Self achievement

The song is about achievement. Billy Joel is speaking on a child in a hurry to grow up and "succeed" in life rather than take time living life. It's seen immediately in the song as Joel says "slow down you crazy child."

He also claims that in rushing to live life at that pace that you can get so "ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need"

Although the song is reflecting the American value of personal achievement, it shows a downside.

The song shows a strong sense of individualism about the child being talked about. Although seen as negative they are taking a route in life not as common. They are working hard as a "juvenile" rather than taking it easy and slow as other youth usually do.

Individualism