A is for Anticipated Anguish

A-And So It Goes. As with many Billy Joel songs, the beauty of this piece lies within its simplicity. The repetitive melody of this tune ascends and descends as a wave of sorrow and understanding. The rhymes are simple and eloquent, and the theme of the lyrics is universal. Joel delicately reminds us that failed relationships, however tragic, are an expected part of life. He also proves that with reflection, one can achieve a greater understanding of the connections that tether one human to another. The song, as a whole, calms my heart and breaks it simultaneously.

And so it goes, and so it goes. And so will you, soon, I suppose…
Billy Joel, “And So It Goes,” Storm Front, 1989