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.

This song is obviously recreating a memory for Van, before the fame, the adulations, and becoming who he wanted to be. its clearly painting a picture for the listener, what he's life was like, and in that regard its lovely and honest music. Now, when it comes to the meaning of this song, it is hauntingly beautiful. Saying that cleaning windows is anyones dream would be a flat out lie, and thats why we get the "whats my line" like hes in a play.. ah, yes, thats what he was supposed to say: "im happy cleaning windows". he has to remind himself that hes happy doing what he does. But, he's also saying that he takes his time, and he'll see you when his love grows. Well, he has a goal to become a musician, but he's in no rush, he'll meet his success in music, when his increasing love/dedication for it makes it inevitable. "Babe, dont let it slide, im a working man in my prime" - he reminds himself to have faith in his journey. Telling his love, (music in this case, wich he calls babe) that it shouldnt let this oppurtunity slide, hes a working man in his prime. Confidence, hes the right person for the job, music better recognize it. He also brings up musical influences, and books on zen. Stating again the interest in music, and trying to find peace in the journey. There is also enjoyment where hes at, the bakery, the saxophone, the memories, they are looked back at fondly. Making this song a tribute to the process, and most importantly, enjoying the process of acheiving any goal in life. Thats why the tune is so cheerful, because enjoying the process and patience, is the most important thing. Its almost like its saying to you, the listener, that you should enjoy the process of whatever your goal is right now! One of my favorite tunes ever! Now, the numbers, 36 and 126, they can be just numbers on the windows/street/flat(counting). They dont need to be anything else. Had a hard time finding any other reason behind them, but why say such random numbers in the first place? I found something that would make somewhat sense: Van was very spiritual in his lyrics throughout the 70's and 80's, and has many songs influenced by this(full force gale, dweller on the threshold, when god shines his light), so he could be refering to something biblical. Psalm 126 (at the very end, when the picture is painted) - it employs a methaphor for saying that God makes joy out of sorrow, laughter out of tears, etc. So it might be a reference to that God is within this process, or enjoying the process, is enjoying what god has made, a beautiful struggle. Psalm 36 (after the first chorus) - is basicly saying you should trust in gods enduring love and justice, or he takes care of those who do. Could be just a reference to having trust.

The word "wonderwall" means "the person you constantly find yourself thinking about". This song is simply about the feelings human beings get when they experience the initial stages of love and infatuation (limerence). It describes the volleying between euphoria and agony that a crush can make you feel. In other words, the song "Wonderwall" is basically about the butterflies you get in your stomach when your crush walks into the room and the thoughts that stem from those feelings. "Today is gonna be the day That they're gonna throw it back to you" > He's saying today is your opportunity to express your love. You're going to be in the presence of your secret crush, and you better make your move. "By now you should've somehow Realized what you gotta do" >He's saying that it's obvious you need to approach your crush and tell them how you feel. There's no other way. Silence leads to nothing. This, of course, is much easier said than done, due to fear of rejection. "I don't believe that anybody Feels the way I do, about you now" >He's saying that nobody else in the world could possibly have stronger feelings toward this person at this exact moment in time. His crush is the only thing that's on his mind. From the moment he wakes up until he goes to sleep. He's infatuated with his crush. "Back beat, the word was on the street That the fire in your heart is out" >His crush has been hurt so badly by relationships in the past, that he fears cynicism will ruin his odds at casting the spell that will capture his crush's heart. "I'm sure you've heard it all before But you never really had a doubt" >He's certain his crush has been through it all in the past. She's entered relationships without second guessing and has been hurt because of it. He's afraid that this will scare her away from him. "I don't believe that anybody Feels the way I do about you now" >He's saying that nobody else in the world could possibly have stronger feelings toward this person at this exact moment in time. His crush is the only thing that's on his mind. From the moment he wakes up until he goes to sleep. He's infatuated with his crush. "And all the roads we have to walk are winding And all the lights that lead us there are blinding" >Relationships are so complicated and hard to obtain and maintain "There are many things that I Would like to say to you but I don't know how" >He means exactly what is stated. He has so many things to say to his crush but is afraid to open his mouth and express his feelings because he fears rejection. "Because maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me And after all, you're my wonderwall" >It is possible that getting into a relationship with his crush will cure his loneliness and sadness and make him truly happy. "Today was gonna be the day But they'll never throw it back to you" >In retrospect, he missed his opportunity to express his love. He remained silent and the opportunity to show his love is now gone. It's too late. "By now you should've somehow Realized what you're not to do' >In retrospect, he realizes remaining silent and holding his feelings inside was the wrong thing to do, because now he is left wondering what could have been and it kills him inside. "I don't believe that anybody Feels the way I do, about you now" >Still, he does not believe it is possible for anyone else on the planet to love her as much as he does, even though he was to scared of rejection to express his feelings. "And all the roads that lead you there are winding And all the lights that light the way are blinding" >Relationships are so complicated and hard to obtain and maintain. "There are many things that I Would like to say to you but I don't know how" >He means exactly what is stated. He has so many things to say to his crush but is afraid to open his mouth because he fears rejection. "I said maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me And after all, you're my wonderwall" >It is still possible that getting into a relationship with his crush will cure his loneliness and sadness and make him truly happy. "I said maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me And after all, you're my wonderwall" >It is still possible that getting into a relationship with his crush will cure his loneliness and sadness and make him truly happy. "I said maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me You're gonna be the one that saves me You're gonna be the one that saves me" >He's now simply holding on to the fantasy that him and his crush will one day be together.

This song is about fulfilling your dreams, fantasizing, wishing to fall in love, and realizing that even if this happens, it might not be as heavenly as the TV makes it out to be... "we all want to be big stars...we don't know why." the ultimate moral to me is to enjoy the time you have in life, no matter what it may be, and learn to appreciate the beauty right in front of you

High life