The Story Behind “Piano Man” by Billy Joel
Released in 1973 as the lead single from Billy Joel’s second studio album, Piano Man quickly gained popularity, reaching No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. Joel wrote the song based on his time playing at the Executive Room, a bar in Los Angeles, where he met a diverse cast of regular patrons who inspired the song’s memorable characters and lyrics. Today, “Piano Man” stands as one of Joel’s signature songs and remains a fan favorite.
Did You Know?
- “Piano Man” was released in 1973 as the lead single of Billy Joel’s second studio album, Piano Man.
- The harmonica solo in “Piano Man” was performed by Robert Popwell, a member of Joel’s band at the time.
- The song’s lyrics were inspired by Joel’s experiences at a piano bar in Los Angeles.
🎵 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
“Well, I’m sure that I could be a movie star
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
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
