Just the Way You Are
Elton John Billy Joel Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

Overall Meaning

In the first verse of "Just the Way You Are," Elton John and Billy Joel sing about unconditional love. The singer reassures his partner that they don't need to change themselves to try and please him. He knows that they've never let him down before, and he doesn't want them to become someone different from the person he fell in love with. Even if things get tough, the singer promises never to leave his partner's side.

The second verse continues this theme of unconditional love. The singer doesn't care if his partner changes their fashion or hair color. He loves them just the way they are, and he's always been passionate about them, even if he hasn't always shown it. He doesn't expect clever conversation or hard work from his partner; he just wants someone to talk to, someone to love just the way they are.

The final verse of the song is perhaps the most poignant. The singer confesses that he needs to know that his partner will always be the same person he fell in love with. He wants his partner to believe in him the way he believes in them. He promises eternal love and dedication, and he couldn't love his partner any better than he already does.

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
I have always been able to count on you and I believe I always will be able to

Don't imagine you're too familiar
I don't expect to totally understand you, but I don't think that will change how I feel about you

And I don't see you anymore
Just because we may spend less time together or see each other less, that doesn't mean my feelings towards you have changed

I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble
I'm committed to standing by you through the difficult times

We never could have come this far
Our relationship has made it this far because of our mutual trust and support

I took the good times; I'll take the bad times
I'm in this for the long haul and I'm willing to stick with you through the ups and downs

I'll take you just the way you are
I love and accept you for who you are, flaws and all

Don't go trying some new fashion
I don't expect or want you to change your personal style just to impress me

Don't change the color of your hair
I'm more interested in who you are as a person than how you look

You always have my unspoken passion
I might not always show it, but I have a strong desire and love for you

Although I might not seem to care
Even though I might not express it in obvious ways, you mean a lot to me

I don't want clever conversation
I don't need you to be intellectually superior or witty to enjoy spending time with you

I never want to work that hard
I want our relationship to be easy and effortless, not a constant struggle

I just want someone that I can talk to
I value having good communication and a deep connection with my partner

I want you just the way you are
I'm happy and fulfilled with who you are and how you are in our relationship

I need to know that you will always be
I want reassurance that our relationship will stay strong and true

The same old someone that I knew
I want to know that you won't change in ways that would threaten our relationship

What will it take till you believe in me
I hope that one day you will trust and believe in me as much as I trust and believe in you.

The way that I believe in you?
I have unwavering faith in you and our relationship and I hope that feeling is mutual

I said I love you and that's forever
My love for you knows no end and will last forever

And this I promise from the heart
My love for you is genuine and true and I promise to always love you that way

I could not love you any better
I love and accept everything about you and there's nothing you could do to make me love you more

I love you just the way you are
You don't need to change a thing for me to love you. I love you for exactly who you are.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Billy Joel

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Thevolumex

Dear Linda... these are the billy Joel hits in Austria: 5 in Top50 (Elton 25) and only 2top10. http://austriancharts.at/search.asp?search=billy%20joel&cat=s
Here you look in Germany: 7 top100 (Elton's 50!) and only 2top10. https://www.offiziellecharts.de/suche

Here in France: 1 top50
http://www.lescharts.com/search.asp?search=billy+joel&cat=s

Here in Switzerland 2 Top50
http://hitparade.ch/song/Billy-Joel/The-River-Of-Dreams-2678

Here in Uk: 15 top50 (elton are 80)
http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16696/billy-joel/

Here in New Zealand. 5 top50
http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20rianz&qartistid=1073#n_view_location

Here in Australia: 4 top50
http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Billy+Joel&titel=The+River+Of+Dreams&cat=s

Here in Belgie: 10 top50 (Elton are 45 top50) and only 3 top10
http://www.ultratop.be/nl/search.asp?search=billy%20joel&cat=s

Here in Norvegian market. 2 top50
http://norwegiancharts.com/search.asp?search=billy+joel&cat=s

Here in Italy: 2 Top50 (Elton are 38)
http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/indici/per_interprete/aj.htm

All comments from YouTube:

@JudyMeibach100

11y↑47

What could be better than Elton John and Billy Joel together and singing each others'songs!

