Uptown Girl
Billy Joel Lyrics


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Uptown girl
She's been living in her uptown world
I bet she's never had a backstreet guy
I bet her mama never told her why

I'm gonna try for an uptown girl
She's been living in her white bread world
As long as anyone with hot blood can
And now she's looking for a downtown man
That's what I am

And when she knows
What she wants from her time
And when she wakes up
And makes up her mind

She'll see I'm not so tough
Just because

I'm in love with an uptown girl
You know I've seen her in her uptown world
She's getting tired of her high class toys
And all the presents from her uptown boys
She's got a choice

Oh
Oh

Uptown girl
You know I can't afford to buy her pearls
But maybe someday when my ship comes in
She'll understand what kind of guy I've been
And then I'll win

And when she's walking
She's looking so fine
And when she's talking
She'll say that she's mine

She'll say I'm not so tough
Just because
I'm in love

With an uptown girl
She's been living in her white bread world
As long as anyone with hot blood can
And now she's looking for a downtown man
That's what I am

Oh
Oh

Uptown girl
She's my uptown girl
You know I'm in love
With an uptown girl
My uptown girl
You know I'm in love
With an uptown girl
My uptown girl
You know I'm in love
With an uptown girl
My uptown girl




You know I'm in love
With an uptown girl

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Billy Joel’s hit song, Uptown Girl, tell the story of a man from a more modest background who’s fallen in love with a woman who’s always lived in her “uptown world”. The woman is used to the finer things in life and is used to dating men who come from a similar lifestyle. However, the singer believes that he can win her over with his love. This anthem to breaking down societal barriers was released in 1983 and has since become one of Joel’s most beloved hits.


The song can be interpreted as a commentary on class barriers and the difficulties of crossing them; the singer wants to prove that despite not being from an affluent background, he can still win the heart of the uptown girl. The uptown girl, meanwhile, is growing tired of her high-class life and is looking for something new and exciting by seeking a downtown man. The lyrics capture the contrast between the two worlds of these two different characters, and the singer’s determination to try and overcome the distance that divides them.


Line by Line Meaning

Uptown girl
The girl he's singing about is from an affluent part of town called uptown.


She's been living in her uptown world
She has grown up in a life of privilege, surrounded by wealth and prestige.


I bet she's never had a backstreet guy
It's unlikely that she's ever been with someone from a less affluent background.


I bet her mama never told her why
It's likely that her parents have sheltered her from the harsh realities of the world they live in, so she may not be aware of the struggles that others face.


I'm gonna try for an uptown girl
The singer plans to pursue this girl despite the differences in their social classes.


She's been living in her white bread world
Her life is bland and unexciting, lacking the variety and spontaneity of a more diverse lifestyle.


As long as anyone with hot blood can
Despite the restrictions of her social circle, she still yearns for excitement and adventure.


And now she's looking for a downtown man
She wants to find someone from a more urban, gritty background who can provide the excitement and spontaneity she craves.


That's what I am
The singer is convinced that he is the man she's looking for.


And when she knows
When the girl realizes what she truly wants in life,


What she wants from her time
What she wants to do with her life and the limited time she has on this earth,


And when she wakes up
When she finally realizes what's important to her


And makes up her mind
And finally decides to go for it.


She'll see I'm not so tough
The singer believes that he is often judged harshly based on his background, but once the girl gets to know him better, she'll realize that he's no different from anyone else.


Just because
Simply because,


I'm in love with an uptown girl
The singer is in love with this girl who is from a completely different world than him.


You know I've seen her in her uptown world
He has observed this girl in her natural habitat and is fascinated by the different lifestyle she leads.


She's getting tired of her high class toys
The girl is bored with her privileged life and the expensive possessions that come with it.


And all the presents from her uptown boys
She is used to receiving lavish gifts and attention from men from her social circle.


She's got a choice
The girl has the opportunity to choose a different path for her life.


Uptown girl
Again emphasizing that she is from an affluent background called uptown.


You know I can't afford to buy her pearls
As a guy from a less privileged background, he can't afford the extravagant gifts she's used to receiving.


But maybe someday when my ship comes in
Perhaps someday in the future, his financial situation will improve.


She'll understand what kind of guy I've been
The girl will see that despite his lack of money, he's a good person with a lot to offer.


And then I'll win
If she comes to appreciate him for who he is, then he feels he will have won her heart.


And when she's walking
When she's walking down the street,


She's looking so fine
She looks beautiful and elegant.


And when she's talking
When she's speaking,


She'll say that she's mine
The girl will indicate that she's committed to the singer.


My uptown girl
Emphasizing once again that he is in love with this girl from an affluent background.


You know I'm in love
He's deeply in love with this girl who is from a completely different world than him.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Billy Joel

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Eluwenie Stargazer

Still listening in 2019
This reminds me of what I said to my husband when I met him back in 1998.
He "tooted" from the "dark side of his moon" 😏.. 🍃
I was appalled! 😨
The way I was raised I was told it's rude to "let one rip".
"Uptown Girl" I was. 👸
He broke me of that. 😁
Truth!
Thank you for posting.
Peace ✌



All comments from YouTube:

henry mccoy

For such an old video the quality is brilliant!

SMEdits

What a restoration man really blue my mind i had to check the description twice to check the date damn!

DuckFanGWR8

@Miguel Mendes It is, because if it was filmed on tape, it wouldn't look as good.

Duckthegreatwesternengine

@DuckFanGWR8 it’s another fellow Thomas fan hello 👋

Miguel Mendes

If it's filmed in actual film, like the other user said, it could be from the 1950s that with a good print and transfer it'll look like it was shot yesterday

DuckFanGWR8

@DerrickDX Not necessarily. You can also have it scanned and have it in higher res.

1 More Replies...

swindlesween

The backup vocals are insane in this performance!

Billy Joel

Hello fan
Is nice meeting you here.
Thanks for your love and support.

An Angel

In Russia when the audience claps to the beat of your performance, it's a sign of respect and that they're enjoying it

Ella K.

puuh especially in that time

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