Billy’s friends who went to Viet Nam asked him to write a song for them. Having not been there he wasn’t comfortable writing it, but his friends said we will tell you what it was like and you write it. The song ended up being a tribute to the men, not the war. Their main concern was their fellow soldiers. Billy has veterans come on stage and sing the chorus with him during concerts. It is very stirring.

Met as soulmates on Parris Island left as inmates from an asylum is the most accurate description of PI ever. USMC 1971.

I have never been able to listen to this song all the way through... my brother lived this, and never talked about it. Thank you Harri for giving me the courage to finish the song to the end...

As a Vietnam Vet I feel this is one the best songs ever written about Vietnam, Charlie Daniels also wrote one.

This is an incredible song, Billy actually had Vietnam Vets singing backup in the video. Thank you to all of our military members past and present.👍

My dear friend's brother was shot down in Quang Tri. in 1969 He was 19 years old and a very proud Marine. RIP Chris...your memory will live on. 🇺🇸❤

My dad fought in Vietnam, and this was one of his favorite songs. He passed away in 1995. This song brings me tears every time I hear it. Thank you to ALL the veterans...🇺🇲

It is a shattering song. I am Vietnam era, but did not serve. I was a long-haired hippie freak protester. And I have nothing but respect and admiration for those who served. Peace!

In concert he has Viet Nam vets on stage with their arms around each other singing the chorus. A gut punch. Exhilarating and brilliant

Everyone needs to experience the genius that is Billy Joel. Thanks for being one of the reactors keeping his legacy rolling.

"They left their childhood on every acre"....a masterpiece of a song. Just heart wrenching.

You're right, Harri. You have to stop thinking you've heard Billy's best. Radio stations might just keep playing Piano Man and Uptown Girl, but his fans know they can put on any album, start to finish, and enjoy the hell out of it. (May I recommend "Allentown" or "Pressure" next.)

After Paul McCartney Billy best songwriter ever in modern music era !!!

As a veteran I approve this song. It really reaches deep.

Joel"s masterpiece. Not his greatest or best song, but the one that showed what he could do.

You wake up at 3:00 am to the sound of a helicopter flying over your neighborhood. Suddenly, you're right back in the middle of it... .

My brother served in the Navy as a Corpsman .... He thought that by joining the Navy that he would be on the ship taking care of the wounded flown out to them. That's what he was told anyways. The reality was he and his best friend joined, (they would have been drafted), and a day after their arrival to Vietnam... they were both flown to the DMZ where there was some heavy action. It was so surreal to him... Within the first couple of hours they were crawling out to the dead and wounded only to have his friend signal for a helicopter and got bullet that blew his head all over my brother. He saw a lot of dead, dying, and wounded men. When he came back, he was never the same. He wound up with a brain tumor the size of a baseball, from being sprayed with Agent Orange many times... He constantly had flashbacks all his life. Luckily ... my brother died at age 65 yrs, 7months, and 11 days. He was angry at the non support of the veterans for nearly his whole life... finally they got some help... but many never lived long enough to see that. RIP to all who fought on both sides of the war.

One of the few songs that still brings tears to my eyes. No matter how many times I've heard it before. And I've seen him doing it live once. On the Storm Front tour back in 1990: truly one of the best performances I've ever witnessed.

I love this song. My late aunt and uncle had Billy's greatest hits. I cried cos my uncle died young. A plumber in the army. Not killed by war but lung disease. So sad. We all loved this song 💯❤️

