Billy The Kid
Dean Billy Lyrics


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Strapped on my holster low across my hips
Two Colt .45's with white plastic grips
And I'd head west through our neighborhood
And they'd say 'Here comes young Billy
And he's up to no good'... yeah

I rode a trail through the neighbor's back yard
Shooting the bad guys through my handlebars
Known for my bravery both far and near
Being late for supper was my only fear

I miss Billy The Kid
The times that he had
The life that he lived
I guess he must've got caught
His innocence lost
I wonder where he is
I miss Billy The Kid

These days I don't know whose side to be on
There's such a thin line between right and wrong
I live and learn, do the best I can
There's only so much you can do as a man

I miss Billy The Kid
The times that he had
The life that he lived
I guess he must've got caught
His innocence lost
Lord, I wonder where he is
I miss Billy The Kid

I miss Billy The Kid
The times that he had
The life that he lived
I guess he must've got caught
His innocence lost




Lord, I wonder where he is
I miss Billy The Kid

Overall Meaning

In "Billy The Kid", Dean Billy romanticizes a childhood spent playing cowboy, imagining himself as the outlaw Billy the Kid. He describes the feeling of strapping on his toy gun holster, loaded with two Colt .45's with white plastic grips, and heading west through his neighborhood, where people would say, "here comes young Billy and he's up to no good". He rode his bike as though it was a horse on trails through the neighbor's backyard, shooting "bad guys" through the handlebars. He is known for his bravery both far and near, but his only fear is being late for supper.


The second half of the song reflects on the present-day in a more serious tone. Dean Billy reflects on the thin line between right and wrong and how he is unsure which side to be on. He does his best but understands that there is only so much one can do as a man. He ends the song by saying "I miss Billy The Kid", reminiscing on the carefree days of childhood and the innocence he has lost.


Line by Line Meaning

Strapped on my holster low across my hips
I would secure my weapon around my waist, ready for action


Two Colt .45's with white plastic grips
I carried two powerful firearms with modified handles


And I'd head west through our neighborhood
I would make my way towards the setting sun, traveling through our community


And they'd say 'Here comes young Billy And he's up to no good'... yeah
People knew my name and recognized my rebellious nature


I rode a trail through the neighbor's back yard
I took a path through private property to get where I was going


Shooting the bad guys through my handlebars
I fired my guns while riding a bike, taking out imaginary villains


Known for my bravery both far and near
I was respected for my courage nearby and beyond


Being late for supper was my only fear
My biggest worry was not making it back in time for dinner


I miss Billy The Kid
I look back on my childhood self with nostalgia


The times that he had
The experiences and adventures of that time


The life that he lived
The particular way I lived my life


I guess he must've got caught
I assume that my younger self got into trouble


His innocence lost
I lost my purity and naivety


I wonder where he is
I am curious about where that version of me has gone


These days I don't know whose side to be on
I struggle with choosing the right thing to do


There's such a thin line between right and wrong
The distinction between morality and immorality is difficult to see


I live and learn, do the best I can
I try to grow, learn, and be my best self


There's only so much you can do as a man
There are limitations to what an individual can accomplish


Lord, I wonder where he is
I still wonder about where I have gone since my childhood




Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY JOEL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@robertburk5550

My name's Robert and as a kid I wrote him a letter and asked for his autograph, he sent me a life sized poster, a picture, all autographed, even a tape of his music.
That meant the world to me as a kid, still makes me cry to this day he took the time to do so much for me.
I'm 40 now.

@hpgarage9884

I met him and ricky scaggs at concert when I was little. He was nice. We talked to him next to Billy's tour bus.

@dbergum1

wow....

@ThorneJr

i'm 56. i feel sorry that the generations to come will never know that innocence. We never locked our doors back then and yes it was on my bike on a gravel road.

@markg999

The 90s were an amazing decade for music...all the genres were pumping out some classics.

@bill2178

as i dig into it i appreciate the older music 70s and 60s the byrds beatles and badfinger

@Black_Daniels679

Underrated comment right here

@robertschreiber8099

So true, Mark G. The music was the best thing about the mid '80's, through the early 2000's. There was a lot more heart, and soul, in it. I see a lot more of that, here, than I hear in the airwaves.

@joes4990

@@Black_Daniels679 so true. the ninety's sucked for music.

@markg999

​@@bill2178 Badfinger for sure...got into them seeing Baby Blue on end of Breaking Bad. Very solid band from the 70s.

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