Side Two of River of Dreams is more optimistic in tone than the sobering, almost pessimistic, reality of Side One. It begins with "All About Soul," another one of Billy's realistic or tough love songs along the lines of "A Matter of Trust" and "Honesty."
"All About Soul" espouses the importance of devotion and strength in a relationship. Love is important (so is honesty and trust), but "under the love is a stronger emotion" and that emotion is loyalty and dedication to each other, and the ability to inspire your partner and make that person a better person. "She gives me all her tenderness, and takes away my pain." As Billy stated, "what really counts is who's standing in the long run, and that's one of the essential elements of that song -- who's standing, and why is that? Why do people continue to survive? If someone believes in me, then I guess that I should believe in myself." From Fred Schruers, Billy Joel, p. 223. In the song, Billy sings "who's standing now and who's standing tomorrow?" In a 1993 article in the Washington Post, Billy describes it as a love song for couples who have been together for a while: "How do you write a deeply felt love song celebrating a woman without it being trite, or hackneyed? It's so difficult," Joel admits. "But it's something we feel, something that matures in a relationship. That subject hasn't really been dealt with: married love, people who've been together for a long time. There's always infatuation songs and lust songs, but who writes about abiding love? If the baby boom did in fact create this gigantic form of music and wants to bring it with them through life, then it does have to change and deal with more mature topics." The song is soulful almost mournful with a slow steady beat. There is a slight gospel feel to the song too. Billy is backed by a small orchestra while the group Color Me Badd and the talented Crystal Taliefero provide background vocals. * * * * *
Originally, the working title of the song was "The Motorcycle Song" and Billy had filler lyrics about riding a motorcycle down the "Jericho Road," but then he slowed it down and turned it into "All About Soul." "The Motorcycle Song" can be heard on the collection My Lives.
"All About Soul" reached number 29 on the U.S. Billboard charts. There is both a shorter radio edit version (Spotify link) of the song as well as a re-mix (YouTube link) which is on My Lives and the CD single. The B side of the CD single is "You Picked A Real Bad Time" which is not on River of Dreams, but was one of the songs Billy first recorded for possible inclusion on the album. Billy on "All About Soul" from SiriusXM.
Art for the single cover of "All About Soul" which is a detail from the River of Dreams album cover. By Christie Brinkley.
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Words and Music by Billy Joel
She waits for me at night She waits for me in silence She gives me all her tenderness And takes away my pain And so far she hasn't run Though I swear she's had her moments She still believes in miracles While others cry in vain It's all about soul It's all about faith and a deeper devotion It's all about soul 'Cause under the love is a stronger emotion She's got to be strong 'Cause so many things getting out of control Should drive her away, so why does she stay? It's all about soul She turns to me sometimes And she asks me what I'm dreaming And I realize I must have gone a million miles away And I ask her how she knew to reach out for me at that moment And she smiles because it's understood there are no words to say It's all about soul It's all about knowing what someone is feeling The woman's got soul The power of love and the power of healing This life isn't fair It's gonna get dark, it's gonna get cold You've got to get tough, but that ain't enough It's all about soul Na na na na na na na It's all about soul Na na na na na na na Yes it is Na na na na na na na It's all about soul There are people who have lost Every trace of human kindness There are many who have fallen There are some who still survive And she comes to me at night And she tells me her desires And she gives me all the love I need To keep my faith alive It's all about soul It's all about joy that comes out of sorrow It's all about soul Who's standing now, who's standing tomorrow You've got to be hard As hard as the rock in that old rock'n'roll But that's only part, you know in your heart It's all about soul Oh yeah, na na na na na na na It's all about soul, Na na na na na na na Yes it is Alternative ending (used often in live versions): It's all about soul It's all about joy that comes out of sorrow It's all about soul Who's standing now, who's standing tomorrow This life isn't fair It's gonna get dark, it's going to get cold You've got to get tough but that ain't enough It's all about soul Oh yeah, na na na na na na na It's all about soul, Na na na na na na na Yes it is Pop group Color Me Badd sang background vocals on the song. Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, circa 1991.
The cover art for the single (left) reminds me of Henri Rousseau's "The Dream," which is appropriate for this album. I also love "The Sleeping Gypsy."
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Videos
Official music video for "All About Soul." © 1993 Sony BMG Music Entertainment.
Watch more videos on BillyJoel.com, Sony MyPlay or Vevo's YouTube channel.
Watch more videos on BillyJoel.com, Sony MyPlay or Vevo's YouTube channel.
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Live version at the Boston Garden from 1993's "Shades of Grey" documentary.
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Live version (audio only) from Billy's appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1993.
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