Billy Joel - Captain Jack (REACTION)

[@lorinripley8634]

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.

[@anthonygiordano8237]

This song is one of the best Billy Joel is a master composer/musician and is tremendous in person

[@skydogfan4671]

Arguably Billy Joel’s greatest song. I agree with others. You need to react to his song The Ballad of Billy The Kid.

[@lespaulguy63]

he's singing about a guy, he is speaking from the perspective of a drug addict and the emotional emptiness, not endorsing heroin

[@darkmagus64]

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.

[@gizmo5925]

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.

[@wordgiesworld5483]

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.

[@me-nk6jo]

This song is amazing live

[@davidbronstein2745]

Iconic New Yorker, very original sound, his music stands the test of time, founder of Long Island soul (LOL)

[@VIDSTORAGE]

Gosh damn ,,,I remember when this was played on the AOR Stations ..This is raaw Billy Joel

[@kathiek4239]

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. 🫶🫶🫶🤘

[@georgedolen1486]

Always loved this one. The chorus comes in like a "rush".

[@mjm5081]

WHAT...A...CHORUS!!! One of Billy's best. And that's saying a lot! ❤Billy❤

[@pammontano7159]

My favorite Billy Joel song.

[@amrak5028]

I consider this Billy's Best, This was the Rocker, Billy Joel. Amazing song and production. First Class 70's Classic.

[@TheGreatGig73]

Still my most emotional Billy Joel song.

[@doriwiljt]

I saw Billy do this song before he was famous at Stockton college in New Jersey, early 70s

[@PK1971PK]

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.

[@johnlisonbee6494]

This song was always a high point in the two concerts I was at back in the day!

[@melissaford717]

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 🙂

[@CANEsPappa]

Yes! I remember those days…Billy sang, there ain’t no place to go anyway ‘cept Phil a del phia-y

[@CANEsPappa]

This is my favorite of yours….A joy watching you two react to this classic.

[@melissaford717]

@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 🤍⚾️❤️

[@jeffmiller4832]

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

[@kathiek4239]

Yes!!! I remember that line! Still listen to MMR in the car. 🤓

[@mrmiscast]

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...

[@paulwebster3417]

Billy was just different and amazing.

[@jonathansmith3742]

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.

[@tome2294]

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.

[@seanh4841]

I'm in New Zealand, nice to see a US perspective on things

[@roevega9902]

Drummer Liberty Devito. He was with Billy for decades.

[@melvinwomack3717]

I also thought it was liberty but it's not, either way he's still a awesome drummer

[@MrHolmgren194]

It`s actually Ronnie Tutt that`s playing the drums on the album. Played with Elvis 1969-1977, Neil Diamond, Jerry Garcia and others.

[@lougiacobbi725]

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.

[@markbarnwell942]

i really love this tune and i dont think billy has ever been this dark again,

[@cweefy]

Goodnight Saigon will blow your mind

[@gregorysheppard2174]

Great song great observation on what captain jack was talking about

[@tektoniks_architects]

From my favorite era of Billy....the earliest years.

[@flarrfan]

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...

[@davidwilkins5932]

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.

[@ShadPJGrunge]

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!

[@tjmasson1013]

Just a “ little push “ is the needle. Whole song goes hard lyrically Billy is from my neighborhood. Dudes legend in NY

[@brianmasinelli9694]

Hell yeah! Nice pick. The live at Madison Square garden version is one of the greatest live versions of any song

[@zunbake3]

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.

[@kevinhodgins1811]

My favorite song on the album!

[@riccardoangeli802]

Talento Totale ... Ogni stile musicale affronta lo fa in modo eccelso 🎹👏🎹👏❤️👏

[@stephenhuber1219]

Ballad Of Billy The Kid

[@bubabubu6088]

second this also "scenes from an italian restaurant".

[@brandonjones1349]

In my top 3 Billy songs. Fire. Thnx AP 🏴‍☠️☘️

[@jkdrizz]

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.

[@tonygreene3941]

Always one of my favorites from him, and he’s got some doozies.

[@AliasMark69]

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

[@hopeklemann1]

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.

[@sebastianblack6506]

Rock radio in NYC always played this track (back in the day).

[@hopeklemann1]

@@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

[@sebastianblack6506]

@@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.

[@woodyheywood8792]

Awesome reaction Gents...you know your stuff and find all the little "in's and out's" in the music....

[@davespear6662]

Nice!!! My favorite Billy Joel song. Love that you guys did this obscure song. Caption Jack is a drug dealer.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

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!

[@SoOutrageous]

You guys stumbled onto a classic. Been a long time since hearing this. Thank you and keep up the great work.

[@seanh4841]

Don't we all look for a place to hide from time to time

[@paulniemiec3165]

You guys are easily one of the best reaction channels going 🔥

[@tireshredderjoe8894]

Billy Joel is one of the greatest artists ever.

