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Modern Woman
The Bridge (1986)

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She's got style and she's got her own money
So she's not another honey you can quickly disarm
She's got the eyes that make you realize
She won't be hypnotized by your usual  charm

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      "Modern Woman" was a top ten hit, but is not one of Billy's best.  It sounds dated today with its intermittent synthesizers and pseudo-funk beat, and even back in 1986 it sounded awkward.  It was the main song to the movie Ruthless People starring Bette Midler and Danny Devitto, which was a mediocre and forgettable movie.   But for whatever reason, this song actually reached #10 on the Billboard charts.  Billy has said he does not really care for the song, and it is not found on any later compilations or live albums except for My Lives in 2005.  Good move.   How can both "Modern Woman" and "Air: Dublinesque" come from the same musical mind?  Still, there is something catchy about it.

      I believe there is an official music video for the song which featured clips from the movie, but I cannot find it on YouTube or Vevo.  But here is an interesting jazz cover version.
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Words and Music by Billy Joel
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You see her sitting with her coffee and her paper
With her high top sneakers of Italian design
With a long cool stare she aggravates the tension
Makes up her face while she makes up her mind

Now you're in trouble, maybe she's an intellectual
What if she figures out you're not very smart
Or maybe she's the quiet type who's into heavy metal
Boy, you got to get it settled
Cause she's breaking your heart

Don't try to put on an act
You can't do that to a modern woman
And you're an old fashioned man
She understands the things you're doin'
She's a modern woman

She looks sleek and she seems so professional
She's got a lot of confidence, it's easy to see
You want to make a move
But you feel so inferior
Cause under that exterior
Is someone who's free

She's got style and she's got her own money
So she's not another honey you can quickly disarm
She's got the eyes that make you realize
She won't be hypnotized by your usual charm

You've got your plan of attack
That won't attract the modern woman
When you're an old fashioned man
She understands the things you're doin'
She's a modern woman

Time goes by and you're sharing an apartment
She says she loves you but she doesn't know why
In the morning she leaves you with your coffee and your paper
It's a strange situation for an old fashioned guy

But times have changed
Things are not the same, baby
You overcame such a bad attitude
Rock and roll just used to be for kicks
And nowadays it's politics
And after 1986 what else could be new

You got to learn to relax
And face the facts of modern woman
And you're an old fashioned man
She understands the things you're doin'
She's a modern woman

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Billy Joel in the studio. Credit: Larry Bucasa. Columbia publicity photo (1986).

     Billy and Bette Midler were in another movie together too, Disney's animated Oliver in 1988.  Billy was the voice of Dodger the streetwise mutt, and Bette was the voice of Georgette the vain poodle.  Also, years earlier in 1977 Midler recorded a cover version of Billy's "Say Goodbye to Hollywood."  It was on Midler's album Broken Blossom.  Back then Midler was more well known for her singing than acting.  
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Billy briefly discusses "Modern Woman" on SiriusXM.

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Videos

Fan video for "Modern Woman" featuring clips from the short documentary "Building The Bridge."   ​Video by Tony Walker.

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Billy discusses "Modern Woman," from the 1986 documentary "Building The Bridge."

Fan video for "Modern Woman" with still photos from the movie.

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