Billy Joel is a great singer songwriter & composer from the 70's-90's. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. This was Billy's first single released in 1973. "Piano Man" is based on Billy Joel's real-life experiences as a lounge musician in Los Angeles. The song is sung from Joel's point of view as a piano player at a bar, reminiscing about his experiences there & the people he encountered. My favorite album is the "Stranger" album. It has a lot of great songs such as "Just The Way You Are", "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant", "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)", "Only The Good Die Young", "She's Always A Woman" etc.
He wrote this in Los Angeles but some of the people are from further back. I worked with John At The Bar about ten years after this song came out. He was, as the video suggests, an enormous man. After a tough break up, Joel wanted out of NYC for a while and spent some time in Troy, NY, playing at the Hendrick Hudson Hotel bar. John worked there. When I was in college I worked in the kitchen of "Holmes and Watson" in Troy, the bar where John At The Bar was working in the 1980s.
Billy Joel is still selling our Madison Square Garden TODAY!!! Have you never heard "New York State of Mind"??? Only the good die young, It's still rock and roll to me, You may be right, and Keeping the faith will all blow your mind! Such incredible song writing and amazing piano playing. Love Billy Joel! (And, yes, the 70s and 80s were fun times, and I've been to lots of bars like that! 🍻)
It's hard to believe you've never heard of him. He had 13 TopTen hits and, at 74, is currently touring with Stevie Nicks. Billie Joel reached gold on dozens of his songs but this one launched his career.Just listen to New York State of Mind, For The Longest Time, Uptown Girl, Movin' Out, River Of Dreams, My Life, You May Be Right, Vienna, Honesty, and She's Always a Woman and you will be a fan for life. I was in my 20's when this came out and yes, smoking was allowed inside most buildings, restaurants and even on airlines in those days.
Thank you, Michael...just Thank you. Your reaction captures exactly what Billy was saying with his lyrics. Few musicians today understand that . Noise and screaming do not make one reflect on the way one sees the people around them.
Billy wrote this song about a time early in his career when he was basically "hiding out" by working in a piano bar under a stage name. He had signed a really bad recording contract early in his career and the record company was really taking advantage of him. He decided to ghost them in hopes they would release him from his contract. He played in small venues under a stage name to stay under the radar. He ended up marrying the waitress who was "practicing politics". He constantly heard the "what are you doing here?" line because he had WAAAY more talent than the average piano player at a bar.
Piano bars were big in the 70's. Watched him perform this on Johnny Carson and he blew everyone away. Played the harmonica, piano, and sang. His catalog is miles deep.
His lyrics are poetry and his compositions are complex and unique. He particularly excelled at 'slice of life' moments. He studied piano and composition at Julliard before deciding to go for it.
Billy Joel is a great singer/songwriter with hits in the 70's, 80's and 90's. Some of my favorites are "The Longest Time", Uptown Girl", "Tell Her About It", "A Matter of Trust", We Didn't Start the Fire", "I Go to Extremes" and "The River of Dreams".
I actually know his whole catalogue. And you're absolutely right. This one is a banger! My top 5 (other than Piano Man): 1. Scenes From an Italian Restaurant -- th-cam.com/video/izzM9LXqP-U/w-d-xo.html 2. New York State of Mind -- th-cam.com/video/iM4LzEcaTK0/w-d-xo.html 3. Vienna -- th-cam.com/video/fV_-a0P2L3o/w-d-xo.html 4. River of Dreams -- th-cam.com/video/fo_vn_Ilsu8/w-d-xo.html 5. An Innocent Man -- th-cam.com/video/mQCWY5ynBaw/w-d-xo.html But picking only 5 is hard. You have no idea how deep his catalogue is. I tried to spread my top 5 across multiple albums but had to take at least 2 from "The Stranger".
SURELY this is not your first time to hear Piano Man …. 😊anywho…..BILLY JOEL is a legend. Catalogue is phenomenal. He does it all! All kinds of music for all kinds of people. SO talented. Thanks for discovering Billy Joel. Now go be AMAZED!! ❤😊 PS: For Veteran’s Day his official video “Goodnight Saigon” is such a touching tribute to our vets 🇺🇸Thanks
So sad that you are totally correct about times like that will never happen again. That's how it used to be even when i was old enough to go in the 80s. No phones! Just drinking, dancing and laughing. Miss those times. Can't go wrong with any Billy Joel song.. Great reaction. Gonna subscribe! 👍
He's a genius on the song writing as well. Check out GOODNIGHT SIAGNON. It's about Vietnam and every concert he has veterans on stage singing the chorus. ❤
Well, I'm the 67-year old man who once "wore a younger man's clothes", and I thoroughly enjoyed your reaction video to this wonderful, wonderful tune. Suffice it to say that, you get it. You understand, which is a testament to Billy Joel's lyrical skills, and your listening skills. Well done, sir! As always, thank you for sharing. Steve
You have discovered a giant among singer-songwriters. Billy Joel had it all: lyrics, voice, and mad piano skills. He was absolutely huge when I was in college in the middle 70's, and he stayed relevant for many years. I got to see him live once, but sadly he was sick that night and not performing up to his usual quality. Friends who saw him live on other occasions said he was phenomenal on a good night. His catalog of hits is rich and deep. "Only The Good Die Young" and "She's Always a Woman" are two of my favorites, but you won't go wrong with any suggestions fans give you.
