"Rosalinda" is a sad ballad ostensibly about Billy's mother experiencing the 'empty nest' as her children have grown and gone away. Billy's Rosalinda could have been a character from The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby."
After Billy's father left, Billy's mother raised her two children alone. It was not easy, or common, in the 1950s to be a single mom. There were not many jobs for women, they were funneled into low-paying secretarial or clerical jobs. And there was still a social stigma of being divorced. But Rosalind Joel was apparently a very outgoing and vivacious woman who was a talented singer, and she worked hard to give her children music lessons and a home. She passed away in 2014 at age 92. This song is not to be confused with "Rosalinda's Eyes" from 1978's 52nd Street which Billy had described as the song his father should have wrote for his mom. Vertical Divider
Billy's mother, Rosalind Nyman Joel.
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Ah, Rosalinda, Why do you cry? Ah, Rosalinda, Could this be why? Now that there's nothing left to do, Now that the children have all grown And all you have is just a cat and a silent telephone. Ah, Rosalinda, Why do you weep? Ah, Rosalinda, Alone you sleep. The neighbors turn away. What will it take for them to learn That all you want to do is love and to be loved in return? Ah, Rosalinda, We've gone away. Ah, Rosalinda, Still you stay. Being what you've always been And doing what you've always done. How can we give you back the time You gave to us when you were young? Ah, Rosalinda, Turn off the light. Ah, Rosalinda, And say goodnight. Now that the children have all grown. Now that we've all gone away. Now that you're sitting at your home Without a word to say. 
Billy and his mother Rosalind
(fromPinterest page of Billy Joel Forever, Instragram here) |
Videos
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Introduction to "Rosalinda" from Live on WMMR.
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"Rosalinda" from Live on WMMR.
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Studio recording of "Rosalinda" from 1972 in Los Angeles. The fourth verses has different lyrics than the live version. Posted by Louis Colli on YouTube.
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Billy discusses his mother's role and influence growing up, with Alec Baldwin in 2010.
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