Uptown Girl

Billy Joel

Uptown girl
She's been living in her uptown world
I bet she's never had a backstreet guy
I bet her mama never told her why

I'm gonna try for an uptown girl
She's been living in her white bread world
As long as anyone with hot blood can
And now she's looking for a downtown man
That's what I am

And when she knows
What she wants from her time
And when she wakes up
And makes up her mind

She'll see I'm not so tough
Just because

I'm in love with an uptown girl
You know I've seen her in her uptown world
She's getting tired of her high class toys
And all the presents from her uptown boys
She's got a choice

Oh
Oh

Uptown girl
You know I can't afford to buy her pearls
But maybe someday when my ship comes in
She'll understand what kind of guy I've been
And then I'll win

And when she's walking
She's looking so fine
And when she's talking
She'll say that she's mine

She'll say I'm not so tough
Just because
I'm in love

With an uptown girl
She's been living in her white bread world
As long as anyone with hot blood can
And now she's looking for a downtown man
That's what I am

Oh
Oh

Uptown girl
She's my uptown girl
You know I'm in love
With an uptown girl
My uptown girl
You know I'm in love
With an uptown girl
My uptown girl
You know I'm in love
With an uptown girl
My uptown girl
You know I'm in love
With an uptown girl


Lyrics submitted by kevin

Uptown Girl Lyrics as written by Billy Joel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Uptown Girl song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • +6
    My Opinion
    This song's story is so familiar in this society. Two people from totally different backgrounds fall in love, and aren't sure that their backgrounds will allow them to live in harmony with one another. It has such a beautiful tune. Really fun.
    foolinsagesclothingon February 11, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    this tune is definitely Billy Joel doing his absolute best imitation of Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons - his vocal, along with the background vocals, is dead on and the drumming is terrific - it was like the 4 Seasons drummer sat in with Billy - otherwise, it's the ages old story of the poor boy on his side of the tracks looking at the rich girl
    rockboy52on January 15, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    This song is clearly about Christie Brinkley. She grew up with a more affluent background than Billy Joel. I think there is some insecurity in this song. He talks about it like "maybe someday I'll be good enough for her, maybe she'll like me for me even though I don't have the same background." That really makes the song universal (as Billy's good at doing) because we can all think of trying for the "unattainable" person and hoping they'll see us as we are. And look where they are now- divorced, and Christie's with her uptown boy! But this is still one of my favorite Billy Joel songs.
    krisstieon June 27, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    aw, i used to be someone's uptown girl. this is a fun song. christie appeared in the video for the song, and billy evenually made an impression-- they got married. divorced now, yes, but... i like this song anyway and i have no lyrical explanation for the divorce
    luckye225on September 27, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is universal like so many great songs. I do sympathize with him. I go to school with a lot of "uptown girls" and some of them I like but I seriously doubt that it's a two way street. So I do like this song.
    trapperjohnon August 06, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is AWESOME.It's catchy,mostly easy to sing,and is very light-hearted.I love.
    fxcking_turtleon December 16, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    ...Not that easy to sing, turtle. Billy Joel left it as the last (or second last) song at a 2006 concert because it hurts his throat. Pity because it was the crowd favourite and would have helped earlier on.
    GreenManon June 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is in fact NOT about Christie Brinkley. The song was written about Elle Macpherson. Billy happened to be dating Christie when the song came out and it was the video director's idea to put her in the video.
    grock22on June 30, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning
    He says "I bet her mama never told her why I'm going to try for an uptown girl" - what didn't her mama tell her? Why is he trying for an uptown girl (there's the obvious - they dress fancier, go to fancier restaurants and events, have nicer cars, etc. but is there something more I'm missing here?)
    niccaston July 08, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    His next conquest according to all indications. Good luck with that. The singer's 'charm' will get his foot in the door and his %&*$# where it so desperately wants to go :D
    ComeOnEileenon January 02, 2012   Link

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