I went to a gig last week. The group of women in front of me didn't stop yapping, audibly, for 3/4 of the show. They could see the band. I could not. I was behind them. In a wheelchair. My trip out was a birthday gift. If they didn't want to watch/listen why were they there? I have been to hundreds of gigs and never seen this. They didn't dance, clap, sing along, just yapyapyap. I shouted at them to please STFU but they were talking too intently to notice. Gigs in the old days, now they were an experience.
Other than Piano Man, he has dozens of songs worth trying. "Just The Way You Are" won a Grammy for song of the year. "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" "Vienna" "Only The Good Die Young" "Honesty" "She's Always A Woman To Me" "You May Be Right" "My Life" that's more than 5 and just scratches the surface.
Love your reaction to this iconic song. Incredibly sad how anti-social people have become, obsessed by social media. Billy Joel has a huge catalog of music - I particularly like his earlier albums.
Thanks for the reaction to my all time favorite, Billy Joel. He was in his early twenties when he wrote this. It was released in 1973, but the video was made in the 80s when music videos became popular. I’m familiar with his entire catalog and top 5 is very hard to choose, but mine are (in no particular order): Scenes from an Italian Restaurant And So It Goes You May Be Right Vienna Summer Highland Falls I would recommend you start with New York State of Mind live from the Old Grey Whistle Test and videos of River of Dreams, Uptown Girl, and The Longest Time. So many great songs to choose from, but these show his diversity in the writing.
If you go on a cruise and visit the piano bar, you can have that type of atmosphere! Billy Joel is still doing concerts. He was once married to super model Christie Brinkley. He has a ton of hits out there. This one is a favorite, also We didn't start the fire, Uptown Girl , Movin Out and Honesty.
The best part of the lyrics of this song: first he describes all these characters in the bar that have struggles in their lives or are not using their full potential - and in the end it turns out, he is also one of them „(man, what are you doing here?!?“) That‘s genius Songwriting!
Billy has written and performed songs that are painfully accurate and yet still wonderfully sweet. This is one of his songs that I could listen to again and again.
Billy Joel is unbelievably talented! A friend just saw him and Stevie Nicks at Fenway Park and said they’re both still great even in their mid 70s No one moved despite the rain. Love him! Favorites - Scenes From An Italian Restaurant Vienna Waits For You
This is the 40th anniversary of this "instant classic." By the way, we old codgers actually had music. They imprinted it on stuff called vinyl, and the sound came out of a "record player." It was back near the plestocene era when pterodactyls roamed the earth.
You've just discovered one of the greatest storytelling songwriters of all time. For more, check out "Allentown", "Leningrad" and "We Didn't Start The Fire". The dude is a legend! For backstory and to see him being honored by other artists performing his songs in front of him, check out "billy joel kennedy center honors 2013", it's a great watch.
Personally I think that his best song is “Scenes from an Italian restaurant”. The album version is great but there’s a live version that’s really fantastic as well.
As someone who can sing along with every song on this album, because it was the soundtrack of my high school days, it is utterly fascinating to watch you hear this song (and this artist) for the very first time. You absolutely need to watch the live version of "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" ... it will absolutely blow your mind!
Some very astute observations for a guy of your age. It is very sad what's happened to us as a society. But the song is truly brilliant musically and lyrically.
My days in bars and nightclubs are long behind me. So it never occurred to me that people would be looking at their phones when they went out. When we went out it was to get away, laugh with your friends until you spit beer out of your nose, and lose yourself in the music. The world could be crumbling down outside and you’d never know about it. We’re on our phones all the time. Going clubbing should be an escape! Leave the phone at home. You’ll be amazed at how much fun you can have.
He wrote a hilarious song with the line,”I don’t care anymore what you say, this is my life: Go ahead with your own life, leave me alone.” The chorus chimes in with, “Keep it to yourself it’s my life.” 😂😂😂
Billy Joel has a prolific number of hits as he was a brilliant composer, musician and lyricist, whose talent let him play and sing in so many ways. Some of his best: From the album The Stranger, which reach 2 on the American charts: * Only the Good Die Young (absolute banger with incredible lyrics) * Scenes from an Italian Restaurant * Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) * She's Always a Woman * Vienna * The Stranger * Just The Way You Are From his next album, his jazziest, 52nd Street, which topped the American charts: * Big Shot * Honesty * My Life * Zanzibar * Stiletto * Half a Mile Away From his next album, his most rock-edged, Glass Houses, which also topped the charts * You May Be Right * Don't Ask Me Why * It's Still Rock and Roll to Me * Sometimes a Fantasy" (likely the first song about phone sex) * All for Leyna Earlier hits: * She's Got a Way * Tomorrow Is Today * The Ballad of Billy the Kid * Captain Jack * New York State of Mind (live version - at the Whistle Stop) Early songs best performed in concert in Songs In the Attic: * Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway) * Say Goodbye to Hollywood Later hits in very varies styles: * Allentown * Pressure * Goodnight Saigon * Tell Her About It * Leave a Tender Moment Alone * The Longest Time * Uptown Girl * Baby Grand (with Ray Charles)
I was fortunate to have gotten to hear this song preformed live. Billy Joel can tickle the keys with the best of them. He may not have the stage presence of Freddie Mercury or "Brake the mold" sound of Led Zeppelin, but his songs found their place in music history none the less.
