Billy Joel performing “The Downeaster ‘Alexa'” 1990

About the song

In the heart of Billy Joel’s sprawling discography, “The Downeaster ‘Alexa'” stands as a poignant and evocative tribute to a fading way of life. Released in 1989 as part of his acclaimed album Storm Front, this maritime ballad paints a vivid picture of a struggling fisherman navigating the treacherous waters of Long Island Sound.

The song’s title, a nod to Joel’s own boat and daughter, lends a personal touch to its narrative. As the fisherman sings, we are transported to a world where the sea is both a source of livelihood and a constant threat. With lyrical imagery that evokes the salty air, the rhythmic lapping of waves, and the creaking of wooden hulls, Joel captures the essence of a life intimately tied to the ocean.

The song’s central theme is the economic hardship faced by fishermen in the late 20th century. As the fisherman recounts his struggles to make ends meet and maintain ownership of his downeaster, a small fishing vessel, we are confronted with the stark realities of a disappearing profession. Joel’s lyrics poignantly convey the sense of loss and frustration that accompanies the erosion of a traditional way of life.

Adding depth and emotional resonance to the song is the virtuoso violin solo performed by Itzhak Perlman. Perlman’s masterful playing complements the song’s melancholic tone, creating a sense of longing and nostalgia. His music serves as a powerful counterpoint to the fisherman’s narrative, elevating the song to a higher artistic plane.

“The Downeaster ‘Alexa'” is not merely a song about fishing; it is a meditation on the passage of time, the fragility of human existence, and the enduring power of the sea. Joel’s heartfelt performance, coupled with Perlman’s evocative violin playing, makes this song a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.

Video

Lyrics

Well, I’m on the downeaster “Alexa”
And I’m cruisin’ through Block Island Sound
I have charted a course to the vineyard
But tonight I am Nantucket bound

We took on diesel back in Montauk yesterday
Left this morning from the bell in Gardiner’s Bay
Like all the locals here I’ve had to sell my home
Too proud to leave, I work my fingers to the bone

So I could own my downeaster “Alexa”
And I go where the ocean is deep
There are giants out there in the canyons
And a good captain can’t fall asleep

I got bills to pay and children who need clothes
I know there’s fish out there but where, God only knows
They say these waters aren’t what they used to be
But I got people back on land who count on me

So if you see my downeaster “Alexa”
And if you work with the rod and the reel
Tell my wife I am trolling Atlantis
And I still have my hands on the wheel

Yay-o
Yay-o

Yay-o
Yay-yay-o

Now I drive my downeaster “Alexa”
More and more miles from shore every year
Since they told me I can’t sell no stripers
And there’s no luck in swordfishing here

I was a bayman like my father was before
Can’t make a living as a bayman anymore
There ain’t much future for a man who works the sea
But there ain’t no island left for islanders like me

Yay-yay-yay-o
Yay-yay-yay-o
Yay-yay-yay-o
Yay-yay-yay-o