I like you…

When I decided to settle down in Pune I was introduced to this singer by my cousin Sarang who at the time was pursuing a career in Badminton and Rowing, which helped him meet his wife, apart from also visiting COEP, as the rowing club was located in the premises. He had a wonderful career with Siemens so I suppose he spent his time in the hoary institution fruitfully in other ways as well. At the time he followed bands and singers I didn’t follow with the same degree of attention and devotion. I am happy he actually educated me on these wonderful artistes. I had heard Billy Joel sing the Grammy nominated Uptown Girl, but didn’t venture beyond that at the time in 83-84.

Once in Pune, and on one of the visits to my uncle’s place, Sarang played this record on the turntable. We heard the song twice before dinner and once after, and the spell was cast. I was hooked for good.

This is a lovely song Billy Joel wrote and performed for his first wife Elizabeth Weber. He told the Today Show in 2005, “It was written about somebody who said, ‘I said I love you and that’s forever.’ It lasted about 10 years.” The sad evanescence of relationships in the harsh spotlights of showbiz. The song is beautifully expressive of a degree of tenderness one almost feels guilty for voyeuristically peeping into a private and sacred corner of their lives. https://youtu.be/HaA3YZ6QdJU

“Just The Way You Are”

Don’t go changing, to try and please me
You never let me down before
Don’t imagine you’re too familiar
And I don’t see you anymore

I would not leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times, I’ll take the bad times
I’ll take you just the way you are

Don’t go trying some new fashion
Don’t change the color of your hair
You always have my unspoken passion
Although I might not seem to care

I don’t want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are

I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
What will it take till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you

I said I love you and that’s forever
And this I promise from the heart
I couldn’t love you any better
I love you just the way you are

I don’t want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are

“Just The Way You Are” is the lead single from his fifth studio album, The Stranger, which was his breakthrough album, too. The song became Billy Joel’s first “Gold” single in the USA. This album became Columbia’s bestselling release, selling over 10 million copies in US alone and creating several hit singles, including “Just the Way You Are”, “Movin’ Out”, “Only the Good Die Young (my favourite)”, and “She’s Always a Woman”; another song on this album, “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant”, is Joel’s personal favourite of his own songs and has since become a staple of his live shows

The legendary Frank Sinatra covered this song in 1980. In 1987, Joel told Q about Sinatra’s effort, “When we have a soundcheck we always send up my own material and we do ‘Just The Way You Are’ with this cheesy Las Vegas swing and make a whole joke of the thing and Sinatra did it exactly the same way. I screamed when I heard it! You sure this isn’t me singing this, Frankie, or is it a joke or whaaat?”

A wonderful song that I listen to, often and one that I will dedicate to the lady of my life since the last four decades. Here’s to you, Aruna, I like you just the way you are... https://youtu.be/GkuJJsApACc

Have a wonderful day ahead, folks. Stay healthy and happy. The winter is all but gone.

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