@AirplayBeats reacts to Billy Joel - Captain Jack Like comment and subscribe patreon.com/user?u=81569817 Airplay Beats 3609 Bradshaw Rd Ste H #337 Sacramento, CA 95827 Www.Airplaybeats.com
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@lorinripley86342 ай бұрын
This is the song that got Billy Joel a record deal with a major label. Played it at a live concert in Philly sponsored by a local radio station. The station put it on frequent play,and the rest is history.
@lespaulguy633 ай бұрын
he's singing about a guy, he is speaking from the perspective of a drug addict and the emotional emptiness, not endorsing heroin
@andrewcole37363 ай бұрын
BJ is not advocating for drug use. He’s writing about a middle-class young man who’s disillusioned and lost and trying to fix himself with fashion and the right car. The young man’s outside doesn’t reflect his true condition which is one of isolation. So he tries to fill the hole in his soul with H. 🕊❤️🎼
@CuriousGeorge1111Ай бұрын
And Joel certainly didn't glamorize it, lol. At the time, it was shocking to hear "masturbate" sung so clearly. Still is.
@georgedolen14863 ай бұрын
Always loved this one. The chorus comes in like a "rush".
@darkmagus643 ай бұрын
In the outro he sings “ captain jack will make you die tonight “. He,s really talking about how destructive using drugs as an escape is to your life.
@mrmiscast3 ай бұрын
Loved this one when I found it on the album... Certainly a surprise from Billy Joel, but then again almost nobody tells a story better than Mr Joel... That entire album is fantastic... A poet indeed... A heroin addicted man-child watching life go by in a dream while escaping reality with "A little push"... You can almost see the person's face, Billy tells the story so well...
@melissaford7173 ай бұрын
My hometown of Philadelphia helped in bringing this song to the masses. In 1972, Billy Joel came to Philly's famed Sigma Sound Studio with audience of about 50 people and played this unreleased ditty live over the airwaves on WMMR (93.3 FM). The late, great 'MMR DJ, Ed Sciaky always played that version and it was so popular here that it is the most requested song in MMR history (they are still going strong) and it got the attention of Clive Davis at Columbia Records 90 miles North of us to notice. And that was all she wrote. That's power my friends. He stopped playing this song live apparently, but he always performs this song for us in Philly, and changes the line to '...ah, there ain't no place to go anyway, except for Phila-delph-i- a'. Thanks for this today guys and take care. Nice review as always 🙂
@CANEsPappa3 ай бұрын
Yes! I remember those days…Billy sang, there ain’t no place to go anyway ‘cept Phil a del phia-y
@CANEsPappa3 ай бұрын
This is my favorite of yours….A joy watching you two react to this classic.
@melissaford7173 ай бұрын
@CANEsPappa Even today, when he got to that line, I sang Philadelphia that exact way. For years, I didn't know it was adlibbed, lol. I saw him 3 times, all in Philly, once with Elton, and he played the song every time with that line. It was awesome to hear. You take care and Go Phils 🤍⚾️❤️
@jeffmiller48323 ай бұрын
WM, WM, WMM….RRRR DiBella in the mornings. WYSP and Q102 were the only stations I listened to when I lived in Jersey (south) up until 1978
@kathiek42393 ай бұрын
Yes!!! I remember that line! Still listen to MMR in the car. 🤓
@kathiek42393 ай бұрын
Do you know why I love you guys so much? Because you GET it. Your appreciation of music borders on religious. The way your faces looked while listening to this song made me almost as happy as the song. Thank you for sharing your love. It really touches this 60 yr old lady. 🫶🫶🫶🤘
@tome22943 ай бұрын
Great song. You're the first I've ever seen react to it. I've been waiting on someone to do it. Glad it was you guys. I'm an old guy (>65) now, but that song was edgy when I was a teenager in the mid 70s. Were old now, but we grew up with some of the best music and live shows.
