music.wikisort.org - Composition

"You're Only Human (Second Wind)" is a song written in 1985 and performed by Billy Joel. The song deals with teenage depression and suicide. It originally appeared on Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II in 1985 and became a top-ten hit, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"You're Only Human (Second Wind)"
Single by Billy Joel
from the album Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II
B-side	"Surprises"
Released	July 13, 1985
Recorded	June 1985
Genre	Pop music
Length	4:48 (album version) 4:21 (single version)
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Billy Joel
Producer(s)	Phil Ramone
Billy Joel singles chronology
"Keeping the Faith" (1985) "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" (1985) "The Night Is Still Young" (1985)

Background and recording

Joel, who had once attempted suicide himself, stated in a 1985 interview that he wrote the song as a way to help young people struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide.[1] In its original draft, he was concerned that the song sounded too depressing, so he imbued it with a bouncy, joyous beat and melody with lyrics that stressed personal forgiveness and optimism about life. The song was originally simply titled "Second Wind," but Joel changed it to "You're Only Human" with "Second Wind" as a subtitle after drummer Liberty DeVitto mocked the name.[2] Joel donated all royalties from the song to the National Committee for Youth Suicide Prevention.[3]

During the song, Joel audibly chuckles after briefly hesitating and stuttering during one of the verses. At the prompting of Paul Simon and Christie Brinkley, who were listening in the studio, he decided to keep it in the finished recording, as it seemed to illustrate the song's point about personal fallibility.[1]

Reception

Cash Box said that the song has "a lilting reggae rhythm much like that in Julian Lennon’s 'Too Late For Goodbyes'" and "Joel’s own inimitable sense of melodic and musical themes."[4] Billboard said that it has a "syncopated synthesized rhythm."[5]

Personnel

• Billy Joel – lead vocals, keyboards
• David Brown – lead guitar
• Russell Javors – rhythm guitar
• Doug Stegmeyer – bass guitar
• Liberty DeVitto – drums
• Jimmy Bralower – percussion
• Peter Hewlett – background vocals
• Frank Simms – background vocals
• David Lebolt – synthesizer
• Ronnie Cuber – syntharmonicas
• Jon Faddis – syntharmonicas
• Mark Rivera – syntharmonicas
• David Matthews – horns arrangements

Music video

At the beginning of the video, Joel plays "Piano Man" on his harmonica. The entire video pays homage to the film It's a Wonderful Life,[2] as the angelic Joel shows a suicidal young man threatening to jump off a bridge because of a break-up with his girlfriend what life will be like without him, as his family and friends mourn his death—as well as showing him the joys in his future he would be missing if he dies (e.g. high school graduation, marriage). The video ends with the man choosing to live, and reconciling with his girlfriend when Joel plays "Piano Man" once again before giving him his harmonica.

One of the extras in the music video is Adam Savage, who later found fame as the co-host of the popular science television show MythBusters.[6]

The video was shot on Staten Island and Manhattan and features landmarks such as the 59th Street Bridge and Monsignor Farrell High School.

Single and album edits

The single version is 27 seconds shorter than the album version, removing the saxophone solo between the bridge and the third verse.

Charts

Chart (1985)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7]	6
Canadian Singles Chart[8]	15
Dutch Singles Chart	22
New Zealand Singles Chart	17
UK Singles Chart	94
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	9
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks	2
U.S. Billboard Top Rock Tracks	26

References

External links

• Billy Joel - You're Only Human (Second Wind) (Official Video)

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