The song is autobiographical, written about Billy’s forced “exile” in LA and the people he met playing in bars there, having been the victim of a disastrous contract with his previous record company in NY. You must do more of Billy Joel. He’s done dozens of tracks that are on this level. He’s a musical genius. BTW, when playing this song live he generally plays the harmonica parts as well.
Billy Joel is one of the singers that I grew up with, and... he's really instilled a major love of this beautiful... almost melancholy "I've lived a life and come out on my feet" kind of vibe. I hope you explore more of his work, he really has the soul to produce beautiful music like this again and again.
As a Beatles fan, I think you’re going to enjoy diving into Billy Joel’s catalogue. I recommend New York State of Mind, Scenes From an Italian Restaurant, An Innocent Man, Vienna, and She’s Always a Woman based on what you’ve liked from the Beatles.
Billy Joel is an American treasure. He is a genius songwriter, storyteller, lyricist, composer, vocalist, and instrumentalist. His catalogue is deep and varied. I enjoyed your reaction. 🌸💐✌️
Billy Joel holds the record for most times selling out Madison Square Gardens. For many years he played there once a month, and sold out every time. On July 25th of this year he played his last of 150 sold-out concerts at MSG. That record may well never be broken.
I have been listening to this song since it first came out, which is a lot of years. I still get goosebumps. It's sad because it's about unfulfilled dreams, but it's happy because music gets us through all of that.
I was 17 suffering through a horrible case of strep throat when this came out and played over and over on the radio as I thrashed in my bed through the night until I could get antibiotics in the morning. It helped me get through the reality of my life that night. Though I love the song, I think of that horrific night every time I hear it and how the song helped get through it.
he wrote this song after his real life experience in 1972-73 when he had to get away from New York due to a conflict with his then recording company, he played piano and sang at the Executive Room bar in LA. under the name (Bill Martin) on the video you can see it on the billboard sign his real full name is (William Martin Joel).
loved your reaction! his Glass Houses album is one of my favorites. You May Be Right, and It's Still Rock and Roll to Me are two more of his best!! hope to see more
Billy Joel is the George Gershwin of song of his own era. Look up George Gershwin if you don;t know who he was. "song in a movie?" the song IS a whole damned movie. It's really the story of Billy Joel who was struggling to get a record going that would sell while playing in a LA bar. Suddenly a light bulb went on in his head and he wrote about himself at this bar. The song and album got him notice in 1974 and soon he was on his way to big things. He was classically trained on the piano. The line "Yes they're sharing a drink they call loneliness, bu tit's better than drinking alone" is total genius. how many song writers have wished they would have written that line?
You give me hope for young people 😄 I enjoyed your thoughtful insight! I think you'd enjoy more of Billy's songs AND music videos -- in the '80s MTV era he put great care into the visuals, so they're like mini movies that actually go along with the song. For something more upbeat and lighthearted, try Uptown Girl, or For the Longest Time (two homages to genres from the '50s and '60s). But basically anything anybody else recommends is also gold, you can't really go wrong with him.
Well said Princess. Music Videos are wonderful though if you watch AC/DC perform "Thunderstruck" then,please watch The RIVER PLATE version in front of 80,000+ where the crowd is amazing. ENJOY:)
I’ve had many good conversations about music in my life. One of which came at a rather fancy corporate restaurant I worked for many years ago. I was talking with a server, and during the course of it, Billy Joel came up, who he labeled “America’s greatest singer-songwriter.” I thought about it afterwards and decided he was probably right about that.
Billy Joel actually worked playing in bars and such, so his words are biographical. If you're interested, in my opinion, he's the best songwriter of the last 50 years. He writes in innumerable styles, and you get only a glimpse of how good he is at playing in this song. His skills on piano are mind-boggling. If you're amenable, "Ballad of Billy the Kid" is in the western style. "Travelin' Prayer" is in a blugrass style. "Root Beer Rag" is an instrumental in a rag style like Scott Joplin used to write. "Prelude / Angry Young Man" will make your jaw drop off your face when you hear just how fast he can play. Finally, "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" sounds like three or four songs smashed together. And every song is a story of some sort. Joel was IMO a genius.
