Home Billy Joel album rock Meaning and Lyrics of Captain Jack by Billy Joel

Meaning and Lyrics of Captain Jack by Billy Joel

Song Lyrics meaning of Captain Jack by Billy Joel

About Billy Joel

Billy Joel
Billy Joel is a renowned American singer-songwriter, pianist, and composer. He was born on May 9, 1949, in The Bronx, New York City. Joel is known for his distinctive voice, catchy melodies, and heartfelt lyrics that often explore themes of love, relationships, and everyday life. One of his popular songs, Captain Jack, showcases Joel’s songwriting prowess and ability to capture deep emotions through his music. The song was originally released on his 1973 album “Piano Man” and has become a classic in Joel’s repertoire. Over his impressive career, Billy Joel has sold over 150 million records worldwide and has received multiple awards, including six Grammy Awards. He is also a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Despite retiring from recording new music, Joel continues to perform live concerts and remains one of the most iconic figures in the music industry.

Meaning of Captain Jack by Billy Joel

“Captain Jack” by Billy Joel is a poignant and introspective song that delves into the themes of escapism, disillusionment, and the quest for happiness. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a young person seeking refuge from the monotony and dissatisfaction of their life.

In the first verse, the protagonist is portrayed as being tired of their mundane existence in a small town and yearning for a temporary escape. The mention of wanting to find a “little hole in the ground” suggests a desire to hide away from the world for a while.

The second verse describes the protagonist visiting a vibrant but seedy locale, where they observe various societal outcasts, yet find a perverse fascination in the spectacle. The reference to “Captain Jack” as a means of getting high and finding solace on a “special island” introduces the theme of using substances or external stimuli to cope with unhappiness.

As the song progresses, the protagonist’s sense of isolation and discontent becomes more apparent. The mention of loneliness, self-pleasure, and longing for connection highlights a deep emotional void in their life. Despite putting on a polished facade, the protagonist’s inner struggles and lack of fulfillment are evident.

The chorus, repeated several times throughout the song, underscores the allure of escapism offered by “Captain Jack”, symbolizing a temporary reprieve from reality through various means, albeit with potentially harmful consequences.

The later verses touch on themes of rebellion, disillusionment with authority figures, and a sense of aimlessness. The juxtaposition of material possessions with emotional emptiness highlights the protagonist’s inner turmoil and search for meaning.

The outro, with its stark reference to the potential consequences of seeking escape in self-destructive behaviors, serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of relying on external sources of happiness.

Overall, “Captain Jack” can be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of seeking refuge in vices or fleeting pleasures to mask deeper emotional wounds. It serves as a poignant reflection on the human struggle for fulfillment and the pitfalls of seeking happiness through escapism.

Lyrics of Captain Jack by Billy Joel

Verse 1
Saturday night, and you're still hanging around
You're tired of living in your one horse town
You'd like to find a little hole in the ground
For a while
Mmm-hmm

Verse 2
So, you go to the Village in your tie-dye jeans
And you stare at the junkies and the closet queens
It's like some pornographic magazine
And you smile
Mmm-hmm

Chorus
But Captain Jack will get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Captain Jack will get you by tonight
Just a little push, and you'll be smiling
Oh, yeah, yeah

Verse 3
Your sister's gone out, she's on a date
And you just sit at home and m********e
Your phone is gonna ring soon but you just can't wait
For that call
Mmm-hmm

Verse 4
So, you stand on the corner in your new English clothes
And you look so polished from your hair down to your toes
Oh, but still your finger's gonna pick your nose
After all
Mmm-hmm, yeah

Chorus
But Captain Jack will get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Captain Jack will get you by tonight
Just a little push, you'll be smiling
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, yeah, yeah

Verse 5
So, you decide to take a holiday
You got your tape deck and your brand new Chevrolet
Ah, there ain't no place to go anyway
What for?
Mmm-hmm