@anthonygiordano82372 ай бұрын
This song is one of the best Billy Joel is a master composer/musician and is tremendous in person
@davidwilkins59323 ай бұрын
I hope you’ll also feature ‘The Ballad of Billy the Kid’ from this same album. These two tracks really form the basis of this album, despite the airplay success of the title track.
@SoOutrageous3 ай бұрын
You guys stumbled onto a classic. Been a long time since hearing this. Thank you and keep up the great work.
@mjm50813 ай бұрын
WHAT...A...CHORUS!!! One of Billy's best. And that's saying a lot! ❤Billy❤
@amrak50283 ай бұрын
I consider this Billy's Best, This was the Rocker, Billy Joel. Amazing song and production. First Class 70's Classic.
@cweefy3 ай бұрын
Goodnight Saigon will blow your mind
@skydogfan46713 ай бұрын
Arguably Billy Joel’s greatest song. I agree with others. You need to react to his song The Ballad of Billy The Kid.
@stephenhuber12193 ай бұрын
Ballad Of Billy The Kid
@bubabubu60883 ай бұрын
second this also "scenes from an italian restaurant".
@VIDSTORAGE3 ай бұрын
Gosh damn ,,,I remember when this was played on the AOR Stations ..This is raaw Billy Joel
@melvinwomack37173 ай бұрын
Very vivid. there's definitely a message here 😁 Don't be an entitled bum on your parents dime😅
@roevega99023 ай бұрын
Drummer Liberty Devito. He was with Billy for decades.
@melvinwomack37173 ай бұрын
I also thought it was liberty but it's not, either way he's still a awesome drummer
@MrHolmgren1943 ай бұрын
It`s actually Ronnie Tutt that`s playing the drums on the album. Played with Elvis 1969-1977, Neil Diamond, Jerry Garcia and others.
@davidbronstein27453 ай бұрын
Iconic New Yorker, very original sound, his music stands the test of time, founder of Long Island soul (LOL)
@gizmo59253 ай бұрын
One day, back in 1973, I heard this song come on the radio. Do you know what it's like to be a 13 year old boy and hear a song on the radio that mentions masturbation? It freaked me out. It was the first song I'd ever heard by Billy Joel. Even that young, I recognized that the message was illegal drugs mess up your life. I've been a fan ever since.
@wordgiesworld548323 сағат бұрын
I picked up Songs in the Attic as I was discovering Billy Joel. Had it cranked pretty good in my room (I was about 14/15). I was reading the lyrics as the record played but and made a bee line to the turntable to turn it down so mom didn’t hear. Did the same thing with Laura when I picked up Nylon Curtain.
@PK1971PK3 ай бұрын
This album that had "Piano Man" on it was, to many, our introduction to Billy Joel. "Captain Jack" was the long deep cut that was making FM AOR popular in the mid seventies.
@tektoniks_architects3 ай бұрын
From my favorite era of Billy....the earliest years.
@flarrfan3 ай бұрын
And the best way to hear the early years is the live compilation album Songs in the Attic...None of the chart hits, just the best of the early years...
@hopeklemann13 ай бұрын
thank you both for playing this track... everyone always plays just the mainstream stuff and I think this is a very underappreciated track of his.
@sebastianblack65063 ай бұрын
Rock radio in NYC always played this track (back in the day).
@hopeklemann13 ай бұрын
@@sebastianblack6506 I'm a West coaster so that's good to hear I mean I always love the tracks that are not the regular radio play top 20 hits blah
@sebastianblack65063 ай бұрын
@@hopeklemann1 Oh, yeah, I figured that. NYC radio always played extra helpings of Long Island boy Billy and Jersey boy Bruce so certain albums tracks were as well known as their singles.
@pammontano71593 ай бұрын
My favorite Billy Joel song.
@zunbake33 ай бұрын
I think his best. Back in the early 70's my crew knew several Captain Jacks and we lost many of his customers. Joel paints a perfect picture of those times.
@woodyheywood87923 ай бұрын
Awesome reaction Gents...you know your stuff and find all the little "in's and out's" in the music....
