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This is based on a real person. Captain Jack was a drug dealer who lived near Joel in Oyster Bay, NY.
Joel considers this an anti-drug song, as he sings about how their users become apathetic and lifeless.
While many songs contain references to masturbation (check out "She Bop" or "Whip It"), this is one of the few that actually uses the word "masturbate" in the lyrics. This, along with the marijuana references, kept it off the playlists at most radio stations.
In 1973, Joel got a contract with Columbia Records after a radio station in Philadelphia started playing a live version of this from a show the station sponsored a year earlier. Joel had been playing this for years before it was released on Piano Man.
A fan favorite that was not commercially successful.
This was played at Hillary Clinton's official announcement for her Senate run in 2000. Her opponent, New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, claimed that by playing this she was supporting drug use.
I found this site because I was searching for the meaning of the reference "Captain Jack " in Billy Joel's song. I thought it might be slang (or a street name) for heroin. After reading all the comments, I would have to conclude, along with most people, that it is indeed a reference to heroin. It is the only explanation that makes sense. In my opinion, this is one of Billy Joel's most powerful songs; truly a classic. - T.L., N.Y., NY
A "one horse town" is simply a small town...just thought I'd clear that up.
- Paul, Cincinnati, OH
spelling issues...
- Paul, Cincinnati, OH
I work for a liquor company and we have a Rum named Captain Calico Jack or Captain Jack. If you look at the history of Captain Calico Jack he was a Pirate Ship Captain in the carribean and he was famous for splitting a working relationship to go out on his own because of an argument over liquor (rum). He then went on to create his own crew including 2 women (which was unheard of) he always had rum and he was captured because his crew was so drunk they couldn't put up a fight. Maybe that's what joel was refering too. - Jeremiah, Harrisburg, PA
Honestly, I had a feeling that the Captain Jack reference was indeed a code phrase for masturbation (jack off). A song about someone who has no life or friends, or girlfriend, so he uses masturbation as an escape.
But the dealer/heroin/one more push explanation clears it all up for me now. - Dave, New Orleans, LA
Yes, Cat in NYC is correct. Captain Jack doesn't mean pot at all, in any way. He says "So you play your albums, and you smoke your pot, and you meet your girlfriend in the parking lot. But still you ache for what you haven't got."
Therefore, he's reffering to the fact that pot isn't enough, it's just something else he happens to do.
And yes Casey in Dalton, GA, I know you're right about him changing the words, but it's from "Captain Jack will get you high tonight" to "Well now, Captain Jack COULD make you die tonight". It's about the last line, I believe and he gets really into to. It's very clear if you listen to it, and it makes complete sense.
This is a song about drug use. It's not pro or anti anything.
Stop over analyzing everything people. - Shannon, Hamilton, OH
To stop some arguing, let's say that this person in the song does heroin and marijuana. - Jonathan, Johnstown, PA
When I heard this on the radio as a young teen, I thought Billy was saying masturbation was a terrible addiction too, along side heavy drug use. Although I never tried hard drugs, that line bothered my fragile eggshell mind for a while! - Anthony, NYC, NY
For some reason, when I first heard the phrase "Captain Jack" it made me thi nk of jack Daniels. I don't know why, but this song is pretty bleak anyway. - Stefanie, Rock Hill, SC
I thought this song was about heroin addiction. Partly because of the "one horse town" lyric. - john, boston, MA
No, Captain Jack is not slang for marijuana. The slang for marijuana is "pot." He mentions that in the song. This song has nothing to do with pot. - The Cat, New York City, NY
This song is sad. - Johnny, Los Angeles, CA
Phil, the Broadway show exists. It's called "Movin' Out." - Dennis, Anchorage, AK
Right on about "The Ballad of Billy The Kid". That song is flat-out awesome, especially the intro with the strings and piano implying the "clip clop" of horseshoes!! Maybe someday somebody will write a musical or play based on his music, because so much of it seems to be influenced by that "broadway" sound. I feel equally about "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant". - Phill, Oakland, CA
At the end, I'm 99% sure he changes the words from "Captain Jack will get you high tonight" to "Captain Jack could make you die tonight". You can check it out somewhere, but that's what I hear, and I'm even more sure now I know Joel says it's an anti-drug song. - Casey, Dalton, GA
The radio show where Captain Jack was used for publicity purposes took place on 4/15/72 on
WMMR-FM Philadelphia. However, Columbia records already took notice of Billy Joel at the Mar Y Sol Pop Festival in Puerto Rico, which took place on April 1, 1972. Billy played in rainy conditions, and earned some major standing ovations from the 100,000 people who were there. - Barry, New York, NC
I worked as a substance abuse counselor...you're both right...alcohol is initially a stimulant, and then a depressant. - Lara, hackensack, NJ
From a 1982 Playboy interview with Billy Joel:
PLAYBOY: What was Captain Jack about?|
JOEL: I wrote it when drugs were in full flower. A lot of useless, wasted deaths. Friends of mine were killed. Drugs can be fun, but they can kill, too. Some guys who lived near me in Oyster Bay used to score smack from a guy called Captain Jack, although I didn't write it to necessarily mean heroin. I meant any kind of drug you have to take over and over again.
