Billy Joel – Piano Man – 1973

About The Song

“Piano Man” is a classic song by Billy Joel released in 1973. Here are five facts about the song:

1. Narrative Ballad: “Piano Man” is a narrative ballad that tells the story of a piano player at a bar, reflecting on the lives and stories of the patrons around him. The characters in the song are based on real people Joel encountered during his time playing in piano bars.
2. Signature Harmonica: The song is notable for its distinctive harmonica riff played by Joel himself. The harmonica gives the song a bluesy and folksy feel, contributing to its timeless appeal.
3. Commercial Success: Despite not achieving significant chart success upon its initial release, “Piano Man” has become one of Billy Joel’s signature songs and a classic in his repertoire. It has since gained widespread popularity and is often considered one of his greatest works.
4. Debut Album Title Track: “Piano Man” is the title track of Billy Joel’s second studio album, released in 1973. The album marked a pivotal moment in Joel’s career, establishing him as a prominent singer-songwriter.
5. Cultural Impact: The song has had a lasting impact on popular culture and is frequently played on radio stations. Its poignant lyrics, memorable melody, and relatable themes have resonated with audiences for decades, making it a timeless classic in the singer-songwriter genre.

Video

Lyrics

It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday
The regular crowd shuffles in
There’s an old man sittin’ next to me
Makin’ love to his tonic and gin

He says, “Son can you play me a memory?
I’m not really sure how it goes
But it’s sad and it’s sweet and I knew it complete
When I wore a younger man’s clothes”

La, la-la, di-di-da
La-la di-di-da da-dum

Sing us a song, you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feelin’ alright

Now John at the bar is a friend of mine
He gets me my drinks for free
And he’s quick with a joke, or to light up your smoke
But there’s some place that he’d rather be

He says, “Bill, I believe this is killing me”
As a smile ran away from his face
“Well, I’m sure that I could be a movie star
If I could get out of this place”

Oh, la, la-la, di-di-da
La-la di-di-da da-dum

Now Paul is a real estate novelist
Who never had time for a wife
And he’s talkin’ with Davy, who’s still in the navy
And probably will be for life

And the waitress is practicing politics
As the businessmen slowly get stoned
Yes, they’re sharing a drink they call loneliness
But it’s better than drinkin’ alone

Sing us the song, you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feelin’ alright

It’s a pretty good crowd for a Saturday
And the manager gives me a smile
‘Cause he knows that it’s me they’ve been comin’ to see
To forget about life for a while

And the piano, it sounds like a carnival
And the microphone smells like a beer
And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar
And say man what are you doin’ here?

Oh, la, la-la, di-di-da
La-la di-di-da da-dum

Sing us the song, you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feelin’ alright