@CBT5777

3y↑2

Rob Halford singing Iron Maiden and Bruce Dickinson singing Judas Priest. That would be amazing!

@huntinger

12y↑18

Go to one of his concerts and watch him, at 65 years old, singing live for almost 3 hours without a break. Then say he can't sing anymore. He consistently sings live all around the world and can still sell out stadiums just him and the piano, he's certainly got something special that artists these days haven't had to work quite as hard for.

@donaldcruse3402

2y↑1

I just saw him last week. He’s now 75! My report: he’s better than ever. Sounded amazing and his presence was out of this world. A true talent.

@huntinger

2y↑1

@@donaldcruse3402 yeah I saw him in 2019 and again in 2023 rescheduled because of covid.

@patricknedz

Here will area in 2022 and I’m seeing both Elton and Billy separately and they still do amazing. Can’t wait to see them.

@satyabratamishra4670

10w

@@huntingerhes doing way better than 2019 now in 2023 hes sounded better than he did a decade ago. last time i think he sounded this consistently good was 2010-2013

@SpeegBJ

11y↑20

God I went to a concert with these two in 2011, God Lord it was massively wonderful. Every single tune of both an exquisite mind-blower; as they sang each other's tunes down through time....I cried so many tunes away.....Good Lord Heaven!

@pattyricciardi8662

9y↑24

elton ÷ billy= real music

@spongebobsquarepants8403

3y↑5

This equation confused my calculator

@JudyLBeres

1y↑3

My wedding song...then 17 years later my husband left saying to me, "You can't change." I didn't think I was supposed to.

@breakfastclubsandwich3711

There is absolutely NOTHING BETTER in this world than this tour prove me wrong

@220773

5y↑5

This song is too 'Billy Joel-ish' so that this time Elton can't make it sound like it were one of his hits, such a rare thing to be honest.
Fantastic tune from the late '70s.

@robertcjune

8y↑4

For those discussing Billy's rig at this concert: It's a Kurzweil PC2x inside a grand piano shell used to control a Kurzweil PC2r below the stage so his tech can change the sounds

@woodrow3929

12y↑7

Elton John has been playing strictly Yamaha for quite some time. Billy Joel plays a Steinway pretty consistently.

@tigertail666

12y↑3

This Is AMAZING !!!!!! Best and Besettttttttist in Music !!!Really I Love The Differences and Depth !!!!!

@sixtopolo4721

7y↑5

a beautifull song...

@Mumsieish

13y↑4

proper amazing. the ultimate combo!! x

@sentimento57

12y↑5

The song needs no comment...just listen...

@gauravarya802

6y↑1

sentimento57 yeah

@harryahmad5197

9y↑3

i like both of them

@CathyFrontier

14y↑4

Oh, Elton looks so cute in this vid... :)

@DonCohen2649

8y↑7

I love both dearly. Of course I'd forgive them.

@robertopetrucio3959

Amazing, man!

@maxhess3151

4y↑1

I love when they perform together.

@bickeringbishop

12y↑14

Elton's piano is Yamaha. Billy uses Steinway.

@ytahtan

So nice!!

@jacobmor8005

8y↑6

Billy Joel is so cool

@fanaticaldueling6337

Michael Mora Elton is cooler

@holyshitcomedy5530

@@fanaticaldueling6337 mmmm nah

@kathleenadams2268

I love this forever 😊❤️👌xx

@luckyddubber2

9y↑3

super song

@timmhg

14y↑3

Mark Rivera is a master.

@hardlines5472

Oh dear!

@kathleenadams2268

Beautiful c

@fabiaalvesvelho180

encantadores. maravilha que lindoooooo

@lucysarlat18

3y↑2

Barry White. Just the way you are.

