Music Blog

Success: It Don’t Come Easy

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for Song Lyric Sunday –
Inescapable Concept of Time.
Here’s how the theme inspired me.

© Pinterest

This week in Song Lyric Sunday, Jim Adams’ theme is “Inescapable Concept of Time” and our challenge is to write about a song that includes the words “yesterday”, “today” or “tomorrow”. Here’s some information about one of my favorite artists who happens to hail from my hometown.

I’ve had the great pleasure of seeing Billy Joel perform in concert as well as simply spotting him working on his boat or hanging out with locals at Salivar’s on the docks in Montauk. He is one of the most “real” and down-to-earth big name performers and a truly nice guy. Fame never went to Billy Joel’s head …. and it almost escaped him entirely.

Known as the “Piano Man” after his signature song of the same name, Billy Joel is a singer, songwriter and piano player extraordinaire. Joel, born in 1949 in The Bronx, NY, enjoys a hugely successful career yet holds fast to his humble hometown roots. Known for his love of boating and sport fishing the waters off Long Island, NY, Billy Joel is a longtime supporter of local anglers and the sport of Long Island fishing.

Professionally, from 1971 to 1993, Billy Joel released 12 studio albums spanning the genres of pop and rock. In 1973, he released “Piano Man”; the song is based on his real-life experiences as a lounge musician in Los Angeles from 1972 to 1973. With over 160 million records sold worldwide, he is one of the world’s best-selling music artists and is the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the United States.

Joel began a concert residency at Madison Square Garden in 2014, playing one concert a month until July 25, 2024, after an incredible 10 years and 150 shows.  Recently, Billy Joel was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) …. a condition where excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the brain, causing a triad of symptoms: gait disturbance (balance issues), urinary incontinence, and dementia-like cognitive problems. The condition is treatable, often with a surgical shunt to drain the fluid. After his diagnosis, doctors strongly advised him to cancel his tour dates to focus on treatment and recovery, which he did. Joel assured fans he is not “deathly ill” and is working with doctors and physical therapists on his condition, looking forward to the day he can perform again. We’re all looking forward to that day. Get well soon, Billy!

Success did not come easy to Billy Joel, despite his amazing talent. Bad management and poor judgement are just two reasons his road to success was so difficult and lengthy. The song “Tomorrow Is Today” is a dark, personal composition from his 1971 debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, written after a period of intense depression and a 1970 suicide attempt involving drinking furniture polish. It was Joel’s second attempt at suicide; when he woke in the hospital, all he could think about was what a screw up he was that he couldn’t even succeed at killing himself. The lyrics analyze his despair and belief that his life would not improve, using lines from his own suicide note, such as “Made my bed, now I’m gonna lie in it”. Joel considered the song a “suicide note” rather than a traditional composition, reflecting his feeling of monotony and an unwillingness to dream of a better future.

I can’t imagine a world without Billy Joel’s music.
 

This is “Tomorrow Is Today” by Billy Joel.


LYRICS

I’ve been livin’ for the moment
But I just can’t have my way
And I’m afraid to go to sleep
‘Cause tomorrow is today

People tell me life is sweeter
But I don’t hear what they say
Nothing comes to change my life
So tomorrow is today

I don’t care to know the hour
‘Cause it’s passing anyway
I don’t have to see tomorrow
‘Cause I saw it yesterday

So I listen for an answer
But the feeling seems to stay
And what’s the use of always dreaming
If tomorrow is today, oh

Well, I’m waiting for the morning
But it feels so far away
And you don’t need the love I’m giving
So tomorrow is today

Oh, my, I’m goin’ to the river
Gonna take a ride and the lord will deliver me
Made my bed, I’m gonna lie in it
If you don’t come, sure gonna die in it
Too late, too much given
Seen a lot of life and I’m damn sick of livin’ it
I keep hopin’ that you will
Pass my way
And some day if your dreams are leavin’ you
I’ll still believe in you

I don’t care to know the hour
‘Cause it’s passing anyway
I don’t have to see tomorrow
‘Cause I saw it yesterday

Though I’m living and I’m singing
And although my hands still play
Soon enough it will all be over
‘Cause tomorrow is today

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Billy Joel
Tomorrow Is Today lyrics © Impulsive Music, Tinker Street Tunes

Inescapable Concept of Time

Big thanks to Jim Adams for hosting another great Song Lyric Sunday this week and every week. Be sure to follow the link and check out Jim’s site.

Thanks for stopping by and listening to a good tune.

That’s all she wrote, kids. See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2025

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.

