Featured In
Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Billy Joel
Vocals
Steve Kahn
Electric Guitar
Hiram Bullock
Electric Guitar
Liberty De Vitto
Drums
Richie Cannata
Organ
Doug Stegmeyer
Bass Guitar
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Billy Joel
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Phil Ramone
Producer
Jim Boyer
Engineer
Ted Jensen
Mastering Engineer
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Come out, Virginia, don't let me wait
You Catholic girls start much too late
Ah, but sooner or later it comes down to fate
I might as well be the one
[Verse 2]
Well, they showed you a statue, told you to pray
They built you a temple and locked you away
Ah, but they never told you the price that you pay
For things that you might have done
[Chorus]
Well, only the good die young
That's what I said
Only the good die young
Only the good die young
[Verse 3]
You might have heard I run with a dangerous crowd
We ain't too pretty, we ain't too proud
We might be laughing a bit too loud
Ah, but that never hurt no one
[Verse 4]
So come on, Virginia, show me a sign
Send up a signal, I'll throw you the line
The stained glass curtain you're hiding behind
Never lets in the sun
[Chorus]
Darling, only the good die young
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
I tell you, only the good die young
Only the good die young
[Bridge]
You got a nice white dress and a party on your confirmation
You got a brand new soul
Mmm, and a cross of gold
But Virginia, they didn't give you quite enough information
[Bridge]
You didn't count on me
When you were counting on your rosary
[Verse 5]
Oh, whoa, whoa and they say there's a heaven for those who will wait
And some say it's better, but I say it ain't
I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints
The sinners are much more fun
[Chorus]
You know that only the good die young
Oh, oh, baby
I tell you, only the good die young
Only the good die young
[Bridge]
Said your mother told you all that I could give you was a reputation
Ah, she never cared for me, but did she ever say a prayer for me?
[Verse 6]
Oh, whoa, whoa, come out, come out, come out, Virginia
Don't let me wait
You Catholic girls start much too late
Sooner or later it comes down to fate
I might as well be the one
[Chorus]
You know that only the good die young
Tell you, baby
You know that only the good die young
Only the good die young
[Outro]
Only the good, only the good die young
[Outro]
Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Written by: William M. Joel