I've been livin' for the moment
But I just can't have my way And I'm afraid to go to sleep Cause tomorrow is today People tell me life is sweeter But I don't hear what they say Nothing comes to change my life So tomorrow is today I don't care to know the hour Cause it's passing anyway I don't have to see tomorrow Cause I saw it yesterday So I listen for an answer But the feeling seems to stay And what's the use of always dreaming If tomorrow is today Still I'm waiting for the morning But it feels so far away And you don't need the love I'm giving So tomorrow is today Oh, my. Goin' to the river Gonna take a ride and the Lord will deliver me Made my bed, now I'm gonna lie in it If you don't come, I'm sure gonna die in it Too late. Too much given I've seen a lot of life and I'm damn sick of livin' it I keep hopin' that you will pass my way And some day if your dreams are leavin' you I'll still believe in you I don't care to know the hour Cause it's passing anyway I don't have to see tomorrow Cause I saw it yesterday Though I'm living and I'm singing And although my hands still play Soon enough it will all be over Cause tomorrow is today |
'Tomorrow Is Today' is a track from Joel's first album, Cold Spring Harbor, which was released in 1971. This song analyzes Billy Joel's thoughts as he attempted to commit suicide. He states that 'Nothing comes to change my life, so tomorrow is today,' meaning he doesn't believe his life could improve anyway. This song was written shortly after his album flop with Attila and his first divorce.
The overall theme is Joel feeling completely fed up with the circumstances his life has come to. He feels that life is monotonous. He feels that every day replays the previous one. This is best represented by the line 'What's the use of always dreaming if tomorrow is today.' He has to intention of dreaming of something better. The line 'Made my bed, now I'm gonna lie in it. If you don't come, I'm sure gonna die in it,' was taken directly out of his suicide note. 'You' could be a reference to his ex-wife or the success he desires in his career. The last stanza of this song finally expresses Joel's desire for death. As he lives every day the same with seemingly everything going wrong, his only request is the release of death. |