51 thoughts on “Success: It Don’t Come Easy”

  8. Nancy, I saw Billy on Colbert awhile back and he was talking about his residency at MSG, which he was still doing at that time. So sorry to hear about his current health status and hoping the treatments he gets will have him back at the piano.

    I knew nothing about Billy’s mental health struggles. This song is painful to listen to knowing it was a suicide note. He expresses the hopelessness perfectly, the feeling of being trapped. I’m glad he was able to find a way out of the prison. You’re right, a world without Billy and his music is unthinkable. His music has kept me company many an hour. I’ve listened the grooves off of his The Stranger album.

    You are blessed to see him in his element out at his boats in the marina.

    Great write-up on a great song for this prompt.

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    1. Thanks very much, Lisa. I know I’ve been talking a lot about the HBO documentary, but if you have not seen it, I encourage you to do so. I thought I knew a lot about Billy Joel; there’s an incredible amount of “stuff” I never knew or even suspected. What a life, both as a child and as an adult. It’s well worth viewing; Billy is the narrator and there’s a ton of music and good laughs as well as the more serious side. Thank you for your gracious and in-depth comments today. I appreciate them.

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  13. I’ve never really listened to Billy Joel, other than Uptown Girl, …Nancy, … but this one was a real eye-opener, … plus the info you’ve given, shines a light on his background story and character, … I’ll definitely be listening more, …🎶….💙

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  14. This song has always stood out for how starkly different it is in its mood that it was from the rest of Billy Joel’s music, but it fits the theme perfectly.  I imagine that you have actually had regular conversations with him, Nancy which is really cool.

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    1. Spot on analysis of this song, Jim. As gorgeous as this song is, it takes on a vastly different tone than his others. This is dark and heavy.
      I won’t lie, Jim …. as much as I’d love to sit and talk with Billy Joel for hours, I wouldn’t. I’m not one of his cronies from back in the day; I’m truly just a fan who happened to be in the same place at the same time …. for 35+ summers! We’ve had small and short exchanges but never anything about fame, music or his personal life. Bill has “fish talked”, which is always a safe bet.
      Thanks for a great comment and for another wonderful theme. I truly enjoy myself here!

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      1. I only went fishing twice in my life, so other than asking him what he was planning on catching, or where his favorite fishing spot was, I wouldn’t know what to say to him. I am really glad that you like this challenge so much, as I think you have great taste in music.

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        1. Fishing is a fantastic hobby and it’s more of a workout than people think, especially if you’re in a boat on the ocean as opposed to sitting on a dock in a lake. Bill has been fishing since he was a toddler and has never lost his love of the sport, especially when he can psyche out the fish! These days it’s usually catch & release, but when he does bring home his catch, it’s always good eating!

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  15. A wonderful, heartfelt post Nancy. Thanks for sharing this beautiful song. It does read sadly like a suicide note 😢 I also thank you for an update on his medical condition. I am so relieved that he can get the right treatment for a very scary prognosis. When I first heard about it, it sounded dreadful and unsurmountable. 💗💗

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    1. Thanks for your wonderfully kind and gracious comments, Christine. If you saw the HBO documentary about Billy, you know how rough the road was for him. I thought I knew all about him; I was shocked, thinking that everything just came his way because of his immense talent. How could anyone overlook that? His story is an incredible one and I’m happy to share. Much like you, I feared the worst upon hearing his diagnosis. I’m hoping for his full recovery. Thanks again, Christine. ♡

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  16. A beautifully informative post, Nancy. I knew he had a rough time getting started but I didn’t know he suffered like this, or that he is currently ill. I, too, can’t imagine a world without his music. Thanks!

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    1. Thank you, Dan. I’m so pleased to know you’re a Bill Joel fan, too! If you haven’t seen the HBO documentary, “And So It Goes”, try to catch it. It’s very well done, full of true info about Billy (he’s narrating) and a ton of music …. very worthwhile viewing. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a lovely comment. Thanks!

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    1. Thank you, DM (sorry I don’t know your name). There are performers; then there are showmen. Billy Joel is definitely the latter. His concerts are life experiences …. and what an incredible talent! I’m glad you got to see two of New York’s finest in concert together. Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

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    1. If I was told I could only listen to one performer’s music for the rest of my life, I would choose Billy Joel without hesitation. He is the consummate artist with an immensely varied catalog. His music speaks to me and can change my mood in minutes. I’ve seen many groups during my life and heard countless others; besides the Beatles, Billy Joel tops the list. Thanks for your comments, Jodi.

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