If you search for tenderness
It isn't hard to find
You can have the love you need to live
But if you look for truthfulness
You might just as well be blind
It always seems to be so hard to give

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you

I can always find someone
To say they sympathize
If I wear my heart out on my sleeve
But I don't want some pretty face
To tell me pretty lies
All I want is someone to believe

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you

I can find a lover
I can find a friend
I can have security until the bitter end
Anyone can comfort me
With promises again
I know, I know

When I'm deep inside of me
Don't be too concerned
I won't ask for nothin' while I'm gone
But when I want sincerity
Tell me where else can I turn
'Cause you're the one I depend upon

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you


Lyrics submitted by kevin

Honesty Lyrics as written by Billy Joel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Honesty song meanings
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16 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment
    beautiful absolutely beautiful
    nat leehunni4667on April 19, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    "I can always find someone To say they sympathize If I wear my heart out on my sleeve" best line ever. so many people do exactly what he says right here and don't even realize it!!!!
    blondton December 26, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    This song is amazing. I heard a live version of this song first, and I thought it was great, but hen I heard the studio version, and it just blew me away. Billy's voice in this one is actually a bit relaxing.
    x_standstillon January 30, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Sucha true song. Honesty IS very hard to find.
    Scianaphobiaon January 28, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    One of the best songs by any artist, simply superb!
    intothegrinder2on May 21, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I've come across many comments all over this site, in which the poster says "this or that is my favourite song ever" and you sympathize a bit: "Ah, not bad at all, right" But I find myself now at the moment I must confess: the first ten notes of this song are -to me- the open doors to heaven. Really. So much. Good, great, marvellous are plain dirty rags on the holy skin of a goddess. Then: This is my favourite song ever.
    le fer et le feuon March 27, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I love the message. everyone needs a little honesty. yeah buddy.
    nat leehunni4667on May 21, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I've always loved this song. Joel is so talented. And tonight this song is perfect...I finally learned the truth. Can't say I don't wish I was better looking, but I know for sure that I am too good for such a superficial man.
    HairyPalmJoeon October 27, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    One of Joel's best and he's had plenty of worthy hits. Unfortunately honesty is seldom heard with some. And others don't wish to hear it. People who care say the difficult words if they have hope that another will find herself/himself worthy and begin to make better choices. I guess that's why some utter "b*tch" under their breath at me;)
    SweetCheeks2on January 07, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Joel has so many hits over the decades while he's been performing. When first introduced to his music by my sister's boyfriend (who secretly bought me Joel's first album and told me not to tell my sister where I got it). I fell in love with Joel immediately. Was priviledged to have a mother who allowed me to see Joel in concert when I was in high school. (My father was kept in the dark as to my whereabouts.) Joel and his piano filled the stage with blue lighting shining all around. It was glorious! This song is one of his best, in my opinion. The lyrics are simple and ring true.
    fivefortypmon February 10, 2012   Link

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