Song of the Night (#10) Billy Joel - Captain Jack

Now *this* is a great Billy Joel song. Not the overheard sing-along that's Piano Man, nor the annoyingly upbeat Only the Good Die Young. In my mind, Joel is at his best when performing songs of heart-breaking honesty. Despite its fame and renown as a radio-staple, Captain Jack strikes me as so much more potent in mood and expression than Piano Man.

You could make a very good argument that Piano is mired in the same level of despair and restlessness that pervades Captain Jack. And much as I can't stand Piano Man, I have to admit it that it's catchiness merits its reverence as a 70's Pop treasure. But the working-class lamentations that featured in Piano Man can't really compare to Captain Jack's drug-addicted loser. This is a deadbeat whose life is so empty, so pointless that his meeting with the titular dealer is his only excitement.

Yet the downer mood several times gives way to an uplifting and powerful chorus. It's hard to listen to this wash of excitement without a grin, without feeling a high of your own. The mood of this roaring, lively break is deceptive; the soaring guitar and vocal hooks are as fleeting and devastating as a cocaine rush. But goddamn if it isn't incredible while it's there.

And then it's gone. All that's left is the withdrawal captured by the forlorn piano and sad-sack keyboard, the guitar petering out. Reality sets in with each and every one of the junkie's encounters (save the most important one). Throughout it all, Joel vocally knocks it out of the park, going from resignation and mockery to roaring excitement.

The broken dreamers in Piano Man are heart-felt in their appreciation of the eponymous performer, encouraged by his heart and adroitness. They would react to Captain Jack's meandering twenty-something with pity and scorn. There is awful tragedy in the sense that there never was, and never will be any hope for him.