In '72 Billy Joel got into a legal battle with his label and was forbidden from recording. He moved to LA and played at a bar under an assumed name to earn money. I believe he used the name of Bill Martin. This was the inspiration for the song "Piano Man". All the characters in the song were based on real people Joel had met at the bar.😂 Billy Joel will conclude his monthly residency at Madison Square Garden in July 2024, with his 150th lifetime performance at the venue. “It’s hard to believe we’ve been able to do this for 10 years,” Joel said at a news conference on Thursday. “I’m now 74. I’ll be 75 next year. It seems like a nice number.”He has sold more than 150 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. Joel was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, and he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame..❤❤
Your observation about everyone being together back then versus now is very accurate. As a GenXer I've gotten to experience both, I was online 25 yrs ago, but I'd throw it all in the garbage to go back to then.
This is a song that also includes what affects not following your dreams and living in the past can have. The bartender who's looking in the mirror and thinking that he could have been a great movie star. Then you come back to the present and realize that you didn't fight for it, you compromised your dream for the taking care of today. The feeling of this message reminds me of a fabulous song done by Kenny Chezney called "Don't Blink". Nothing teaches us better how short life is like having a dream and thinking you've got plenty of time to make it come true when you are in your teens and twenties. You get caught up in day- to- day life and all of a sudden you feel like you just blinked but now realize you are now in your late 60's and time is running away from you rather than looking like the path you should take. I understand this revelation all to clearly because I have lived it! Do what you have to do now, but also make time to work on your dream, make it happen! Never Give Up!
One of Billy Joel’s massive library is, for my money, the saddest song I’ve ever heard and makes me weep every time I hear it, and that’s Goodnight Saigon. I also recommend the video for A Matter of Trust - it’s a great song AND the video is pretty much just him and his band setting up and playing it, and filming what happens.
There was no one bigger in the 70s than Elton John and Billy Joel. You have a lot of Billy Joel to explore, believe me. Enjoy the journey. In 2003, my wife and I saw Billy Joel with Elton John in the same concert. It was called the "Face To Face" tour. Phenomenal.
Billy Joel is one of the most consistently excellent songwriters ever. He is a perfect cross between Elton John and Bruce Springsteen. In fact, Billy and Elton have toured together on a few occasions, playing each others' songs, playing together and separately, all on one stage, at the same time.
In the early 70 s ...Joel was in a dispute with his record company ...so ....he went back to what got him started ......playing in an LA piano bar ...This song , like so many of Joels tunes , is autobiographical ... His UPTOWN GIRL was written about his soon to be wife , superemodel Christie Brinkley Incidentally .....Joel is STILL TOURING .....has been in Philly over the last several years ...
Darling, in my day, musicians were storytellers, lyricisits, vocalists, and instrumentalists. And the special ones composed stories. He’s idol is Paul McCartney. That says it all! ♥️ Peace! ✌🏼
I love people discovering this song and hearing it for the first time ❤ It never fails to bring joy and wonder at what a great story teller Billy Joel is! Great reaction 😍
He is a wonderful singer- songwriter! I have all is albums! You need to listen to more of his songs! This was a great reaction! You are spot on about that era!✌️
He hasn't been hiding, you just don't listen to oldies radio. Try "It's A Beautiful Day, or Renaissance or any of the progressive groups, he'll get a copy f the first Bobby and The MidNights. I saw them play7 times.
Enjoy Billy Joel! So many songs and styles of music to choose from. Some greats: Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, It’s Still Rock n’ Roll to Me, Miami 2017, Root Beer Rag.
Billy Joel and Elton John had some similar piano styles, both exceptional.. If given the choice, I personally will chose to listen to a Grand Piano over electronic keyboard. Elton John has done some amazing keyboard work though.. Yellow Brick Road album.
The concept of the regulars socializing at a bar is the premise for the hit TV show “Cheers”. You’re right. Everyone is busy with their phones and this wouldn’t happen today.
I'm almost 60. In the eighties I was eighteen. In Australia we went to the pub on Friday nights with live bands, billy Joel and other covers. Lyrics and music was exceptional. It was an era of fun, drinking, dancing, women, great music, getting stoned. Missed out guys.
The characters come from Billy’s experiences playing in a bar under a different name that his own. He already had a record deal and his first record had come out but was pressed at the the wrong speed and he sounded like a chipmunk (his words). After poor sales he was so discouraged he left New York and went to LA and played in a bar as Bill Martin. Later when he returned to New York he wrote New York State of Mind.
The story of the piano man with his real life because he was such a bad contract before it got out of it is working the piano man can make money became world famous in Tortola round-the-world marry one of the famous women in history Christie Brinkley still good friends with her today we have a daughter together happily married for 30 years plus I live in Long Island looking over the bay
I disagree that everybody is just on their phones at a bar. How about trivia night where everybody in the room is playing? I feel like most Irish pubs also have people interacting with each other.
Very insightful reaction. I was a single guy in my 30s hitting the bars in the 80s. That's just how people met folks back then, both men and women. Women had no problem going out alone to bars much like the one in the video. Had no internet to bury yourself in. You'd kill the loneliness or boredom by going somewhere where folks in the same situation as you were having some fun. Really impressed you picked up on those lyrics which were spot on. It was a different time, and given your reaction, I suspect you would have enjoyed. --- Billy Joel did another song called "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant." He says it's his favorite. Has a similar vibe. You'd probably like it. --- Thanks for the reaction.
Billy Joel is still touring in concert in 2023. He is currently on his Billy Joel in Concert tour, which began in 2013 and is scheduled to continue into at least May 2024. He has 16 upcoming concerts scheduled across the United States, Japan, and Germany.
