
  
  And if you can't understand why your world is so dead
  Why you've got to keep in style and feed your head
  Well, you're twenty-one, and still your mother makes your bed
  And that's too long
  Oh, oh, oh, whoa, whoa, yeah, yeah
  
  But Captain Jack will get you high tonight
  And take you to your special island
  Well, now Captain Jack will get you by tonight
  Just a little push and you'll be smiling
  Oh, Captain Jack will get you high tonight
  Take you to your special island
  Well, now Captain Jack could make you die tonight
  Just a little push and you'll be smiling
  Yeah, Captain Jack will get you high tonight
  And take you to your special island
  Captain Jack will make you die tonight
  
  Well, now Captain Jack will make you die tonight
  Just a little push and you'll be smiling Writer/s: Billy Joel
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 61

• Frank.o from New Orleans,laI read that he rarely plays this live anymore. Thinks it’s kind of a downer and lasts too long
• Joe from FloridaWow I have been listening to this song since it came out and I thought Captain Jack was the name of a DJ.
• Anonymous from Newcastle-upon-tyneI know this song is about drugs and 'Jack' is a reference to heroine. But, there was this guy I liked as a kid and his name was Jack and he was captain of my football team. I know I had no chance and he had a girlfriend but it was nice to imagine a life with him. Years on, I still think of him when this song plays.
• Jeffrey Nolan from Bedford , MaOK Billy Joel fans, here we go. I really don't care what the ultimate point of the song is. I think the lyrics and melody, as well as Billy's singing is absolutely 100 percent amazing!️ Billy Joel has written about 60 songs, and about 40 of them could have made number one on the charts. He is a perfectionist, just watching him and how he relates to his great muscians in his band completely gives this away. A former girlfriend of mine grew up in the same neighborhood and went to the same high school as Billy. The best concert of his, IMHO, is the 2006 show at the Tokyo Dome. Unlike many other music stars Billy has simply gotten better over the years. He's always had an extremely good voice, but he has polished his voice to absolute perfection! ️The 2006 concert in Tokyo was perfect. As in absolutely 100 percent perfect!️ That concert was an A+ in syncing the awesome lights to the music, Billy's voice was flawless, the musicianship, set list, and interaction with his band members was so wonderful and unique!️ I literally watch and enjoy the 2006 Tokyo concert at least once a day. And so everyone knows how good of a lyricst Billy is, so I plan on reading the many books Billy has authored. I already know they will be superbly well written and completely captivating️ Oh yes, almost forgot, Billy Joel is as good of an impressionist as anyone around!️ Also, he was a very good Golden Gloves boxer! ️Signed, a lifelong Billy Joel fan.
• Mick H from Birmingham UkThis explains a lot - I had always interpreted "Captain Jack" as cocaine itself (might say more about me than anything else lol) I've seen him twice in the UK - the two best nights of my life (all of the rest were in The Player Bar in Charing Cross - the next best thing to Billy himself is his tribute act in The Players!!)
• Photocrazy from WashingtonBilly Joel has told what the song is about, it is about the suburban kids that only live to party and get laid. Their parents give them every chance in life including a chance of a good education and they only care about partying. They have no clue what having it rough means but it they think they have it rough. It is an anti drug song,not about any particular drug, whatever your drug of choice is. A quote from Billy Joel, Joel has explained to the audience that the song is about spoiled, lazy, apathetic young college students who don't care about much other than partying and having sex; their family has money and paid for them to receive a good education, but they toss it away and don't care for anything except 'good ol' Captain Jack. "I was puzzled as to why young, affluent suburban kids would go to score drugs from a guy in a housing project," said Joel. "How bad can life be where you have to get that junked out?" Basically they have everything going for them that people who live in the ghettos would love to have those advantages in life, and yet they throw it all away.
• Jrock from Everywhereman54 comments and counting....Mostly about what everyone THINKS the song is about. Whereas Mr. Joel himself has repeatedly explained exactly what HE meant when HE wrote the song.... Go figure
• Barry from Sauquoit, Ny'And you just sit at home and masturbate'*
  Per: http://www.oldiesmusic.com/news.htm
  Billy Joel will become a father* for third time very soon, it was announced Wednesday (October 18th, 2017). The 68 year-old Billy and his 35 year-old wife Alexis have a 2 year-old and Billy has a 31 year-old daughter from a previous marriage.
  * Obviously, ole Billy wasn't just sitting when he was at home...
• Andy from FloridaIt is about Heroin, Jake. Ask any junkie who has ever booted what that "little push and you'll be smiling" is about. And Billy Joel lived just outside NYC, heroin capital of America, and knew of which he wrote about.
• Jake from Kinnelon, NjI always thought this song was about heroin, man I was wrong.
• Bone from Shelbvyville, InAny chance all of you experts would just take the song for what its worth? A song... I think when people write songs they leave things open for others to take it any way they want. So everybody is right. Only Billy really knows what he really meant when he wrote this song. Maybe he meant all of the above or none of the above. Just a thought. BONE
• Drew from Buffalo, NyI think of Captain Morgan and Jack Daniels. It has a little to about alcohol. To me I think its just about getting away for a while and taking a drug. Be it alcohol, marijuana, heroin, you name it.
• April from Nashville, TnI think in some of the lyrics coming later in the song "They just found your father in the swimming pool/ and you guess you won't be going back to school anymore" really points to the anti-drug theory, because to me it could be perhaps telling about the effect drug-use has on all the people around you, including family.
