Breaking Hearts and Dissonant Notes: The Story Behind 'And So It Goes'

TLDRThe emotional journey of writing 'And So It Goes', a song about heartbreak and sadness, with dissonant notes creating a melancholic mood.

Key insights

❤️The song 'And So It Goes' was inspired by a personal experience of heartbreak.

🎹The dissonant notes in the song's chords add to the feeling of sadness and heartbreak.

📝Billy Joel wrote down the word 'Sanctuary' in his notebook, which eventually became a significant part of the song.

📖The opening line of the song, 'In every heart there is a room', was considered crucial to setting the tone.

📚Billy Joel kept a notebook where he recorded ideas and inspirations for his songs.

Q&A

What inspired Billy Joel to write 'And So It Goes'?

The song was inspired by a personal experience of heartbreak.

Why do the chords in 'And So It Goes' have dissonant notes?

The dissonant notes were intentionally used to convey a sense of sadness and heartbreak.

What is the significance of the word 'Sanctuary' in the song?

Billy Joel wrote down the word 'Sanctuary' in his notebook, and it became an integral part of the song.

What was the importance of the opening line of the song?

The opening line, 'In every heart there is a room', was considered vital in setting the tone of the song.

Did Billy Joel keep a notebook for songwriting?

Yes, Billy Joel kept a notebook where he recorded ideas and inspirations for his songs.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The song 'And So It Goes' was an emotional journey for Billy Joel, inspired by a personal experience of heartbreak.

00:38The song features dissonant notes and suspensions that contribute to its melancholic mood.

02:36Billy Joel mentioned the importance of the word 'Sanctuary' in the song, which he had written down in his notebook.

02:45The opening line of the song, 'In every heart there is a room', was considered crucial in establishing the overall tone.

03:11Billy Joel kept a notebook filled with spare parts and songwriting ideas, including 'Sanctuary'.