Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) Lyrics

Performed by Billy Joel

Anthony works in the grocery store
Savin' his pennies for someday
Mama Leone left a note on the door,
She said,
"Sonny, move out to the country."
Workin' too hard can give you
A heart attackackackackackack
You oughta know by now
Who needs a house out in Hackensack?
Is that all you get for your money?

And it seems such a waste of time
If that's what it's all about
Mama, If that's movin' up then I'm movin' out.
Mmm, I'm movin' out. Ooh-hoo, uh-huh, mmmm

Sergeant O'Leary is walkin' the beat
At night he becomes a bartender
He works at Mister Cacciatore's down
On Sullivan Street
Across from the medical center
Yeah and he's tradin' in his Chevy for a Cadillacacacacacacacac
You oughta know by now
And if he can't drive
With a broken back
At least he can polish the fenders

And It seems such a waste of time
If that's what it's all about
Mama, If that's movin' up then I'm movin' out.
Mmm, I'm movin' out. Ooh-hoo, uh-huh, mmmm

You should never argue with a crazy mi-mi-mi-mi-mi-mind
You oughta know by now
You can pay Uncle Sam with the overtime
Is that all you get for your money?

And if that's what you have in mind
yeah if that's what you're all about
Good luck movin' up 'cause I'm movin' out.
Mmm, I'm movin' out. Ooh-hoo, uh-huh, mmmm

I'm movin' out...

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to me | Reviewer: Anonymous | 10/31/11

funny how people are the same all over the world, to me this is about people working two jobs and working overtime, to try and appear as if they are rich, with the good clothes and fancy car........Joel appears to have spotted a problem back in the 1970's that has become the root of most of our cashflow problems of toda.....

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agreement | Reviewer: Crimson Liquid | 8/15/11

I agree with the statement made previously about broken back being a metaphor, as well as the one making it possibly actual injuries that occurred from overstress. Both are very valid points, and are both acceptable, yet in this case, I believe it really is a metaphor, referring to breaking the 'back' of your morals to get where you want to be, but then realizing that you don't want it, or you don't think it's morally right. But both points are valid and acceptable.

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More than you think | Reviewer: guy | 3/23/11

You make some good points friend,especially with the concept of the american dream, but there is more to say about this song than can be written in a hundred of these little white comment boxes.
The entire song is about people working hard to get from middle class to upper middle class (as shown by sergent O'leary trading in his chevy for a caddie) but at too high of a cost. You took "broken back" as a metaphor, and that is certainly acceptable, but I think it is also intended to refer to actual injuries that come from too much stress and working too hard. Same as with the heart attack mentioned in the first stanza. This is more than just the economy, but also weaknesses in humanity. The sergent chose to have this life style, and once he accomplished his goal, he cannot even enjoy the rewards.

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The American Dream - Nightmare | Reviewer: Bradlee | 3/19/11

Are you people kidding? Not making sense? This song (and the whole LP) is Billy Joel's magnum opus. Movin'Out is about everyone busting your rear end, working two jobs, etc. and not getting anywhere. It's a referendum on the American Dream. Sure the characters are ethnic - they're people Billy Joel knew growing up on Long Island and NJ. "Sargent O'Leery" the Irish cop who made sergeant, but still had to tend bar at night. The broken back isn't from work, it's from having to cross the line as a cop and probably getting his back broken by the mob- probably handling bookies or whatever at the bar. Mama Leone's was an Italian Restaurant in Manhattan that sold out to a big chain (120 units) in the late '60s (a few years before Billy wrote the song). She "moved out" poof - get it?

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Kid | Reviewer: Anonymous | 11/9/10

reviewer: xylene | 3/25/10

im eleven years old and i need to sing this song for a concert in my school everybody from my class is gonna sing together.but this song is for old people no offense old people.:)i need to sing this weird soooooooong lolz.

One day you'll learn that this song is amazing. Good luck singing it.

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Correct Synopsis | Reviewer: Joe | 8/19/10

Jason,
You were close. You are correct about people living in NYC or any big city but the song is suggesting that it would be better to get out of the city rather than bust you hump trying to get ahead. Just my 2cents.

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Synopsis | Reviewer: Jason | 4/23/10

For all you people who don't quite get this song here is a good synopsis. The song is the stories of people who lice in Nyc and are ethnic (hence names like Anthony, O'Leary, Leone) and who want to get out of there slums. It explains how movin out will only end up with a heart attack or a broken back.

Thought thiswould help people understand this song because it is definately one of Billy's best songs.

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. | Reviewer: xylene | 3/25/10

im eleven years old and i need to sing this song for a concert in my school everybody from my class is gonna sing together.but this song is for old people no offense old people.:)i need to sing this weird soooooooong lolz.

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It's good | Reviewer: Anonymous | 3/12/10

Well, now, it is a good song, although I would prefer it if it actually made... sense. But, he sings well, I guess. I'm a fan of his other songs, and this one too. I'd also like to see what cadillacacacaca means...

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Miraculous | Reviewer: Narumi | 3/24/09

Not only am I another your Billy Joel fan, but this is one of his greatests! God, no matter how much music styles fade and change, he will always have something for us to listen to and enjoy miraculously.

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