Growing up, I was introduced to all sorts of music and listened to many different genres. My Mom would always listen to Country, Dad would listen to Classic Rock and Rock, My oldest sister, Ashleigh, liked what was new at the moment and my younger brother, Matthew, was big on rap. What didn't stick with me was the type of music I was listening to, it was rather who I was listening to and what I was learning from the songs. I learned some valuable lessons from a man who continues to put on concerts at the age 67, won two Grammy Awards and a Star on the Walk of Fame and is the ultimate Piano Man. Mr. Billy Joel, I have learned a lot by listening to your songs and music. Here are 10 lyrics in particular that I aspire and enjoy that I would like to thank you for.

1. "I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints, the sinners are much more fun." - Billy Joel, "Only The Good Die Young"

"Only the Good Die Young" is one of his most well known songs. This may be due to the simple fact that everyone has lost someone and Joel's song gives us that justification that only the good people we love die to quick. In losing my Pop-Pop at only 2 years old and my Grandpa at the age of 15, I could only see that the good really do die young. I also learned throughout this song that life is short. Make the most of your time and have some fun. Take chances, take risks and live a little. Sometimes rules are meant to be broken. So laugh with the sinners every once in a while.

2. "We didn't start the fire, it was always burning since the worlds been turning"-Billy Joel, "We Didn't Start The Fire"

I am convinced that I have learned more history from this one song than I have in any history class I have taken. "We Didn't Start The Fire" covers all historical events and trends that occurred from the time span of 1949, when President Harry Truman's second term began, until 1989, with the Rock and Roller Cola Wars (may I note this was not an actual war; just a dispute between Pepsi and Cola). The events mentioned throughout this song shows that since the beginning of time people have not gotten along, and that we can continue to fight it but no matter what, there will always be people that do not agree and there will always be conflict.

3. "I don't care what you say anymore this is my life, go ahead with your own life, leave me alone"-Billy Joel, "My Life"

As I used this quote for my yearbook senior year of high school, it has given me that "me first" mentality. In Joel's song "My Life" he sings about a friend who closed down his business that he owned and moved to L.A. to take up a comedic career. The friend responds that he does not want people worrying for him and that he is going to be just fine on his journey because he is doing what he loves. Coming to college I have had the opportunity to be independent and learn and make decisions for myself. It is a part of growing up and I think Joel's message here is one that everyone can take away from. Do not worry about what other people think of your decisions. As long as you are happy with the decisions you have made for yourself, ignore people who do not support you or question your ability!

4. "Tell her about it, tell her everything you feel."- Billy Joel, "Tell Her About It"

"Tell Her About It" is a song where Joel gives romantic advice to a younger boy. I have learned from this song not romantic advice, but advice that you should always be honest and true to people in any type of relationship. Communication is crucial in every type of relationship. Be honest with how you feel with the people around you. Give the people in your life "something to believe in."

5. "I took the good times, I'll take the bad times, I'll take you just the way you are."- Billy Joel, "Just The Way You Are"

Joel's song "Just the Way You Are," has taught me to surround myself with people who love me at my worst and appreciate my best. I have learned that if you just stay true to yourself, people will truly like you for who you are. Stop trying to be everybody else, because you are unique. The people who really love you, love you "just the way you are."

6. "I am the entertainer, I come to do my show. You've heard my latest record, it's been on the radio. Ah, it took me years to write it, they were the best years of my life; It was a beautiful song but it ran too long. If you're gonna have a hit, you gotta make it fit, so they cut it down to 3:05."- Billy Joel, "The Entertainer"

This lyric from Billy Joel's song "The Entertainer" shows the struggle of an artist in the music industry. Singers and songwriters are dedicated to their work and spend an exorbitant amount of time on their material, just to have their work cut in half to "make it fit" on their albums and on the radio. Even though their hard work is minimized and not what they originally planned for, they continue their work in the music world because it's what they love. Find what makes you happy in life and pursue your dreams. It won't always be what you expect and you may not always get your way, but if you love what you are doing you will always be happy at the end of the day.

7. "You have to learn to pace yourself
Pressure
You're just like everybody else
Pressure."-Bill Joel, "Pressure"

We have all gone through those tough times where we feel like nothing is going to slow down or seems like nothing is happening in our favor. "Pressure" is a song that I put on when I start feeling this way. Joel's song reminds me struggle is a part of life and without struggle we would not be able to appreciate all the good that comes to us. It is also a reminder that I am not the first nor the only one to have felt this way, and that I can get through these tough times.

8. "And so it goes and so it goes
And so will you soon, I suppose." -Billy Joel, "And So It Goes"

People will be in and out of your life constantly and "And So It Goes" portrays that life goes on. Friends, boyfriends, girlfriends and even family members will come and go but life still goes on. It may be tough and it may hurt for now, but your life does not end there and you have a whole future ahead of you.

9. "We said we'd all go down together"-Billy Joel, "Goodnight Saigon"

If I could have quoted this entire song I would. Joel's tribute to our military personnel in this song is heart wrenching. I quoted this particular lyric in the song because it shows the companionship and loyalty of the soldiers in our military. Even though I am not a member of Armed Forces, I still appreciate all that our soldiers do for this great country. I had the opportunity to see this song performed live and it gave me chills as they panned the heroes on the stage as Billy Joel performed the song. I learned that heroes don't where capes, they are our family members, neighbors, brothers, sisters, grandparents, parents and above most, loved ones.

10. "No matter where you are
I never will be far away" -Billy Joel, "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)"

I saved the best for last! "Lullabye" was a song Billy Joel wrote for his daughter Alexa Ray Joel. In listening to this song I know that no matter where I am or where my parents are in the world, they will always be there for me when I need them and they will always be supporting me. Joel tells his daughter the same thing in this song and I am beyond grateful and shed a tear every time I hear this song because I know I have wonderful parents by my side.