• Chris from East, TxWhen I first heard this song on Piano Man I knew that the melody was familiar but it took me quite a while to figure out that the music was used for an introduction to the "Bye Bye Love" dance number in "All That Jazz". This movie was made in 1979 but I can find no mention of Billy Joel when I look up the soundtrack. Weird, huh?
• Lizz from Bridgeport, CtI thought all along Captain Jack was the drink Captain Jack!!! Because whenever I drink Captain Jack it gets me high and takes me to my special island. It gets me by my troubles and makes me =).
• Jerry from Albany, NyI think this is one of Billy Joel's most powerful songs, particularly so via the "Songs In the Attic" version. Richie Cannata pushes the organ into overdrive and Liberty Devitto practically demolishes the drums. My impression of this song is that it's an "anti-drug" song instead of a "pro-drug" song, as Joel paints a pretty bleak portait of a young man whose life seems to be pretty much in the toilet. I also think the emphasis he puts on the line "Captain Jack could make you die tonight" goes along with my theory. All the interpretations I have read here have been interesting so far.
• Carlos from Pachuca, MexicoI have any doubt that Rolling stones' Fool to cry was inspired on this song, (perhaps unintentional) they're musically very similar.
• Jodi from London, OnRussell Farmer does a pretty kick-ass cover of this one.
• Steve from Lancaster, Pai have an older friend he was in the studio when billy joel was recording it he ask billy what is the song about and he said about jacking off if you listen to the words hes clearily talking about jerkin off now i got my chance to meet mr joel and i enjoy his music but if you think its about a drug dealer or drugs its close cause sex is like a drug to some ok im not trying to be crude but its about jerking off
• Steve from Lancaster, Payou are all wrong captain jack was about masterbation it sounds funny but it is the sound is about boys masterbating when they cant get a date
• Rachael from Fresno, Ca, CaBilly's addiction is to alcohol and cocaine, not as someone surmised to heroin, though he knew people who were. It is NOT slang for marijuana as someone suggested. He DOES change the lyric at the end of the song to "Capt. Jack could make you die tonight..." For verification look at the Youtube videos, he makes the change in every performance in the last refrain. For those who doubt Billy's addiction to cocaine, listen to the lyrics in "I've loved these days". I wish him well in sobriety. The song certainly has a strong duality to it, the power of the music behind the chorus is infectious, it's one reason when I play the album I don't let my little girl hear this song.
• Joshua from Kingston Springs, Tnthis song pretty much describes me...well sorta...i'm sad all the time and this just feels right for my description.the few times it comes on my radio(i've only heard it twice)i lay in my bed and just stare..............
• Nick from Oyster Bay, NyI'm from Oyster Bay, Long Island and Billy Joel is a great guy and friendly... But it is apparent that Billy Joel has been in and out of rehab through out the past 10-15 years and he even crashed into my girlfriends aunts house alittle over 2 years ago while driving drunk. This is not meant to bash billy or his musical talent but i think its kinda ignorant to think that Captain Jack is not about Billy's past drug addictions (hence why he told various sources different information on the meaning of captain Jack)
• John from Ellicott City, MdAs a teenager, I had the good fortune of living near a radio station (WMYK 93.7 in Moyack, NC) that played the full song -- only at night but that was good enough. I first heard it about a year after Janis Joplin died. It's ironic that it doesn't get more airplay, because this song did more to steer me clear of heroin than everything else put together. Thanks Billy.
• Keith from Bedford, TxI heard this song a couple of years ago, and it just blew me away. I've been obsessed with Joel ever since. This is such an amazing song. It hits everyone with the same emotional duality. It's so depressing, yet you can't help but belt it out with a huge smile on your face.
• Scott from New Bedford, MaOk folks I have not read all the comments but I can tell you what this song is about. It is about an addict who gets no enjoyment out of life anymore because he is powerless over heroin. Captain jack was a slang for heroin in his town because of the drug dealer who supplied it. Instead of saying heroin we'll say captain jack to try to stay off the radar.
• Chuck from Houston, TxI must say this song surley got a lot of comments for one that wasn't even charted.. not that I think charts mean much but still...
• Shane from Washington, DcDefinitely about Heroine... "Just a little push, and you'll be smiling." I can only assume that this means pushing the plunger on a needle.
• Mike from Hueytown , AlCaptain Jack is my favorite Billy Joel song by far. I first heard this song about 5 years ago and during that period I was listening to it all the time. Very under appreciated song. I don't know why the classic rock stations don't play it
• Ratso from Atlantic City, NjI heard Billy Joel do this song well before it was commercial. He played in Rutgers College Center in Camden, NJ one afternoon in 1970 or 1971. He played before a crowd of under 100 students. He was a brash New York brat, but he was an excellent musician (not a good paino player), but a great lycarist and performer. He had brought a number of buddies and women with him. They were screaming for "Captain Jack" and he obliged. As a member of the college center board, I had the ability to ask him some question. One of which was, "Who is Captain Jack?" He said it was a person he knew in Long Island. End of answer. Billy Joel was not a talkative dude in 1970-71. I figured the Captain was a fisherman/drug dealer
• T.l. from N.y., NyI found this site because I was searching for the meaning of the reference "Captain Jack " in Billy Joel's song. I thought it might be slang (or a street name) for heroin. After reading all the comments, I would have to conclude, along with most people, that it is indeed a reference to heroin. It is the only explanation that makes sense. In my opinion, this is one of Billy Joel's most powerful songs; truly a classic.
• Paul from Cincinnati, OhA "one horse town" is simply a small town...just thought I'd clear that up.
  
