It's made even more apparent by the last lines of the last verse: "And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar And say 'Man, what are you doing here?'" They're truly average people, living an average life, but every once in a while they get to experience something quite wonderful.
Savanah, your observation are so true. The author takes simple thing simple observations about things that are happening around him, in a simple place. He or she uses simple words, yet when they are combined and ordered into simple thoughts magic happens. A simple yet beautiful, expression and chronicle of a fragment of life is captured. This tune could easily be called poetry. This is why I call this period in music "THE GOLDEN AGE OF MUSIC!" peace and a happy life to you!!
@Harry Johnston-Smith Specific strategy. The comments are made purposefully idiotic and fake-looking so only the most vulnerable would go through with it. That makes the rest of the scam easier and filters out those who would drop out of the scam halfway through and waste the scammers time.
This is not that impressive for a 24 year old? 24 year olds are capable young adults at that core part of their life where they have the accessibility to create great things thanks to the foundation theyve built over their years AND they make refined things
My dad practically raised me on this song, he always wanted to be a pilot or an F1 driver but never could do he ended up as a poor teacher. He gave me a good life so I could become the piano man and do what I wanted to do and that I am. I go to college for art and animation next year
That’s really amazing! It’s so sweet you think of your dad like this, and I just know that you will be one of the best animators out there! You’ve got this!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!😊
Recently a bud of mine ended his life. He was a great friend, just like he said I was in his last message to me. He listened to this song a lot, and I remember sitting in his room with him while he played it. At the time I just knew of the song as a meme. But now the song holds an entirely different meaning. I really miss him. Any of you who read this, please have a good day. Never say it's the end. You have a bright life ahead, even if you may not know it yet. I hope the sun brightens your day. I love you all. And if you can't find the light in life. Say hey to Jack for me please.
It’s 2020 and while music culture has changed so much everyone can agree that this is one of the greatest of all time and that Billy Joel was/is one of the greatest as well.
Elite 18 don’t worry you have your future to make up for it. You can make more memories. Good memories make us sad because we cant relive the past. Now if the sad memories come up it’s not your fault. If the song makes you feel sad it’s just the melancholic affect it has on you. I believe we all feel it too. I’m 20 and I’m also confused.
Joethegamer I dint understand why everyone loves Michael Jackson, a lot of music that gets talked about with him I like but I’ve never liked Michele Jackson
It's not about how 'Life sucks, but what can you do?' It's more about how 'Life isn't always what you want it to be, but it's up to you what to do with it. So do your best and be happy, whatever it may be.'
A long time ago, I read a comment that said "This song is the most beautiful way to say 'life sucks'." Can't seem to find his comment anywhere so Ima just put it right here so I dont forget. Edit) Happy to tell you that I found the comment you all were talking about, and I think I have to say that I had no intention to steal the comment, but to share the impression I had from this comment and how much I related to it. Love you all, and I hope you all a happy and fulfilling life that brings all the good thing this sucker of a life brings to you. Be happy, and may God bless you all! Edit 2: So a lot of people have taught me that this comment can be found in the piano tutorial of this song by *sheet* *music* *boss* ! Thank you all for pointing that out! I would have never done it by myself! You all are amazing, and I am happy to be in such an amazing part of youtube! These are perilous times, but I wish that you never lose hope, and that may the best of health and safety be with you all! Love you!
My brother was a piano man. He was born in 1973. His middle name was Joel. He passed away in 1993. He loved this song, he loved music. Today is his birthday. Happy birthday, Cocoy. I miss you like hell.
Thank you for the love, care and support you all showed on me, I hope you never stop watching my videos, listening to my songs and liking my page…..you all are wonderful ♥️
same. Also I think bittersweet songs in general resonate much better, thus making them better in most cases. I would also say the bittersweet feeling is very similar to nostalgia, which is something we seek at least every once in a while. Have an amazing day. :)
“They’re sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it’s better than drinkin’ alone”-Billy Joel One of my favorite and most relatable lines in this song.
I'd be honored if some Billy Joel fans would give a quick listen to my acoustic piano & vocal performances of his classic compositions ALLENTOWN and VIENNA on my channel in tribute to the master. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Thanks and peace.
So fucking true I get that so much. It's called precognitive nostalgia. Some believe it's from past lives. Some think it's the brain knowing one day the memory will happen and it becomes excited for the memory. Very common in sensitive or depressed people who don't have currently happy lives, so they hope that their future will be better. Hi, I'm Jack. And I'm too interested in my own psychology. Good day.
this was my dad's favourite song when he was in the hospital, unable to move, still recovering from his coma He LOVES this song, and now I can say proudly that my dad can now walk and always has a smile on his face
@宇宙不思議な If it was brought out today, there'd be a bunch of young idiots who'd be like, "Wow, this guy's music is so fresh and good!" And more learned folk would sigh...
I'd be honored if some Billy Joel fans would take a quick listen to my acoustic piano & vocal performances of his classics ALLENTOWN and VIENNA on my YT channel in tribute to the master of lyricism & composition. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Thanks and don't forget to put some bread in my jar if you can spare it.
I mean there's a reason the piano is usually used for the accompanying music. Piano music is soft and stable, but it doesn't blare like a trumpet or harmonica.
I’ll still never understand how Billy Joel doesn’t know why this is such a big hit. It’s literally one of the greatest songs of all time. It tells a story, it’s bittersweet, it’s extremely catchy, it’s an easy sing-along, and everyone can relate to it. Deep down music is our escape from reality and it always will be…and that is exactly what the song is all about.
of course he knows why this is a hit. his message "pretending to not know" is, that you shouldnt be like the protagonist. dont indulge in nostalgia and past broken times, but look forward. same as ed sheeran "not understanding" how people want "happier" on their wedding. they know they made sad masterpieces. but they dont want people to be sad.
In my country the Netherlands we have every year at new years evening a radio show called top 2000 of all time. And in this show there are 3 songs always in the top 3 for decades. "the pianoman" is one of them. The others are Bohemian Rhapsody and Hotel California. So here they concider this as the greatest song ever been made.
