“Piano Man” is a classic song recorded by Billy Joel in 1973. The song was written and performed by Joel, and it became one of his most recognizable and enduring hits.
About The Song
The lyrics of “Piano Man” tell the story of various characters in a bar, with Joel himself playing the role of the piano man. Each character has their own struggles and stories, creating a vivid narrative within the song. The chorus features the iconic refrain, “Sing us a song, you’re the piano man.”
The song’s melodic and storytelling qualities, coupled with Joel’s expressive vocals and piano playing, contributed to its widespread appeal. “Piano Man” is often regarded as one of Billy Joel’s signature songs, showcasing his songwriting skills and ability to connect with audiences.
Released as a single, “Piano Man” achieved moderate success on the charts but gained significant popularity over time. It has become a staple of Billy Joel’s live performances and is celebrated as a classic in the singer-songwriter genre. The song’s enduring charm lies in its relatable storytelling and the timeless quality of Joel’s musical craftsmanship.
Video
Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the 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