--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every child had a pretty good shot, to…" description: "\"Every child had a pretty good shot, to get at least as far as their old man got. But something happened on the way to that place. They threw an America..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/billy-joel-1000_american-flag_every-child-had-a-pretty-good-shot-to-ge_2765329.png" --- # Every child had a pretty good shot, to get at least as far… ![“Every child had a pretty good shot, to get at least as far as their old man got. But something happened on the way to that place. They threw an American flag in our face.” quote by Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/billy-joel-1000_american-flag_every-child-had-a-pretty-good-shot-to-ge_2765329.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/billy-joel-1000_american-flag_every-child-had-a-pretty-good-shot-to-ge_2765329.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/billy-joel-1000_american-flag_every-child-had-a-pretty-good-shot-to-ge_2765329.png) > “Every child had a pretty good shot, to get at least as far as their old man got. But something happened on the way to that place. They threw an American flag in our face.” [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. American symbols can become confrontational obstacles in personal journeys. **In simple terms:** Flags can block progress. Key Takeaway Navigate cultural barriers. Themes culture conflict identity Mood reflective defiant Type political emotional When to use this quote - political activism - personal growth - creative expression Key Concepts American flag personal struggle social tension Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond to cultural opposition? - What strategies overcome such barriers? A Different Perspective Symbols may be interpreted differently. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American flag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-flag/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Flags](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flags/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Old man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-man/) ## Related quotes > [It felt as if maybe the curse had lifted, the tide had shifted, but then the breeze picked up and a skeet took a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/it-felt-as-if-maybe-the-curse-had-lifted-the-tide-had-shifted-but/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [ It wasn't \[Barack\] Obama per se; it was the feeling on the ground; it was seeing an old black woman in a wheelchair being… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ayers/it-wasn-t-barack-obama-per-se-it-was-the-feeling-on-the-ground-it-was/) [Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ayers/) > [Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/nobody-should-be-allowed-to-burn-the-american-flag-if-they-do-there/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [We all salute, with pride, the same American Flag. And we are equal - totally equal - in the eyes of Almighty God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-all-salute-with-pride-the-same-american-flag-and-we-are-equal/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Together, we will have one great American future. Our potential is unlimited. We will be one people, under one God, saluting one American flag.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/together-we-will-have-one-great-american-future-our-potential-is/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Essentially, the Tea Party are the Hell's Angels, but with sun visors instead of switch blades. They push macaroni instead of meth. Mess with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/essentially-the-tea-party-are-the-hell-s-angels-but-with-sun-visors/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [What the American people must never forget - is that when Fascism comes to America it will come wrapped in American flag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-kinoy/what-the-american-people-must-never-forget-is-that-when-fascism-comes/) Arthur Kinoy > [There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/there-can-be-no-divided-allegiance-here-any-man-who-says-he-is-an/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [The American flag is the symbol of our freedom, national pride and history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-fitzpatrick/the-american-flag-is-the-symbol-of-our-freedom-national-pride-and/) [Mike Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-fitzpatrick/) > [I always carried a small American flag red white and blue with me so people would know I was from America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-foreman/i-always-carried-a-small-american-flag-red-white-and-blue-with-me-so/) [George Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-foreman/) > [For me, I'm just trying to be the best at what I do. I'll wave an Asian American flag if I get that opportunity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-hugo/for-me-i-m-just-trying-to-be-the-best-at-what-i-do-i-ll-wave-an-asian/) [Chad Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-hugo/) > [Then the American flag was saluted. In general, in the United States people always salute the American flag.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-d-rrenmatt/then-the-american-flag-was-saluted-in-general-in-the-united-states/) [Friedrich Durrenmatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-d-rrenmatt/) > [I used to look like an American flag. The Padre uniform makes me look like a taco. Actually, the transition has been great. Ive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-garvey/i-used-to-look-like-an-american-flag-the-padre-uniform-makes-me-look/) [Steve Garvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-garvey/) > [If you don't want an American flag flying at your school, why do you live in the USA?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ainsley-earhardt/if-you-don-t-want-an-american-flag-flying-at-your-school-why-do-you/) [Ainsley Earhardt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ainsley-earhardt/) > [We cannot allow the American flag to be shot at anywhere on earth if we are to retain our respect and prestige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-goldwater/we-cannot-allow-the-american-flag-to-be-shot-at-anywhere-on-earth-if/) [Barry Goldwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-goldwater/) ## More by Billy Joel > [Everybody is different. Some writers can write reams of great books and then J. D. Salinger wrote just a few. Beethoven wrote nine symphonies.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/everybody-is-different-some-writers-can-write-reams-of-great-books/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [Only the good die young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/only-the-good-die-young/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [In a way, we are magicians. We are alchemists, sorcerers and wizards. We are a very strange bunch. But there is great fun in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/in-a-way-we-are-magicians-we-are-alchemists-sorcerers-and-wizards-we/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [I don't want some pretty face to tell me pretty lies, all I want is someone to believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-don-t-want-some-pretty-face-to-tell-me-pretty-lies-all-i-want-is/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [I've always said about 50% of what happens at a concert has to do with the audience. If you play for a dead audience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-ve-always-said-about-50-of-what-happens-at-a-concert-has-to-do-with/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [She's the quiet type who's into heavy metal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/she-s-the-quiet-type-who-s-into-heavy-metal/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [Rock and roll just used to be for kicks, now a days it's politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/rock-and-roll-just-used-to-be-for-kicks-now-a-days-it-s-politics/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [Don't make music for some vast, unseen audience or market or ratings share or even for something as tangible as money. Though it's crucial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/don-t-make-music-for-some-vast-unseen-audience-or-market-or-ratings/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [Usually when I'm writing, I try to write fairly quickly. If a song sits around too long, it starts to take on a stink.