About the song
**Introduction to “Just the Way You Are”**
“Just the Way You Are” is a timeless classic by Billy Joel, hailing from his acclaimed fifth studio album, *The Stranger* (1977). Released as the album’s second single in early November 1977, the song quickly established itself as a significant milestone in Joel’s career. It marked Joel’s debut in the US Top 10 and the UK Top 20, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 19 on the UK Singles Chart. It also became Joel’s first Gold single in the United States and dominated the Billboard Easy Listening Chart for the entire month of January 1978.
The origins of “Just the Way You Are” are quite intriguing. Joel revealed that the melody and chord progression came to him in a dream, a testament to the song’s deep-rooted inspiration. In a 2010 interview on the Howard Stern Radio Show, Joel disclosed that the chorus’s signature sound and name were inspired by a line from Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ “Rag Doll,” which also influenced his later hit “Uptown Girl.” The song was originally written for his first wife, Elizabeth Weber, who was also his business manager at the time. Despite initial reluctance from Joel and his band, the song was included in *The Stranger* at the urging of Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow, both of whom were recording nearby.
The recording of “Just the Way You Are” features a distinctive saxophone solo by Phil Woods, a prominent jazz musician whose contribution to the track introduced him to a broader rock audience. The song’s production, helmed by Phil Ramone, incorporates keyboard and vocal tape loops reminiscent of 10cc’s “I’m Not in Love,” adding to its unique sound.
Upon release, “Just the Way You Are” was edited for single format, resulting in a shorter version with the second verse removed and an earlier fade-out. Despite his personal struggles, including a divorce from Weber in 1982 which led to Joel rarely performing the song live in the subsequent years, the track remains a beloved staple of his repertoire. Joel’s live performances of the song, particularly on February 18, 1978, when he performed on *Saturday Night Live*, helped cement its place in pop culture.
Critical reception of the song has been overwhelmingly positive. Cash Box noted the subtle influence of Stevie Wonder in the melody and Latin rhythm, while Record World praised its thoughtful production and standout sax break. Michael Galluci of Ultimate Classic Rock described “Just the Way You Are” as one of the most perfectly constructed songs in Joel’s catalog, underscoring its enduring appeal.
In addition to its commercial and critical success, “Just the Way You Are” earned Billy Joel two Grammy Awards in 1979 for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, further solidifying its status as a quintessential ballad in American music history.
Video
Lyrics
Don’t go changing to try and please me
You never let me down before, mmm
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, mmm
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, mmm
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, mmm
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
Oh, but what will it take till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you?
I said I love you, that’s forever
And this I promise from the heart, mmm
I couldn’t love you any better
I love you just the way you are, right
I don’t want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard, mmm
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are