When it comes to the struggles and successes of life, Billy Joel is the quintessential storyteller. The iconic crooner was the soundtrack of our youth and the blueprint for our adulthood.
Through his five decades of hit songs, we learned how to live, love, and triumph over the challenges life threw our way.
Now, as many of us step into our final chapter, his lyrics can show us how to slow our pace, savor the stillness and find grace in retiring.
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From embracing the “sweet” life of retirement to not caring to “know the hour,” here are five Billy Joel lyrics retirees can live by.
5 Billy Joel lyrics that can guide you through retirement
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1. “I don’t care to know the hour, ’cause it’s passing anyway.”
Tomorrow is Today, Cold Spring Harbor
Time is of the essence during our working years. We are beholden to rigid schedules and endless obligations. But in retirement, those pressures dissolve. We no longer have to worry about punching a clock or rushing home to manage a household.
Suddenly, we have nothing but time on our hands, a transition that can be liberating for some and daunting for others. With these lyrics, Joel urges us to stop fixating on the clock and start embracing the present. It’s your chance to wake up when you want, spend your days as you see fit and do it all unapologetically.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a vision for your retirement. Without a sense of purpose, the days can feel hollow, potentially leading to stagnation. But you don’t have to fill every hour of every day to prove you’re doing it right. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is stop to smell the roses and not worry about lingering there for as long as you like.
2. “Your mementos will turn to dust, but that’s the price you pay. For every year’s a souvenir that slowly fades away.”
Souvenir, Streetlife Serenade
During our working years, we spend a lot of time focused on amassing things — a bigger home, a nicer car, or the latest gadgets. These possessions often serve as trophies, reminding us of our hard-earned success.
However, as we enter retirement, the luster of those “mementos” tends to fade. We begin to realize that our true wealth isn’t found in what we own, but in the experiences we’ve collected along the way.
Rather than spending your retirement trying to acquire more, focus on turning your time into memories. Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip, finally mastering a long-neglected hobby or simply sharing a quiet afternoon with your grandchildren, the moments you live are the only souvenirs that truly matter.
Creating these memories doesn’t always require a big budget or a passport. Sometimes, the most enduring souvenirs are found in the simplest things: volunteering your time or taking a stroll with an old friend.
3. “Don’t go changing to try and please me.”
Just the Way You Are, The Stranger
Even the best-laid plans can go awry, and that is especially true when it comes to retirement. A recent Northwestern Mutual study suggests that Americans believe they need $1.46 million to live comfortably, yet the reality for many is quite different.
If you find yourself needing to work part-time, move to a smaller home or adjust your lifestyle, you don’t need to apologize for that. Whether you are living exactly as you pictured or navigating a new, unexpected path, Joel’s lyrics remind us not to beat ourselves up for not hitting an arbitrary goal or matching someone else’s version of the ideal retirement.
Don’t feel the need to “change” your life just to meet an expectation or to keep up with the neighbors. Your retirement doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Embrace your reality, find peace with the adjustments you’ve made, and be happy with your life the way it is.
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4. “And he’s tradin’ in his Chevy for a Cadillac… And if he can’t drive with a broken back, at least he can polish the fenders.”
Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song), The Stranger
We spend decades diligently setting money aside for a retirement that can potentially last thirty years or more. But once we finally reach this final chapter, some people remain reluctant to spend that hard-earned money.
It doesn’t matter if they have amassed a fortune, if their heirs will be taken care of, or if they have already met every financial milestone they ever set for themselves.
They put off living to protect their nest egg, and by the time they are finally ready to spend, it’s often too late. Either their health has declined, or they no longer have the desire to fulfill their retirement dreams.
Joel’s lyrics serve as a reminder: if you don’t spend a little on yourself in retirement, the opportunity may pass you by.
A great way to ensure you can spend money without the fear of running out is to create a withdrawal plan. It’s the best way to move from simply “polishing the fenders” to actually enjoying the ride. The Permission to Spend, Me-First and Pay Yourself rules of retirement spending are some examples.
5. “I don’t care what you say anymore, this is my life. Go ahead with your own life and leave me alone.”
My Life, 52nd Street
Despite what some might believe, retirement isn’t the end of the line; it’s the start of a brand-new chapter. Just because you stop working doesn’t mean you have to stop living. Nor does it mean you have to succumb to the monotony of a sedentary routine just because you’re getting older.
Countless people reinvent themselves in retirement, and you can, too. You can pursue that hobby you always dreamed about, give back to your community through volunteering or learn a brand new skill. These lyrics are the ultimate anthem for retirement; it is your permission to live for yourself and do you!
Live your life
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As you navigate retirement, remember that it is not the end of the line, but the beginning of your next chapter.
Whether your reality looks exactly as you planned or you’ve had to tweak the dream along the way, take a cue from Joel: focus on savoring your freedom, embracing the present and building a collection of memories that will last a lifetime.
Editor’s note: This article is part of an ongoing series featuring the best retirement quotes and wisdom from top financial experts, leaders, and public figures. Other articles feature Warren Buffett, Michael Jordan, Mark Cuban, Jimmy Buffett, Dr. Seuss, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Vince Lombardi, Dolly Parton, Ozzy Osbourne, Stevie Nicks and George Carlin.