# In 1985, Billy Joel wrote a heartfelt song about his suicide attempt. Years later, he decided it was too “preachy”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1985-billy-joel-wrote-a-heartfelt-song-about-his-suicide-attempt-years-later-he-decided-it-was-too-preachy/
- Published: 2026-10-25T21:45:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-25T22:10:36+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/in-1985-billy-joel-wrote-a-heartfelt-song-about-his-suicide-attempt-years-later-he-decided-it-was-too-preachy/
- Topics: Art, Culture

## Key points

- Joel’s 1985 song drew on his suicide attempt.
- He later felt its message could sound preachy.
- He hoped it would encourage listeners who make mistakes.

## Summary

Billy Joel drew on his 1970 suicide attempt when he wrote ‘You’re Only Human (Second Wind)’, released in 1985. The upbeat song encouraged listeners who make mistakes, addressing a difficult period of his life more directly than his earlier hit ‘Piano Man’.

Joel said he wanted to show that people’s mistakes are their own and can help them understand themselves. He later felt parts of the song sounded too preachy, questioning what he could know about other people’s lives. The article also links ‘Piano Man’ to his time as a struggling musician in Los Angeles and the failure of his first solo album, *Cold Spring Harbor*.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.