Verse 6
So, you've got everything, ah, but nothing's cool
They just found your father in the swimming pool
And you guess you won't be goin' back to school
Anymore

Chorus
But Captain Jack can get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Oh, Captain Jack will get you by tonight
Just a little push and you'll be smiling
La-la-la
Oh, yeah, yeah

Verse 7
So, you play your albums and you smoke your pot
And you meet your girlfriend in the parkin' lot
Oh, but still you're aching for the things you haven't got
What went wrong?
Mmm-hmm

Verse 8
And if you can't understand why your world is so dead
Why you've got to keep in style and feed your head
Well, you're twenty-one, and still your mother makes your bed
And that's too long
Oh, oh, oh, woah, yeah, yeah

Chorus
But Captain Jack will get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Well, now Captain Jack will get you by tonight
Just a little push and you'll be smiling
Oh, Captain Jack will get you high tonight
Take you to your special island
Well, now Captain Jack could make you die tonight
Just a little push and you’ll be smiling
Yeah, Captain Jack will get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Captain Jack will make you die tonight
Outro
Well, now Captain Jack will make you die tonight
Just a little push and you'll be smiling

Discography Billy Joel

Live at The Great American Music Hall

Release: 2023-04-21

Label: Columbia/Legacy

Popularity: 👏

1. Opening – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
2. Somewhere Along the Line – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
3. Roberta – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
4. The Mexican Connection – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
5. Root Beer Rag – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
6. James – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
7. Intro of Band Members – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
8. You’re My Home – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
9. Cocker Imitation/You Are So Beautiful (Vamp/Fragment) – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
10. Everybody Loves You Now – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
11. New York State of Mind – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
12. Benny & The Jets (Vamp/Fragment) – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
13. Travelin’ Prayer – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
14. Delta Lady (Vamp/Fragment) – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
15. The Entertainer – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
16. The Ballad of Billy the Kid – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
17. Ain’t No Crime – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975
18. Weekend Song – Live at the Great American Music Hall – 1975

Tracklist Collapse

Live at Yankee Stadium

Release: 2022-11-04

Label: Columbia/Legacy

Popularity: 👏

1. Storm Front – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
2. Allentown – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
3. Prelude / Angry Young Man – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
4. I Go to Extremes – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
5. New York State of Mind – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
6. The Downeaster ‘Alexa’ – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
7. My Life – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
8. Shameless – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
9. Scenes From an Italian Restaurant – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
10. Pressure – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
11. Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out On Broadway) – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
12. Uptown Girl – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
13. We Didn’t Start the Fire – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
14. A Matter of Trust – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
15. Only the Good Die Young – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
16. That’s Not Her Style – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
17. Big Shot – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
18. Goodnight Saigon – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
19. It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
20. An Innocent Man – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
21. You May Be Right – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990
22. Piano Man – Live at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY – June 1990

Tracklist Collapse

A Matter of Trust - The Bridge to Russia: The Music (Live)

Release: 2014-05-19

Label: Columbia/Legacy

Popularity: 👏

1. Odoya
2. Prelude / Angry Young Man – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
3. Honesty – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
4. The Ballad of Billy the Kid – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
5. She’s Always A Woman – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
6. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
7. Goodnight Saigon – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
8. Stiletto – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
9. Big Man on Mulberry Street – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
10. Baby Grand – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
11. What’s Your Name – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
12. The Longest Time – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
13. An Innocent Man – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
14. Pressure – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
15. Allentown – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
16. A Matter of Trust – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
17. Only the Good Die Young – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
18. It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
19. Sometimes a Fantasy – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
20. You May Be Right – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
21. Uptown Girl – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
22. Big Shot – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
23. Back in the U.S.S.R. – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
24. The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Live in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
25. She Loves You – Rehearsal Performance in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
26. New York State of Mind – Rehearsal Performance in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987
27. Piano Man – Rehearsal Performance in Moscow & Leningrad, Russia – July/August 1987

Tracklist Collapse