[@jpmnewyork]

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.

[@alansmith7626]

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

[@Mike-lz2ef]

wow..what a song..thanks for reviewing

[@paxonearth]

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.

[@farmerapps]

As soon as I hear his voice, I love it!

[@roevega9902]

The live version is epic.. great song

[@DocRock71]

My favorite Billy Joel deep cut!

[@johnthegreek5836]

Guys you really are going back to early Billy, great song and album, haven’t heard this in years

[@chrismalloy7960]

Love the version on “Songs in the Attic”! Powerful!

[@Grizazzle]

This is the album that I first heard it on too.

[@chrismalloy7960]

@@Grizazzle Same here! Just a great album in general.

[@SteveCanak]

Great song. Thanks for sharing this one. Great memories. What an amazing song writer.

[@darrinvonstein6101]

A great song to follow this is Levon by Elton John .... Billy Joel uses a similar cord progression and piano fills.... It also shows how Elton and Billy often played off each other....

[@melvinwomack3717]

They've already done levon

[@Friend_Of_The_Muse]

Billy's Beatle influence showing on this one. Production wise it sounds like it could be off Abbey Road

[@carol-mariefleming8689]

This song is gold.

[@rickward460]

"Just a little push and you'll be smiling." 😳

[@AttackChefDennis]

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.

[@ritar6997]

Absolutely agree 😊

[@Big_Al_63]

Hard to miss with Billy Joel. Everything he did sounded good.

[@oldskool4612]

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. ☝️👍

[@jamesvomsaal]

That’s a great first album His song Your My Home is a keeper

[@stevenblock9712]

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.

[@m.gideonhoyle409]

The live version on Songs in the Attic is also killer...

[@mjm5081]

❤

[@JerseyBA62]

should check out billy joels THE ENTERTAINER.great song n lyrics about being in the music business..

[@melvinwomack3717]

I totally agree

[@brandonboucher7090]

That nice slow groove bass line in the verse

[@ZZ430T56]

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.

[@ronhuycke]

Actually needle park Amsterdam. It is about junkies

[@tjrivers]

Wow, right? Depression, dejection, and higher expectations. Just escape. You were remarking on his “Movin’ Out” had that heart attack line.

[@ronhuycke]

Little push and you'll be smiling

[@karenwalsh1143]

I live about a mile away from Billy, he just lives in the Rich section 😂 but the place he's talking about in this song is about 4 miles away in Oyster Bay long Island. It's still pretty much the same!

[@bennymartinez5532]

This is a good one y’all picked. It’s

[@StormyPeak]

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.

[@andrewcole3736]

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. 🕊❤️🎼

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

And Joel certainly didn't glamorize it, lol. At the time, it was shocking to hear "masturbate" sung so clearly. Still is.

[@davidwilkins5932]

Great choice. BJ came on like a storm back in the day. He played quite a bit in the Memphis club scene during the early years. I was lucky enough to catch his last club-level show at a small place on Madison Ave. He was prepping the material from the new Turnstiles album (two after this one) for a larger tour. Still ranks as one of my top five concerts of all time, and there have been many.

[@mottjones2876]

Lafayette's!! 'Twas a great show.

[@davidwilkins5932]

Those were some legendary shows, but I’m talking about Madison House (or The Ritz, it changed ownership), a couple of miles west of Overton Square.

[@cwhumble3]

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.

[@patrickdaniels8942]

awesome reaction guys!

[@Citizenesse8]

Love this song as a kid and now even before I ever knew exactly who Captain Jack was and what it was represented here in the song.

[@robertkilby6210]

The live version is fire!!

[@etc7070]

Yes! The "official" live version on Songs in the Attic is pretty much perfection. Love that album.

[@cshubs]

One of his best!!

[@mr.thomas6072]

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

[@MH-fb5kr]

such a sad, sad song

[@jmartinez9332]

This was more of an Underground hit in the Early 70's before he exploded onto the scene a couple years later.

[@daveman15]

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.

[@theivory1]

I love this one. I can't wait for Don't Ask Me Why.

[@JohnLancaster-fh3oc]

"Just a little push and you'll be smiling." is obviously the end of a syringe.

[@JonathanGreen18]

Just A little push and you’ll be smiling 😊

[@DavidMerles-n2h]

check out another great one,the legend of billy the kid

[@scruffyroses2796]

It's a guy. One of his best songs & very Long Island.

[@DixieBlue]

*VERY* Long Island 😁❤

[@mikebetts2046]

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.

[@BrooklynBear63]

Worth doing the live version.

[@thorzzz1z]

No, you never heard this on the radio, and it's one of his best, so glad you guys got to this

[@TeresaMount-t9o]

Billy always great , thanks guys

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Saw Billy 4 times in the 70s. Brilliant every time. Turn the stadium into a cozy bar ✨️🎶✨️