Some bars here in Pennsylvania still allow smoking. I go into one to do deliveries often and I'm always surprised at the ash trays and the smell of smoke.
My very first concert was the Billy Joel River of Dreams Tour in 1994. You have not lived until you have been in an arena with 14,000 people singing this chorus when he has the band cut out. Magic.
"Scenes From An Italian Restaurant", "My Life", "It's Still Rock n Roll To Me", "Big Shot" and "We Didn't Start The Fire"...but there are tons more...give a listen.
Oh gosh... so many GREAT BJ songs. Scenes From an Italian Restaurant is a must. Also... A Matter of Trust, Allentown, Movin' Out, Uptown Girl, among a few dozen others.
Huge Rabbit Hole of music. Check out "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" and "New York State of Mind" (from the Old Grey Whistle Test). 3 great love songs "Just The Way You Are", "She Has a Way", and "She's Always a Woman". I could give you a dozen more.
Glad you discovered him, There's Elton John, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, Jimmy Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, & too many more to list... And So many songs by the artists you've already sampled... (Doors Movie) Consider (Not to be mean) your Grandmother was way cooler than 99% of any following generation can dream/fantasize about achieving.
Considering your words from ~2:20, I think you'd like Billy's "Somewhere Along The Line", from the same album. It has lyrics about aging. Everyone in this song was a real person. The waitress was Libby Joel, Billy's first wife. Paul was a real estate broker, but always claimed to be writing a novel. (And yes, that is Tommy Lee Jones playing Paul.) People REALLY DID ask Billy why he was there and offered to get him a record deal. He HAD one, and played about six months as "Bill Martin" in the bar trying to get out of it. He was about 24 when he wrote it. While he has sang "memory" live, the actual lyric is, "We're all in the mood for a melody..." And if you're wondering...musically, it's a waltz. I recommend, in addition to Somewhere Along The Line... Miami 2017 (haunting, especially thinking back to 2001) Goodnight Saigon (stunning) Keepin' The Faith (awesome video) Christie Lee, demo version (yes, Billy can do blues)
In those days (1960 - '67) We all wore the skinny tie and a suit on stage - On-stage things changed in '68 as psychodelia music got more popular - - but I was in Southern CA (L.A.) maybe it was different in Chicago or N.Y. ???
Billy Joel is one of the most prolific song writers in history. He has a HUGE catalog and MANY MANY hit songs. A huge talent!
Paul Simon, Neil Diamond , Bob Dylan and Billy Joel are some of America's best singer/songwriters.
He knows. He’s just a massive fake ass reactor.
Exactly what I thought.
This guy must have been living under a rock if he never heard of Billy Joel.
You could go down that rabbit hole for months and months.....
Billy Joel is a great singer songwriter & composer from the 70's-90's. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. This was Billy's first single released in 1973. "Piano Man" is based on Billy Joel's real-life experiences as a lounge musician in Los Angeles. The song is sung from Joel's point of view as a piano player at a bar, reminiscing about his experiences there & the people he encountered. My favorite album is the "Stranger" album. It has a lot of great songs such as "Just The Way You Are", "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant", "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)", "Only The Good Die Young", "She's Always A Woman" etc.
Don't forget We Didn't Start The Fire. Pure genius 😊
He has been hiding at MSG for years!
. Decades!!!! 😅
‘The Stranger’ is a classic that will never age.
He wrote this in Los Angeles but some of the people are from further back. I worked with John At The Bar about ten years after this song came out. He was, as the video suggests, an enormous man. After a tough break up, Joel wanted out of NYC for a while and spent some time in Troy, NY, playing at the Hendrick Hudson Hotel bar. John worked there. When I was in college I worked in the kitchen of "Holmes and Watson" in Troy, the bar where John At The Bar was working in the 1980s.
Billy Joel is still selling our Madison Square Garden TODAY!!! Have you never heard "New York State of Mind"??? Only the good die young, It's still rock and roll to me, You may be right, and Keeping the faith will all blow your mind! Such incredible song writing and amazing piano playing. Love Billy Joel! (And, yes, the 70s and 80s were fun times, and I've been to lots of bars like that! 🍻)
It's hard to believe you've never heard of him. He had 13 TopTen hits and, at 74, is currently touring with Stevie Nicks. Billie Joel reached gold on dozens of his songs but this one launched his career.Just listen to New York State of Mind, For The Longest Time, Uptown Girl, Movin' Out, River Of Dreams, My Life, You May Be Right, Vienna, Honesty, and She's Always a Woman and you will be a fan for life. I was in my 20's when this came out and yes, smoking was allowed inside most buildings, restaurants and even on airlines in those days.
My wife and I saw them in KC this year. A real "bucket list" show. They both KILLED...in their mid 70's, no less.
Thank you, Michael...just Thank you. Your reaction captures exactly what Billy was saying with his lyrics. Few musicians today understand that . Noise and screaming do not make one reflect on the way one sees the people around them.
I really agree about "New York State of Mind...absolutely a stunner! The sax solo is a knockout; as is Joel's single finger instant freeze
@@darkomtobiawe were there and they both did great despite the heat . I’ve seen him now 4 times and would love to see him once in New York.
You missed one of my personal faves, ‘Only the Good Die Young’.
Timeless musician.
First time hearing Billy Joel? You are in for a huge treat as he has so many wonderful songs.
