IS THIS ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS OF ALL TIME? First Time Hearing Billy Joel - Piano Man Reaction!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ต.ค. 2023
- Billy Joel is widely regarded as one of the most talented singer-songwriters of all time, and "Piano Man" is undoubtedly one of his most iconic and beloved songs. Known for his storytelling abilities and masterful piano skills, Joel has touched the hearts of millions with his music.
Billy Joel's "Piano Man" is a masterpiece that has resonated with generations of music lovers. Its heartfelt lyrics and soulful melody have made it a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. As we embark on this musical journey, we can't help but wonder if "Piano Man" truly deserves its status as one of the songs of all time.
Join us as we explore the intricate storytelling, powerful vocals, and mesmerizing piano performance that Billy Joel brings to this iconic piece of music. Through our genuine reaction, we aim to uncover the magic behind "Piano Man" and discover why it has stood the test of time.
Whether you are a long-time fan of Billy Joel or have never heard "Piano Man" before, this reaction video is for you. Get ready to witness the power and beauty of one of the greatest songs ever written.
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the channel for more first-time reactions to timeless music. Let's dive into the world of Billy Joel's "Piano Man" together!
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“They’re sharing a drink they call loneliness cause it’s better than drinking alone.” That line is in my lyrical hall of fame.
That’s also my favourite line in the song!
"And the microphone smells like a beer."
Well then you better fix that HOF line to its proper place " -cause- *but* it's better than drinking alone" 🤣
Little old lady got mutilated late last night, Werewolves of London again!
Little old lady got mutilated late last night, Werewolves of London again! When will they check out Warren Zevon? He wrote some spanking lyrics.
"It's sad and it's sweet, and I knew it complete when I wore a younger man's clothes!" - Pure brilliance!
Note he also doesn't say "Play me a melody", but "Play me a memory". Pure poetry, showing us the nostalgic feelings of the old man.
I adore creative ways of saying things like that. Can make such a simple sentence sound so refined.
@@andrewodinson3726 His writing is like he is the "George Carlin" of lyricists.
This is typically the last song he plays when he plays at Madison Square Garden. He only plays the music. The entire crowd sings the song in unison. It's awesome
Wow, I didn’t know that. That must be so amazing!
I’ve been to two shows of his now, although technically it’s the last song of the set he always come back out with 4-5 songs for an encore starting with we didn’t start the fire
"They're sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it's better than drinking alone." is an all time great line.
"It's 9 o'clock on a Saturday, the regular crowd shuffles in"
Agreed. Every line of this song is great, but this one hits a little different
@@drfunk1011 You seem a little bitter and troubled about something and if so, I genuinely hope that you can find a resolution to it all.
X2
This is one of those songs that you don’t really understand or appreciate until you’re past your prime.
does this mean I’m past my prime at 17 :(
@@zeebest3218 No you’re not past your prime at 17. That said you haven’t lived enough life to fully appreciate this song.
i was a soldier for 21 years and been at bars around the world and it doesnt matter the country, language or anything, this song nails it
But Davey who's still in the Navy wouldn't be wearing his cover indoors!
@@deirdre108 he already received an article 15 for that, put him in debt which is why he will probably be in the Navy for life trying to catch back up
@@deirdre108 well, that and he caught herpes abroad
@@johnraygun9868That’ll get you the always applicable article 134.
@@johnraygun9868 LOL! And they always throw in the article 134 for free if 15 doesn't stick.
Did you notice that he's playing the harmonica, the piano, singing and smoking all at the same time.
Yes, Billy left Long Island, NY and headed out to LA for a few years to rethink his career choices. He dropped his surname of Joel and began using his middle name of Martin. During his time as Bill Martin, he played in bars in LA and wrote this song. He returned to NY because he disliked LA so much and the rest was history.
I always heard he used martin also because he was a Yankees fan and they had a second baseman named Billy martin when Joel was a kid?
@@boki1693 He's a Met fan. He called himself Bill instead of Billy due to the fact Billy Martin was already a famous name in Yankeeland
@@ESUSAMEX I have actually heard both. Met and Yankee and somewhere in between. LOL. So I googled it. The general consensus is he is a Met fan. But having said that, there is compelling evidence he roots for the Yankees as well. When Billy Martin played for the Yankees, the Mets did not exist yet. So what might be the case is he was a Yankee fan in the 50's as a kid and some time later when the Mets came along started rooting for the Mets and or both teams.