• Dave from New Orleans, LaHonestly, I had a feeling that the Captain Jack reference was indeed a code phrase for masturbation (jack off). A song about someone who has no life or friends, or girlfriend, so he uses masturbation as an escape.
  
  But the dealer/heroin/one more push explanation clears it all up for me now.
• Jeremiah from Harrisburg, PaI work for a liquor company and we have a Rum named Captain Calico Jack or Captain Jack. If you look at the history of Captain Calico Jack he was a Pirate Ship Captain in the carribean and he was famous for splitting a working relationship to go out on his own because of an argument over liquor (rum). He then went on to create his own crew including 2 women (which was unheard of) he always had rum and he was captured because his crew was so drunk they couldn't put up a fight. Maybe that's what joel was refering too.
• Shannon from Hamilton, OhYes, Cat in NYC is correct. Captain Jack doesn't mean pot at all, in any way. He says "So you play your albums, and you smoke your pot, and you meet your girlfriend in the parking lot. But still you ache for what you haven't got."
  
  Therefore, he's reffering to the fact that pot isn't enough, it's just something else he happens to do.
  
  And yes Casey in Dalton, GA, I know you're right about him changing the words, but it's from "Captain Jack will get you high tonight" to "Well now, Captain Jack COULD make you die tonight". It's about the last line, I believe and he gets really into to. It's very clear if you listen to it, and it makes complete sense.
  
  This is a song about drug use. It's not pro or anti anything.
  
  Stop over analyzing everything people.
• Jonathan from Johnstown, PaTo stop some arguing, let's say that this person in the song does heroin and marijuana.
• Anthony from Nyc, NyWhen I heard this on the radio as a young teen, I thought Billy was saying masturbation was a terrible addiction too, along side heavy drug use. Although I never tried hard drugs, that line bothered my fragile eggshell mind for a while!
• Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScFor some reason, when I first heard the phrase "Captain Jack" it made me thi nk of jack Daniels. I don't know why, but this song is pretty bleak anyway.
• John from Boston, MaI thought this song was about heroin addiction. Partly because of the "one horse town" lyric.
• The Cat from New York City, NyNo, Captain Jack is not slang for marijuana. The slang for marijuana is "pot." He mentions that in the song. This song has nothing to do with pot.
• Johnny from Los Angeles, CaThis song is sad.
• Dennis from Anchorage, AkPhil, the Broadway show exists. It's called "Movin' Out."
• Phill from Oakland, CaRight on about "The Ballad of Billy The Kid". That song is flat-out awesome, especially the intro with the strings and piano implying the "clip clop" of horseshoes!! Maybe someday somebody will write a musical or play based on his music, because so much of it seems to be influenced by that "broadway" sound. I feel equally about "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant".
• Casey from Dalton, GaAt the end, I'm 99% sure he changes the words from "Captain Jack will get you high tonight" to "Captain Jack could make you die tonight". You can check it out somewhere, but that's what I hear, and I'm even more sure now I know Joel says it's an anti-drug song.
• Barry from New York, NcThe radio show where Captain Jack was used for publicity purposes took place on 4/15/72 on
  WMMR-FM Philadelphia. However, Columbia records already took notice of Billy Joel at the Mar Y Sol Pop Festival in Puerto Rico, which took place on April 1, 1972. Billy played in rainy conditions, and earned some major standing ovations from the 100,000 people who were there.
• Lara from Hackensack, NjI worked as a substance abuse counselor...you're both right...alcohol is initially a stimulant, and then a depressant.
• Jay from Jackson Hole, WyFrom a 1982 Playboy interview with Billy Joel:
  
