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You're Only Human (Second Wind)
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Wikipedia article
"'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 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100.
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.
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.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211206/XTgz7eeLwvg Ghostarchive] and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200618195009/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTgz7eeLwvg&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]: Joel donated all royalties from the song to the National Committee for Youth Suicide Prevention.
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.
Reception
'Cash Box' said that the song has "a lilting reggae rhythm much like that in Julian Lennons 'Too Late For Goodbyes'" and "Joels own inimitable sense of melodic and musical themes." 'Billboard' said that it has a "syncopated synthesized rhythm."
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', 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 deathas 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'.
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
References
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