 " Honesty " is a song by American singer and songwriter Billy Joel . Columbia Records released the song as the third single from his sixth studio album 52nd Street ( 1978 ) in 1979 . " Honesty " was solely written by Joel , while production was handled by Phil Ramone . The song was not included on any of Joel 's US @-@ released compilation packages ; however , it appears on the Dutch and Japanese editions of Greatest Hits Volume 2 , replacing " Don 't Ask Me Why " ( 1980 ) . " Honesty " is a piano ballad that talks about the inherent lack of shame . 