Billy Joel is amazingly talented. This song isn't a story he made up, however. This is based on his real life experiences with real people. His talent comes in expressing that with his songwriting and performances.
@@reesearnett4802 the way he presents all of their stories in song however is entirely his talent. Basing things on real life doesn’t mean someone can’t be a good director baby
This song seems to me as kind of a love letter to music. How a bunch of completely different people come together, just to listen to some really great music and forget about all the shit in their lifes. Beautiful song and it gets me really melancholic for some reason.
In my opinion it is about a bunch of random people who gather together in the bar to find some delight and a break from their lives. And even though they did not meet their live expectations and dreams they had set, this is a way to cope with it and support each other.
im only 22 years old but for some reason this music makes me feel like im back in the 1900's relaxing at a local diner lol. idk how to explain it but it just hits my soul like no other...
100M views is actually one of the highest totals for any song from the early 70s... I'd be honored if some Billy Joel fans would take a listen to my acoustic piano & vocal performances of his classic compositions ALLENTOWN and VIENNA on my channel in tribute to the master. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Thanks and peace.
I am just wondering just where else I am going to run into you. I am a Canadian, teacher on that yearly holiday which get every seven years if we bother to take it, yet studying, just another up grade, so I am in the area of Spain, called Santiago, much history was created here, but at many different times. I normally work outside of Canada, I am a tourist in Canada, all that I was born to, is gone, like Billy Joel's Allentown. I was raised in North America, Europe and Asia, so the world is far more home-e for me. I just found you to be an interesting person, so that's why I wrote, if it pleases you, you may reply.
He's fantastic! I just got out of the shower and this song said sing me 😄 I gave it my best and it brought me so much joy 👍 Thank you for sharing your immense talents Billy Joel ♥️
Yeah-The Hoplesness of it all. Saddest part in Interviews hes given about the song, he says this was actuall peopole he knew when he played in a Piano Bar. Somehow that just hits harder.
I just want to thank my old man for showing me this... Music has been a very important friend in my life, and this song is very special to me. We live in Colombia, my father could not speak English, but I remember one time that he put this on RUclips in the T.V. He said: "Escucha esto, es tremenda historia" (Listen to this, it is such a story"). He didn't understand a single word, but the video gave him the clues that he needed to consider this song a "masterpiece". You don't need to understand music, you just need to feel it. R.I.P to my daddy, I will love you forever, and I am very grateful for everything that you taught me.
Yo same story here only reason why I have good taste in music like rock country reggae balads it’s because of my dad we’re from Honduras, my dad would cry listening to these bangers not knowing a word of English
As a pianist, I've lost count of the number of times I've played "Piano Man" over the past 45+ years. Yet I never get tired of it, because it's just a great freaking song.
This is one of the best songs ever written, it’s a punch to the gut to the melancholy music. With the music sounding light and bright it’s a nice balance of life. No one will see this comment, but if they do, thank you and have a nice life, cheers. Edit: there was a typo. nothing was added or removed
What is normal? I went through a painful period bc I was unlike my peers. Decades later, I am so happy I never became like them! Normal is just being "who" you are and "what" you are and accepting that. Be you and enjoy it.
This song makes you feel like an old person, even if you're a kid, and ur just bombarded with a huge wave of nostalgia that you don't even know or have.
My dad used to play the harmonica, when I heared this for the first time through a meme, the amount of nostalgia overflowing my brain and heart was unimaginable. My dad passed away a year ago, just wanted to say that. Thank you
I'm 17 years old and today I'm studying to get into the biggest theater college in the country, because when I was 5 years old, I dreamed of being a great theater actress, and I remember that every day, on the way to school, my parents would play this song, and today, listening to it again, I only think of this verse, "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". For me, this place is my country town 😢. But I'm still going to make my dream come true and listen to this song on a big theater stage.
“Yes, they’re sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it’s better than drinking’ alone.” Some of the best lyrics I’ve heard in popular music. Powerful…
I think my favorite thing is how every verse is sad. Some of its obvious like the bartender who thinks he could make it in hollywood if he could get out of this place, but then you get subtle stuff like how paul is a real estate novelist. Thats not a thing. Thats the kind of thing you say to a guy at the bar to pretend to be someone successful. And being in the navy for life isnt automatically a bad thing, but you can tell he is a life long deck swabber, not a guy staying in there as he moves up the ladder and becomes an admiral or something. Just all of it, the closest thing they have to being happy is getting drunk and losing themselves to a good melody for a few minutes. And the song itself is melancholy in lyrical form.
I just spoke to Davy, and he isn't happy that you called him a deck swabber... I'd be honored if some Billy Joel fans would take a quick listen to my acoustic piano & vocal performances of his classic compositions ALLENTOWN and VIENNA on my channel in tribute to the master. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Thanks and peace.
I think you are wrong about the navy guy. In my opinion he is displaying a regular navy soldier (who is propably not having a chance to climb up the ladder of success. In this i agree with you). The probably will be for life sounds more like he is not going to survive the navy.
It's more about dreamers in NYC killing time in a piano bar in a Saturday night. Joel worked in one to pay his bills because he signed away his royalties for rent money. I made more money on my first two books than he did for his first eight years of albums.
This song is also a song that contains memories of someone from the past. It seems like a song that can answer when someone asks about 'memories'. However, as time passes, we too will recall memories like this and recall this song.😢
1:14 I listened this song when I was at my twenty’s now I’m 32 and I keep listening this song as I did the fisrt time, living the lyric and enjoying the piano & harmony
Piano man, it tells the stories of how people lost their dream and ended up got trapped in life. The old man, John, Paul, Davy, the waitress, businessman, manager and probably Billy himself and everyone here, didn't we all forget something important just for making a living?
How come I never see any Billy Joel songs in any "Greatest Songs of All Time" lists? I mean Piano Man, Goodnight Saigon, New York State of Mind and Leningrad are for me easily in the greatest 100 songs of all time!
No one knows him where I live! I come from Israel... I spent some time in upstate New York and that's how I got introduced to Billy Joel... But no one knows him around these parts...
