The Ballad of Billy the Kid

Billy Joel

About The Ballad of Billy the Kid

"The Ballad of Billy the Kid" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel from the album Piano Man. It was also issued as a single in the UK backed with "If I Only Had The Words (To Tell You)."


Year:
1996
76 
#2

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From a town known as Wheeling, West Virginia 
Rode a boy with a six gun in his hand 
And his daring life of crime 
made him a legend in his time 
east and west of the Rio Grande. 

Well he started with a bank in Colorado 
in the pocket of his vest, a Colt he hid 
and his age and his size 
took the teller by surprise 
and, the word spread of Billy  the kid 

Well he never travelled heavy 
yes he always rode alone 
and he soon put many older guns to shame 
and he never had a sweetheart 
and he never had a home 
but the cowboy and the rancher knew his name 

Well he robbed his way from Utah to Oklahoma 
and the largest could not seem to track him down 
and it served his legend well 
For the folks they loved to tell about 
When Billy the kid came to town

Well one cold day a posse captured Billy 
and the judge said "String him up for what he did" 
And the cowboys and their kin 
like the sea, came pouring in 
to watch the hanging of Billy the kid.

Well he never travelled heavy 
yes he always rode alone 
and he soon put many older guns to shame 
and he never had a sweetheart 
but he finally found a home 
under the boothill grave that bears his name.

From a town known as Oyster Bay Long Island 
Rode a boy with a six pack in his hand 
and his daring life of crime 
made him a legend in his time 
east and west of the Rio Grande

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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 »

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Written by: BILLY JOEL

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Inspiration
"The Ballad of Billy the Kid" is inspired by the story of William H. Bonney Jr. also known as Billy the Kid, a notorious gunslinger and outlaw of the Wild West era.
Album Inclusion
The song is a part of Billy Joel's 1973 album "Piano Man," which is one of Joel's most successful albums from his early career.
Creative Liberties
Although the song is based on the story of Billy the Kid, Joel has admitted that he took significant creative liberties with the historical facts for the sake of song storytelling.
Song Composition
The song is known for its orchestral arrangement, showcasing a flamenco guitar, harmonicas, and even tubular bells. This provides a dramatic and cinematic flavor to the song.
Live Performances
This song frequently serves as the opening number in Billy Joel’s concerts and often includes an extended instrumental introduction.
Autobiographical Elements
Though it's called "The Ballad of Billy the Kid," some parts of the song allude to Joel himself. The final verse references a "Billy" from Oyster Bay, Long Island, which is where Joel grew up.
Musical Success
Despite not being released as a single, the song has still achieved considerable airplay on classic rock radio stations, demonstrating its enduring appeal and popularity.
Misinterpreted Lyrics
Many listeners initially mistaken the lines "From a town known as Wheeling, West Virginia" as a factual claim about Billy the Kid. However, Billy the Kid was not from West Virginia but New Mexico. This highlights Joel's admitted departure from historical accuracy.
Recorded Version and Live Version
The version of the Song from the studio album is much shorter than the live performances, which often includes several additional minutes of instrumental introduction.
Musical Style
The song's style blends elements of folk and rock. The usage of different instruments and flamenco guitar gives the song a unique sound.

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