Along with Brothers in Arms, this is possibly the most powerful songs in honour of those who served.. To all who do, or have served.... THANK YOU is NEVER enough... I had a friend who DID serve, after leaving the service He once said. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't trust people, I can't settle ANYWHERE. WHAT DID I DO WORNG????." This broke my heart and I replied saying this... "You were a kind, gentle, intelligent and thoughtful person as a kid, The Army took you in and broke you down bit by bit, to create a warrior to defend us civvies. They made you part of a brotherhood I'll never understand, where even the comaptriots you HATE you absolutely KNOW will stand back to back with you and fight off oppresssion. You were a completely different person when you were on leave compared to who you were as a kid, but that's what they NEEDED you to be! When you left they just cut you loose, alone into civilian life. So you went from that world where you could trust EVERYONE around you with your life and were dumped into a world where everyone is trying to f**k everyone else over for almost nothing. How can you expect to trust ANYONE in civvie street after that? I can see it! You're around for 3-6 months, then you disappear for 3-6 months, same as your average posting in the military. Let me tell you something.... THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU! NEVER say that to me again! You served with honour, You gave your blood, sweat and tears so we that have the freedoms we have right now. You will ALWAYS have my admiration, respect and friendship till my dying day! Anything you need just ask, even just someone to talk to, you don't need to relive what you went through, just show up and we'll sit quietly or shoot the breeze, I'll be right here." He broke down and wept... This warrior fell apart in front of me and said "How did YOU know?" "Because I watched, because I saw the transitions you went through, most importantly, because I was and always will be your friend, friends, TRUE friends become Family, just like those you served with are, You are the Brother I never had and I couldn't be more PROUD to have known you and counted you as my brother!"

Next Billy Joel reaction should be Allentown. Another one with incredible lyrics.

Your honesty is so refreshing, my brother. Your response is perfect. You said what i think, everytime I hear this song. It makes me cry, every time. All of these years later. Thank you my friend. ❤

Whenever he performs this live, he brings onstage local veterans, military, police, and firefighters to sing the chorus. It's very moving. I remember bawling watching the 9/11 concert. If you want uplifting, try River of Dreams!

During his live performance he had about 20 or more vietnam vets singing the chorus, very emotional.

When he sings "remember Charlie..." that's the part that gets me. The movie "Born on the 4th of July" speaks to the trauma the soldiers who went to Vietnam had to live with. It's really well done if anyone wants to know more about that time in our history from a personal viewpoint.

My brother was 18 when he went to Viet Nam. He came home but was not the brother he was before he went. Many years after he returned after countless therapy attempts he took his own life. Such a sad and needless war

It's too bad the other video was blocked because it includes photos of soldiers and scenes from the life in-country in Vietnam and the photos make it even more poignant and moving. They were so young, green and gung ho and if they were lucky enough to survive, so many came home emotionally and mentally gutted. It's unspeakably sad what war does to the human spirit. God bless all who served. Thank you for your service.

The official video has a montage of photos from Vietnam and the vocal backing is a group of veterans

Billy did amazing things in concert. Aside from bringing vets on stage to sing the chorus of this song, he wouldn't sell out the first three or four rows of seats. At the beginning of the show he would invite those in the nose bleed sections to come down and sit up front. I was cosmically lucky enough to have a friend in High School band named David Brown. David became Billy's lead guitarist and musical director. I was able to get back stage at shows and even went on the beer run and set up for Billy's thirtieth birthday party. (He was a Molson fan) He is one of the most down to Earth people that ever was.

In 1966 my Dad's cousin Richard, a navy pilot was shot down. At 7 years old, I didn't really understand anything about Vietnam or war. No one in my family was ever the same. His remains were never found :(

“Vienna Waits For You” tops them all. Billy Joel

It's a massive song, hey! Music is there to be discovered, you have to enjoy the ride.

When Billy performs this track live with vets singing the chorus, is tear inducing to the hardest heart.

This was incredible to see live. Great deep lyrics... And Liberty DeVitto''s drumming style always made songs like this twice as powerful.

Saw Billy four times and each time he made you feel like you were in a cozy bar with a lot of friends having the greatest time.

You should check out the Kennedy Center Honors the year Billy Joel was honored. When they did this song it was beautiful. There were service men and women on stage singing.

The official video is even better

The unmistakable 'thwop, thwop, thwop' of that two-prop Huey in the beginning sets the tone... chills and melancholy at the same time. Billy Joel obviously listened very close to those vets because he put words to an experience. Welcome Home Brothers.

In his live shows the chorus was often sung by actual vets from that war. By the way, the song refers to Parris Island, which is a US Marine training facility. Respect to the USMC.

Then they came home and we're treated like the enemy. Heartbreaking. We should treat our military with dignity and respect

This is such an incredible song! Sad to know that when our soldiers came home they were spit on. I was born 1966 so I could not imagine what they went through over there and came home to that . It breaks my heart.