This song was dedicated to my friend who died recently at the age of 18. He died 3 weeks ago from overexhaustion when he was running home from the gym. He was always insecure in his body, but he was the happiest person I have ever met personally. Everybody knew him, because he was the only person who had talked to everyone at school, and he was going to be an actor. RIP Maximillian.
never met you Maximillian but Rest In Peace think you've been a great man and ... timpster the dude : life goes on hope you'll have a great life greetings from Germany
It is hard to believe this song is 50 years old. It has transcended generations and is one of my and my children's (now in their 20s) favourite songs. What a talent!
Tomorrow My Sorrow To Drown Instead of getting drunk I'll Dance with gals that will not let me down Perchance slow dance is romance Will do me good to rid this frown
If you play this song at 8:59:29 on a Saturday (PM or AM if you rock it that way) it will be 9 o’clock when he sings “It”s 9 o’clock on a Saturday”
Robert Veerman looooool
Thank you for this infromation
Thank you...
Shit its 9:36 on a saturday too late
Just did this perfectly
Legend.
Billy Legend Joel?
Expert Setting no totally not! you know that Joel billy wrote this song RIGHT ??! he's so famous
MPT *Queens you meant Queens (Freddy Mercury mostly)
Wily garte
The Legend 27?
after 28 years listening to heavy rock, this song makes me feel like ive missed something.
fucking beautiful.
Jolly, you speaking wisdom.
Sorry, your speaking wisdom - I'm quite drunk now. Cheers!
*you're
Kerwin Williamson
XD you know what? Drunk, fools or toddlers are speakin truth. Cheers
i listen to metal. it doesn't mean a thing. enjoy every genre. in every genre, i believe, is at least one thing that you'll love. :) AT LEAST
ダウン症の我が子が一番大好きな曲、その子が今14歳になりましたが今だに一番大好きな曲。2人でお茶した時に店内に流れた時、時が止まったように2人で目を合わせて息子がニッコリ微笑んだ日がすごく幸せな時間だったな
Bless you.
pincili
❤❤❤
😢❤
Best wishes to you and your family.
The dude sung a song... about singing a song. Bro... This is genius
You got it 💯
What an amazing view!! I never thought about that :D
One forever song :)
@floop me too
Woah
The lyrics are so simple but true. It's him observing the average life of average people, yet the song is so above average.
Savanah Nuñez I agree!
It's made even more apparent by the last lines of the last verse:
"And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar
And say 'Man, what are you doing here?'"
They're truly average people, living an average life, but every once in a while they get to experience something quite wonderful.
I guess you could say it was so ordinary, it was "extraordinary"!
musicas international
Savanah, your observation are so true. The author takes simple thing simple observations about things that are happening around him, in a simple place. He or she uses simple words, yet when they are combined and ordered into simple thoughts magic happens. A simple yet beautiful, expression and chronicle of a fragment of life is captured. This tune could easily be called poetry. This is why I call this period in music "THE GOLDEN AGE OF MUSIC!" peace and a happy life to you!!
One of the best songs of all time !
Moonlight Sonata is better
You can't compare them there mega hits from their own era's
IfTheApocalypseComes BeepMe Yeah, i know it and Beethoven is the best composer ever !
dhiemart32 but there completely different peices, and about 200 years apart from each other, you cant compare them
Bob PlaysMC Yes, i like both songs
세월이 지날수록 더욱 마음 깊이 와 닿는 노래 들을수록 좋아요~~~
붐업
This is the most legendary song ever
epic just epic. you can listen to this a million times and it is still pleasing. Bill is the best storyteller of all time
Johnny luchador him and Kenny rogers
ElevenTN legen.....wait for it dairy
Nathan Taylor himym
ElevenTN excuse me.... BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
This song is quite literally a lyrical masterpiece.
Indeed
@@williammartinbillyjoel1704 lmao nice try
@@williammartinbillyjoel1704 holy cow I get to email billy Joel himself!!!!!!!!!!!
@@williammartinbillyjoel1704 seems legit 🤣🤣🤣
@Harry Johnston-Smith Specific strategy. The comments are made purposefully idiotic and fake-looking so only the most vulnerable would go through with it. That makes the rest of the scam easier and filters out those who would drop out of the scam halfway through and waste the scammers time.
How the hell did a 24 year old write one of the greatest songs of all time as his first single.
ong
he don't know
Anyone can write a good song :D
Where's yours?
This is not that impressive for a 24 year old? 24 year olds are capable young adults at that core part of their life where they have the accessibility to create great things thanks to the foundation theyve built over their years AND they make refined things
My dad practically raised me on this song, he always wanted to be a pilot or an F1 driver but never could do he ended up as a poor teacher. He gave me a good life so I could become the piano man and do what I wanted to do and that I am. I go to college for art and animation next year
That’s really amazing! It’s so sweet you think of your dad like this, and I just know that you will be one of the best animators out there! You’ve got this!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!😊
I LOVE this for you! I know you’ll make your dad proud.
you'll do great
@@sunsets_and_wine5665 All the best! Make your dad proud
i’m so proud of u you’ll make it
Recently a bud of mine ended his life. He was a great friend, just like he said I was in his last message to me. He listened to this song a lot, and I remember sitting in his room with him while he played it. At the time I just knew of the song as a meme. But now the song holds an entirely different meaning. I really miss him. Any of you who read this, please have a good day. Never say it's the end. You have a bright life ahead, even if you may not know it yet. I hope the sun brightens your day. I love you all. And if you can't find the light in life. Say hey to Jack for me please.
My deepest sympathies to you, friend. May your friend rest among the heavens.
You may not see him now but you’ll see him some time most important is to not forget him
u made me cry in happiness. may ur friend rest in peace and fly high
My deepest condolences to you on your loss, Sir.
I can relate how Jack felt. May he be in a better place now.
Now we need a movie about Billy Joel’s life called Piano Man
Cali Clara Yes!!
Don't really know that much about billy joel except that he made this song but how intresting is his life?
Like the idea though.
starring Robert Downey Jr. as Billy Joel
GriffVicious omg Robert would kill that role! I’d love to see it happen
This is very big brain
It’s 2020 and while music culture has changed so much everyone can agree that this is one of the greatest of all time and that Billy Joel was/is one of the greatest as well.