He is a fraud..no way its the first time he listened to Billy joel
He was pretending it was his first time as per usual .
Billy wrote this song about a time early in his career when he was basically "hiding out" by working in a piano bar under a stage name. He had signed a really bad recording contract early in his career and the record company was really taking advantage of him. He decided to ghost them in hopes they would release him from his contract. He played in small venues under a stage name to stay under the radar. He ended up marrying the waitress who was "practicing politics". He constantly heard the "what are you doing here?" line because he had WAAAY more talent than the average piano player at a bar.
Piano bars were big in the 70's. Watched him perform this on Johnny Carson and he blew everyone away. Played the harmonica, piano, and sang. His catalog is miles deep.
His lyrics are poetry and his compositions are complex and unique. He particularly excelled at 'slice of life' moments. He studied piano and composition at Julliard before deciding to go for it.
Billy Joel is a great singer/songwriter with hits in the 70's, 80's and 90's. Some of my favorites are "The Longest Time", Uptown Girl", "Tell Her About It", "A Matter of Trust", We Didn't Start the Fire", "I Go to Extremes" and "The River of Dreams".
Still boggles my mind that there are people on Earth who haven’t heard of Billy Joel 😮
I actually know his whole catalogue. And you're absolutely right. This one is a banger! My top 5 (other than Piano Man):
1. Scenes From an Italian Restaurant -- th-cam.com/video/izzM9LXqP-U/w-d-xo.html
2. New York State of Mind -- th-cam.com/video/iM4LzEcaTK0/w-d-xo.html
3. Vienna -- th-cam.com/video/fV_-a0P2L3o/w-d-xo.html
4. River of Dreams -- th-cam.com/video/fo_vn_Ilsu8/w-d-xo.html
5. An Innocent Man -- th-cam.com/video/mQCWY5ynBaw/w-d-xo.html
But picking only 5 is hard. You have no idea how deep his catalogue is. I tried to spread my top 5 across multiple albums but had to take at least 2 from "The Stranger".
That’s a good list to start with. 👍🏻🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
OMG! I got my "The Stranger" album and absolutely wore that thing out!! 👍😘😉🎶❤ Still some of my favorite songs even after all these years.
Excellent choices 👌
SURELY this is not your first time to hear Piano Man …. 😊anywho…..BILLY JOEL is a legend. Catalogue is phenomenal. He does it all! All kinds of music for all kinds of people. SO talented. Thanks for discovering Billy Joel. Now go be AMAZED!! ❤😊 PS: For Veteran’s Day his official video “Goodnight Saigon” is such a touching tribute to our vets 🇺🇸Thanks
So sad that you are totally correct about times like that will never happen again. That's how it used to be even when i was old enough to go in the 80s. No phones! Just drinking, dancing and laughing. Miss those times. Can't go wrong with any Billy Joel song.. Great reaction. Gonna subscribe! 👍
He's a genius on the song writing as well. Check out GOODNIGHT SIAGNON. It's about Vietnam and every concert he has veterans on stage singing the chorus. ❤
Yesyesyesyesyes!!!!!!!!! Been trying to get someone to do this especially for Veterans Day! Thanks!
It's Saigon, but I'm certain nobody noticed.
@@libertyresearch-iu4fy I noticed. Lol.
Allentown might be his best album, although I also love The Stranger, 52nd Street and Glass Houses.
@libertyresearch-iu4fy I did.., spelling is abysmal and disrespectful today . Sorry... its true . And yes, it does matter .
Billy Joel is a rabbit hole that won't disappoint. Seen him in concert, and the talent he has live is just awesome.
Well, I'm the 67-year old man who once "wore a younger man's clothes", and I thoroughly enjoyed your reaction video to this wonderful, wonderful tune. Suffice it to say that, you get it. You understand, which is a testament to Billy Joel's lyrical skills, and your listening skills. Well done, sir!
As always, thank you for sharing.
Steve
You have discovered a giant among singer-songwriters. Billy Joel had it all: lyrics, voice, and mad piano skills. He was absolutely huge when I was in college in the middle 70's, and he stayed relevant for many years. I got to see him live once, but sadly he was sick that night and not performing up to his usual quality. Friends who saw him live on other occasions said he was phenomenal on a good night. His catalog of hits is rich and deep. "Only The Good Die Young" and "She's Always a Woman" are two of my favorites, but you won't go wrong with any suggestions fans give you.
I went to a gig last week. The group of women in front of me didn't stop yapping, audibly, for 3/4 of the show. They could see the band. I could not. I was behind them. In a wheelchair. My trip out was a birthday gift. If they didn't want to watch/listen why were they there? I have been to hundreds of gigs and never seen this. They didn't dance, clap, sing along, just yapyapyap. I shouted at them to please STFU but they were talking too intently to notice. Gigs in the old days, now they were an experience.
Other than Piano Man, he has dozens of songs worth trying. "Just The Way You Are" won a Grammy for song of the year. "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" "Vienna" "Only The Good Die Young" "Honesty" "She's Always A Woman To Me" "You May Be Right" "My Life" that's more than 5 and just scratches the surface.
Love your reaction to this iconic song. Incredibly sad how anti-social people have become, obsessed by social media. Billy Joel has a huge catalog of music - I particularly like his earlier albums.