@@boki1693 He did an interview in which he stated he was a Met fan since the Mets started in 1962.
He also left New York to get away from his record manager who ripped him off on a record agreement and they messed up the speed of his first album as well!
Songs like Piano Man, Bohemian Rhapsody & American Pie are the ones where you just belt out every word when you hear them on the radio or anywhere really 😎 PHENOMENAL SONG!!! One of my favorites!!!
A few years after Piano Man was released. I was in a bar/restaurant in Osaka Japan. They had music playing, a lot of American country, rock, etc. Then this song came on and Japanese people started singing the song in broken but earnest English.
The table across from us (20+ people) stood and started swaying back and forth holding their beers up and singing, smiling and laughing.
So, what else could I do, but join in... I didn't pay for thing that night. The power of music, especially great music, to unite people from disparate lands never ceases to amaze me.
Same with that Neil Diamond song
@@alansnow1129 Caroline!
This is such a great story telling song. 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.
Yep, they went over all that in the beginning
Third single. The first two didn't chart.
No doubt this is one of the greatest songs ever. I love that he keeps the fromt row empty at his concerts, then he has his folks go up and grab some people from the worst seats in the nosebleed sections to fill the front row.
'Uptown Girl' he wrote about supermodel Christie Brinkley who he married in 1985. Sadly his touring schedule and her busy schedule doomed the marrage although they remain close freinds.
'Travelin’ Prayer' is another great tune from Billy.
Cheers.
@@drfunk1011 You seem a little bitter and troubled about something and if so, I genuinely hope that you can find a resolution to it all.
Most of the "Innocent Man" album was a love letter to Christie Brinkley.
One thing I love about Billy Joel, is that you can ALWAYS hear the lyrics so clearly when he sings.
You have to do Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant". It is such an iconic song from him. I just love how he is able to paint a vivid picture with his songs.
Not sure but I think thats the other one they did. Yep.
Man oh man that song just won’t ever leave you alone. It’s always there waiting to come back into your life. A memory of a lifetime.
Let the aliens know more earthling!
@@drfunk1011 😯😯😵😵
@@drfunk1011 You seem a little bitter and troubled about something and if so, I genuinely hope that you can find a resolution to it all.
*It's sad and it's sweet; and I knew it complete; when I wore a younger man's clothes " Powerful.
Yes, it's one of the greatest songs. RocknRoll Hall of Fame song. It's hard to believe it was from 1973. ❤
Not to me, there were hundreds of great songs in the 70's
Fifty years ago. I may be old but I grew up with some great music.
He was married to super model Christie Brinkley from 1985-1994 too. That's pretty amazing. She's in his video Uptown Girl.
I couldn’t tell if you were kidding that you had never heard this song before. The song is legendary. But it really shows that after a couple of decades….younger people don’t know even super famous iconic artists. Guess my generation was the same!
Billy Joel is a DEEP rabbit hole. So many great story songs and so many different styles.
A deep hole indeed, lol.
Should we tell them about "Atilla", lol...
If this is their point of reference, I don't think they'd believe they're listening to one of the first Metal artists who hit the scene at the same time as Black Sabbath.
I'm not always a fan of his songs, in terms of performance at least, but he is unquestioningly one of the greatest song writers of our time.
If they react to another of his songs, I think "Always a Woman", while short and a little mainstream, is still one of his best lyrically.
The best live show I’ve ever seen was Billy Joel and Elton John together! Can you imagine those two piano men together! 3 plus hours of the best song writing and playing ever!
I was there! 2 masters!🎹🎙🎶👊
There are sooo many Billy Joel songs I could give you to check out. I will leave it up to you to choose.
Big Shot 1978, Get it right the first time 1977, Just the Way you are 1977, Stiletto 1978, C'Etait Toi (You were the one) 1980, Close to the Borderline 1980, I don't want to be alone 1980, Sometimes a Fantasy 1980, Tell her about it 1983, You may be right 1980, Pressure 1982, We Didn't Start the Fire 1989
This song came out as a single on November 2nd 1973. There's an original video from 1973 when Billy Joel was 24, but they re-filmed this video for MTV in 1985, 12 years after the song came out when he was 36 as his 80's music and videos were very popular.
Thanks!