Tdabomb 12 im 16 and this song makes me sad for memories and the past I never experienced, I’m confused.
Elite 18 don’t worry you have your future to make up for it. You can make more memories. Good memories make us sad because we cant relive the past. Now if the sad memories come up it’s not your fault. If the song makes you feel sad it’s just the melancholic affect it has on you. I believe we all feel it too. I’m 20 and I’m also confused.
Yah and because Hollywood made a movie about Freddy murcury everyone thinks queen was the greatest but in all actuality, they all were.
With queen and the Beatles and Michael Jackson’s oh and almost any one from this time period
Joethegamer I dint understand why everyone loves Michael Jackson, a lot of music that gets talked about with him I like but I’ve never liked Michele Jackson
It's not about how 'Life sucks, but what can you do?'
It's more about how 'Life isn't always what you want it to be, but it's up to you what to do with it. So do your best and be happy, whatever it may be.'
Love your words.
A long time ago, I read a comment that said
"This song is the most beautiful way to say 'life sucks'."
Can't seem to find his comment anywhere so Ima just put it right here so I dont forget.
Edit) Happy to tell you that I found the comment you all were talking about, and I think I have to say that I had no intention to steal the comment, but to share the impression I had from this comment and how much I related to it. Love you all, and I hope you all a happy and fulfilling life that brings all the good thing this sucker of a life brings to you. Be happy, and may God bless you all!
Edit 2: So a lot of people have taught me that this comment can be found in the piano tutorial of this song by *sheet* *music* *boss* ! Thank you all for pointing that out! I would have never done it by myself! You all are amazing, and I am happy to be in such an amazing part of youtube! These are perilous times, but I wish that you never lose hope, and that may the best of health and safety be with you all! Love you!
This is something that I would do. lol i like the comment though!
Dongju Heo believe or not, its very deep
next level comment stealing
@ZapejoMC hahaha. did you say the same thing? where'd you say it? like how long ago. id like to see it XD.
Oh yeah I think I know what comment you’re talking about
My brother was a piano man. He was born in 1973. His middle name was Joel. He passed away in 1993. He loved this song, he loved music. Today is his birthday. Happy birthday, Cocoy. I miss you like hell.
Happy birthday Cocoy
late happy birthday cocoy
Happy birthday Cocoy
Happy birthday Cocoy from this world !
Happy late birthday Cocoy
“they are sharing a drink they call loneliness but it's better than drinking alone"
That shit actually hit me not gonna lie
Certified Retard same here...
That name tho
Same
My advice to you is not to follow my advice there for you follow my advice to not follow my advice and at the same time follow my advice
Same here
I like how the song is called "Piano Man" yet most people remember this because of the iconic Harmonica melody
@@djcease1996 Wait, this wasn't original? .-.
Well, I guess it's pretty inevitable. Someone has probably said this 5 years before me.
It's pretty much destiny that someone would definitely say it again even if they didn't know it was unoriginal. History repeats itself.
True dat
Quentin didn't have to be such a son of a bitch either. But history repeats itself like you said and here we fuckin are.
@@walterphillips8537 Calm down, Walter.
Literally every verse has at least one clever/heart breaking/thought provoking line.
This man is more than a singer, he’s a poet with a great voice.
Poisé
Thank you for the love, care and support you all showed on me, I hope you never stop watching my videos, listening to my songs and liking my page…..you all are wonderful ♥️
Well said
@@billyjoel5360 imagine making a fake Billy Joel account
@@ovitopo9717 🤣🤣qui qui
1973: masterpiece
2024: masterpiece
Stills speaks to me after 50 years. Incredible
same.
Also I think bittersweet songs in general resonate much better, thus making them better in most cases.
I would also say the bittersweet feeling is very similar to nostalgia, which is something we seek at least every once in a while.
Have an amazing day. :)
@@dwarian5252 You aswell! To the amazing day part-
I agree
@@winkpinky1445INDEEEEDDD
@dwarian5252 have a nice day my friend! Its good to bring some good memories back. Once in a while😊
Que hermosa canción, que nostalgias me traen a la mente, Billy Joel un genio !! Quien la está escuchando en este 2025 ???
❤😊
“Yes they’re sharing a drink they call Loneliness, but it’s better than drinking alone” is beyond a shadow of a doubt my favourite lyric ever written.
So DeEp
@@Exportasjpeg ok
stfu
Have you heard Hallelujah? Or is this just poorly written sarcasm?
wait, why am I criticizing people's opinions if they don't contradict science or ███? I thought it was a good verse too.
This is probably the most literal music video ever.
no, no it's artistic metaphorical interpretation of a modern art painting played over Billy Joel's piano man
+schoolsout901 Well, the song was about him being a piano man at a club so, yea lol
hahahah so literal
+DeForest
I agree. It was quite effective, too.
land down under?
This is the most depressingly happy song I've ever heard.
The worst bit is I feel I'm gonna end up like John at the bar and Im only 16
Same
Ikr
Qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
@@abelayala3418 Qqqqqqqqq, qqqqqq qqqqqqqqqqqqq?
Happy birthday, old mate. Many happy returns, and thanks for the decades of great tunes. You legend!
hopefully john is now a movie star
After I heard that he was he got the role for Jaba the hut
Davie's probably still in the navy, though
Heard he shot himself
@micheal Roberts wow 😮
1 like is another movie role played by John
When he said “It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday”, I really felt that.
SAME SIS
Traktorized wait that’s pretty accurate
Yeah its depressing somehow
true
7:52 on a Tuesday
평범한 하루도 노래로 부르면, 얼마나 소중한 하루였는지 깨닫게 되네요.
fr
“They’re sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it’s better than drinkin’ alone”-Billy Joel
One of my favorite and most relatable lines in this song.
Lol I commented roughly the same thing. I felt that line in my soul.
I'd be honored if some Billy Joel fans would give a quick listen to my acoustic piano & vocal performances of his classic compositions ALLENTOWN and VIENNA on my channel in tribute to the master. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Thanks and peace.