Thanks for the reaction to my all time favorite, Billy Joel. He was in his early twenties when he wrote this. It was released in 1973, but the video was made in the 80s when music videos became popular. I’m familiar with his entire catalog and top 5 is very hard to choose, but mine are (in no particular order):
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
And So It Goes
You May Be Right
Vienna
Summer Highland Falls
I would recommend you start with New York State of Mind live from the Old Grey Whistle Test and videos of River of Dreams, Uptown Girl, and The Longest Time. So many great songs to choose from, but these show his diversity in the writing.
What the Hell do you mean, 'who is he?'... He's Billy Joel and this is his most famous song... but I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU LISTEN TO "Captain Jack"!!
If you go on a cruise and visit the piano bar, you can have that type of atmosphere! Billy Joel is still doing concerts. He was once married to super model Christie Brinkley. He has a ton of hits out there. This one is a favorite, also We didn't start the fire, Uptown Girl , Movin Out and Honesty.
Right on; and you can see him and Christie in the video of "Uptown Girl"
Christie also appears in the Matter of Trust and River of Dreams video.
"When I wore a younger mans clothes". Can't get more poetic than that. Well you can, there is poetry throughout this song.
They’re sharing a drink called loneliness but it’s better than drinking alone
@@LM-nc9ou lots of poetry
The best part of the lyrics of this song: first he describes all these characters in the bar that have struggles in their lives or are not using their full potential - and in the end it turns out, he is also one of them „(man, what are you doing here?!?“) That‘s genius Songwriting!
Billy Joel was around 22/23 years old when he wrote this. I don't even remember being that age, much less writing anything as profound.
I remember hearing this for the first time in my car and I knew right away this was a hit. This song made him a star!
Billy has written and performed songs that are painfully accurate and yet still wonderfully sweet. This is one of his songs that I could listen to again and again.
Billy Joel is unbelievably talented! A friend just saw him and Stevie Nicks at Fenway Park and said they’re both still great even in their mid 70s No one moved despite the rain. Love him!
Favorites - Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
Vienna Waits For You
Billy Joel's songs are timeless. He speaks of personal experiences that have been the same for centuries.
This is the 40th anniversary of this "instant classic." By the way, we old codgers actually had music. They imprinted it on stuff called vinyl, and the sound came out of a "record player." It was back near the plestocene era when pterodactyls roamed the earth.
50
You've just discovered one of the greatest storytelling songwriters of all time. For more, check out "Allentown", "Leningrad" and "We Didn't Start The Fire". The dude is a legend! For backstory and to see him being honored by other artists performing his songs in front of him, check out "billy joel kennedy center honors 2013", it's a great watch.
Personally I think that his best song is “Scenes from an Italian restaurant”. The album version is great but there’s a live version that’s really fantastic as well.
One of my favorite artists of all time - have seen him live a number of times dating back to 1985 or so. He is also the one playing the harmonica.
As someone who can sing along with every song on this album, because it was the soundtrack of my high school days, it is utterly fascinating to watch you hear this song (and this artist) for the very first time. You absolutely need to watch the live version of "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" ... it will absolutely blow your mind!
Some very astute observations for a guy of your age. It is very sad what's happened to us as a society. But the song is truly brilliant musically and lyrically.
My days in bars and nightclubs are long behind me. So it never occurred to me that people would be looking at their phones when they went out. When we went out it was to get away, laugh with your friends until you spit beer out of your nose, and lose yourself in the music. The world could be crumbling down outside and you’d never know about it. We’re on our phones all the time. Going clubbing should be an escape! Leave the phone at home. You’ll be amazed at how much fun you can have.
He wrote a hilarious song with the line,”I don’t care anymore what you say, this is my life: Go ahead with your own life, leave me alone.” The chorus chimes in with, “Keep it to yourself it’s my life.” 😂😂😂
Shout out to BOSOM BUDDIES.
This song is 50 years old. So you picked the starting point for Billy Joel. This song was preserved in the Library Of Congress
So glad you're here brother. Joel is iconic. Top five Billy Joel songs? Umm not possible. Top 20? 30?
You've got a lot of Billy Joel hits to catch up with. He's created some of the best songs in these past decades.
Billy Joel has a prolific number of hits as he was a brilliant composer, musician and lyricist, whose talent let him play and sing in so many ways. Some of his best:
From the album The Stranger, which reach 2 on the American charts:
* Only the Good Die Young (absolute banger with incredible lyrics)
* Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
* Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
* She's Always a Woman
* Vienna
* The Stranger
* Just The Way You Are
From his next album, his jazziest, 52nd Street, which topped the American charts:
* Big Shot
* Honesty
* My Life
* Zanzibar
* Stiletto
* Half a Mile Away
From his next album, his most rock-edged, Glass Houses, which also topped the charts
* You May Be Right
* Don't Ask Me Why
* It's Still Rock and Roll to Me
* Sometimes a Fantasy" (likely the first song about phone sex)
* All for Leyna
Earlier hits:
* She's Got a Way
* Tomorrow Is Today
* The Ballad of Billy the Kid
* Captain Jack
* New York State of Mind (live version - at the Whistle Stop)
Early songs best performed in concert in Songs In the Attic:
* Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)
* Say Goodbye to Hollywood
Later hits in very varies styles:
* Allentown
* Pressure
* Goodnight Saigon
* Tell Her About It
* Leave a Tender Moment Alone
* The Longest Time
* Uptown Girl
* Baby Grand (with Ray Charles)
An Innocent Man or Keeping The Faith are good ones. He brings back his version of doo-wop from the 50's
I was fortunate to have gotten to hear this song preformed live. Billy Joel can tickle the keys with the best of them. He may not have the stage presence of Freddie Mercury or "Brake the mold" sound of Led Zeppelin, but his songs found their place in music history none the less.
