This is another Billy Joel song with many historical markers (Much like "We didn't Start the Fire) as well as references to HIS actual life. He says "I'm not ashamed to say the wild boys were my friends" in reference both to the novel/film "The Wild Boys" and as that is about a gay gang it is his real life reference that he got his New York start in the gay community! (As in his bio-theme song Piano Man is about playing in a gay piano bar!)
"Til the music set me on fire" refers to the Hendrix song "come on baby Light my Fire" as is shown by the official video having in the court gallery Jimmy Hendrix as he appeared at Woodstock. (I was there!)
"Matador boots, only Flagg Brothers had them with the Cuban Heels" refers to the typical stage outfit of Sergio Mendez & Brazil 66 as well as bob Cuban and the in men and so much Cuban, Puerto Rican, and South American influence to some of the Billy Joel sound! (Also that the "upscale" shoe store for most stage wear was a store named "Flagg Brothers Shoes" in Brooklyn!) And again in the video we see a reference to "West Side Story" with a dance troupe routine from the play!
The "Shark skin jacket with the velvet collar" is the reference to stage wear of Sha na na who did the referred to song "The Duke of Earl"
The "Red haired girl in a Chevrolet" refers to Lucille Ball and her show "I Love Lucy" being sponsored by Chevrolet and that brought the Cuban sound to him as a child via Desi Arnez (I Love Lucy husband Ricky)
The line "Learned how to dance and still look tough" refers to John Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever" as does the "stick ball" reference, etc.
"Learned about sex, but not enough" is referring to the Aides crisis and those he lost in his life. Also the "good ole day weren't always that good, and tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems" refers to the hit TV show "Happy Days" and it showing that teen struggles are time/era universal.
As I've said, this whole song is his strolls through the events and influences throughout his live up to then and that absorbing everything thrown at you is "keeping the Faith" in the music world. The video has so very many portrayals of icons that it is a whole presentation of it's own to compliment the song! Nowhere in the song does he reference The Supremes yet he shows them in their final stage outfit of gold lame when the judge says "that's not appropriate dress for a courtroom" Watch it and see if you can spot some music icons!
Scotty
This is another Billy Joel song with many historical markers (Much like "We didn't Start the Fire) as well as references to HIS actual life. He says "I'm not ashamed to say the wild boys were my friends" in reference both to the novel/film "The Wild Boys" and as that is about a gay gang it is his real life reference that he got his New York start in the gay community! (As in his bio-theme song Piano Man is about playing in a gay piano bar!) "Til the music set me on fire" refers to the Hendrix song "come on baby Light my Fire" as is shown by the official video having in the court gallery Jimmy Hendrix as he appeared at Woodstock. (I was there!)
"Matador boots, only Flagg Brothers had them with the Cuban Heels" refers to the typical stage outfit of Sergio Mendez & Brazil 66 as well as bob Cuban and the in men and so much Cuban, Puerto Rican, and South American influence to some of the Billy Joel sound! (Also that the "upscale" shoe store for most stage wear was a store named "Flagg Brothers Shoes" in Brooklyn!) And again in the video we see a reference to "West Side Story" with a dance troupe routine from the play! The "Shark skin jacket with the velvet collar" is the reference to stage wear of Sha na na who did the referred to song "The Duke of Earl" The "Red haired girl in a Chevrolet" refers to Lucille Ball and her show "I Love Lucy" being sponsored by Chevrolet and that brought the Cuban sound to him as a child via Desi Arnez (I Love Lucy husband Ricky) The line "Learned how to dance and still look tough" refers to John Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever" as does the "stick ball" reference, etc. "Learned about sex, but not enough" is referring to the Aides crisis and those he lost in his life. Also the "good ole day weren't always that good, and tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems" refers to the hit TV show "Happy Days" and it showing that teen struggles are time/era universal. As I've said, this whole song is his strolls through the events and influences throughout his live up to then and that absorbing everything thrown at you is "keeping the Faith" in the music world. The video has so very many portrayals of icons that it is a whole presentation of it's own to compliment the song! Nowhere in the song does he reference The Supremes yet he shows them in their final stage outfit of gold lame when the judge says "that's not appropriate dress for a courtroom" Watch it and see if you can spot some music icons! Scotty