Same here
I don’t think I get that
Mine is "And the piano sounds like a carnival, and the microphone smells like a beer" It has something about it that i just love
This song makes me nostalgic of memories I don't even have.
You feel the nostalgia from your life before this one
Yep 🤣🤣
Yet of memories u missed
So fucking true I get that so much. It's called precognitive nostalgia. Some believe it's from past lives. Some think it's the brain knowing one day the memory will happen and it becomes excited for the memory. Very common in sensitive or depressed people who don't have currently happy lives, so they hope that their future will be better. Hi, I'm Jack. And I'm too interested in my own psychology. Good day.
When I was a kid my dad would play Billy Joel all the time and now whenever I hear his song's I have flashbacks
Billy Joel is literally behind every song you like but can't remember the name or lyrics
True
Except for we didnt start the fire
"I'm not really sure how it goes."
For me it’s uptown girl lol
& queen
One of the greatest songs ever written.
easily
David Minear true
this and turtle power by partners in kryme
You are correct sir.
Howe R. U. Thatdum ?!
The line
“They’re sharing a drink called loneliness, but it’s better than drinking alone”
Hits hard
Jack The Creepy Janitor yes it does
Want to thumb you up but I don’t want to spoil your 69 likes
i feel like ive seen you somewhere. i think youre the monster under my bed
Jake Jeter maybe or maybe I am your long lost brother
Jack The Creepy Janitor could be you do look oddly familiar
this was my dad's favourite song when he was in the hospital, unable to move, still recovering from his coma
He LOVES this song, and now I can say proudly that my dad can now walk and always has a smile on his face
That's great :)
🖤⚘
@@harre9876 :D
Good to hear , greetzz straight out of belgium
@@Alejandromichael84 thank you for the support
Todays Bandle! 🎉
That harmonica is a dead giveaway! 😂 Got it on 4.
I love this song. I'm 37, and showing my 15 year old son this is learning piano. He's getting really good.
Someone able to compose such a masterpiece deserves a place in music history.
Austin Nacho Apple
And he does have one, if over a hundred million views says anything.
Who said he wasnt a legend
@宇宙不思議な If it was brought out today, there'd be a bunch of young idiots who'd be like, "Wow, this guy's music is so fresh and good!" And more learned folk would sigh...
Hunter Magnuson shut up boomer
"....they're sharing a drink they call loneliness
But it's better than drinking alone...'
Thats a very deep and simple line at the same time
i literally cry every time it gets to this part lol fml
Bruhhh 🤣🤣
Only other line that affects me is, "And I'd trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday..........to mine." I'd rate them 1 and 1A
666
The best line ever in a song we've all been there
Producer: "So do you want this song to make people feel happy or sad?"
Billy Joel :"yes"
I'd be honored if some Billy Joel fans would take a quick listen to my acoustic piano & vocal performances of his classics ALLENTOWN and VIENNA on my YT channel in tribute to the master of lyricism & composition. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Thanks and don't forget to put some bread in my jar if you can spare it.
What is up with your semicolon?!
@@HarrisonBorbarrison its not a semicolon lmao
exactly lmao
What if he wants us to have the power over if its happy or sad
These comments are bringing me to tears, everyone sharing their nice stories about this song is amazing. ❤
Billy Joel: “Hey I wanna make a song called Piano Man”
Dude with harmonica: “YOU NEED A HARMONICA???”
I mean there's a reason the piano is usually used for the accompanying music. Piano music is soft and stable, but it doesn't blare like a trumpet or harmonica.
Billy Joel is actually playing both the piano and the harmonica lol
Kenny exactly, it’s the harmonica guy inside his head
Billy Joel: “I’m gonna make a piano song named Piano man”
Inner Billy Joel: “Harmonica”
Needs more cowbell.
I’ll still never understand how Billy Joel doesn’t know why this is such a big hit. It’s literally one of the greatest songs of all time. It tells a story, it’s bittersweet, it’s extremely catchy, it’s an easy sing-along, and everyone can relate to it. Deep down music is our escape from reality and it always will be…and that is exactly what the song is all about.
of course he knows why this is a hit.
his message "pretending to not know" is, that you shouldnt be like the protagonist.
dont indulge in nostalgia and past broken times, but look forward.
same as ed sheeran "not understanding" how people want "happier" on their wedding.
they know they made sad masterpieces. but they dont want people to be sad.
Beautifully put, sir. It’s an absolute bona fide masterpiece
In my mind, the bar should be half empty, but, yeah, sometimes it's not up to the musician to decide his/her greatest hit.
Music IS my reality, not escape. Makes for a great life.
In my country the Netherlands we have every year at new years evening a radio show called top 2000 of all time. And in this show there are 3 songs always in the top 3 for decades. "the pianoman" is one of them. The others are Bohemian Rhapsody and Hotel California. So here they concider this as the greatest song ever been made.
Wasn't even born, but still knew this was a banger!
hooyah
I couldn't have said it better
jpmadison98 I'm 11 and I know more 80's than my mom Anh she was born in the 60's
Rejerk 77 Congrats!!! Do you want a cookie?
Rejerk 77 This was 70's kiddo not 80's
Hold up!! His writing is this fire???
You were on twitter today. I guarantee it.
@@Awsomeguy145we all seen that one tweet 💀
This is one of those songs that i wish i could forget, just so i could listen to it for the first time again! It is such a beautiful masterpiece.
Same man. Love this song and Billy Joel with a passion!
Don’t forget that hat powered by sadness
M Brox i cried when i heard it for the first time
I just heard it for the first time today on the radio and that was an amazing feeling!
I feel the same about American Pie.
For a song called "Piano man", they sure play the hell out of that harmonica
I mean that's the point of being a piano man
That doesn't make sense sorry
"Harmonica Man"
Yes because can't sing and play harmonica together.
🤣🤣🤣
Masterpiece.
Agreed.
Agreed
I LOVE this song
That's it. Nothing more needs to be said.
rafalillo_8 it is , ‘cause it describes most New Yorker at all times, and stages of their life.
