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Piano Man” by Billy Joel: A Timeless Classic from 1973

Piano Man” by Billy Joel, released in 1973, became one of his most iconic songs. It served as the lead single from his second studio album, also titled Piano Man. The song reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is beloved for its storytelling and memorable melody. Written by Joel, the song reflects his experiences playing piano at the Executive Room bar in Los Angeles, where he observed the regular patrons and their stories, which he captured in the song’s lyrics.

Did You Know?

  • Piano Man was released in 1973 and was the lead single from Billy Joel’s second album, Piano Man.
  • The song’s harmonica solo was played by Robert Popwell, a member of Joel’s band at the time.
  • The song’s lyrics were inspired by Joel’s time performing at a piano bar in Los Angeles, where he interacted with a variety of colorful characters.
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🎡 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎀

Lyrics

It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday

The regular crowd shuffles in

There’s an old man sitting next to me

Making 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.”

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 feeling 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 someplace that he’d rather be

He says, “Bill, I believe this is killing me.”

As a smile ran away from his face

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“Well, I’m sure that I could be a movie star

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If I could get out of this place.”

Now Paul is a real estate novelist

Who never had time for a wife

And he’s talking 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 drinking alone

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 feeling 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 coming to see

To forget about life for a while

And the piano it sounds like a carnival

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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 doing here?”

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 feeling alright

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