You're Only Human (Second Wind)

"You're Only Human (Second Wind)" is a hit song written and performed by Billy Joel for the express purpose of teenage suicide prevention.

Related Topics:
Song - Billy Joel - Teenage - Suicide prevention

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Billy was requested if he could write a song about suicide in the hopes of promoting its prevention in teenagers. He agreed, but was concerned about his original draft which took a downbeat tone he thought would in fact encourage kids to end it all. In response, Joel created a new song with a bouncy joyous beat and lyrics that stress personal forgiveness and optimism about life.

Related Topics:
Suicide - Personal forgiveness - Optimism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The song appeared in Billy Joel's Greatest Hits in 1985 and became a top ten hit.

Related Topics:
Billy Joel's Greatest Hits - 1985

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the song, Joel audibly laughs after briefly hesitating during one of the verses. He decided to keep the mistake in the recorded version.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~