Many of Billy Joel's songs tell stories and are pretty straightforward. This is one of them, although it has a lot of New York local color to it. Basically in New York almost nobody can afford their way of life and everyone just goes nuts trying to keep up. They are trying to catch the train after it has already started to leave the station, so to speak. Anthony's mother wants better for her kid - meanwhile Sargeant O'Leary is working two jobs and working on that heart attack. If you work overtime you might make somewhat more but they take out more of your pay for taxes. The song is sort of an illustration of the workaholism prevalent in New York. Lolabat's explanation for this song is pretty good.
Many of Billy Joel's songs tell stories and are pretty straightforward. This is one of them, although it has a lot of New York local color to it. Basically in New York almost nobody can afford their way of life and everyone just goes nuts trying to keep up. They are trying to catch the train after it has already started to leave the station, so to speak. Anthony's mother wants better for her kid - meanwhile Sargeant O'Leary is working two jobs and working on that heart attack. If you work overtime you might make somewhat more but they take out more of your pay for taxes. The song is sort of an illustration of the workaholism prevalent in New York. Lolabat's explanation for this song is pretty good.