@jonathansmith37423 ай бұрын
My favorite Billy Joel tune. Thanks guys. My friend Jack was the Captain of the wrestling team back in HS. We smoked a lot of pot. Captain Jack got me high plenty of times.
@mikebetts20463 ай бұрын
Kind of funny that the subject of the song was down in part to still living at home at age 21. Seems like that age has gotten bumped up a few years these days.
@doriwiljt3 ай бұрын
I saw Billy do this song before he was famous at Stockton college in New Jersey, early 70s
@davespear66623 ай бұрын
Nice!!! My favorite Billy Joel song. Love that you guys did this obscure song. Caption Jack is a drug dealer.
@gregorysheppard21743 ай бұрын
Great song great observation on what captain jack was talking about
@JerseyBA623 ай бұрын
should check out billy joels THE ENTERTAINER.great song n lyrics about being in the music business..
@melvinwomack37173 ай бұрын
I totally agree
@TheGreatGig733 ай бұрын
Still my most emotional Billy Joel song.
@lougiacobbi7253 ай бұрын
Hill: This is Billy's best song. Never got radio play for obvious reasons. But this is him at his best. I remember the album notes described the hook as committing violence, and it comes across that way. All elements together, his best work.
@johnlisonbee64943 ай бұрын
This song was always a high point in the two concerts I was at back in the day!
@seanh48412 ай бұрын
I'm in New Zealand, nice to see a US perspective on things
@oldskool46123 ай бұрын
U made my day, gentlemen. This LP was released in 73. Spent most of my freshman year of HS wearing it out. Still to this day, my favorite Billy Joel album. Another top notch reaction to the turntable of my life. ☝️👍
@SteveCanak3 ай бұрын
Great song. Thanks for sharing this one. Great memories. What an amazing song writer.
@NotStanleyTucci3 ай бұрын
The live version from Songs in the Attic is much better IMO. From that album check “Ballad of Billy the Kid” and “Miami 2017”
@guyprins63403 ай бұрын
Great album, but sorry Dog but you missed it. But yes Captain Jack is heroine . But he isn't an advocate . The loser in the song is that way because he's strungout. Nomatter how bad it gets, that's OK because I'll get high and escape. He's unable to get on with his life. Love your channel ✌️
@blackwolf60823 ай бұрын
Totally agree. He was singing rhetorically and not advocating
@m.gideonhoyle4093 ай бұрын
The live version on Songs in the Attic is also killer...
@mjm50813 ай бұрын
❤
@brandonjones13493 ай бұрын
In my top 3 Billy songs. Fire. Thnx AP 🏴☠️☘️
@paulniemiec31653 ай бұрын
You guys are easily one of the best reaction channels going 🔥
@karenmandeville71163 ай бұрын
he's a kid in an upper class family whose life is so empty.
@bonya45853 ай бұрын
If you like is fast piano react to “Angry Young Man” live video performance. He is the man!
@ShadPJGrunge3 ай бұрын
My favorite Billy Joel song! He’s talking about heroine but capt Jack is the dealer I believe. Billy was in his bag musically with this song!
@znbwlr3 ай бұрын
Captain Jack can make you die tonight...
@jkdrizz3 ай бұрын
I actually interpret this not as singing about one specific person but that each verse describes a characteristics of people that seek shelter themselves from their reality.
@tjmasson10133 ай бұрын
Just a “ little push “ is the needle. Whole song goes hard lyrically Billy is from my neighborhood. Dudes legend in NY
@rickward4603 ай бұрын
"Just a little push and you'll be smiling." 😳
@cwhumble33 ай бұрын
Always heard this as a cautionary tale against drugs besides being a great song. And since you’re doing an Elton John/Billy Joel back to back - I’ve always seen them as kind of the English/American versions of each other.
@tireshredderjoe88943 ай бұрын
Billy Joel is one of the greatest artists ever.