0:37 everytime he starts "theres an old man" i always remember neil young "old man look at my life".
holy shit, its actually 9 o clock on a Saturday exactly right now for me. What a trip.
Then you live in USA
+Hermann Samuelsen wrong
9:30 on Saturday for me :D
+SameBasicRiff What a trip indeed, that only happens once a week!
+SameBasicRiff ...i just also realized its 9 o clock on a Saturday night for me too
It's November 2020 and this looks like a dream world.
How fast time flies. Hard to see now that this is how it was back then.
Yeah man too true.
Yup, no social distancing, no face masks, no curfew. And most importantly, people not sitting there detached staring into their mobile phones
Look at the People carefully! It ist Western People among themselves. Oh god, please bring back the time.....
All of them in the video, present, enjoying the moment. And with no screens showing other things like sports or news.
I could listen to this song for hours. This song has something that really can’t be explained.
69 likes, nIcE
well ur just weird
X M A R No u
Its called good harmony my friend.
Something missing in today's music
Badger 21 that’s not what harmony is
There will never be a decade that had limitless possibilities both bad and good like the 1980's. Thank You God for blessing to live in those times.
1930s
He wrote this in 73.
@jellyfishattack You are correct.
If billy wasn't a singer i feel like he would be a movie director because he is so good at creating these stories in his songs.
He didn't completely make it up, most if not all people r baised off real people he knew
Billy Joel is amazingly talented. This song isn't a story he made up, however. This is based on his real life experiences with real people. His talent comes in expressing that with his songwriting and performances.
@@reesearnett4802 the way he presents all of their stories in song however is entirely his talent. Basing things on real life doesn’t mean someone can’t be a good director baby
Don't make me think of a world without Billy Joel as a singer! :o
@@reesearnett4802 a lot of movies arent completely make it up either.
This man needs to live forever.
Don't let him leave the Navy.
Happy Birthday Billy!!!!!!
Viel Glück!
Yeah
Die Nosor Po u no because most likely scientists will want to study on him and end up killing him
This song seems to me as kind of a love letter to music. How a bunch of completely different people come together, just to listen to some really great music and forget about all the shit in their lifes.
Beautiful song and it gets me really melancholic for some reason.
Jason Storey Just my interpretation. Your version sounds more realistic tbh, but I like the idea of mine :)
lionxx om
In my opinion it is about a bunch of random people who gather together in the bar to find some delight and a break from their lives. And even though they did not meet their live expectations and dreams they had set, this is a way to cope with it and support each other.
lionxx
loved this song since I was a little kid
+lionxx Red John and Billy Joel. My favorite combo.
im only 22 years old but for some reason this music makes me feel like im back in the 1900's relaxing at a local diner lol. idk how to explain it but it just hits my soul like no other...
It´s because this song and music is timeless. A true classic and it´s great that you´ve discovered it. So enjoy. Some songs will live forever.
That's one of the saddest and most beautiful song I've ever heard
Δ
It’s a weird, almost comforting kind of sadness and that is a feeling I love.
This needs more views, I'm sorry but this is a golden classic and legendary song.
100M views is actually one of the highest totals for any song from the early 70s... I'd be honored if some Billy Joel fans would take a listen to my acoustic piano & vocal performances of his classic compositions ALLENTOWN and VIENNA on my channel in tribute to the master. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Thanks and peace.
It's still good at 100 million
@@willritter4076 I agree! And I'll take a look definitely!
@@vurkroix1751 true
113,994,330 aint enough for you
an old classic that never losses it's popularity...every smoky piano bar with a pianist plays this song.... great lyrics..
I smoke in bar in usa ? =(
soo true :)
Jacqui Crawford So, we meet again, here.
brian coxall well hello again....how's life in sunny Spain?
I am just wondering just where else I am going to run into you. I am a Canadian, teacher on that yearly holiday which get every seven years if we bother to take it, yet studying, just another up grade, so I am in the area of Spain, called Santiago, much history was created here, but at many different times. I normally work outside of Canada, I am a tourist in Canada, all that I was born to, is gone, like Billy Joel's Allentown. I was raised in North America, Europe and Asia, so the world is far more home-e for me. I just found you to be an interesting person, so that's why I wrote, if it pleases you, you may reply.
Oh Man, I love this song! It makes you sad and lifts you up again. Great work of art!
The older you get, the harder this song hits you!
That is the truth.The older I get,the more it hit me..Magnificent song.Thanks Billy
He's fantastic! I just got out of the shower and this song said sing me 😄 I gave it my best and it brought me so much joy 👍 Thank you for sharing your immense talents Billy Joel ♥️
Si Senór!!!
Hated it as a child, 24 now play it nearly daily
Yeah-The Hoplesness of it all. Saddest part in Interviews hes given about the song, he says this was actuall peopole he knew when he played in a Piano Bar. Somehow that just hits harder.
I just want to thank my old man for showing me this... Music has been a very important friend in my life, and this song is very special to me. We live in Colombia, my father could not speak English, but I remember one time that he put this on RUclips in the T.V. He said: "Escucha esto, es tremenda historia" (Listen to this, it is such a story"). He didn't understand a single word, but the video gave him the clues that he needed to consider this song a "masterpiece". You don't need to understand music, you just need to feel it.
R.I.P to my daddy, I will love you forever, and I am very grateful for everything that you taught me.
Yo same story here only reason why I have good taste in music like rock country reggae balads it’s because of my dad we’re from Honduras, my dad would cry listening to these bangers not knowing a word of English
You right i have it with an Russian song the clip is clear peace of art
This song has officially got me feeling alright
(Read Your Profile Name).
@@pianohelper8873 dammit I was gonna comment that
As a pianist, I've lost count of the number of times I've played "Piano Man" over the past 45+ years. Yet I never get tired of it, because it's just a great freaking song.
This is one of the best songs ever written, it’s a punch to the gut to the melancholy music.
With the music sounding light and bright it’s a nice balance of life.
No one will see this comment, but if they do, thank you and have a nice life, cheers.
Edit: there was a typo. nothing was added or removed
you too, bud.