In '72 Billy Joel got into a legal battle with his label and was forbidden from recording. He moved to LA and played at a bar under an assumed name to earn money. I believe he used the name of Bill Martin. This was the inspiration for the song "Piano Man". All the characters in the song were based on real people Joel had met at the bar.😂
Billy Joel will conclude his monthly residency at Madison Square Garden in July 2024, with his 150th lifetime performance at the venue.
“It’s hard to believe we’ve been able to do this for 10 years,” Joel said at a news conference on Thursday. “I’m now 74. I’ll be 75 next year. It seems like a nice number.”He has sold more than 150 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. Joel was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, and he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame..❤❤
I can’t believe you haven’t heard Billy Joel. Tons of great songs. Try It’s Still Rock & Roll To Me. I love that song.
Everybody's talkin bout new sound funny
Your observation about everyone being together back then versus now is very accurate. As a GenXer I've gotten to experience both, I was online 25 yrs ago, but I'd throw it all in the garbage to go back to then.
This is a song that also includes what affects not following your dreams and living in the past can have. The bartender who's looking in the mirror and thinking that he could have been a great movie star. Then you come back to the present and realize that you didn't fight for it, you compromised your dream for the taking care of today. The feeling of this message reminds me of a fabulous song done by Kenny Chezney called "Don't Blink". Nothing teaches us better how short life is like having a dream and thinking you've got plenty of time to make it come true when you are in your teens and twenties. You get caught up in day- to- day life and all of a sudden you feel like you just blinked but now realize you are now in your late 60's and time is running away from you rather than looking like the path you should take. I understand this revelation all to clearly because I have lived it! Do what you have to do now, but also make time to work on your dream, make it happen! Never Give Up!
One of Billy Joel’s massive library is, for my money, the saddest song I’ve ever heard and makes me weep every time I hear it, and that’s Goodnight Saigon.
I also recommend the video for A Matter of Trust - it’s a great song AND the video is pretty much just him and his band setting up and playing it, and filming what happens.
There was no one bigger in the 70s than Elton John and Billy Joel. You have a lot of Billy Joel to explore, believe me. Enjoy the journey. In 2003, my wife and I saw Billy Joel with Elton John in the same concert. It was called the "Face To Face" tour. Phenomenal.
Yes they used two Steinway grand pianos facing each other
Billy Joel is one of the most consistently excellent songwriters ever. He is a perfect cross between Elton John and Bruce Springsteen. In fact, Billy and Elton have toured together on a few occasions, playing each others' songs, playing together and separately, all on one stage, at the same time.
One of the best concerts I’ve ever seen was Billy Joel & Elton John - Two Pianos. 1994. Classic & amazing.
he's one of most talented artist, he's a piano concertist and wrote the best songs I ever heard. His catalog is amazing!!
In the early 70 s ...Joel was in a dispute with his record company ...so ....he went back to what got him started ......playing in an LA piano bar ...This song , like so many of Joels tunes , is autobiographical ... His UPTOWN GIRL was written about his soon to be wife , superemodel Christie Brinkley Incidentally .....Joel is STILL TOURING .....has been in Philly over the last several years ...
Darling, in my day, musicians were storytellers, lyricisits, vocalists, and instrumentalists. And the special ones composed stories. He’s idol is Paul McCartney. That says it all! ♥️ Peace! ✌🏼
I love people discovering this song and hearing it for the first time ❤ It never fails to bring joy and wonder at what a great story teller Billy Joel is! Great reaction 😍
The Billy Joel rabbit hole is as deep as Elton John. Great singer songwriters. Not a bad song in the repertoire
And they’ve done concerts together.
Billy Joel is a piano prodigy. GOD blessed him with the gift of music.
If you enjoy good piano, you should listen to Tim Minchin's "Prejudice" as he's amazing as well.
He is a wonderful singer- songwriter! I have all is albums! You need to listen to more of his songs! This was a great reaction! You are spot on about that era!✌️
He hasn't been hiding, you just don't listen to oldies radio. Try "It's A Beautiful Day, or
Renaissance or any of the progressive groups, he'll get a copy f the first Bobby and The MidNights. I saw them play7 times.
Enjoy Billy Joel! So many songs and styles of music to choose from. Some greats: Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, It’s Still Rock n’ Roll to Me, Miami 2017, Root Beer Rag.
"Where has this dude been hiding?"
No one tell him that Billy Joel's Greatest Hits is one of the best-selling albums of all time. ;)
Billy Joel and Elton John had some similar piano styles, both exceptional..
If given the choice, I personally will chose to listen to a Grand Piano over electronic keyboard. Elton John has done some amazing keyboard work though.. Yellow Brick Road album.
The concept of the regulars socializing at a bar is the premise for the hit TV show “Cheers”. You’re right. Everyone is busy with their phones and this wouldn’t happen today.
I'm almost 60. In the eighties I was eighteen. In Australia we went to the pub on Friday nights with live bands, billy Joel and other covers. Lyrics and music was exceptional. It was an era of fun, drinking, dancing, women, great music, getting stoned. Missed out guys.
And he married a supermodel, Christie Brinkley. You can see her in the video for his song "Uptown Girl."
Everyone in a bar has a story to tell, mostly sad, that's why they're in a Bar. Billy Joel has so much talent.
