Only the Good Die Young
Billy Joel
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Come out, Virginia- Don't let me wait. You Catholic girls start much too late. Ah! But sooner or later it comes down to fate. I might as well will be the one. Well they showed you a statue- Told you to pray. They built you a temple and locked you away. Ah! But they never told you the price it would pay. The things that you might have done... Only the good die young. That's what I said! Only the good die young. Only the good die young... You mighta heard I run with a dangerous crowd. We ain't too pretty, we ain't too proud. We might be laughin' a bit too loud. Ah! But that never hurt no one... So come on Virginia! Show me a sign- Send up a signal; I'll throw you a line. The stained glass curtain you're hidin' behind- Never lets in the sun... Darlin' only the good die young! Oh woe woe woe woe! I tell ya only the good die young. Only the good die young... You got a nice white dress and a party on your confirmation! You've got a brand new soul. Mmm, and a cross of gold. But Virginia they didn't give you quite enough information! You didn't count on me- When you were counting on your rosary. Oh woe woe! And they say there's a Heaven, And those who will wait. And some say it's better, But I say it ain't! I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints. The sinners are much more fun... You know that only the good die young! Oh woe woe baby bay! I tell ya only the good die young! Only the good die young... Said your mother told you all that I could give you was a reputation! Ah! She never cared for me. But did she ever say a prayer for me? Oh woe woe! Come out, come out, come out! Virginia don't let me wait! You Catholic girls start much too late! Sooner or later it comes down to fate. I might as well will be the one... You know that only the good die young! Tell ya baby! You know that only the good die young! Only the good die young. Only the gooood! Only the good die young. Oo oo oooo Oo! Oo oo oo oo Oooo oo! Oo oo oo Oo! Oo oo oo oo Oooo oo! Oo oo oooo Oo! Oo oo oo oo Oooo oo! Only the good die young! Only the good die young...
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Written by: Billy Joel
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
ARTIST ORIGINATION"Only The Good Die Young" is a song by Billy Joel, an American singer-songwriter and pianist known for his rich pop-rock compositions.
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ALBUM SUCCESSThe song is from his fifth studio album "The Stranger," released in 1977. This album established Joel as a leading rock and roll artist.
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SONG INSPIRATIONThe song was reportedly inspired by a conversation Joel had with a girl he had a crush on - Virginia Ellen Callahan.
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RELIGIOUS CRITICISMAfter its release, the song was banned by religious organizations and even some radio stations due to its controversial lyrics suggesting a young girl should lose her virginity.
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RESILIENCE IN RESPONSE TO BANDespite the ban, Billy Joel performed the song live on a variety of platforms, which only boosted its popularity.
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CHART PERFORMANCE"Only The Good Die Young" peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking its success in the music industry.
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LYRICS EXPLORATIONJoel wrote the song from the perspective of a young man trying to convince a religious girl named Virginia that life should be lived to the fullest.
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GENRE CLASSIFICATIONThe song is typically classified as Rock, Pop Rock, Soft Rock.
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LENGTH OF SONGThe song has a runtime of approximately 3:54 minutes in the album.
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LIVE PERFORMANCES"Only The Good Die Young" has become a staple of Joel's live performances, demonstrating the lasting appeal of the song.
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CONSUMER RECEPTIONFans and critics alike have praised the song's catchy tune and controversial lyrics, considering it as one of Billy Joel's signature songs.
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ACCOLADESIn 2011, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "Only The Good Die Young" at number 99 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
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"Only the Good Die Young Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/19810518/Billy+Joel/Only+the+Good+Die+Young>.
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