Billy Joel obviously had a lot to get off his chest with this song. And a dozen or so verses later, he did just that! Some good words of wisdom was the result. Wrapped in a beautiful almost slow salsa-like ballad, Joel had a way of making the mundane sound rich and interesting. All verses available in the Chord Chart below.
An Innocent Man
Billy Joel
Some people stay far away from the door
If there’s a chance of it opening up
They hear a voice in the hall outside
And hope that it just passes by
Some people live with the fear of a touch
And the anger of having been a fool
They will not listen to anyone
So nobody tells them a lie
I know you’re only protecting yourself
I know you’re thinking of somebody else
Someone who hurt you…
But I’m not above, making up for the love
You’ve been denying you could ever feel
I’m not above doing anything
To restore your faith if I can
Some people see through the eyes of the old
Before they ever get a look at the young
I’m only willing to hear you cry
Because I am an innocent man
I am, an innocent man, oh yes I am…
Some people say they will never believe
Another promise they hear in the dark
Because they only remember too well
They heard somebody tell them before
Some people sleep all alone every night
Instead of taking a lover to bed
Some people find that it’s easier to hate
Than to wait anymore
I know you don’t want to hear what I say
I know you’re gonna keep turning away
But I’ve been there…
And if I can survive, I can keep you alive
I’m not above going through it again
I’ve not above being cool for a while
If you’re cruel to me I’ll understand
Some people run from a possible fight
Some people figure they can never win
And although this is a fight I can lose
The accused is an innocent man
I am, an innocent man
Oh yes I am, an innocent man
You know you only hurt yourself out of spite
I guess you’d rather be a martyr tonight
That’s your decision…
But I’m not below, anybody I know
If there’s a chance of resurrecting a love
I’m not above going back to the start
To find out where the heartache began
Some people hope for a miracle cure
Some people just accept the world as it is
But I’m not willing to lay down and die
Because I am an innocent man
I am, an innocent man
Oh yes I am, an innocent man
Songwriter: Billy Joel