- Jay, Jackson Hole, WY
Phil, you are absolutely wrong about that. While Joel did experiment with drugs like many artists at the time he was not a "drug user" nor was he a heroin addict. Saying that could border on libel, but I'm sure no one really cares...The song is definetly not autobiographical because if you know anything about Joel's life none of it fits. Joel was raised by his mother and barely knew his father. - Wil, KC, KS
Um. Joel was a drug user. This is no anti-drug song. Captain Jack is slang for and only heroin.
Joel is a needle junky.
" Just a little push and you'll be smiling."
And thats the facts, closet queens.
- phil, chalmette, LA
This song is about how when a person has problems in their life, how weed helps them through their problems and situations. This is true. I smoke weed everyday and it gets me through my problems. Excellent song! - high, ct, CT
Captain Jack is a FABULOUS song, I just love it...it's definately my favorite Billy Joel!!! I can listen to it over and over again. I remember they used it in the show "Movin' Out", and I was really glad. I agree with Brendon, Captain Jack should be bigger than it is, along with the others he mentioned. "Piano Man" is a great song. But it's not all Billy does. - Maureen, St. Louis, MO
I agree with all of you. I think it's a great song and should have more recognition. I like, iven though, it's so bleak,s ad, and dreary. When I first heard the song, i could tell it was about drugs, because of some of the lines. But I also thought it was about Jack Daniels because of the "captain Jack" part. - Stefanie magura, Rock Hill, SC
I was a young kid struggling with being gay and learning about the "Village" here in New York. This record was heard through every window on Christopher Street in the evenings. Every Bar, Record Shop and "Back Room Book Store" played this record. - Wonder if Mr. Joel ever had any idea how influential this one song has had on the Village culture? Another single equally compelling was Long John Baldry's "A Thrills A Thrill" - Capitol Records. Perhaps someday a compilation of that period and place will emerge. - Ivan, Jersey City, NJ
AT in OC...alcohol is a depressant. You can get a "buzz," but the drug would technically get you "low." Soz dude. - Brendon, Paxton, IL
I, too, heard that this is in reference to Jack Daniels. You can get high on alcohol, too, no? - AT, The O.C., CA
You're exactly right, Nicoletta from NY.
Captain Jack, Ballad of Billy the Kid, Angry Young Man, and Big Man on Mulberry Street definitely need much more recognition. They're some of his greatest works, and no one gives a crap about them. You say "Billy Joel" and they instantly say "PIANO MAN!" Granted, Piano Man is a great song, but he sings much more.
- Brendon, Paxton, IL
If this song is about Heroin use, the line where it says "but still your fingers gonna pick your nose" makes sense because anyone that use opiates knows about the "opiate ich" and your nose is always one of the first places that starts iching.
Also if it is about Heroin the line "another push and you'll be smilin'" makes sense if your shooting up.
But if the song is about a person "Captain Jack" the line about "another push and you'll be smilin'" makes sense in the way of a drug dealer being known as a "pusher". Anyway that is just my simple minded opiate induced ramblings. -AEIH
www.pompatical.blogspot.com - Pompatus, Hell, TX
wow captain jack is one good song ...
even though he talks about masterbation its alright thats why most people listen to this song because when he sings .... "your sisters out, shes on a date, while you just sit at home and masterbate" that is a good line! - lexi, milford, CT
I was next to positive that this was about Jack Daniels. Now it makes more sense as an anti-drug song. But who says apathy is a bad thing? - Hac Barton, Las Vegas, NV
i thought it was slang for heroine .. either way,it's one of joel's classic songs that should be given more recognition, such as "ballad of billy the kid" and "angry young man" -- in my opinion, these are of his best,but need to be looked at more since not many people know them. - nicoletta, bronx, NY
Captain Jack is also slang for marijuana. - Matthew, New York, NY
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