This song explores themes of love, desire, and the complexities of human connection through combining various Elvis Presley song titles and lyrics to create a story about a passionate but tumultuous relationship. The use of referring to iconic Elvis songs helps evoke feelings of nostalgia and longing, while also being a tribute to one of the band's many Western influences. The track paints a picture that love is passionate, chaotic, and filled with conflicting emotions. Despite its difficulties and uncertainties, an underlying desire for the relationship to endure is buried deep within. The songs referenced throughout are "Sweet Caroline," a famous Neil Diamond song, "How Great Thou Art," "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck," "A Big Hunk o' Love," "Suspicious Minds," "Such a Night," "Devil in Disguise," "Midnight," "Rubberneckin'," "Heartbreak Hotel," Eddy Arnold's song "Make the World Go Away," "If You Talk in Your Sleep," "That's the Way It Is" and the Broadway musical "Man of La Mancha," and "Stranger in My Own Hometown."

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.

He reuses the verse melody from the previous album's "Dirty Little Religion", the topics of the verses are all over the place, and he packs too many words into one line (goes to show...) and too few in another (it's pretty hard to find), and rhymes "Henley Regatta" with "Persona non grata", but gets away with it all as only he could.

He certainly did earn that reputation.