Billy Joel, Un Hombre Inocente

Crecer en el Bronx, debe ser algo que realmente te marca. No es como criarte en un barrio de Salamanca, o en Gracia, rodeado de oficinas de ejecutivos y colegios de alto standing. Billy Joel en el tugurio, la barra del bar acoje las penas del solitario y el carmin de la mujer de Jim, penas ahogadas en Bourbon y humo denso sobre la tarima, donde el pianista toca la melodia de su vida.
Los dos pugiles colgados en la pared de el fondo, sobre la mesa del chulo con gafas negras y la rubia de ojos turbios, fijos en las teclas de Billy. El pianista no mira, solo toca y canta, con voz calida cuenta que lo que busquaras mañana, lo tienes hoy. Solo hay que mirar atentamente, y preguntarle a Judy por que se fue.

Of all the people in the world that I know
You're the best place to go when I cry, when I cry
I never asked for much before, not before
Things are changed: I need more
Tell my why Judy why

I never thought that she would say, say goodbye
But she did, and now I want to die, I want to die
I never thought that I would need, need a friend
Oh, but I did in the end
Tell me why Judy why
Oh, what a scene
It's wrong for her to hang me up this way
Oh, where've you been?
'Cause it's so hard to make it through the day
A man my age is very young,
So I'm told
Why do I feel so old?
Tell me why Judy why, Judy why

Oh what a scene
It's wrong for her to hang me up this way
Oh, where've you been?
'Cause it's so hard to make it through the day
There's no tomorrow,
'Cause my dream did not last
So I live in the past
Tell me why Judy why
Tell me why Judy why
Oh, tell me why Judy why

Why Judy Why, todos los sueños terminan, Cold Spring Harbor o el comienzo de la serenata triste de Billy, la vida en trozos de vinilo, y vinilos con notas de pura poesia melancolica.
El soñaba con los laureles del ring, como Carlos Monzón agitando el cinturón de campeón, las mieles del exito, el Bronx rendido y su padre de vuelta a casa. Nada de eso fue. Pago su nariz, rota, y el solo con su piano por la senda del crooner moderno.
Billy no es prolijo como Elton, solo 14 discos salen de las teclas del piano, esos discos que estan en mi estanteria, junto a los de sus musas de la Motown, a los Beatles inspiradores de melodias magicas. 14 discos de poesia y ritmo, 14 obras de arte. "An Innocent Man", coros a capella y soul blanco para que Billy purge sus culpas a golpe de piano. Y al final, los sueños se desvanecen, el piano enmudece y la vida corre por caminos que no hubieras pensado. "River Of Dreams", el ultimo legado de Billy, hay sueños que que se hacen realidad, y al final desaparecen.

Some people stay far away from the door
If there's a chance of it opening up
They hear a voice in the hall outside
And hope that it just passes by

Some people live with the fear of a touch
And the anger of having been a fool
They will not listen to anyone
So nobody tells them a lie

I know you're only protecting yourself
I know you're thinking of somebody else
Someone who hurt you
But I'm not above
Making up for the love
You've been denying you could ever feel
I'm not above doing anything
To restore your faith if I can
Some people see through the eyes of the old
Before they ever get a look at the young
I'm only willing to hear you cry
Because I am an innocent man
I am an innocent man
Oh yes I am

Some people say they will never believe
Another promise they hear in the dark
Because they only remember too well
They heard somebody tell them before

Some people sleep all alone every night
Instead of taking a lover to bed
Some people find that it's easier to hate
Than to wait anymore

I know you don't want to hear what I say
I know you're gonna keep turning away
But I've been there and if I can survive
I can keep you alive
I'm not above going through it again
I'm not above being cool for a while
If you're cruel to me I'll understand

Some people run from a possible fight
Some people figure they can never win
And although this is a fight I can lose
The accused is an innocent man
I am an innocent man
Oh yes I am
An innocent man

You know you only hurt yourself out of spite
I guess you'd rather be a martyr tonight
That's your decision
But I'm not below
Anybody I know
If there's a chance of resurrecting a love
I'm not above going back to the start
To find out where the heartache began

Some people hope for a miracle cure
Some people just accept the world as it is
But I'm not willing to lay down and die
Because I am an innocent man

I am an innocent man
Oh yes I am
An innocent man