Code Of Silence Lyrics
Everybody wants to know the score
What you went through
It's something you
Should be over now
That you never told a soul before
And it's not that strange
Because it wouldn't change
What happened anyhow
There were some things that people never needed to know
Guess there's one that you keep
That you bury so deep
No one can tear it out
Because you're following a code of silence
You're never gonna to lose the anger
You just deal with it a different way
And isn't that a kind of madness
To be living by a code of silence
When you've really got a lot to say
There's nothing that you have to hide
And a little dirt
Couldn't hurt no one anyway
That you carry with a certain pride
In the only part of the broken heart
That you could ever save
You know how it ends
You don't see the point
Of going through it again
And this ain't the place
And this ain't the time
And neither's any other day
Because you're following a code of silence
You're never gonna to lose the anger
You just deal with it a different way
And isn't that a kind of madness
To be living by a code of silence
When you've really got a lot to say
That's not the kind of code you're inclined to break
Some things unknown are best left alone forever
And if a vow is what it takes
Haven't you paid for your mistakes
And the impulse disappears
You can still hold back
Because you don't crack very easily
Because the danger is always near
It's with you now
But that ain't how it was supposed to be
That it still gives you pain and it still brings tears
And you feel like a fool
Because in spite of your rule
You've got a memory
Because you're following a code of silence
You're never gonna to lose the anger
You just deal with it a different way
And isn't that a kind of madness
To be living by a code of silence
When you've really got a lot to say
This is a simple, clear and direct song about something anyone can feel: a bad or harsh episode in laugh that you try to forget, to blot out, and pretend you have. But it's there and stays there for years. And it may well be smaller than you think in retrospect and over the passage of time. And simply talking about it to someone, voicing it out loud, helps resolve the problem and may demote it from 'horrific moment of my life' to 'a bad thing that happens to others too and it's gone now'.
Wonderful lyrics, truly brilliant. This is far from a superstar/fame song.
Code Of Silence was basically a Cyndi Lauper penned-song that Billy Joel performed. He was on a writers block and needed to complete a few more tracks so he could cut The Bridge and had Cyndi Lauper assist him on completing the song. She also sang some vocals on the song, but it was essentially a Cyndi Lauper song in DNA with some Billy Joel lyrics. The story of the song in terms of lyrics are about someone who is bottling in their secrets or aspects of their life, when it may be better to live truthfully. The song has often been described as "labored" but I personally have always enjoyed it, even if it is more than likely a filler track on an 80s Joel album.
I see this as possibly coming from the perspective of a people pleaser who was in a relationship with someone who has uncaring/narcissistic/abusive tendencies and is afraid to go through it again:
But you've been through it once You know how it ends You don't see the point Of going through it again
This is how many people in this situation feel when they've been mentally beaten down over and over in a relationship. They just decide to shut down and not talk, because they feel the "punishment" isn't worth them speaking up, and that's something that can follow them even after a relationship has ended (hence the code of silence . . . something they feel ashamed about and feel they need to hide):
To be living by a code of silence When you've really got a lot to say
And then when Billy sings:
What you went through It's something you Should be over now
It sounds like something the toxic partner would say to the person. Or the people pleaser is beating themselves up thinking they should be over it by now.
"Because it's part of your rules" is wrong and should be "Because in spite of your rules".
When you become a SUPERSTAR, and everybody recognizes you; When they dig in your dirt to find out who knows what, there is still a small private garden they can't step on. This very tiny intimate part no one can put their hands on, needs a code of silence.
He speaks of anger, of danger, of madness, of mistakes you had to pay for. No man can live like this.
To be a public person must be tough to live with, that's the reason why Stars live in fortresses surrounded by electrified walls, or worse -> they lose ilussion, say their famous last words and leave away.
I think this song is about child abuse and/or sexual abuse, that someone would feel better if they could talk about it but they can't because it's too painful, embarrassing, etc.
I think this song is about child abuse and/or sexual abuse, that someone would feel better if they could talk about it but they can't because it's too painful, embarrassing, etc.
Code Of Silence was basically a Cyndi Lauper penned-song that Billy Joel performed. He was on a writers block and needed to complete a few more tracks so he could cut The Bridge and had Cyndi Lauper assist him on completing the song. She also sang some vocals on the song, but it was essentially a Cyndi Lauper song in DNA with some Billy Joel lyrics. The story of the song in terms of lyrics are about someone who is bottling in their secrets or aspects of their life, when it may be better to live truthfully. The song has...
Code Of Silence was basically a Cyndi Lauper penned-song that Billy Joel performed. He was on a writers block and needed to complete a few more tracks so he could cut The Bridge and had Cyndi Lauper assist him on completing the song. She also sang some vocals on the song, but it was essentially a Cyndi Lauper song in DNA with some Billy Joel lyrics. The story of the song in terms of lyrics are about someone who is bottling in their secrets or aspects of their life, when it may be better to live truthfully. The song has often been described as "labored" but I personally have always enjoyed it, even if it is more than likely a filler track on an 80s Joel album.