@CuriousGeorge11113 ай бұрын
Oh my that was great! "Just a little push, and you'll be smiling". Thanks I needed that. Early Joel is some of my favorite Joel--blasting out the songs he's been writing for a lifetime, at the top of his youthful bravado, with everything to prove. I recommend his great live album--Songs In the Attic--where, with the resources of an established musician, he re-performs songs from his early career that he thought he could do better. The results are stunning--the brilliance of youth, polished with the wisdom of age. Not a clinker on the album, but Miami 2020 is a favorite. Thanks!
@markbarnwell9423 ай бұрын
i really love this tune and i dont think billy has ever been this dark again,
@alansmith76263 ай бұрын
Thanks guys, I havent heard this inmany years...still works....one of his better ones I believe...Thanks for bein you and doin what ya do...keep on
@scruffyroses27963 ай бұрын
It's a guy. One of his best songs & very Long Island.
@DixieBlue3 ай бұрын
*VERY* Long Island 😁❤
@paulwebster34173 ай бұрын
Billy was just different and amazing.
@mr.thomas6072Ай бұрын
He's talking about a guy. He's a teenager, a lonely teenager who becomes a lonely adult that has found his solice in heroin. Jack "the captain" is his Dope dealer. Back in the day we called them "Pushers" The song is Guinus. Yeah
@Beatlejamie3 ай бұрын
You missed the chorus at the end… “Captain Jack will make you die tonight“ He’s definitely not advocating for heroin use
@kbrewski13 ай бұрын
The song is about a well to do or suburban loser male who is drug addicted (heroin was called smack). The dealer who supplies him is Captain Jack. Not sure how you thought it was about a girl. The kid has no life, no dreams, he sits at home and jacks off, he waits for the call from his dealer Capt Jack (see Dr Wu, Steely Dan). He makes treks to Greenwich Village and watches all the weirdos and addicts. And as if his life isn't bad enough, his Dad is found dead in the swimming pool (suicide?). Its Billy on the real dark side of life. If I recall, a lot of radio stations refused to play this.
@melvinwomack3717Ай бұрын
You are correct
@paxonearth3 ай бұрын
I knew the live version from the Songs in the Attic album years before I ever heard the studio version. I definitely prefer the energy of the live version, but they're both great.
@MrRondonmon3 ай бұрын
Always my Fav. Billy Joel song. This song made him famous, he played this live on a Philly station, his records was not doing that good, and the whole Philly, to New York/DC corridor was calling in to get their DJs to play this song. This is an *ANTI-DRUG SONG* he is painting a picture of losers who use drugs. Talking about Heroin addicts. Captain Jack is "The Pusher". So, this was before he became famous, then after he becomes pretty famous, he played it some, in the 70s, but by the time the 80s got here and he was older, I think he didn't want to sing about MASTERBATING, 🤣so that's why you only know this if you were born in the 60s and maybe early 70s.
@AttackChefDennis3 ай бұрын
My favorite version of this song is the live version thats on the Songs in the Attic live album, definitely worth a good listen to all the way through. To me, many of the songs I only want the version on this album.
@ritar69973 ай бұрын
Absolutely agree 😊
@Friend_Of_The_Muse3 ай бұрын
Billy's Beatle influence showing on this one. Production wise it sounds like it could be off Abbey Road
@StormyPeak3 ай бұрын
I was a teen back in the 1970's and back then I think the most common 'hard' drug most people knew about was heroin. So, I think most people figured the song was about heroin use...also 'getting jacked, or getting jacked up' were words used when talking about heroin use, and making the leap to 'Captain Jack'...to me and my friends, must meant that the word Captain...meant it was the drug of choice for that person.
@jpmnewyork3 ай бұрын
This was the latest Billy Joel album when I was at my college radio station. The program director or music director or somebody had not only written all over the cover "DO NOT PLAY' regarding this song, they had physically scratched the track to make it unplayable. I had heard the song and loved it. But I was always under the impression what they objected to was the word "masturbate." The drug aspect never even occurred to me! Guess I wasn't too bright.