You too!
you too. i wish you the best :)
You too buddy cheers 😊
You too bud
Music videos are like time capsules, that's why I love watching them. It's like looking back into time
Sunkiing Rafeal have you ever watched any of the new music videos
Sunkiing Rafeal jou're totally right. I totally feel the same. It's soo authentic. This video really shows how it was in the 70s
TheGaming Hobo yeah I have, they don't compare at all to me
Sunkiing Rafeal exactly
Totally want people in twenty years thinking I Blink 182's What's My Age Again was just like my generation.
“He says Bill I believe this killin’ me, as a smile ran away from his face...”
This part always brings me a sense of sadness for some reason.
That's the bit I always start crying at
@@naomihenry2408 it is profoundly sad, his dreams will never happen, they are also not realistic. Makes me cry too, every time.
Me too, not profound though
@@chadbaldante3192
Actually, the guy who plays the bartender /did/ become a movie star ironically enough.
@@williamhand4349 yea!!!!
Man, for a song called "The Piano Man" that harmonica player sure does a lot!
He is the harmonica player
The harmonica part is super easy to play. You can learn it in ~10minutes
@Billyjoel-c8cYour welcome, Billy Joel
Sing me a song Piano Man. I need to feel normal again.
I wanna feel alive
Alex back please now soon when
@@dread3165 same!
What is normal? I went through a painful period bc I was unlike my peers. Decades later, I am so happy I never became like them! Normal is just being "who" you are and "what" you are and accepting that. Be you and enjoy it.
@@jamesryan6224 Normal for me is not normal for everyone. Trust me...the least "normal" I am the happier I become
This song makes you feel like an old person, even if you're a kid, and ur just bombarded with a huge wave of nostalgia that you don't even know or have.
Anemoia: Nostalgia for a time you've never known.
There's a specific way you can play a song that gives you this sort of "fake nostalgia". A song that does something similar is HOME - Resonance
i felt like i lived before
My dad used to play the harmonica, when I heared this for the first time through a meme, the amount of nostalgia overflowing my brain and heart was unimaginable.
My dad passed away a year ago, just wanted to say that.
Thank you
7uring I get that feeling when I listen to the Beatles, especially hey Jude
"They share a drink called loneliness. But it's better than drinking alone."
It hits hard.
Better THAN drinking alone...as I usually did..
@@GusUngar Whoops. Typo
im used to drink alone in my house watching netflix until i get full asleep.
2 or 3 shots will have rolling on the ground in sorrow while this song plays in your head on loop.
@@dios-kun4895 go to a bar get drunk and make drunk friends 😂 probably betger then drinkin alone
I'm 17 years old and today I'm studying to get into the biggest theater college in the country, because when I was 5 years old, I dreamed of being a great theater actress, and I remember that every day, on the way to school, my parents would play this song, and today, listening to it again, I only think of this verse, "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". For me, this place is my country town 😢. But I'm still going to make my dream come true and listen to this song on a big theater stage.
I believe in you!! chase your dreams and make them come true :)
Don't give up! You'll find a lot of roadblocks on your way, but hard work will pay off, in ways you might not imagine just yet. Best of luck!
Follow your dreams! Best of luck to you!
YOU GOT THIS !! KEEP WORKING HARD AT IT and this will come true! It is beautifuk how art can unite so many kindred minds
“Yes, they’re sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it’s better than drinking’ alone.” Some of the best lyrics I’ve heard in popular music. Powerful…
I'll drink to that! Hell, I'll drink to anything!
I'll drink to that!
idk what it is but there's something so magical about songs that tell stories of depressing alcoholism. Literally me lmao
I've been sober 15 years and it's still lonely without a good woman!
I miss poetry in songs. 70-80s music really is some of the best in history
Y’all hating the harmonica, but it ain’t that bad I can’t imagine the song without out. It almost makes the song.
Who would hate that though
@@lambsaucefinder7407 yeah why
@@sirvillar007 ikr
Lambsauce Finder yeah I truly could not imagine it without. It just brings out the mood of the time they are in
Nice comment but I disagree with the Account username and your profile picture
Yes, they’re sharing a drink, it’s called loneliness but it’s better then drinking alone. Has to be some of the best lyrics ever
The song of the true alcoholic,we sing it everyday in AA.
@@skillfulgoose101 Try AA
Ana Belén cantando el hombre del piano
Still one of the most amazing artists of all our time
You are welcome good sir thank you for helping my parents raise me. @Billyjoel-c8c
I think my favorite thing is how every verse is sad. Some of its obvious like the bartender who thinks he could make it in hollywood if he could get out of this place, but then you get subtle stuff like how paul is a real estate novelist. Thats not a thing. Thats the kind of thing you say to a guy at the bar to pretend to be someone successful. And being in the navy for life isnt automatically a bad thing, but you can tell he is a life long deck swabber, not a guy staying in there as he moves up the ladder and becomes an admiral or something. Just all of it, the closest thing they have to being happy is getting drunk and losing themselves to a good melody for a few minutes. And the song itself is melancholy in lyrical form.
I just spoke to Davy, and he isn't happy that you called him a deck swabber... I'd be honored if some Billy Joel fans would take a quick listen to my acoustic piano & vocal performances of his classic compositions ALLENTOWN and VIENNA on my channel in tribute to the master. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Thanks and peace.
chris hubbard Agreed, this song is genius, every single lyric has such a deep meaning.
Will Ritter, you advertising son of gun...
I think you are wrong about the navy guy. In my opinion he is displaying a regular navy soldier (who is propably not having a chance to climb up the ladder of success. In this i agree with you). The probably will be for life sounds more like he is not going to survive the navy.
It's more about dreamers in NYC killing time in a piano bar in a Saturday night. Joel worked in one to pay his bills because he signed away his royalties for rent money. I made more money on my first two books than he did for his first eight years of albums.
Happy Birthday To The Piano Man 🎂
JUDA PACKER METAL like for liam
JUDA PACKER METAL I began to learn to play Piano Man before I learned that I shared a Birthday with Billy Joel! My birthday is May 9th, 2005.
SilentJ 360 my birthday is May 9th, 2001
How is no one talking about how the most famous harmonica is in a song called "Piano Man"
Let Alanis Morissette know.
