About The Song

“Honesty” is a song by Billy Joel, released by Columbia Records as the third US single from his sixth studio album “52nd Street” in 1979. The song was solely written by Joel, while production was handled by Phil Ramone. The lyrics of the song are introspective and discuss the search for honesty, the difficulty in finding it, and the significance it holds in relationships. The song broke the Top 40 of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and won Joel a Grammy Award for “Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male” in 1980. The official music video for “Honesty” was directed by Richard Pearce and features Joel performing the song on a stage with a grand piano. Joel has also performed the song live in various concerts, including his 1987 concert in Russia.

Video

Lyrics

If you search for tenderness
It isn’t hard to find
You can have the love you need to live
But if you look for truthfulness
You might just as well be blind
It always seems to be so hard to give

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you

I can always find someone
To say they sympathize
If I wear my heart out on my sleeve
But I don’t want some pretty face
To tell me pretty lies
All I want is someone to believe

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you

I can find a lover
I can find a friend
I can have security
Until the bitter end
Anyone can comfort me
With promises again
I know, I know

When I’m deep inside of me
Don’t be too concerned
I won’t ask for nothin’ while I’m gone
But when I want sincerity
Tell me where else can I turn
Cause you’re the one that I depend upon

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you