Intro To Everybody Love You Now
Billy Joel Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Baby all the lights are turned on you
Now you're in the center of the stage
Everything revolves on what you do
Ah, you are in your prime; you've come of age

And you can always have your way somehow
But everybody loves you now
You can walk away from your mistakes
You can turn your back on what you do
Just a little smile is all it takes
Yeah, you can have your cake and eat it too

Loneliness will get to you somehow
But everybody loves you now

Ah, they all want your white body
And they await your reply
Ah, but between you and me and the Staten Island ferry
So do I

All the people want to know your name
Soon there will be lines outside your door
Feelings do not matter in your game
Yeah, 'cause nothing's gonna touch you anymore

So your life is only living anyhow
And everybody loves you now

Close your eyes when you don't want to see
Stay at home when you don't want to go
Only speak to those who will agree
Yeah, and close your mind when you don't want to know

You have lost you innocence somehow
But everybody loves you now

Ah, you know that nothing lasts forever
And it's all been done before
Ah, but you ain't got the time to go to Cold Spring Harbor
No more

See how all the people gather 'round
Hey, isn't it a thrill to see them crawl?
Keep your eyes ahead and don't look down
Yeah, and lock yourself inside your sacred wall





This is what you wanted; ain't you proud?
Cause everybody loves you now

Overall Meaning

In this song, Billy Joel describes the life of a person who is suddenly in the limelight and has become the center of attention. The opening lines of the song, "Baby all the lights are turned on you, Now you're in the center of the stage, Everything revolves on what you do, Ah, you are in your prime; you've come of age," paints the picture of this person being the center of attention. The person can always have their way, but they will eventually face loneliness.


Joel also highlights the fickleness of fame and how people's true intentions are not always genuine. He sings, "Ah, they all want your white body, And they await your reply, Ah, but between you and me and the Staten Island ferry, So do I." The line "white body" can be interpreted as the person being seen as an object rather than a person.


The chorus, "But everybody loves you now," is a repetitive reminder to the individual that they are loved and will continue to be loved as long as they play their role, but once they lose their innocence and try to break free from their "sacred wall," they will face the harsh reality of fame. Overall, the song serves as a commentary on the illusion of fame and the pressures that come with it.


Line by Line Meaning

Baby all the lights are turned on you
You are in the spotlight and everyone is focused on you.


Now you're in the center of the stage
You are the center of attention.


Everything revolves on what you do
Everyone's eyes are on you and your actions.


Ah, you are in your prime; you've come of age
You are at the peak of your comfort and experience.


And you can always have your way somehow
You are capable and confident in getting what you want.


But everybody loves you now
You are popular and admired by everyone.


You can walk away from your mistakes
You can escape from your wrong decisions.


You can turn your back on what you do
You can disassociate yourself from your actions.


Just a little smile is all it takes
Your charm and influence can easily win people over.


Yeah, you can have your cake and eat it too
You can enjoy the best of both worlds without any consequences.


Loneliness will get to you somehow
Your isolation will take its toll on you eventually.


But everybody loves you now
You are still loved and adored by everyone.


Ah, they all want your white body
Everyone desires and covets your physical appearance.


And they await your reply
People are eagerly anticipating your response.


Ah, but between you and me and the Staten Island ferry
This is a secret between us.


So do I
I also desire and covet you.


All the people want to know your name
Everyone is curious about your identity.


Soon there will be lines outside your door
People will want access to you and your presence.


Feelings do not matter in your game
You value your objectives and interests over other people's emotions.


Yeah, 'cause nothing's gonna touch you anymore
You are shielded and impervious to emotional pain.


So your life is only living anyhow
You are simply living your life without much meaning or purpose.


And everybody loves you now
You are still beloved and admired.


Close your eyes when you don't want to see
You can close your mind to situations you don't want to confront.


Stay at home when you don't want to go
You can avoid going out to interact with people.


Only speak to those who will agree
You only want to interact with people who share your opinions and beliefs.


Yeah, and close your mind when you don't want to know
You are not interested in hearing different perspectives or learning new things.


You have lost your innocence somehow
You have become jaded and cynical due to your experiences.


But everybody loves you now
Despite your change in attitude, you are still adored by everyone.


Ah, you know that nothing lasts forever
You are aware that everything is temporary.


And it's all been done before
There is nothing new or original.


Ah, but you ain't got the time to go to Cold Spring Harbor
You don't have the time to visit a place associated with your past.


No more
You have moved on.


See how all the people gather 'round
People are drawn to you and your power.


Hey, isn't it a thrill to see them crawl?
You enjoy seeing people fawn over you and submit to your influence.


Keep your eyes ahead and don't look down
You need to stay focused on your goals and not let anything distract you.


Yeah, and lock yourself inside your sacred wall
You need to isolate yourself from the outside world to protect yourself.


This is what you wanted; ain't you proud?
You have achieved what you desired and should feel accomplished.


Cause everybody loves you now
You are still loved and treasured by everyone.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY JOEL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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