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November 19, 2004
Sex, Drugs & Billy Joel
If you possess an undying passion for pop culture, you must read Chuck Klosterman's Sex, Drugs, And Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto. This man is brilliant, analyzing topics like Saved By The Bell, The Real World and The Empire Strikes Back to unparalleled depths.
In my favorite chapter, he muses on piano man Billy Joel. His essential theory is that Billy Joel is a man so uncool that he's cool. His musical genius lies in his personal mediocrity.
No truer words have ever been said about this Long Island maestro.
Klosterman's analysis got me thinking about Billy Joel's application to my own life. While I wouldn't claim myself to be a huge fan (see "uncool" paragraph above), his music has always been pervasive.
What's particularly interesting is how his music has evolved for me personally. I've never had just one favorite Billy Joel song. In fact, what I would categorize as my favorite Billy Joel song has changed quite frequently over time:
Age 7 - Allentown (inspiring; reminds me of grandparents)
Age 12 - Just The Way You Are (puberty + JTWYA song = irony)
Age 16 - Don't Ask Me Why (spanish flavor)
Age 17 - My Life (sick of parents; need to leave nest)
Age 19 - Only The Good Die Young (the religion debate)
Age 28 - The Stranger (?)
With other bands or artists I love, I find a favorite song and stick with it. My favorite Beastie Boys song has pretty much always been "So What'cha Want." Favorite Steely Dan song, "Don't Take Me Alive." Favorite Clash song "Train In Vain." But not Billy...
I can only believe that Billy Joel seeped through my skin when I was a young girl, and has remained there ever since, changing and growing with me. Kinda like DNA.
Posted by Michele at November 19, 2004 02:09 PM
