Code Of Silence Lyrics

Lyric discussion by pimpernel 

Cover art for Code Of Silence lyrics by Billy Joel

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.

My Interpretation