This was his break-out hit that started his journey to stardom. The story is about the people he met working The Executive Club in LA. My name's not Davy, but I stayed in the Navy for life. I don't regret it because it's the best thing I ever did. This video takes a little of my imagination. Example: A sailor in uniform doesn't need to point it out. Great acting though.🤩🤩 "Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it's better than drinking alone."
Billy Joey was hugely influenced by the Beatles. This song is kind of a mashup musically of The Beatles We Can Work it Out, with his 3/4 bit, and Norwegian Wood. Joel’s lyrics are really good in this too. We have all encountered people that he describes in this song-and perhaps he is describing us too.
I have seen many reactions to this song / video, and I do regard it as a contemporary masterpiece of sorts, a story-telling song with such clever lyrics and skilful arrangements, not to mention the wonderful performance and delivery! As regards to your interpretation of this, I always enjoy the honesty of your words, somehow evidenced through your body language, I believe, and how your thoughts naturally develop so as to lead you to your conclusion. In this instance I remember hearing you say early on, once you had heard it, that you regarded it as a 'Happy Song', but by the time you had finished analysing it, if I might paraphrase that which I believe you said, you came to realise that it was perhaps more of a 'Bitter-sweet' account of people wilfully distracting themselves from the harsh realities of life. My favourite lyric is about John the bartender - 'As the smile ran away from his face' wonderful! Thank you for you genuine and honest reactions, x
I think you were born in the wrong decade . The songs I grew up with. Billy Joel is one of my favourites. I Italian restaurant, keeping the faith, only the good die Young, turn the lights back on......amazing songs
other very emotional songs are.....MIKE AND THE MECHANICS - THE LIVING YEARS and GILBERT O SULLIVAN - ALONE AGAIN NATURALLY and of course THE CARPENTERS - NOW
With some artists I think the music video can detract from the music itself, especially if it's a live performance that may sound muddy or omit some really nice studio instrumentation. Billy Joel is an exception to that for me. I have never seen a video of his that didn't enhance the song, and his live performances are fire!
Try some music by YES one of the greatest progressive rock groups of all time. You haven't reacted to them at all. Some good ones include "Roundabout", "Close to the Edge", "The Gates of Delirium". "Awaken", "Turn of the Century"... Loads of good ones. I'll subscribe if you do a YES song and so will many other YES fans.
Billy is a Legend. This song is 50 years old. It is a Masterpiece.
And to think, he didn't like playing it for a while. He said the song is a repetitive limerick. He's right, but it's such a perfect song.
The song is autobiographical, written about Billy’s forced “exile” in LA and the people he met playing in bars there, having been the victim of a disastrous contract with his previous record company in NY. You must do more of Billy Joel. He’s done dozens of tracks that are on this level. He’s a musical genius. BTW, when playing this song live he generally plays the harmonica parts as well.
He performed under the name Bill Martin.
All of Billy Joel’s songs tell a story and his music varies so much, he is extremely talented!
Billy Joel is one of the singers that I grew up with, and... he's really instilled a major love of this beautiful... almost melancholy "I've lived a life and come out on my feet" kind of vibe. I hope you explore more of his work, he really has the soul to produce beautiful music like this again and again.
Such a rabbit hole to dive in..Billy Joel is a phenomenal artist. Glad you dug it!
He's been there!
Billy played piano in a bar before he made it.
You're right, its a beautiful song, superbly written
The very best of Long Island. It certainly doesn't get any better than that.
Billy is one of the top singer/songwriters from this era. Piano Man was his first hit but he had many more.
Any era:)
As a Beatles fan, I think you’re going to enjoy diving into Billy Joel’s catalogue. I recommend New York State of Mind, Scenes From an Italian Restaurant, An Innocent Man, Vienna, and She’s Always a Woman based on what you’ve liked from the Beatles.
Billy Joel is an American treasure. He is a genius songwriter, storyteller, lyricist, composer, vocalist, and instrumentalist. His catalogue is deep and varied. I enjoyed your reaction. 🌸💐✌️
Billy Joel holds the record for most times selling out Madison Square Gardens. For many years he played there once a month, and sold out every time. On July 25th of this year he played his last of 150 sold-out concerts at MSG. That record may well never be broken.
I have been listening to this song since it first came out, which is a lot of years. I still get goosebumps. It's sad because it's about unfulfilled dreams, but it's happy because music gets us through all of that.