Hey Wayne! Thanks so much for this contribution! Greatly appreciate the support!
Billy Joel is a fantastic storyteller, and his catalog is huge. Two of my very favorite songs are "Goodnight Saigon" about the Vietnam War and "Prelude/Angry Young Man", especially the version live at Long Island. His piano skills will blow your minds!
I get chills every time I hear 'Goodnight Saigon', even though the Vietnam War was when I was a tiny girl. There's something moving about they helicopter blades chopping before the music kicks in.
Goodnight Saigon, The Stranger and And So It Goes are all masterpieces.
You can tell he didnt just write these lyrics....he lived it. One of the greats....check out " Still rock and roll to me" off the glass houses album i beleive
That’s Billy playing the harmonica as well! He is multitalented!! My favorite song from his River of Dreams.
Love listening to your reactions!
Billy was trained as an orchestral composer, and has written several symphonies. If you would like to try some live performances, there is several videos on YT of Elton and John and Billy Joel playing each other's music live at Shea Stadium. Amazing displays of technique and soulful piano. Finally, my favorite BJ song is a jazz song," New York State of Mind". performed live with an unbelievable sax solo.
@@drfunk1011 You seem a little bitter and troubled about something and if so, I genuinely hope that you can find a resolution to it all.
This used to play on the radio in my car when I was driving to or from my summer job back in 1980. Takes me back. At least that is the way I remember it.
He was not famous yet when he was playing the bar scene, but this song he wrote from that experience put him on the map and was a big hit.
I loved your discussion about the different "characters" in the song. Having grown up with this song, it helped me see folks on the street as people. It's like when you visit another city and look around. These people are walking here and there, each with their own lives, hopes, dreams, problems, crises. We are each "alone" and yet, we all share so much. Ok, enough of the philosophy. Thank you for another really fun reaction. You are both fun to watch.
Couldn't agree more! Thx Jason!
Billy is playing the harmonica while playing the piano in real time, and singing.
I remember going to such bars in the 80’s and everyone drinking and smoking, ah those were the days
The coolest thing to me is how well the harmonica fits in the song.
One of my favorite concerts ever was Billy Joel & Elton John called "Face 2 Face". Two grand pianos (one black & one white) on stage facing one another. Billy sang Elton songs - Elton sang Billy songs - they sang each others biggest songs together OMG mind blowing. I gave my daughter my t-shirt from 30 years ago & she loves it. They both have sunglasses on with the reflection of their home country flag on it - Billy 🇺🇸 USA & ELTON 🇬🇧 England
I saw them in '94 at RFK Stadium in DC. Can't believe it's been 30 years!
What do I like about this song? It captures the complete scene of bars, especially back in the 70's when you had lounges, not bars and many had piano players. That and the fact of the story telling and the line "They’re sharing a drink they call loneliness cause it’s better than drinking alone." I believe that is true for so many.
Billy Joel - Legend. Not more I can say about that.
Isn’t it insane that nearly all of us would rather be doing something else but we’re too scared to do it!
How is possible that you’ve never heard this song? How?
This baffles me. It’s EVERYWHERE. Or was that back then?😊
Possibly too young to have known this classic song.
Lying for views obviously
@@dominictucci6030you may be too young but it's almost impossible to believe one wouldn't have heard it somewhere just by chance.
I loved this song since the very first time I heard it (and saw this video, back in the mid-80s).
Everytime I hear this song, I think of the TV show called CHEERS!!!!
When I watch the TV show called CHEERS, I think of this song.
The two things I like about this song, other than the obviously brilliant lyrics, are that the lyrics are all in the form of a limerick, and the rhythm is that of a waltz.
One morning in 1973, my clock radio alarm went off on a song, a ballad with an organ, and a haunting vocal. The song was so mesmerizing that by the time it finished, I was completely awake, shaking the radio to tell me what the song title was. I figured the title came from the theme, a name he kept singing. So that afternoon, I bought a Technics stereo with giant Advent speakers from Crazy Eddies in the village, just so I could play the song in my fifth floor walkup. The title of the song was Captain Jack. When I found out the singer, a guy named Billy Joel was having a concert, I got a ticket. The small crowd was clearly in love with this guy, a hometown boy from Long Island. By that time, I'd listened to all the songs on Piano Man a few hundred times. I waited for him to play Captain Jack. He never did. A bit crushed, for me. Still I'd gotten to see the guy who woke me up that morning and really turned out to be a Piano Man.
