Winner of the 1979 Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Just The Way You Are
Billy Joel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You never let me down before, mmm-hmm
I don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore
I would not leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
Don't go trying some new fashion
Don't change the color of your hair, mmm-hmm
You always have my unspoken passion
Although I might not seem to care
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard, mmm-hmm
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are
I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
Oh, what will it take 'til you believe in me
The way that I believe in you?
I said I love you, that's forever
And this I promise from the heart, mmm-hmm
I couldn't love you any better
I love you just the way you are
Wait
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard, mmm-hmm
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are
In "Just The Way You Are," Billy Joel reassures his lover that he loves and accepts them just as they are, without needing any changes or improvements. He tells them not to try to please him by changing themselves, since he already loves every aspect of them, both the good and the bad. Joel emphasizes that he doesn't need clever conversation or any particular physical appearance from his partner, but just wants to be able to talk to them and enjoy their company. He expresses his unshakeable commitment to their relationship and promises to love them forever, just as they are.
This song is not only a beautiful love ballad but also a reminder to appreciate and accept our loved ones for who they are, flaws and all. The lyrics encourage us to recognize and appreciate the unique traits and qualities of our partners and to nurture those qualities rather than try to change them. The repeated refrain of "I love you just the way you are" emphasizes the importance of unconditional love and acceptance in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't go changing to try and please me
I don't want you to change who you are just to make me happy
You never let me down before, mmm-hmm
I trust you completely and you've never disappointed me in the past
I don't imagine you're too familiar
I don't know you very well, but that doesn't matter to me
And I don't see you anymore
I haven't seen you in a while, but my feelings haven't changed
I would not leave you in times of trouble
I will always be there for you, no matter what
We never could have come this far
Our relationship has survived many challenges and obstacles
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I accept all aspects of our relationship, both good and bad
I'll take you just the way you are
I love and accept you for who you are, without any changes
Don't go trying some new fashion
You don't need to change your appearance to impress me
Don't change the color of your hair, mmm-hmm
Your natural beauty is perfect for me, no need to alter it
You always have my unspoken passion
I may not express it often, but I deeply love and desire you
Although I might not seem to care
My actions may not always demonstrate it, but you mean everything to me
I don't want clever conversation
I don't need you to impress me with your intellect or wit
I never want to work that hard, mmm-hmm
I just want our communication to be easy and natural
I just want someone that I can talk to
I crave a deep emotional connection and intimacy with you
I want you just the way you are
I don't want or need you to change, your existing self is already perfect to me
I need to know that you will always be
I want to be certain that you'll never change, no matter the circumstances
The same old someone that I knew
I fell in love with who you were and I don't want you to be anyone else but that
Oh, what will it take 'til you believe in me
I'm yearning for your trust and faith in our love and relationship, what can I do to prove myself?
The way that I believe in you?
I have full confidence and belief in us, can you do the same for me?
I said I love you, that's forever
My love for you is eternal and will never falter
And this I promise from the heart, mmm-hmm
My love and commitment to you is 100% genuine and heartfelt
I couldn't love you any better
My love for you is already at its fullest capacity, there's no way to increase it
I love you just the way you are
I love and accept every part of who you are, without any conditions
Wait
Pause, let me express my love and commitment to you even further
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Billy Joel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@awin9762
Don't go changing to try and please me
You never let me down before, mmm
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore
I would not leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far, mmm
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are
Don't go trying some new fashion
Don't change the color of your hair, mmm
You always have my unspoken passion
Although I might not seem to care
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard, mmm
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are
I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
Oh, but what will it take till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you?
I said I love you, that's forever
And this I promise from the heart, mmm
I couldn't love you any better
I love you just the way you are, right
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard, mmm
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are
@kaydiegouws312
LYRICS :
Don't go changing to try and please me
You never let me down before, mmm
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore
I would not leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far, mmm
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are
Don't go trying some new fashion
Don't change the color of your hair, mmm
You always have my unspoken passion
Although I might not seem to care
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard, mmm
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are
I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
Oh, but what will it take till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you?
I said I love you, that's forever
And this I promise from the heart, mmm
I couldn't love you any better
I love you just the way you are, right
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard, mmm
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are
@user-is2jc3rb4d
Don't go changing to try and please me
You never let me down before
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore
I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times; I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are
Don't go trying some new fashion
Don't change the color of your hair
You always have my unspoken passion
Although I might not seem to care
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are
I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
What will it take till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you?
I said I love you and that's forever
And this I promise from the heart
I could not love you any better
I love you just the way you are
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are
@geraldinefoster4859
My husband was in hospital and he sent this to me which always bring tears to my eyes. He passed away 4 months later. I always think of him when I hear this song 💙🌈
@benitawinsor7463
So sorry for your loss.
@TonoMA-lb5eh
Yo también pasé por el hospital y en rehabilitación cuando escuché está Maravilla , también lloré pero de felicidad! BILLY ESTÁS CANTÁNDOLE A "DIOS" I LOVE THE SONG!!
@callioud175
His love message forever !!
@dexterjweaver4812
🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
@JessicaLanear
I’m listening to this with my 91 year old patient. I asked him what music did he like and he requested this song. 😍❤️🎼
@michaeljensen8864
How beautiful is that. Heart wrenching.
@russeli1941
I don't envy you for your profession and I wouldn't even think of myself in that field. So thank you for what you do. It takes a very special person indeed🙏
@deutschelehrer69
Aww this is so sweet
@zgazga7545
🥰