Hey Girl
Billy Joel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna miss you so much if you go
And hey, girl! I tell you no lie
Something deep inside of me's going to die
if you say so long, if this is goodbye. Oh
Hey, girl! This can't be true
How am I supposed to exist without you
And, hey, girl! Now don't put me on
What's gonna happen to me when you're gone
How will I live. how can I go on
How can I go on? hey, Girl
Hey, girl! now sit yourself down
I'm not ashamed to get down on the ground
Don't go away. hey, Girl
Don't go away. hey, Girl
In Billy Joel's song "Hey Girl," Joel pours his heart out to a girl he loves and doesn't want to let go. He begins by telling her that he's going to miss her so much if she leaves and that something inside him will die if she says goodbye. The desperation in his voice is palpable as he repeats the phrase "hey girl" throughout the song, seemingly begging her not to go. He wonders how he can exist without her and what will happen to him when she's gone. He cries out that he's not ashamed to get down on the ground to plead with her not to leave him.
The song captures the pain of losing someone you love and the fear of being alone. It's a universal feeling that anyone who has ever been in love can relate to, regardless of gender. The repetitive use of "hey girl" throughout the song conveys the urgency of the situation and the deep connection between the two people. Joel's pleading and almost desperate tone of voice, paired with the slow tempo of the music, creates a melancholy mood that draws the listener into his emotional experience.
Overall, "Hey Girl" is a powerful love song that captures the intensity of emotion that comes with falling deeply in love and the fear of losing that connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, girl! I want you to know
The singer wants the girl to know something important.
I'm gonna miss you so much if you go
The singer will feel a strong sense of loss if the girl leaves.
And hey, girl! I tell you no lie
The singer is being honest with the girl.
Something deep inside of me's going to die
The artist will feel an emotional pain if the girl leaves.
if you say so long, if this is goodbye. Oh
The artist is saying goodbye but hopes it's not the end.
Hey, girl! This can't be true
The singer can't believe the girl is leaving.
How am I supposed to exist without you
The singer feels they won't be able to function without the girl.
And, hey, girl! Now don't put me on
The artist doesn't want the girl to mess with their emotions.
What's gonna happen to me when you're gone
The artist is worried about their future without the girl.
How will I live. how can I go on
The artist is questioning how they can continue without the girl.
How can I go on? hey, Girl
The singer is pleading with the girl to stay.
Hey, girl! now sit yourself down
The artist wants the girl to listen to them.
I'm not ashamed to get down on the ground
The singer is willing to humble themselves to keep the girl from leaving.
Don't go away. hey, Girl
The singer is begging the girl to stay.
Don't go away. hey, Girl
The singer is pleading with the girl to stay.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: Carole King, Gerry Goffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Larry Garza
Wow...this song is perfect...vocals, sax, piano and Billy"s rendition is spectacular from the heart.I could listen to him sing this all day, every day!!!!
Rochelle Williams
I fo listen to thus sing Every day, it brings me Joy!!
Tom Killip
his version really highlights his great voice but still prefer George Benson's version by a nose.
Janeen Barker
Me too, and I do.
john slattery
This version gives me the chills, true masterpiece
Gary Bowman
Billy Joel truly expresses the lyrics.
Karen Jones
Me too
Alan Stein
Billy Joel’s greatest vocal rendition…ever. Backed by a team of superb musicians, Joel delivers a performance that is soulful, powerful and one that conveys the heartfelt agony of a man in the throes of a gut-wrenching breakup. Doesn’t get any better than this.
Bryan Garten
Was he in a break up? We love you @BillyJoel.. This is awesome!
neechee5150
No one sings this song like the legendary Michael McDonald