This song, according to wikipedia, "is based on Billy Joel's own experience as a piano-lounge singer for six months in 1972-73 at the now defunct Executive Room bar in the Wilshire district of Los Angeles. Who knew?
“As a smile ran away from his face”. Brilliant!
Check out, “ Uptown Girl” ! His then wife, Super Model Christy Brinkley was in it & it’s about her. LOVE IT & him !
It was fun watching the two of you just swaying to this song. The beat is what is called a 6-8 ballad that has a repeating 1 2 3, 4 5 6 with a big emphasis on the 1 and 4. They are usually wrapped around a story of some sort and that combo makes these songs so memorable. Others that you may know - Girl Crush - Little Big Town, Color My World - Chicago, Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley. A lot more out there. You'll know them when you hear them.
Billy Joel played the harmonic on a fixture around his neck when he plays it live.
His songs always have such great lyrics. My favorite is Innocent Man, and you really owe yourself a listen to that. The line that kills me in this one is: They sit at the bar and put bread in my jar and say, "Man, what are you doing here?"
Such a hidden gem. Shouldn't be... it was the title track to a great album, and was released to the radio. I know everyone has their own tastes, but I just don't understand why that song doesn't get a lot more attention than it does. Relatively simple instrumentally (for the most part), but a fantastic showcase for his vocal power and range.
YES YES YES! so many great albums! so many albums i would rate as tens without ranking them! my personal favorite album is Songs In The Attic.
This song is one of the highlights of any Billy Joel concert. When he comes to the line sing me a song your the piano man the entire audience joins in and sings it to him. Very moving Bye the way tickets are now on sale for his next concert at MSG
Actually, he lets the audience sing the whole song now.
@@cowetascore8476 it depends on the night you see him
@@cowetascore8476 My experience was that the audience sings every word of every song.
billy joel is 1 of my mt rushmore of music.................he is amazing, but also check out his live versions
Early Billy was unmatched lyrically and songwriting. All of his early stuff is significantly profound and poetic. He could be considered the best ever at combining all of that into one 3 1/2 minute song (or longer if need be, no problem)
lol... which brings up yet another of his songs: The Entertainer
Man, whole different era, now everyone is looking at their phones.
ANOTHER GREAT SONG. BILLY JOEL HAS A TON OF GREAT SONGS. ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG, RIVER OF DREAMS UPTOWN GIRL. THE LIST GOES ON.{M.G}orig. TORONTO, CANADA HE ALSO PLAYS THE HARMONICA AS WELL.
You have to hear old live "Honesy" and "Just the way you are".
This song was about 10 years on (early 70’s) before this video was made (the 80’s, when MTV was the thing)
As of 2-23-24 125k
Seen him 3 times in Detroit
I think this song is much better when listened to without the video. It's so descriptive that you don't need the visuals.
Billy Joel is such a great writer, singer, performer. This song came out so long ago and it’s still relevant and not a show goes by without someone shouting out “Piano Man “ to him.
The bar he was working at was called “The Executive” in San Francisco.
Billy Joel has written a lot of great songs, but none can top this one.
My favorite Billy Joel sone is "Downeaster Alexa", another great storytelling song.
I saw him live (for the first time) last June. He's 74 and he still has that powerful voice. His backing band is amazing. He has so many hits. That show was 2 hours of greatest hits and he still had some of his best that didn't make the show. Just amazing.
Allentown is one of my favorites of his.
It’s very melancholic, very sad. They all have to go home when the bar closes.
Billy is a very talented performer. He has a very large catalog of outstanding music.
check out Billy Joel "New York State of Mind" live at the Grey Whistle test from 1978
Before becoming a star Billy Joel was a piano man himself. So it's autobiographic
If i want enjoy my cup of coffee before i tackle what life has in store for this Texas cowboy just sit back and put u guys whatever music you have doesn't know to fail me because you two don't know the meaning of word failure so i know that im in good hands and thanks for just proving my point for playing billy joel you guys are outstanding👍
I love Billy Joel. He grew up in Long Island 9 miles and a few years before me. According to my friends, we saw him at My Father's Place a few years before this album. No memory. I was probably at the bar not realizing who was playing. It was a great bar.