This brings it all back - the weight of it, the fear and the misery and the waste. I was just a young girl far removed from any of the reality of it, but even my heart aches for the ones who suffered through that horror (and still suffer today - you don't know unless you know at least one of them). And, I've always believed that my future husband died in Vietnam....along with all that might've followed. Tonight this song breaks my heart again for all the horror and all the terror every human faced in the course of those many years - and especially our 50,000+.......god help us.

Piano Man unico artista che ha solo gioielli ... Per lui la musica un gioco facile... Talento talento Talento Talento 👏🎹👏

Wanted to finish my comment below, I'm considered a senior citizen now and no one takes me seriously, but that was and the protests against it changed a generation and our views on politics to this day. But again I'm above their and obviously don't know anything.

I love that you can FEEL music, regardless of genre. You are an absolute treasure!!!!!

What a great song of recognition to the armed forces who braved themselves in Vietnam. Billy is great for writing songs and composing wonderful music to commemorate good or bad things that have happened in history. Try checking out "Allentown" Harri it's a great piece!

A tragic masterpiece. Perfection. Thanks for your reaction

These lyrics make me want to cry! 🇬🇧🇺🇸♥️

I was 15 in '75 when the Vietnam War ended. I had cousins, older friends, and the older brothers of my friends that went. I couldn't enlist until I was 17 and got in a few fistfights with people I saw treating returning Vets horribly before my enlistment. This song always brings tears to my eyes... thank you for reacting to this song. To all of my Veteran brothers and sisters.... "welcome home'!

harry let me say .i love your open heart. that said ,this is what i heard how this came about .his mates that came back as vets asked billy to write a song about their experiences .

I first heard this song decades ago and even now, I can't listen to it without emotion. Billy Joel is truly a gifted songwriter.

A must watch, Billy Joel Live in Long Island

How have I never heard this song before?? Damn. 😭 Walking on a Thin Line by Huey Lewis and the News is another song that will get to you.

Your facial reactions brought new life to this old favorite. Thank you for your take on it.

Harri, here’s some details on the origins of the song: Joel wrote the song as a tribute to many of his friends who had served in the war. ... He composed it after he was asked to write a song by a veterans' group. I believe the choir is composed of veterans of the Vietnam War but I could be wrong. I highly recommend The Ballad of Billy the Kid as your next Billy Joel reaction, any live version if possible. 🔥🎹

The choir was veterans

Fabulous song!♥️🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦

Parris Island is in South Carolina where I live. It's where The Marines go to train for fighting.

This entire album is GOLD. You should try Room of Our Own and Laura, lots of Beatles vibes!

This is definitely a shout out to all Vietnam Vets however he does mention Parris Island where Marine Boot camp is, along with San Diego. Semper Fidelis devil dogs!

I grew up during the Vietnam war. It was the biggest waste of blood and treasure this country engaged in. So sad.

I'm not a big Billy Joel person, but this and Allentown are so moving, especially this one, so incredibly sad and infuriating ☮️ everyone

Harri I can't believe my good fortune to find this song and your reaction on veterans Day!

My brother was Army in the 1990s & went to Bosnia/Kosovo among other places. There were four boys who became friends & made a pact with each other to stay connected until death. My brother was the last one to rejoin the group in Heaven. Aaron Hamilton, 2/25/75-1/27/21. Harri, you were right about war doing things to those who go. My brother had PTSD.

Liberty's drumline perfectly accents this masterpiece.

The live video of this brings the message to another level - highly suggest watching.

Always makes me cry, every tjme.

This is lyrical such a master piece. He describes the whole war from a soldiers view in a 4 minute song. Respect

Billy is a master storyteller with impeccable musicianship.He is a regular middle class guy under it all.He makes you feel every word and every note.Seeing how much you enjoyed this Harry,you need to give a listen to a few more of his " story" songs. Downeaster Alexa tells the plight of the hardworking fisherman,with lots of New York references. Allentown tells of the steelworkers in Pennsylvania.We didn't start the fire,is an entire history/ trivia lesson! A super sweet one is Lullabye,that he wrote for his daughter. Not sure if that's exact title.Lastly is a rare gem called You're my home,one of my favorite's from early on. My other favorite is a cover of a Bob Dylan song called To Make You Feel My Love. Adele does a great cover of it as well.Happy listening Harry.You could do Billy Joel until 2023 !