Harmonica man doesn't have the same ring to it
Blues Travelers - Runaround
Let Bob Dylan know.
@MUFC Idk why you put that here (you're probably some stupid bot) but it's ironic that most of the world calls it football and you called it soccer
This song is also a song that contains memories of someone from the past. It seems like a song that can answer when someone asks about 'memories'. However, as time passes, we too will recall memories like this and recall this song.😢
"They are sharing a drink, they call loneliness, but it's better than drinking alone"
Well, that is poetry...
English teachers (WHY why , why does he say this WAT DO THISK MEAN)
lol
not everyone in a bar is lonely...so this and your comment are not true
@@jadezee6316 don't overthink it
@@jadezee6316 And not everyone was in the mood for a melody, but fuck them, this song is awesome
THIS IS A STRONG MESSAGE
I have tears in my eyes and I done even know why Jeez such a great song
no you have lightning in your eye
hahahahahahah
hahah
billy tends to have that effect 😉😊
+Sheo Gorath
I don't drink often, but when I do, I listen to this song and feel melancholy.
God....This brings back memories that don't exist..
ikr! so weirdly nosalgic
You mean Anemoia?
Lyrics video of this masterpiece ruclips.net/video/ZrNfjmtghCI/видео.html
I remember that.
@@greenhell7239 No, thanks. [ green hell will remember that ]
1:14 I listened this song when I was at my twenty’s now I’m 32 and I keep listening this song as I did the fisrt time, living the lyric and enjoying the piano & harmony
Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness
But it's better than drinkin' alone
such profound words
Cesare Reyes that's Billy Joel
Great (and true) lyric
My favourite lines ........
I was literally listening to that part of the song when I read this.
You succ pp
This, my friends, is real music !!!!!!!
MrDarenhayes Agree Man I Love This Song and Huge Billy Joel Fan!
MrDarenhayes I assume you are 3
MrDarenhayes The fact that you think you can define some music as "real" music, just shows how oblivious you are.
Zennsyg I agree
MrDarenhayes yes my friend it is real music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Imagine going to a bar and the singer sings about your deepest insecurities
Lmaooo
Lmafao
E
while making intense eye contact with you and only you, with a smile creeping across his face.
“This is the opposite of why I came here, Bill”
Just got home from his NYE concert. What an experience. When he performed this song, it almost brought me to tears. What a privilege.
Piano man, it tells the stories of how people lost their dream and ended up got trapped in life. The old man, John, Paul, Davy, the waitress, businessman, manager and probably Billy himself and everyone here, didn't we all forget something important just for making a living?
You are so right
Geez it’s an uplifting song!!
@@scottcampbell1377xanadu well different people will have different veiws on a song. Thats just my view. Music is an emotional thing after all
@@scottcampbell1377xanadu And by my words it wasn't meant to be negative, this song remind us not to give up our dream.
@@jackywng1236 what
If there ever is plans for a movie biography on Billy Joel, Like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman...
It has to be called “The Piano Man.”
bro u are so true
William we should both audition for the part xxx your a will I'm a billy xxx steal the show kidda xxx
Just “Piano Man” sounds better
my opinion
@@oopsallberries69420 I never leave the house with out our Monica xxx
Obi-Wan Kenobi General Kenobi
I love this song because we probably all have an old man, John, Paul, Davy, waitress, and businessman in our lives
That;s one of the main reasons why a lot of people connect with this song :)
Luke Smith
no
thats really true!!!
I'm all of these people every weekend
Luke Smith I don't have a Davy and IDK about john or paul
He's telling a story and it's about how life goes most of the time... So sad and it's poetry.
How come I never see any Billy Joel songs in any "Greatest Songs of All Time" lists? I mean Piano Man, Goodnight Saigon, New York State of Mind and Leningrad are for me easily in the greatest 100 songs of all time!
Forgot about "only the good die young"
+Rudy_Eila Yeah, he never gets played in the radio in my country, never really did. A bit annoying isn't it? Good songs.
+bouyaharumuchi what country is that?
No one knows him where I live! I come from Israel... I spent some time in upstate New York and that's how I got introduced to Billy Joel... But no one knows him around these parts...
+Rudy_Eila We didn't start the fire!
In my opinion, one of the finest songs ever written.
Not an opinion. Facts. As the kids say
@@joshhorn5131 it’s a opinion. Someone in the universe won’t like this. I swear I will hunt that person down
Yes, it is.
true
Definitely the best waltz in rock
“They’re sharing a drink called loneliness but it’s better than drinking alone” why does this line deliver a Tyson uppercut to my emotions?
Why does it turn me on
@@kelsiewashington3470 Come in dispatch, we've found the horny, over.
@@kelsiewashington3470 ayo???
Why indeed ♥️
My favorite is "and the piano sounds like a carnival"....
Masterful, absolutely stunning composition
@Billyjoel-c8c Hahahaha
This song was dedicated to my friend who died recently at the age of 18. He died 3 weeks ago from overexhaustion when he was running home from the gym. He was always insecure in his body, but he was the happiest person I have ever met personally. Everybody knew him, because he was the only person who had talked to everyone at school, and he was going to be an actor. RIP Maximillian.
Wow I didn't realize something like that could happen.
nature is wired that the strong survive and the weak perish....natural selection at its best.
never met you Maximillian but Rest In Peace think you've been a great man
and ... timpster the dude : life goes on hope you'll have a great life greetings from Germany
Very sad. Rest in peace Maximillian. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Thats very unfortunate :(. Im very sorry for the loss of your friend, Rest in peace Max.
It is hard to believe this song is 50 years old. It has transcended generations and is one of my and my children's (now in their 20s) favourite songs. What a talent!
Tomorrow My Sorrow To Drown
Instead of getting drunk I'll Dance
with gals that will not let me down
Perchance slow dance is romance
Will do me good to rid this frown
I’m 17 and I grew up with with in my dad car and I love even to this day
Que opinas de música de la actualidad
@@colenicholson5373 Maybe in 20 years you childs think it too
@@Deathslayer5800 this came out in 1973