Song

 
    "Movin Out (Anthony's Song)" by Billy Joel is an interesting song. One of the techniques Joel uses to make his point in the song is that the tempo of the music changes with the mood I think Joel is trying to create. The song's message is basically that it isn't worth being a workaholic just to buy things. He is saying if that is what it means to be "movin' up" then he is "movin' out". In other words Joel is telling us that he doesn't want to be someone who gives into society's pressure to work for material things while making yourself miserable.
     Joel uses cacophony when he sings, "Workin' to hard can give me a heart attack ack ack ack ack ack".  He uses this technique numerous times and it feels irritating, just like working too hard and having a heart attack would be irritating. Then the music tempo changes to a more melodic sound and Joel sings, "It seems such a waste of time, if that's what its all about, if that's movin' up then I'm moving out." He sings the words, "movin' out" more harshly, like he means it.  I think he is using a hyperbole when he says, "He's tradin' in his Chevy for a Cadillac ac ac ac ac ac you oughta know by now, and if he can't drive with a broken back at least he can polish the fenders". He doesn't really mean he would have an actual broken back, he means he has worked to hard and now can't do the things he saved up to do. I also think the title and chorus "movin' up" is an oxymoron and that is the point of the song. "Movin' up" isn't really moving in a positive or good direction. Also Billy Joel changes the stanzas to change mood along with his meaning so when he is moving out he is singing pleasantly and more chilled and when he is singing about the rat race he is move hurried. It is an interesting song.


Lyrics - https://www.billyjoel.com/song/movin-out-anthonys-song-5/
video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8buJ2-oD02E