Billy Joel – Only The Good Die Young lyrics

Billy Joel – Only The Good Die Young lyrics

Come out Virginia, don't let me wait
You Catholic girls start much too late
Aw But sooner or later it comes down to fate
I might as well be the one

Well, They showed you a statue, told you to pray
They built you a temple and locked you away
But they never told you the price that you pay,
Things that you might have done...
Only the good die young
That's what I said
Only the good die young x2

You might have heard I run with a dangerous crowd
We ain't too pretty we ain't too proud
We might be laughing a bit too loud
Aw But that never hurt no one

So come on Virginia show me a sign
Send up a signal I'll throw you the line
The stained-glass curtain you're hiding behind
Never lets in the sun
Darlin' only the good die young
(Woah x5)
I tell ya
Only the good die young x2

You got a nice white dress and a party on your Confirmation
You got a brand new soul
Mmmm, And a Cross of gold
But Virginia they didn't give you quite enough information
You didn't count on me
When you were counting on your Rosary
(Oh woah woah)

They say there's a Heaven for those who will wait
Some say it's better but I say it ain't
I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints
The sinners are much more fun...

You know that only the good die young
Oh woah baby
I tell ya
Only the good die young, X2

You say your mother told you all that I could give you was a reputation
Aww She never cared for me
But did she ever say a prayer for me? Oh woah woah

Come out come out come out Virgina don't let me wait,
You Catholic girls start much too late
Sooner or later it comes down to fate
I might as well be the one,
You know that only the good die young

I'm telling you baby
You know that only the good die young
Only the good die young
Only the gooooooooooooooood
Only the good die young
Only the gooooooooooooooood
Only the good die young
Ooo ooo ooo...

(Only the good die young) x2

Lyrics taken from /lyrics/b/billy_joel/only_the_good_die_young.html

Songwriters: Billy Joel

Only The Good Die Young lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group

Corrected by Jabbathehutman

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+ 4
Unregistered 2012-01-12 00:16:21

I am now becoming very strong in my catholic faith, and yet this song remains probably my favorite song of all times. When I didn't really believe what the church was telling me I listened to this song and fist pumped my opposition to those around me basically saying that billy joel is right, what the heck lets live our lives. Now, as a strong catholic, I listen to this song and think to myself. Rock on virginia. She's not fooled by the devil tugging at her feet, but remains an awesome catholic because she knows the true meanings behind the excuses to "come out" being thrown at her. I love it!

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+ 3
Unregistered 2012-02-15 16:59:12

Oh, for heaven's sake. The song is about s**. It's a typical "good girl/bad boy" song, a la uptown girl. Virginia comes from a strict "good" family, while the boy, presumably joel, is a "hood," from the wrong side of the tracks. But he likes her anyway, and I think she likes him, but can't let herself go all the way due to her upbringing. Think sandy and danny in "grease. "
the chorus about "laughing with the sinners instead of crying with the saints" is him telling her you're only young once, so you might as well enjoy it. And, "sooner or later it comes down to fate, i might as well be the one. " come on, if that isn't a (bad!) pickup line! Lol!

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+ 2
Unregistered 2013-11-22 17:30:31

Many of you are over-thinking this. You had to grow up during the time that Billy Joel did to get it. In those days "good girls" didn't have s**. It also came on the heels of a time when the memory of sweeping epidemics taking many young lives. The saying "only the good die young" was used to console parents that their lost child was taken because he or she was too good for earth and God wanted them in heaven. Billy didn't make it up, he just borrowed it. In the song, the singer is very simply trying to convince "Virgin"ia that she could avoid an untimely death by allowing him to be her first (it comes down to fate). Believe me, guys back then used less convincing arguments to seduce a "good girl."

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+ 2
Unregistered 2012-04-05 00:49:32

Who ever posted on jan 11th on 7: 16 P. M. I am absolutly with you. On all that you said. I am catholic and was devout. But I am currently in my rebelious period against the church beliefs which I understand most people go through. This song is about a girl who went out with this guy but has been confirmed and has seen the light of god and when the guy comes knocking she sees him in a new light and when he asks to sleep with her she refuses taking a stand against the sin relying on her faith to make her strong and it does. This shall always be one of my favorites by joel. At the current moment I'm "fist pumping" my opposition to those arround me while my mother hates the song and covers our fridge with the ten comandments, the be-attitudes, and the corporal/ merciful works of mercy, and pictures of popes, mother theresa, and prayers. And while I'm rebelious I understand what my faith means.

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+ 1
Unregistered 2012-04-23 02:21:42

Well it seems pretty straight forward: he wants to have get with a catholic girl. Bam. His reasoning is that only the good die young, so why not have a little fun, eh? Of course the name "virginia" means pure. I think it's a pretty funny song, also considering my name is virginia and I am catholic and I did indeed get a nice white dress and a party on my confirmation. Lolz.

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+ 1
Unregistered 2012-03-18 01:31:38

The song is about good ol' billy trying to get this sweet catholic girl to let him take her virginity. Thus the name "virginia" is a play on the word virginia. In the end she doesn't give in and billy walks away with blue balls. All of you suspicious types postulating that the song refers to satan and/or the antichrist; well you are beyond hope. Just go back to burning books and homosexuals.

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