Tomorrow Is Today

Album: Cold Spring Harbor (1971)
Play Video
  • I've been livin' for the moment
    But I just can't have my way
    And I'm afraid to go to sleep
    Cause tomorrow is today

    People tell me life is sweeter
    But I don't hear what they say
    Nothing comes to change my life
    So tomorrow is today

    I don't care to know the hour
    Cause it's passing anyway
    I don't have to see tomorrow
    Cause I saw it yesterday

    So I listen for an answer
    But the feeling seems to stay
    And what's the use of always dreaming
    If tomorrow is today

    Still I'm waiting for the morning
    But it feels so far away
    And you don't need the love I'm giving
    So tomorrow is today

    Oh, my. Goin' to the river
    Gonna take a ride and the Lord will deliver me
    Made my bed, now I'm gonna lie in it
    If you don't come, I'm sure gonna die in it
    Too late. Too much given
    I've seen a lot of life and I'm damn sick of livin' it
    I keep hopin' that you will pass my way

    And some day if your dreams are leavin' you
    I'll still believe in you

    I don't care to know the hour
    Cause it's passing anyway
    I don't have to see tomorrow
    Cause I saw it yesterday

    Though I'm living and I'm singing
    And although my hands still play
    Soon enough it will all be over
    Cause tomorrow is today Writer/s: BILLY JOEL
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Red Brick Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 7

  • Le MasterHe talked about this song on the Billy Joel Channel. He reiterated it was a sort of suicide note. He was 21 and very depressed at the time and full of self pity.
  • Teagan from Grand Rapids, MiThank you for clarifying that the drummer rushed him to the hospital. Although it's still not clear if Joel was actually drunk when he attempted. Joel has gone through depression a good amount of his life. It could have been made in his depressive state. Abram says "He must have been drunk/intoxicated" but it is not specified by Joel or anyone else. Although Joel does make the statement, "Furniture polish looked tastier than bleach".
  • Ken from Louisville, KyThis is one of the Cold Spring Harbor songs where Joel's voice was mastered at a higher speed, making him sound, as Billy later put it, like a "castrata".
  • Abram from Fairfield, VtOk so it's true that he tried to kill himself using furniture polish but just to clarify a few things. At the time he must have been drunk or intoxicated somehow because his reason for not using bleach (which would have actually killed him) was that he thought "Furniture polish just looked tastier". Second he almost succeeded in killing himself, he was found by his drummer passed out on the floor of his apartment and was rushed to the hospital. When Billy fired and hired new band players the only performer he kept form the former band was his drummer who saved him.
  • Jack from Elmira, NyThis song is one of my all time favorite songs. It's so great and it has also gotten me through some tough times.
  • Landon from Winchester, OhThis is a really beautiful song. Very emotional and well played. Not the song to listen to if you're really feeling depressed though. I have a tendencies of suicidal thoughts myself, and sometimes when I hear this song I suddenly think about ending my own life. Thankfully, though I have problems in my family, I have some steady friends and hobbies to keep me strong, a future to think about, and some enjoyment every now and then, so I think I'm being taken care of. If you've already heard this song, listen to "You're Only Human (Second Wind) by Billy Joel. Since his suicidal attempt failed to kill him, he decided to write an empowerment song encouraging depressed teens that their life will surely improve. It's really good stuff. Listen to it after this song, and notice the difference. You won't believe it's being performed by the same person. Awesome.
  • Randy from Reading, PaThis song got me through some tough times in my teens. I love the line I don't have to see tomorrow cause I saw it yesterday.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.