You're Only Human (Second Wind)

Billy Joel

About You're Only Human (Second Wind)

"You're Only Human (Second Wind)" is a song written in 1985 and performed by Billy Joel. The song deals with teenage depression and suicide. It originally appeared on Billy Joel's Greatest Hits in 1985 and became a top ten hit, peaking at No.  9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Joel, who had once attempted suicide himself, stated in a 1985 interview that he wrote the song as a way to help young people struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide. In his original draft, he was concerned that the song sounded too depressing so he re-wrote it with a bouncy, joyous beat and melody with lyrics that stressed personal forgiveness and optimism about life. The song was originally simply titled "Second Wind", but Joel changed it to "You're Only Human" with "Second Wind" as a subtitle after drummer Liberty Devitto mocked the name. Joel donated all royalties from the song to the National Committee for Youth Suicide Prevention. During the song, Joel audibly laughs after briefly hesitating and stuttering during one of the verses. At the prompting of Paul Simon and Christie Brinkley, who were listening in the studio, he decided to keep it in the finished song as it seemed to illustrate his point in the song about personal fallibility. 


Year:
1991
86 

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

You're having a hard time and lately you don't feel so good
You're getting a bad reputation in your neighborhood
It's alright
It's alright
Sometimes that's what it takes
You're only human
You're allowed to make your share of mistakes
You better believe there will be times in your life
When you'll be feeling like a stumbling fool
So take it from me you'll learn more from your accidents
Than anything that you could ever learn at school
Don't forget your second wind
Sooner or' later you'll get your second wind

It's not always easy to be living in this world of pain
You're gonna be crashing into stone walls again and again
It's alright
It's alright
Though you feel your heart break
You're only human
You're gonna have to deal with heartache
Just like a boxer in a title fight
You got to walk in that ring all alone
You're not the only one who's made mistakes
But they're the only thing that you can truly call your own
Don't forget your second wind
Wait in that corner until that breeze blows in
You've been keeping to yourself these days
'Cause you're thinking everything's gone wrong
Sometimes you just want to lay down and die
That emotion can be so strong
But hold on
Till that old second wind comes along

You probably don't want to hear advice from someone else
But I wouldn't be telling you if I hadn't been there myself
It's alright
It's alright
Sometimes that's all it takes
We're only human
We're supposed to make mistakes
But I survived all those long lonely days
When it seemed I did not have a friend
'Cause all I needed was a little faith
So I could catch my breath and face the world again
Don't forget your second wind
Sooner or later you'll feel that momentum kick in
Don't forget your second wind
Sooner or later you'll feel that momentum kick in

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Billy Joel

William Martin "Billy" Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man," in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to the RIAA. He also has the third best-selling album in the United States with his Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2. more »

16 fans

Written by: BILLY JOEL

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Composition
“You're Only Human (Second Wind)” was written and performed by Billy Joel. It’s from the pop-rock genre.
Album Release
The song was released in 1985 and it was a part of Billy Joel's 'Greatest Hits' compilation album.
Theme
The song has an underlying theme of suicide prevention. Through his lyrics, Billy Joel encourages those who are feeling low or depressed, promising that things will get better.
Chart Performance
“You're Only Human (Second Wind)” was a Top 10 hit on US Billboard Hot 100.
Music Video
The song's music video also underlines the theme of preventing youth suicide.
Personal Experience
Billy Joel reportedly wrote the song based on his own experiences with depression and attempted suicide.
Beneficial Impact
The royalties from “You're Only Human (Second Wind)” were donated by Joel to the National Committee for Youth Suicide Prevention.
Comedic Aspect
Despite its serious message, the song and the music video have comedic elements, differentiating it from other songs tackling similar subjects.
Uniqueness
"You’re Only Human (Second Wind)" is one of the two new songs that were added to Billy Joel's Greatest Hits album; the other one being "The Night is Still Young”.
Honorary Mention
It's often cited as one of Billy Joel’s more underrated works due to its combination of serious message and catchy tune.

Discuss the You're Only Human (Second Wind) Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "You're Only Human (Second Wind) Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/774178/Billy+Joel/You%27re+Only+Human+%28Second+Wind%29>.

    Missing lyrics by Billy Joel?

    Know any other songs by Billy Joel? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    You're Only Human (Second Wind)

    2.3M
    10,569     330

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1985

    Billboard #9


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Which band released a song titled, 'Deeper Water'?
    A Mumford & Sons
    B American Authors
    C The Band Perry
    D The Beatles

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Billy Joel tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!