@impdanois5724

Two monsters that I adore😅😄😃😂😁😀

@elianagasparinoo

5y↑1

Amo saõ sensacional belos demais

@johnj9130

Mark Rivera is a master.
So they're off a bit.....they're still Elton John and Billie Joel!!!!
I was there. No words to explain the feeling of seeing him live it’s an experience. Honestly

@diegofel99

I agree, the reason is that song is not for Elton’s type of voice and style but either way he adapted quite well for it

@fabiaalvesvelho180

maravilhosos. ótimos great perfect
Rio de Janeiro brasil

@virginiamagtoto1555

43w

The idols

@sixtopolo4721

Excelent...a lot of song..

@darkandchinesejonhui

They were enjoying that coco before hitting that stage and you know it 😜 old head rockstars

@Sidney31371

14y↑2

Quem é reí nuca perde a Magestade !

@pri7384

7y↑6

Both of them are so brilliant but I prefer Billy Joel ! This saxphone player is amazing. Who knows him ?

@seanscanlon9067

7y↑2

His name is Mark Rivera and is the longest serving member of Billy's current band, having joined in 1982.

@ryanmcnally8669

Marc Rivera

@caolin847

Pri Bolsonaro 2022 Whoever believes always reaches. Mucho mejor billy, incomparable. Cada uno lo suyo.

@cindymalone4006

39w

❤

@rickw1100

7y↑3

So they're off a bit.....they're still Elton John and Billie Joel!!!!

@JLSydney

14y↑4

That's awesome - can't wait for the Australian tour next year! What kind of camera did you use because the sound and picture quality was fantastic!

@jacquieedwards8218

38w

You must hear this sung/played by Barry Wnite..I know you will like it. Jesus is Love

@sergiooconitrillo5082

The make great duet like air supply

@pachoperez3339

no puedes ser....mi conocimiento ...se perdio.

@09nlis

12y↑1

I would guess roland......becuase the yamaha modules have much less expansion bays. Billy plays on an old NY steinway. I think their microphone system is an earthworks bar microphone system designed for acoustic pianos......retails around 3k for the mic. I play on a tyros 4 yamaha and I have the just the way you are sound down.....check it out on my page..... but I just use the stock yamaha tones.

@funlover2283

12y↑5

well they look kind of sauced here, both of them.....still good though I wouldn't have minded being there.

@outanowhere

9y↑6

Phone it in! That is all.

@juanlambda27

9y↑1

I've always liked Elton John more but in this one Billy Joel really was better.

@colinmcphan

7y↑3

+juanlambda27 I like both guys but as of now Billy Joel is a stronger performer....especially voice wise.

@juanlambda27

7y↑2

Linda Taylor I've actually become more of a Billy Joel fan recently. Great performer, singer and has an amazing collection of songs.

@darioinfini

9y↑14

Love these two artists and love this song but WOW are both of them off key. Damn. Was the sound system off that night?

@robertopesenti1173

8y↑5

+Dario Impini
I agree with you, and regret for Elton, as he had a terrible sexual night just the day before the concert.

@alanvaytsman

Their voices are deep

@satyabratamishra4670

10w

2009 was a bad year for elton''s vocals but it got amazing by early 2010 and i think the monitors were not working well

@williamchanchan7845

So this song wrote by Billy or Elton ?

@thelevisullivan

Billy

@ukuleletheatre

11y↑3

wow what a releif when Billy Joel took over ,sorry Elton ...but ever thought of a new carreer ...not singing...?

@fanaticaldueling6337

6y↑1

ukuleletheatre That’s how the trading parts works. And Elton sounded better than Billy in this performance. Don’t shit talk a musician who’s a million times better than the other guy he’s with.

@howtodoitdude1662

Honestly, neither one can sing the other artists songs. They should have just done their own.