I'm glad I'm 66 years old because when I was young we had the best music. Please check out more Billy Joel songs. He's a true legend.
The characters come from Billy’s experiences playing in a bar under a different name that his own. He already had a record deal and his first record had come out but was pressed at the the wrong speed and he sounded like a chipmunk (his words). After poor sales he was so discouraged he left New York and went to LA and played in a bar as Bill Martin. Later when he returned to New York he wrote New York State of Mind.
The story of the piano man with his real life because he was such a bad contract before it got out of it is working the piano man can make money became world famous in Tortola round-the-world marry one of the famous women in history Christie Brinkley still good friends with her today we have a daughter together happily married for 30 years plus I live in Long Island looking over the bay
Forty years ago or so, Billy Joel toured with Elton John. The Piano Man Tour. It was an awesome concert.
I consider Billy Joel to be the greatest balladeer of the 20th century, myself.
So many great songs. His album The Stranger was one of the first three albums I bought.
Beautiful words, Michael. Thank you for your channel.
Thanks for listening! 😁
I gotta ask, is the Hellmans Mayonnaise a product placement?
OMG you are just finding out about Billy Joel.
CAPTAIN JACK!!!!!! give it a listen.... as well as THE BALLAD OF BILLY THE KID.............. your welcome........... peace
I don't think the "younger man's clothes" is anything to do with style, just another way of saying "when I was younger".
I disagree that everybody is just on their phones at a bar. How about trivia night where everybody in the room is playing? I feel like most Irish pubs also have people interacting with each other.
Very insightful reaction. I was a single guy in my 30s hitting the bars in the 80s. That's just how people met folks back then, both men and women. Women had no problem going out alone to bars much like the one in the video. Had no internet to bury yourself in. You'd kill the loneliness or boredom by going somewhere where folks in the same situation as you were having some fun. Really impressed you picked up on those lyrics which were spot on. It was a different time, and given your reaction, I suspect you would have enjoyed. --- Billy Joel did another song called "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant." He says it's his favorite. Has a similar vibe. You'd probably like it. --- Thanks for the reaction.
Billy Joel is still touring in concert in 2023. He is currently on his Billy Joel in Concert tour, which began in 2013 and is scheduled to continue into at least May 2024. He has 16 upcoming concerts scheduled across the United States, Japan, and Germany.
Some bars here in Pennsylvania still allow smoking. I go into one to do deliveries often and I'm always surprised at the ash trays and the smell of smoke.
react to Billy Joel's song "Uptown Girl"
He never had a bad song ❤
I think it's time to check the expiration date on that mayo jar lol.
My favorite Billy Joel song is "And so it goes".
We didn't have cell phones. We had to talk to each other. In the 80' s I saw him live twice. He was an incredible performer.
I recommend checking out some Dick Dale
My very first concert was the Billy Joel River of Dreams Tour in 1994. You have not lived until you have been in an arena with 14,000 people singing this chorus when he has the band cut out. Magic.
One of the greatest songs ever written, and recorded I just love Billy Joel
Right on the money......today's music is trash !!!!! Give me some BeeGees, Beatles, and Miles Davis any day ......!!!!!!! Love your reaction.
"New York State of Mind," "Goodnight Saigon," "Big Shot," "Allentown" & "The Stranger". (And many more; they're all good.)
"Scenes From An Italian Restaurant", "My Life", "It's Still Rock n Roll To Me", "Big Shot" and "We Didn't Start The Fire"...but there are tons more...give a listen.
"Scenes from an Italian Reastaurant"
Oh gosh... so many GREAT BJ songs. Scenes From an Italian Restaurant is a must. Also... A Matter of Trust, Allentown, Movin' Out, Uptown Girl, among a few dozen others.
Huge Rabbit Hole of music. Check out "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" and "New York State of Mind" (from the Old Grey Whistle Test). 3 great love songs "Just The Way You Are", "She Has a Way", and "She's Always a Woman". I could give you a dozen more.
Glad you discovered him, There's Elton John, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, Jimmy Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, & too many more to list...
And So many songs by the artists you've already sampled... (Doors Movie)
Consider (Not to be mean) your Grandmother was way cooler than 99% of any following generation can dream/fantasize about achieving.
Considering your words from ~2:20, I think you'd like Billy's "Somewhere Along The Line", from the same album. It has lyrics about aging.
Everyone in this song was a real person. The waitress was Libby Joel, Billy's first wife. Paul was a real estate broker, but always claimed to be writing a novel. (And yes, that is Tommy Lee Jones playing Paul.) People REALLY DID ask Billy why he was there and offered to get him a record deal. He HAD one, and played about six months as "Bill Martin" in the bar trying to get out of it. He was about 24 when he wrote it.
While he has sang "memory" live, the actual lyric is, "We're all in the mood for a melody..."
And if you're wondering...musically, it's a waltz.
I recommend, in addition to Somewhere Along The Line...
Miami 2017 (haunting, especially thinking back to 2001)
Goodnight Saigon (stunning)
Keepin' The Faith (awesome video)
Christie Lee, demo version (yes, Billy can do blues)
Fun fact....Billy studied piano under great concert pianist Morton Estrich....
In those days (1960 - '67) We all wore the skinny tie and a suit on stage - On-stage things changed in '68 as psychodelia music got more popular - - but I was in Southern CA (L.A.) maybe it was different in Chicago or N.Y. ???