  PLAYBOY: What was Captain Jack about?|
  
  JOEL: I wrote it when drugs were in full flower. A lot of useless, wasted deaths. Friends of mine were killed. Drugs can be fun, but they can kill, too. Some guys who lived near me in Oyster Bay used to score smack from a guy called Captain Jack, although I didn't write it to necessarily mean heroin. I meant any kind of drug you have to take over and over again.
  
• Wil from Kc, KsPhil, you are absolutely wrong about that. While Joel did experiment with drugs like many artists at the time he was not a "drug user" nor was he a heroin addict. Saying that could border on libel, but I'm sure no one really cares...The song is definetly not autobiographical because if you know anything about Joel's life none of it fits. Joel was raised by his mother and barely knew his father.
• Phil from Chalmette, LaUm. Joel was a drug user. This is no anti-drug song. Captain Jack is slang for and only heroin.
  Joel is a needle junky.
  " Just a little push and you'll be smiling."
  
  And thats the facts, closet queens.
  
• High from Ct, CtThis song is about how when a person has problems in their life, how weed helps them through their problems and situations. This is true. I smoke weed everyday and it gets me through my problems. Excellent song!
• Maureen from St. Louis, MoCaptain Jack is a FABULOUS song, I just love it...it's definately my favorite Billy Joel!!! I can listen to it over and over again. I remember they used it in the show "Movin' Out", and I was really glad. I agree with Brendon, Captain Jack should be bigger than it is, along with the others he mentioned. "Piano Man" is a great song. But it's not all Billy does.
• Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScI agree with all of you. I think it's a great song and should have more recognition. I like, iven though, it's so bleak,s ad, and dreary. When I first heard the song, i could tell it was about drugs, because of some of the lines. But I also thought it was about Jack Daniels because of the "captain Jack" part.
• Ivan from Jersey City, NjI was a young kid struggling with being gay and learning about the "Village" here in New York. This record was heard through every window on Christopher Street in the evenings. Every Bar, Record Shop and "Back Room Book Store" played this record. - Wonder if Mr. Joel ever had any idea how influential this one song has had on the Village culture? Another single equally compelling was Long John Baldry's "A Thrills A Thrill" - Capitol Records. Perhaps someday a compilation of that period and place will emerge.
• Brendon from Paxton, IlAT in OC...alcohol is a depressant. You can get a "buzz," but the drug would technically get you "low." Soz dude.
• At from The O.c., CaI, too, heard that this is in reference to Jack Daniels. You can get high on alcohol, too, no?
• Brendon from Paxton, IlYou're exactly right, Nicoletta from NY.
  
  Captain Jack, Ballad of Billy the Kid, Angry Young Man, and Big Man on Mulberry Street definitely need much more recognition. They're some of his greatest works, and no one gives a crap about them. You say "Billy Joel" and they instantly say "PIANO MAN!" Granted, Piano Man is a great song, but he sings much more.
  
• Pompatus from Hell, TxIf this song is about Heroin use, the line where it says "but still your fingers gonna pick your nose" makes sense because anyone that use opiates knows about the "opiate ich" and your nose is always one of the first places that starts iching.
  Also if it is about Heroin the line "another push and you'll be smilin'" makes sense if your shooting up.
  But if the song is about a person "Captain Jack" the line about "another push and you'll be smilin'" makes sense in the way of a drug dealer being known as a "pusher". Anyway that is just my simple minded opiate induced ramblings. -AEIH
  www.pompatical.blogspot.com
• Lexi from Milford, Ctwow captain jack is one good song ...
  
  even though he talks about masterbation its alright thats why most people listen to this song because when he sings .... "your sisters out, shes on a date, while you just sit at home and masterbate" that is a good line!
• Hac Barton from Las Vegas, NvI was next to positive that this was about Jack Daniels. Now it makes more sense as an anti-drug song. But who says apathy is a bad thing?
• Nicoletta from Bronx, Nyi thought it was slang for heroine .. either way,it's one of joel's classic songs that should be given more recognition, such as "ballad of billy the kid" and "angry young man" -- in my opinion, these are of his best,but need to be looked at more since not many people know them.
• Matthew from New York, NyCaptain Jack is also slang for marijuana.

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