An Innocent Man

Billy Joel

About An Innocent Man

"An Innocent Man" is a 1983 song performed by Billy Joel and the third single from his album An Innocent Man. The song, whose musical style is an homage to Ben E. King and The Drifters, reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the third consecutive top 10 single from the album. It also spent one week at #1 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart. Joel was quoted in a 1997 interview describing the high notes he sang during the song: "I had a suspicion that was going to be the last time I was going to be able to hit those notes, so why not go out in a blaze of glory? That was the end of Billy's high note. "No music video was made for this song. 


Year:
1989
109 
#1

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Some people stay far away from the door
If there's a chance of it opening up
They hear a voice in the hall outside
And hope that it just passes by

Some people live with the fear of a touch
And the anger of having been a fool
They will not listen to anyone
So nobody tells them a lie

I know you're only protecting yourself
I know you're thinking of somebody else
Someone who hurt you
But I'm not above
Making up for the love
You've been denying you could ever feel
I'm not above doing anything
To restore your faith if I can
Some people see through the eyes of the old
Before they ever get a look at the young
I'm only willing to hear you cry
Because I am an innocent man
I am an innocent man
Oh yes I am

Some people say they will never believe
Another promise they hear in the dark
Because they only remember too well
They heard somebody tell them before

Some people sleep all alone every night
Instead of taking a lover to bed
Some people find that it's easier to hate
Than to wait anymore

I know you don't want to hear what I say
I know you're gonna keep turning away
But I've been there and if I can survive
I can keep you alive
I'm not above going through it again
I've not above being cool for a while
If you're cruel to me I'll understand

Some people run from a possible fight
Some people figure they can never win
And although this is a fight I can lose
The accused is an innocent man
I am an innocent man
Oh yes I am
An innocent man

You know you only hurt yourself out of spite
I guess you'd rather be a martyr tonight
That's your decision
But I'm not below
Anybody I know
If there's a chance of resurrecting a love
I'm not above going back to the start
To find out where the heartache began

Some people hope for a miracle cure
Some people just accept the world as it is
But I'm not willing to lay down and die
Because I am an innocent man

I am an innocent man
Oh yes I am
An innocent man

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Billy Joel

William Martin "Billy" Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man," in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to the RIAA. He also has the third best-selling album in the United States with his Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2. more »

17 fans

Written by: BILLY JOEL

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Origin
"An Innocent Man" is a song by Billy Joel from his ninth studio album, also named "An Innocent Man." The song and the album were released in the year 1983.
Musical Influence
The musical style of "An Innocent Man" reflects Joel's tribute to the R&B and doo-wop music of the 1950s and 1960s.
Song Inspiration
Billy Joel composed "An Innocent Man" following his second divorce, and several of its songs, including the title track, reflect his personal experiences and emotions during that period.
Chart Success
"An Innocent Man" climbed to number 10 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in the United States. On the UK Singles Chart, it reached number 8, and it topped the Adult Contemporary chart in the U.S.
Album Success
The "An Innocent Man" album was a commercial success, becoming the first album from Billy Joel to spawn six top-40 hits in the U.S.
Grammy Awards
The album "An Innocent Man," which includes the namesake song, was nominated for Album of the Year at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards.
Song Theme
Lyrically, "An Innocent Man" explores themes of love, trust, and commitment. It reflects Billy Joel's journey of finding love again after experiencing a tough divorce.
Music Video
The music video for "An Innocent Man" showcases Joel singing the song while periodically flipping through pages of a photo album.
Song Writing
Unlike many of his other songs, Billy Joel stated that he wrote "An Innocent Man" in the key of E because it is the “easiest key for him to sing in.”
Cover Versions
"An Innocent Man" has been covered by numerous artists. Notably, British singer Sarah Brightman featured her cover of the song on her 2018 album, "Hymn."
In Popular Culture
The song has been used in various television shows like "Miami Vice" and has continued to be a staple on both classic rock and adult contemporary radio stations.
Critical Reception
Critics have lauded "An Innocent Man" for its melodic content, poignant lyrics, and nostalgic feel, citing it as a testament to Joel’s versatility as an artist.

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    An Innocent Man

    1.7M
    10,464     435

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1984

    Billboard #10


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