What a great album! Just a classic if there ever was one. Aside from his initial 1974 breakthrough hit "Piano Man", the moment "The Stranger" album came out in 1977-78, it seemed like Billy Joel simply became an instant institution on pop-music radio just as if he always belonged there. Who exactly is Sergeant O'Leary and why did Joel mention him in the song? Steve from Bay Shore, NyWhen he mentions "Sergeant O'Leary" in the 3rd verse:.Barry from Sauquoit, Ny"Movin' Out" has something very much in common with three other Bill Joel songs "She's AlwaysĪ Woman", "Say Goodbye to Hollywood", and "Allentown".Jim from Pleasant Hill, CaWhenever I hear this song, I expect him to sing ".Hackensack-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack.".Kathleen from River Vale, NjIs he talking about Hackensack Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey? I've always thought that was it because it makes so much sense.Tacey from New Milford, NjTo the person who asked if Hackensack is the Medical Center? Hackensack is a city in New Jersey, the county seat of Bergen County.Gary from CaliforniaWhy doesn't Billy use the word maniac? Instead he sings crazy man.My grandma had a friend who knew Billy Joel and he would often go to her beach house in Long Island. He stayed in a town called Hackensack which is the town next to where my uncles and dad grew up in, in Lodi, NJ. When he was young, my grandma, (who also had the last name Leone), kicked him out of the house because he was misbehaving. My last name is Leone and I had an Uncle named Anthony. Matteo from Exton, PaThere’s a rumor that my family is tied to this song.SonjaTo the commenter below asking about Sergeant O'Leary, he's obviously a cop ("working the beat"), and either working a second job as a bartender or possibly working undercover as a bartender.There is no use for arguing by either side. People must think he is crazy for rejecting their social norms, but the narrator thinks they are the crazy ones spending all their time and energy just for money and status symbols. The "crazy" reference has double meaning. Oscar Lanzi from Chicago, IlTto the commenter who asks why he does not say "maniac" - "crazy mind" (not "crazy man") approximately rhymes with "overtime", so he wanted to fit the rhyme.Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group You should never argue with a crazy mind (mmm)
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