☝️ Key Points
- The song is about the longing for honesty and truth in relationships
- The chorus emphasizes the rarity and value of honesty and expresses Joel's disappointment in its absence
- In the second verse, Joel rejects superficiality and pretty lies, yearning for someone he can believe in
- In the bridge section, Joel addresses the emptiness of promises and the search for true security
- In the last verse, Joel discusses his emotional dependence and desire for sincerity in his close relationships
Interpretation
The lyrics of "Honesty" by
Billy Joel are about the longing and need for honesty and sincerity in a relationship.
In the first verse, Joel talks about how it's not hard to find tenderness and how one can have the love needed to live. But when it comes to seeking truth, one might as well be blind, as it always seems so hard to come by.
The chorus, "Honesty is such a lonely word / Everyone is so untrue / Honesty is hardly ever heard / And mostly what I need from you", emphasizes the rarity and value of honesty. He expresses his disappointment in how rare honesty is and emphasizes that it's what he needs the most.
In the second verse, Joel rejects superficiality. He doesn't want a pretty face that tells him pretty lies, he wants someone he can believe in.
In the bridge part of the song, Joel expresses that he can find a lover or a friend, and that he can have security until the bitter end. But he knows that anyone can comfort him with empty promises.
In the last verse, he makes it clear that he won't ask for anything if he's deep within himself, but if he wants honesty, he asks where else he can go, because he depends on the person he turns to.
Overall, "Honesty" is a call for seriousness and truthfulness in human relationships. It highlights how valuable and rare honesty is in our society.