There’s also an accordion in there. Great choice. Nice reaction. 🌺✌️
You need to check out “New York State of Mind” live from the Old Grey Whistle test. An amazing performance by Billy Joel.
Oh you gotta watch it LIVE at Shea stadium! That’s AMAZING!!! A lot of audience participation at the end.
Tha drummer was killing it too
Billy's live performance of "New York State of Mind' is a must-listen song. It really shows off his piano skills
Billy Joel is so disarming. He used to box and grew up in New York. He can hang out at the bar with the construction workers and fire fighters telling jokes . Then he sits down at the piano to play and sing and you're like, oh right this guy is a superstar. What a monster talent.
You really should check out the live version of Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. ....Absolute Fire.
This is always great live with 20,000 people singing the chorus.
Just about everyone Loves this song as most people can relate to a part of it. Whats crazy to me, however, is that he doesn't even consider it as one of his best songs.
It was his first big hit.
What always amuses me about this song, he's singing about how awesome he is, but nobody finds it arrogant. It's that good. Many other artists have tried and been savagely ridiculed for it, but we all agree, in this case it's true.
I feel sorry for you ❤❤in the 70's music was all about storytelling I'm 63 a teenager in the 70s
The star is the lyrics. The way the music so truly represents the lyrics is perfection. The piano must be recognized. I have played this song at full blast many times. The final chords mimic my heartbeat. A masterful song in every way. The human connection made through music. Love.
Uptown girl is another good one
Billy wrote all the music and words to all his songs. He has won every musical award possible. The mad is a musical genius...
If I look at your subscriber number I can actually see it move upwards. Congratulations on your great channel. 👍 a very deep rabbit hole with Billy Joel.
This song and The River of Dreams are his Best songs.
should watch For The Longest Time next
His Signature Song. No one covers it and maybe never will.
This ended up as a sing along at many a party from my youth :)
I believe this great song inspired the Cheers intro.
Yes very much like the Cheers theme by Gary Portnoy, especially that piano
At times Billy's vocal reminds me of Harry Chapin
Billy is in one of my all time favorite list… and I’m french 😀.
You should definitely react to New York State of Mind, Goodnight Saigon, …
Yes it has to be one of the greatest songs of all time. An American classic.
I went to seminar in Memphis in the early 70’s…Right down the street, in Overton Square, was a restaurant/club Friday’s(TGIF). We were seated in the balcony(second floor)…at the railing overlooking a Grand Piano, maybe 25/30 feet away. In my early 20’s, all we knew was they had some FINE Memphis ribs and that the drinks were reasonably priced! They had some singer/piano player that none of us had ever heard of as entertainment…it was Billy Joel😳!!!
As he was on a raised platform, we were almost eye-level with him…practically able to touch the piano. I remember it was a Thursday night and at midnight (TGIF) and he sang “It was 12 O’Clock in the morning and the drinks went to half price”. And they did…we lost our minds…lol
Not only did we get some of the world’s best BB-Q ribs, a cheap buzz, but a WORLD CLASS concert to go with it!!!
Fifty years later, it still rates as one of the best nights of my life!!!
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.
all of the Billy Joel and Elton John collaborations are worth a watch as well. Some are worth a reaction: e.g. when Billy plays "Candles in the Wind," because Elton no long does.
This song reminds me (very strongly) of the movie "The Iceman Cometh" (how hard it is for people with lofty goals to break free from their comfort zones.)
This is one of those epic songs that appeals to everyone that hears it.....regardless of what their favorite genre is. It crosses all lines and is very uplifting.
When I first heard this song on the radio, I thought it was Harry Chapin. Then I found out who Billy joel was and although I liked his music, I didn't own any of his records until "The Stranger" (1977). "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" and "She's Always a Woman" are my favorites from the album, the former being an illustrative ballad, that I'm sure you would enjoy very much. I've never seen this video before, but the lyrics alone painted such a vivid image, that I already had a picture in my mind. It was like seeing the movie after reading the book.
This song always makes me wish I could play the piano ❤
Approaching 100 thousand so quickly is a testament to how good you guy’s are at what you do 👍😊❤️
Thanks for all your support along the way Kim!
Billy Joel, not too bad for a high school dropout. Love you guys, enjoying the ride!
They did some of the song in an episode of Castle, as performed by the cast in character. I think it was the second or third season. They didn't do the harmonica, but they sang the song.