Only The Good Die Young

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Billy Joel

Billy Joel’s Only The Good Die Young, a song from 1977’s The Stranger, is quite possibly the best anti-religion song ever written. Well, maybe that is a slight exaggeration, because there is still John Lennon’s Imagine to consider, but Only The Good Die Young is way more fun.

Come out Virginia, don’t let me wait
You Catholic girls start much too late
But sooner or later it comes down to fate
I might as well be the one

They showed you a statue, told you to pray
They built you a temple and locked you away
But they never told you the price that you pay
For things that you might have done…
Only the good die young
That’s what I said
Only the good die young x2

You might have heard I run with a dangerous crowd
We ain’t too pretty we ain’t too proud
We might be laughing a bit too loud
But that never hurt no one

So come on Virginia show me a sign
Send up a signal I’ll throw you the line
The stained-glass curtain you’re hiding behind
Never lets in the sun
Darlin only the good die young
Only the good die young x2

You got a nice white dress and a party on your confirmation
You got a brand new soul
And a cross of gold
But Virginia they didn’t give you quite enough information
You didn’t count on me
When you were counting on your rosary

They say there’s a heaven for those who will wait
Some say it’s better but I say it ain’t
I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints
The sinners are much more fun…

You know that only the good die young
That’s what i said
Only the good die young, X2

Well your mother told you all that I could give you was a reputation
She never cared for me
But did she ever say a prayer for me?

Come out come out come out virgina don’t let me wait,
You Catholic girls start much too late
Sooner or later it comes down to fate
I might as well be the one,
You know that only the good die young

I’m telling you baby
You know that only the good die young

(Only the good die young)x6

Is there anyone out there that doesn’t turn up the radio when this tune comes on? Next time you do, try to stop singing along with Billy Joel and actually listen to the lyrics. They are provocative and in my opinion more true than not.

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