Song: Tomorrow is Today Album: Cold Spring Harbor (1971) (1983) Oh boy, there is a lot going on here and it goes way beyond “Is this a good song?” so let me get the easy part out of the way. This is not a great song but it’s not terrible either. Its got more going for it than it has against it and after “She’s Got A Way” it’s the most notable song on “Cold Spring Harbor” but it ultimately fails. “Tomorrow is Today” is notable for three reasons: • It is the first time as a listener that I feel like Billy Joel is revealing something about himself.

• It might be the last unguarded moment in Billy Joel’s career and possibly his life. • The song is based on a suicide note that Billy is said to have left after attempting to take his own life in 1970. According to Joel’s version of events, he was unhappy about a romantic relationship and he attempted to take his own life by drinking furniture polish. Over the years Joel has downplayed this suicide attempt but consuming poisonous chemicals, even if it was just for show, is a sign of someone in trouble and the lyrics to this song reflect the desperation and hurt he was feeling. In that sense, “Tomorrow is Today” is our introduction into the often bleak inner world of Billy Joel. There are good things about this song: the lyrics are evocative and interesting, the melody is the best on the record.

Jul 07, 2008 Billy Joel's 'Tomorrow is Today' from Cold Spring Harbor.

Billy’s piano and the rest of the arrangement (including orchestration*) is pretty good. * Note: This orchestration was removed from the remastered version. So why haven’t I told you that this is a great song? Because I’ve only described the first half of it. For the first two minutes and 30 seconds this song is a young Billy Joel’s “Yesterday” and then something goes wrong. Around the 2:30 mark, the orchestration stops and Billy breaks the song down to it barest elements. The piano, which had been soft and intimate becomes heavier and Billy’s voice gets noticeably deeper while the volume increases and he sings about the Lord and going down to the river.

This part of the song can charitably be described as “Billy Soul” and less charitably as: It sounds like he’s channeling Adam Sandler’s singing voice or Axl Rose when he sang “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” 15 seconds later the drums kick in, and then the are horns and the strings are back! Then Billy’s voice begins to SOAR and for a few seconds it seems like the kid has turned things aroundbut he hasn’t. The music heads back to where it began and Billy’s voice and piano get’s quiet again. We’re back at the sadly beautiful song we knew for the first two and a half minutes and then it’s over. Billy is still sad and I’m confused by the false happy ending. Tomtom Karten Crack Anleitung Schneeflocke. As for happy endings this song did have one, sort of. Cara Mengganti Boot Animation Galaxy Y S5360. The relationship problems that drove a young Billy Joel to attempt to take his life were overcome.

Billy eventually married the girl he once drank furniture polish over and later wrote “I Love You Just The Way You Are” for her. In 1978 it won the Grammy for song of the year. They divorced in 1982. It seems that just when it looks like Billy is going to be okay, he surprises you.

*I don’t ever want to take suicide attempts lightly but since Billy Joel thankfully survived and went on to live another 42 years (and counting) I think it’s okay to ask this question: How would we feel about Joy Division if Ian Curtis committed suicide by drinking furniture polish? Perhaps differently. To take this a step further, how would we feel about other musicians who died young if they died from drinking furniture polish? I’m guessing we’d still think Jim Morrison was a total dick but we might feel a little more kindly towards GG Allin.