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Roberta
Streetlife Serenade (1974) |
Roberta, how I've adored you
I'd ask you over but I can't afford you Oh, I wish you'd take the time Oh, I wish you'd take the time Billy tackles a somewhat controversial topic in "Roberta," which is about a prostitute or call girl. The song is a ballad but the topic is not love; rather, it is about frustration. The protagonist cannot get what he wants as he states "I suppose that my small change won't see you through" and "I'd ask you over but I can't afford you." There are some lines that indicate the singer has feelings for Roberta such as "I know you're workin' but you must get lonely too, it's tough for me, ah, it's tough for you." Ultimately, however, the song begins and ends in frustration.
The song is rarely, if ever, played live and is more or less forgotten. Billy did, however, discuss the song and play most of it at the New Yorker Festival in 2015 (see video, below right) at the request of some die-hard fans. He said that Roberta was a real person he knew while he lived in Los Angeles. Billy on "Roberta" from SiriusXM in 2016.
Billy Joel on Chip Monck's program "Speakeasy" in 1974.
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Words and Music by Billy Joel
Roberta, you say you know me But I see only what you’re paid to show me Oh, I wish you had the time Oh, I wish you had the time, oh Roberta, I understand you I know you need to move in other circles too It’s tough for me It’s tough for you Roberta, how I've adored you I'd ask you over but I can't afford you Oh, I wish you'd take the time Oh, I wish you'd take the time Oh, Roberta, the night goes slowly I know you're workin' but you must get lonely too It's tough for me, ah, it's tough for you And I'm in a bad way And I wanna make love to you, ooh, ooh Oh, I wish you had the time Oh, I wish you had the time Oh, Roberta, I really need you But I suppose that my small change won't see you through; It's tough for me Ah, it's tough for you 
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