@ritar69973 ай бұрын
Thanks, guys! In this case the live version from Songs in the Attic is way better 😊
@ronhuycke2 ай бұрын
Actually needle park Amsterdam. It is about junkies
@brianmasinelli96943 ай бұрын
Hell yeah! Nice pick. The live at Madison Square garden version is one of the greatest live versions of any song
@kylekost89473 ай бұрын
There is a live (and better in my opinion) version on the "Songs in the Attic" album. That album is definitely worth a listen. Live versions of some of his older songs that weren't necessarily hits but were great songs.
@me-nk6joАй бұрын
This song is amazing live
@MilosDaddy3 ай бұрын
This is the first Billy Joel song I ever heard. They played it on my local FM AOR radio station. I was impressed. The rest is history!
@johnthegreek58363 ай бұрын
Guys you really are going back to early Billy, great song and album, haven’t heard this in years
@riccardoangeli8023 ай бұрын
Talento Totale ... Ogni stile musicale affronta lo fa in modo eccelso 🎹👏🎹👏❤️👏
@markfeggeler34793 ай бұрын
A great song done much better on the amazing live album Songs in the Attic.
@tonygreene39413 ай бұрын
Always one of my favorites from him, and he’s got some doozies.
@Bururaian2 ай бұрын
From Billy Joel's Biography: "It's really a song about what I consider to be a pathetic loser kind of lifestyle. I've been accused of, 'Oh, this song promotes drug use and masturbation.' No, no, no. Listen to the song. This guy is a loser."
@ZZ430T563 ай бұрын
Have you guys ever done any John Cougar or John Mellencamp or John Cougar Mellencamp LOL? Real American from the Midwest. Huge catalog of great hits. And also Blues Traveler will blow you away if you're in to Harmonica
@davidhowe54153 ай бұрын
I always felt this song was about the death of the utopian dream of the late 60's. Once that party was over -- a party that you missed -- you were still stuck in your crummy town with nothing to do but fall for sad escapes.
@ZZ430T563 ай бұрын
Man this is my my favorite BJ song that I have been requesting from you for a year LOL. I knew you would love the story and that crescendo. Ty.
@stevenblock97123 ай бұрын
This song is from 1973 and was kind of a cult favorite while Piano Man was bringing him fame and recognition at age 24. This was followed by 16 years of almost constant hits, huge concerts around the world, including Russia, and sellout concerts at Madison Square Garden up to this year.
@roevega99023 ай бұрын
The live version is epic.. great song
@chrismalloy79603 ай бұрын
Love the version on “Songs in the Attic”! Powerful!
@Grizazzle3 ай бұрын
This is the album that I first heard it on too.
@chrismalloy79603 ай бұрын
@@Grizazzle Same here! Just a great album in general.
@AliasMark693 ай бұрын
"Their Not At The Top Of Their Game"...... but you guys are.
@rhwinner3 ай бұрын
Ah, the soundtrack of my wasted youth .. 😂
@tjrivers3 ай бұрын
Wow, right? Depression, dejection, and higher expectations. Just escape. You were remarking on his “Movin’ Out” had that heart attack line.
@ronhuycke2 ай бұрын
Wondering when you were going to get around to Jack 😂
@JonathanGreen183 ай бұрын
Just A little push and you’ll be smiling 😊
@AliasMark693 ай бұрын
You two will really appreciate the talents displayed in this version of a iconic song......Go take a nice ride through the countryside..... Fly Me To The Moon - John Michael Zov
@jmartinez93323 ай бұрын
This was more of an Underground hit in the Early 70's before he exploded onto the scene a couple years later.
@kevinhodgins18113 ай бұрын
My favorite song on the album!
@bennymartinez55323 ай бұрын
This is a good one y’all picked. It’s
@seanh48412 ай бұрын
Don't we all look for a place to hide from time to time
@Mike-lz2ef3 ай бұрын
wow..what a song..thanks for reviewing
@AZInfidel653 ай бұрын
Songs in the Attic live version is better...
@mzk19693 ай бұрын
Because it's about heroine, he doesn't play it in concert anymore.