Tell Her About It by Billy Joel Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Odes of Honesty and Vulnerability

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Billy Joel's Tell Her About It at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh

Listen boy, I don’t wanna see you let a good thing slip away (slip away)
You know I don’t like watching anybody make the same mistakes I made
She’s a real nice girl and she’s always there for you
But a nice girl wouldn’t tell you what you should do

Oh, listen boy, I’m sure that you think you got it all under control
You don’t want somebody tellin’ you the way to stay in someone’s soul
You’re a big boy now and you’ll never let her go (you know you’ll never let her go)
But that’s just the kind of thing she ought to know

Tell her about it, tell her everything you feel
Give her every reason to accept that you’re for real
Tell her about it, tell her all your crazy dreams
Let her know you need her, let her know how much she means

Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Listen boy, it’s not automatically a certain guarantee (certain guarantee)
To ensure yourself, you’ve got to provide communication constantly
When you love someone, you’re always insecure
And there’s only one good way to reassure

Tell her about it, let her know how much you care
When she can’t be with you, tell her you wish you were there
Tell her about it, every day before you leave
Pay her some attention, give her something to believe

‘Cause now and then she’ll get to worrying
Just because you haven’t spoken for so long
And though you may not have done anything
Will that be a consolation when she’s gone?

Listen boy, it’s good information from a man who’s made mistakes
Just a word or two that she gets from you could be the difference that it makes
She’s a trusting soul, she’s put her trust in you (you know she put her trust in you)
But a girl like that won’t tell you what you should do

Tell her about it, tell her everything you feel
Give her every reason to accept that you’re for real
Tell her about it, tell her all your crazy dreams
Let her know you need her, let her know how much she means

Tell her about it
Tell her how you feel right now
Just tell her about it
The girl don’t want to wait too long
You got to tell her about it
Tell her now and you won’t go wrong
You got to tell her about it
Before it gets too late
You’ve got to tell her about it
You know the girl don’t want to wait
You got to tell her about it
You got to tell, tell, tell her about it
Now, tell her about it
Woo, woo

In the vibrant landscape of 80s pop music, where synthesizers and extravagant music videos ruled the airwaves, Billy Joel’s ‘Tell Her About It’ emerged not just as a toe-tapping hit, but as a timeless piece of advice cloaked in melody. Released in 1983, the song is a prod to the romantically complacent, a guidebook in the guise of a chart-topper, and an anthem for those who dare to bear their hearts.

While on the surface, the song might register as a simple pop tune, the layers of its meaning capture a narrative that is refreshingly candid. With Joel’s knack for storytelling, ‘Tell Her About It’ stretches beyond its catchy chorus to tap into the vulnerability, fears, and communication that underpin relationships.

The Echo of Personal Mistakes and the Universal Truth of Regret

Billy Joel doesn’t prop himself up as a flawless figure in ‘Tell Her About It.’ Instead, he opens with the confession of past mistakes – a humbling admission that sets the tone for understanding. The song’s lyrics depict the viewpoint of someone who has let a good thing slip away due to his own failings, serving as a warning shot to the listener to take a different path.

Joel taps into the age-old adage that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, embedding a cautionary tale within the song’s groovy beats. It is a message the listener can’t help but hold on to – the bitter taste of regret that becomes Joel’s driver for urging proactive love and communication.

Romantic Revelation: Why Telling Her Is More Than Just Words

The core instructive to ‘tell her’ about feelings and dreams takes the center stage, emphasizing the importance of openness and disclosure in a relationship. These lyrics aren’t just an encouragement; they are a recognition of the courage it takes to be vulnerable with someone else.

Joel understands that vulnerability is not just about spilling one’s feelings; it’s about offering honesty as the bedrock for trust between partners. ‘Tell Her About It’ becomes an anthem that champions the brave act of opening up as a necessity for intimacy and enduring love.

Unlocking the Hidden Message: A Primer on Emotional Assurance

While the song’s chorus may catch the ear, Joel’s advice to maintain ‘constant communication’ reveals a deeper understanding of the insecurities that plague amorous connections. He recognizes the fundamental human need for emotional security within love’s unpredictable realm.

The songwriter’s reference to reassurance as the remedy to insecurity is the song’s hidden message, illuminating how a few heartfelt words can combat the shadow of doubt. It’s a call to action for lovers to be each other’s anchors, providing a sense of security through the simple yet potent medium of words.

The Endearing Enigma: Deconstructing Joel’s Most Memorable Lines

It’s in the song’s memorable lines – ‘Just because you haven’t spoken for so long / And though you may not have done anything / Will that be a consolation when she’s gone?’ – that Joel’s lyricism shines. These words resonate with the dread of lost opportunities and the silent suffering that can permeate a relationship when communication breaks down.

The potency of this lyrical question lies in its stark honesty, confronting the listener with a situation that too many have faced: the cold reality of a bond that fades not due to some grand betrayal, but through neglect and the absence of expression.

Echoes in the Halls of Pop Culture: ‘Tell Her About It’ Revisited

Despite the decades that have passed since its release, ‘Tell Her About It’ remains a fixture in the soundtrack of many lives, a testament to Billy Joel’s songwriting prowess. It’s a classic not just for its melodic appeal but for its enduring narrative – the essence of communication as a timeless ingredient for relationship success.

The song serves as a slice-of-life piece from the 1980s that continues to infiltrate modern culture with its revered message – a reminder that, in relationships, it’s often the unspoken that hangs heaviest in the air. Joel’s pop wisdom, wrapped in a catchy tune, is a cultural beacon that still lights the way for lovers navigating the seas of expression.