@SunsetRailMultimedia

Am I the only one that thinks both Billy Joel and Elton John seemed pretty hammered that night? Both where terribly off key, slow, and the articulation was bad. Huge fan of both artists (although I prefer Billy) and both sound great both in the studio and onstage normally. Amazing what a bit of alcohol can do to a person.

@Thevolumex

8y↑4

The one and only Elton John.. and his later imitator

@colinmcphan

7y↑6

Are you that stupid? Billy Joel started playing music in the 60's like Elton. They both achieved fame within a few years of each other and sing differently and write songs that don't sound like each other! Do your damn homework and just because your a fan of Elton's don't rag on Billy! Both are fabulous musicians and legendary entertainers!

@Thevolumex

7y↑1

Sorry Linda.. I'm realist and you a fan of Billy.. He says elton was a his hero. Not the opposite. Elton is another planet artist. and his hits around the world are ten times Billy who, outside the Usa, is almost unknow if not for 2-3 songs

@colinmcphan

7y↑3

+Thevolumex I'm truly sorry your so ignorant on your musical knowledge. Next time please do your homework. Neither gentleman is ten times above the other in musical talent. In other words there both brilliant and super talented artists and songwriters, have both sold a ton of records in various countries, have both toured in numerous countries and sold out in multiple stadiums and arenas and are fans of one another. By the way Ray Charles is the artist that Billy Joel most looked up to his entire life along with the Beatles. Billy also has fans around THE WORLD asking him to come play in there country again. That's pretty odd considering that you said....."He is barely known outside of America". By the way....I am a huge fan of Elton's and Billy's and have CD'S of both and had there records growing up. Next time please do your homework and respect both of these fine artists. I'm sure whatever country your from it is possible to get on the internet and look up basic information and facts. God bless.😀

@Thevolumex

7y↑1

So.. I'm realist. Billy is a star in Usa. But not outside. The hits compared with elton or even the Beatles is like a joke.. and not less with a real genius father of all like Ray Charles... Best Regards

19 More Replies...

@ethanlane2380

11y↑2

Two giants performing an amazing song. Too bad Elton had surgery so he can't sing as well, and Billy was just sounding pretty terrible. I'm not baggin' on them, they're both extremely talented. I just think it was a bad performance.

@jkenefick

13y↑1

chord changes wrong... rhythms wrong... wtf? they're normally much better than this..

@tigerjingles9734

11y↑2

Too many pickles in the donut hole for Elton John- that's why he's hoarse

@DonCohen2649

8y↑6

Oh my God, how dreadful they sound! If two strangers would have performed like that at a Karaoke bar they would have been booed off the stage.. They usually sound so great together, or are their voices enhanced by sound technology. Was Joel drunk? That crap sounded worse than the most toxic rap music. I am a huge fan -- of both, but that was dreadful.

@Fuzcapp

8y↑1

Look - you're absolutely right Don. But if you've written the Yellow Brick Road Album, the Don't Shoot Me album, the Piano Man album, the Stranger, The Bridge, the Turnstiles album - well, you can get up on stage and play chopsticks and you'll be forgiven ... :-)

@fanaticaldueling6337

Fuz Capp Woah Woah Woah, Elton can get up on stage anywhere and perform (just watch some videos.) Billy Can’t due to him usually playing at stadiums and MSG. I blame Billy and the sound system

@howtodoitdude1662

They did a wonderful job. No they are not singing out of key and the chords are correct. The piano sounds were awful!

@leoray1234

12y↑1

Butchered....I hate the way Elton sings Billy's songs. Cheesy chord changes. Billy has sung it much better elsewhere on YouTube.

@fanaticaldueling6337

Have you heard the way Joel sings Eltons songs? Atrocious.

@howtodoitdude1662

Billy did a better version with Candle in the wind, than Elton did with uptown Girl (wrong key).

@satyabratamishra4670

10w

@@howtodoitdude1662i think he oversung candle in the wind. i mean in general he oversung elton's songs. i think elton did a very good new york state of mind a much more conservative chill version back in the 1994 f2f tour

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