Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)

Billy Joel's 'Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)' is a spirited anthem that captures the working-class frustration and the pursuit of the American Dream. The song tells the story of Anthony, a grocery store worker, and Sergeant O'Leary, a policeman who moonlights as a bartender. Both characters are emblematic of the everyday person striving for a better life, yet questioning the cost of their efforts. Joel's lyrics reflect a skepticism about the materialistic measures of success and the sacrifices made to achieve them.

The chorus, with its catchy 'heart attack-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack' hook, underscores the physical and emotional toll of relentless hard work. Joel questions whether owning a house in Hackensack or trading a Chevy for a Cadillac is worth the strain it puts on one's health and happiness. The song's refrain, 'If that's what it's all about... I'm movin' out,' serves as a declaration of independence from societal expectations and a rejection of a life spent in service of superficial goals.

Billy Joel, known for his storytelling and ability to capture the zeitgeist of the times, uses 'Movin' Out' to comment on the disillusionment with the traditional path to success. The song resonates with anyone who has ever felt trapped by the rat race and yearned for a more meaningful existence. It's a call to evaluate what truly matters in life and to have the courage to pursue one's own definition of happiness, even if it means moving out from the comfort zone of conventional success.