Billy puts scenes from am Italian restaurant as his number one song...I agree

Harri, my union held our monthly meetings at a VFW, and for years, I would sit and talk with alot of the vets. Many from the Vietnam era have said the absolute best song depiction of the Vietnam vet is by Charlie Daniels called Still in Saigon. Give it a listen with your eyes closed. Have tissues nearby............

I heard this song while walking to the bus stop, I just got the tap and popped it in....

Billy Joel is one of the best songwriters ever. I know you've heard Honesty, but you should also try An Innocent Man - extraordinary!

Haven't heard this in a decade or so. Very moving. I am softly weeping.

billy Joel Keeping The Faith

I always liked the song, but never took the time to learn what all the lyrics were. I'm glad I did now. Thanks Harri.

Yes Harry,that chorus is the anthem of every American soldier! They stick together and will not leave any of their brothers behind.Many soldiers were upset with the way our recent pullout of Afghanistan went.Our soldiers are used to staying on the ground until EVERYONE is out safely,and they knew that was not the case.Administrations may fail,but our soldiers never fail us! Land of the free BECAUSE of the brave!🇺🇸👊

An epic song. One of Billy’s most meaningful and emotionally connected song!

Thanks for my favorite Billy J. Song. You should watch the live version of this song. Maybe from the Essential John Denver Back Home Again

Billy Joel a writing genius with his humble down to earth personality wrote a master piece and thank you Vietnam veterans. I WILL NOT FORGET YOU EVER !!

❤️❤️❤️ WE DUDN"T START THE FIRE next please

What an interesting choice! Another of Billy's awesome deep cuts. Very emotional and moving.

There ain’t no rainbow shining on me Shades of Gray are all that I see.

Just as a point of interest when he performs this live he has vietnam vets sing the chorus. Very powerful

"Where's The Orchestra,"from this same album ("The Nylon Curtain") is a very good, very interesting song. I'd love to you react to that one.

That's truly powerful song. Billy Joel really painted a picture, like few can. Great song. Great song writer

I grew up liking him enough, but I absolutely love him now. Discovering all of his underrated songs. He is a musical genius.

The live in concert videos of this song are amazing, he has veterans onstage who join in on the chorus. After 9/11, he included fire and police as well as military in the concert at Shea Stadium in NYC.

Billy once said that he didn’t write the lyrics. He just talked to the soldiers & they wrote it. Powerful stuff.

I was a little girl when this was happening and I saw everybody leave, my brothers and their friends and the neighborhood was always quiet. So many never came back and many of those who did were never the same or died later, many by their own hand. Impossible to forget

Nice reaction, he has so many great songs, so many hits and stories he tells. Leningrad is a great song, so powerful. Try River of Dreams you will love the vibe.

One of the most powerful songs I have ever heard… I love it. So many emotions…. So many layers to those emotions. ❤️ how anyone could listen to this song, really hear it, and not come away with overwhelming feelings and questions of WHY

This song is amazing my dad is a Vietnam veteran

This is my favourite Billy Joel song. This is Billy's "American Trilogy" (Elvis, in case you don't know)

Scandinavians skies and Allentown are two more songs wich make allusion of the war from the same album The nylon curtain. He put many songs from this album on the chart. That was eighties and good music comes from there.

Love your spirit, soul and energy💜🙏✌🌴

My friends and I were one of the lucky ones that were chosen to move up front- front row at The Garden! (At every concert the choose a group from the nosebleeds & move them to the front) The row right behind had a bunch of Navy guys in their dress whites. At this point in the show none of us were sitting & we’re all hanging together. When this song played we all put our arms around each other swaying & singing. He had service members onstage on as his backup singers too. Just such a touching moment. This was 2007 so only a pic or two floating around. I’ve seen him 3X. Its a must see concert before you die type of experience.

Leningrad is even more sad. Great album.

Hi Harri🥰A beautiful song Billy Joel wrote for his daughter Alexa Ray "Lullaby (goodnight my angel)" is a song you should check out. You have a beautiful daughter too. So do I. This one will touch your heart in a good way. "Goodnight Saigon" is so sad.

Masterpiece.