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/usually-when-i-m-writing-i-try-to-write-fairly-quickly-if-a-song-sits/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [My daughter sent me on a mission to get as many autographs as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/my-daughter-sent-me-on-a-mission-to-get-as-many-autographs-as-possible/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [ I was listening to stuff and I realized that I've had a lot of different lives. You know the theory \[that says\] every seven… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-was-listening-to-stuff-and-i-realized-that-i-ve-had-a-lot-of/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [If you said good-bye to me tonight, There would still be music left to write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/if-you-said-good-bye-to-me-tonight-there-would-still-be-music-left-to/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [If I need a cause for celebration, Or a comfort I can use to ease my mind, I rely on my imagination, And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/if-i-need-a-cause-for-celebration-or-a-comfort-i-can-use-to-ease-my/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [I'm carrying the weight of all the useless junk and modern man accumulates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-m-carrying-the-weight-of-all-the-useless-junk-and-modern-man/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [What will it take for you to believe in me, the way that I believe in you?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/what-will-it-take-for-you-to-believe-in-me-the-way-that-i-believe-in/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) [Explore all 311 Billy Joel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) ## More American flag quotes > [ It wasn't \[Barack\] Obama per se; it was the feeling on the ground; it was seeing an old black woman in a wheelchair being… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ayers/it-wasn-t-barack-obama-per-se-it-was-the-feeling-on-the-ground-it-was/) [Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ayers/) > [I wrote the script of Patton. I had this very bizarre opening where he stands up in front of an American flag and gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/i-wrote-the-script-of-patton-i-had-this-very-bizarre-opening-where-he/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [Is burning an American flag a disgusting, reprehensible act? Yes, it absolutely is, and I would tell that to the face of absolutely anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-timpf/is-burning-an-american-flag-a-disgusting-reprehensible-act-yes-it/) [Kat Timpf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-timpf/) > [“America is the wealthiest nation on Earth, but its people are mainly poor, and poor Americans are urged to hate themselves. To quote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/america-is-the-wealthiest-nation-on-earth-but-its-people-are-mainly/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [Colin Kaepernick is the latest professional athlete to spark a national debate about the meaning behind the American flag and the national anthem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-abdul-rauf/colin-kaepernick-is-the-latest-professional-athlete-to-spark-a/) Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf > [God bless America, land that I love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-berlin/god-bless-america-land-that-i-love/) [Irving Berlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-berlin/) > [“The British government in 1807 had issued the “Orders in Council,” which enforced a naval blockade against France, and with a shortage of seamen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/the-british-government-in-1807-had-issued-the-orders-in-council-which/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [Instead of candidates hiring people, like yours truly, to create campaign media that works on both conscious and subconscious levels to sway the voting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-howard/instead-of-candidates-hiring-people-like-yours-truly-to-create/) [Ron Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-howard/) > [The American flag is an enduring symbol of liberty, democracy, and justice. It is fitting that the House act to protect it as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-american-flag-is-an-enduring-symbol-of-liberty-democracy-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The night of September the 14th, 1814, saw heavy bombardment of Baltimore by the British. Despite this, the next morning, the large American flag…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-goldstein/the-night-of-september-the-14th-1814-saw-heavy-bombardment-of/) [Jack Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-goldstein/) > [“Superman – Moses in a costume, with his underpants on the outside. Captain America – the poster boy of the mad American patriot. Wonder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sinclair/superman-moses-in-a-costume-with-his-underpants-on-the-outside/) [David Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sinclair/) > [“The bold colors of the American flag stood out over her husband’s coffin. Colors of honor. Colors of freedom. Colors of sacrifice. She’d never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-cross/the-bold-colors-of-the-american-flag-stood-out-over-her-husband-s/) [Lindsay Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-cross/) > [“The 101st was trucked to Utah Beach on July 10, seeing from the land what they had seen from the air the night of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-alexander/the-101st-was-trucked-to-utah-beach-on-july-10-seeing-from-the-land/) Larry Alexander > [I love taking photos of the American flag fluttering in the wind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-capehart/i-love-taking-photos-of-the-american-flag-fluttering-in-the-wind/) [Jonathan Capehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-capehart/) > [“People reacted with hate and fear and then community by wearing American flag shirts, bandannas, crying, huddling, lost, and senseless. They packed the gymnasium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-huang/people-reacted-with-hate-and-fear-and-then-community-by-wearing/) [Eddie Huang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-huang/) [Browse all 158 American flag quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-flag/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Every child had a pretty good shot, to get at least as far as their old man got. But something happened on the way to that place. They threw an American flag in our face.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Billy Joel" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/every-child-had-a-pretty-good-shot-to-get-at-least-as-far-as-their/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "American flag" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/every-child-had-a-pretty-good-shot-to-get-at-least-as-far-as-their/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/billy-joel-1000_american-flag_every-child-had-a-pretty-good-shot-to-ge_2765329.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/billy-joel-1000_american-flag_every-child-had-a-pretty-good-shot-to-ge_2765329.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/billy-joel-1000_american-flag_every-child-had-a-pretty-good-shot-to-ge_2765329.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Every child had a pretty good shot, to get at least as far as their old man got. But something happened on…” — Billy Joel", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Billy Joel", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Every child had a pretty good...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/every-child-had-a-pretty-good-shot-to-get-at-least-as-far-as-their/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/every-child-had-a-pretty-good-shot-to-get-at-least-as-far-as-their/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```