MUSIC | WRITING
Morrissey vs. Billy Joel: Who Wrote the Best Line?
A deep dive into the layers of subtle meaning in song lyrics
As a moody, literary outsider who came of musical age in the mid-80s, I might be expected to identify with Morrissey, at least prior to his unfortunate ‘racist old man shouts at clouds’ incarnation.
Billy Joel, rather less so. His irruption into my consciousness came through the hit singles off the Innocent Man LP. A concept album homage to the musical styles of his youth, I am now reliably informed. At the time, the concept seemed to be ‘creepy, smarmy, middle-aged crooner tries to pretend he’s a young stud — eeeww!’.
Over the years, just as Morrissey has dug himself deeper into the pit of contempt with every petulant performance at the “National Front Disco,” so Billy Joel has risen in my estimation. I discovered earlier works like “Captain Jack,” and above all “Piano Man,” and realised why he was awarded the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Not only for his musicianship, but also his ability to paint an intricately detailed and psychologically compelling narrative in his lyrics.
At this point, it’s sounding like W. M. Joel has the momentum going into the song-smithing head-to-head against S.P. Morrissey. But before we get there…