I loved how polite you were to the Guard when he brought your lunch in. 🎉
I was 17 suffering through a horrible case of strep throat when this came out and played over and over on the radio as I thrashed in my bed through the night until I could get antibiotics in the morning.
It helped me get through the reality of my life that night. Though I love the song, I think of that horrific night every time I hear it and how the song helped get through it.
Love love love Billy Joel, he is a timeless artist, my next suggestion if you haven't listened to it already would be She's Always A Woman Too Me
He’s such an amazing talented musician, New York State of mind, would be a great one to react to
Great reaction to a genius' masterpiece!
I was in Jr. High when this came out. Great song.
We've got tickets to see Billy and Sting here in STL in a few weeks. I can't wait.
he wrote this song after his real life experience in 1972-73 when he had to get away from New York due to a conflict with his then recording company, he played piano and sang at the Executive Room bar in LA. under the name (Bill Martin) on the video you can see it on the billboard sign his real full name is (William Martin Joel).
loved your reaction! his Glass Houses album is one of my favorites. You May Be Right, and It's Still Rock and Roll to Me are two more of his best!! hope to see more
So glad the younger generation is listening to our generations anthems. You should check out the whole album and "The Stranger".
Billy Joel is the George Gershwin of song of his own era. Look up George Gershwin if you don;t know who he was. "song in a movie?" the song IS a whole damned movie. It's really the story of Billy Joel who was struggling to get a record going that would sell while playing in a LA bar. Suddenly a light bulb went on in his head and he wrote about himself at this bar. The song and album got him notice in 1974 and soon he was on his way to big things. He was classically trained on the piano. The line "Yes they're sharing a drink they call loneliness, bu tit's better than drinking alone" is total genius. how many song writers have wished they would have written that line?
You give me hope for young people 😄 I enjoyed your thoughtful insight! I think you'd enjoy more of Billy's songs AND music videos -- in the '80s MTV era he put great care into the visuals, so they're like mini movies that actually go along with the song. For something more upbeat and lighthearted, try Uptown Girl, or For the Longest Time (two homages to genres from the '50s and '60s). But basically anything anybody else recommends is also gold, you can't really go wrong with him.
Billy is a icon! Love ths song so very much. Love your reaction!
Who is Billy Joel?
The Piano Man himself! I grew up listening to his music, having been introduced to it by my late father.
Your perspective is admirable for someone as young as you are.. I enjoy your reactions.
You are spot on! Billy Joel is an American treasure! He has an amazing catalogue of songs for you to dive into! ☮ P.S. 50K is definitely doable.
Well said Princess. Music Videos are wonderful though if you watch AC/DC perform "Thunderstruck" then,please watch The RIVER PLATE version in front of 80,000+ where the crowd is amazing. ENJOY:)
I’ve had many good conversations about music in my life. One of which came at a rather fancy corporate restaurant I worked for many years ago. I was talking with a server, and during the course of it, Billy Joel came up, who he labeled “America’s greatest singer-songwriter.” I thought about it afterwards and decided he was probably right about that.
You're finding wonderful songs Princess!
Billy Joel actually worked playing in bars and such, so his words are biographical. If you're interested, in my opinion, he's the best songwriter of the last 50 years. He writes in innumerable styles, and you get only a glimpse of how good he is at playing in this song. His skills on piano are mind-boggling. If you're amenable, "Ballad of Billy the Kid" is in the western style. "Travelin' Prayer" is in a blugrass style. "Root Beer Rag" is an instrumental in a rag style like Scott Joplin used to write. "Prelude / Angry Young Man" will make your jaw drop off your face when you hear just how fast he can play. Finally, "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" sounds like three or four songs smashed together. And every song is a story of some sort. Joel was IMO a genius.
This was his break-out hit that started his journey to stardom. The story is about the people he met working The Executive Club in LA.
My name's not Davy, but I stayed in the Navy for life. I don't regret it because it's the best thing I ever did.
This video takes a little of my imagination. Example: A sailor in uniform doesn't need to point it out. Great acting though.🤩🤩
"Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it's better than drinking alone."
His song We didn't start the fire is really good
Worst song he ever did. Even he thinks so.
@@susangirardi3655 He said he does not like the melody but lyrically it is pure genius.
Love your reaction.
Always enjoy your intelligent insights
Billy Joey was hugely influenced by the Beatles. This song is kind of a mashup musically of The Beatles We Can Work it Out, with his 3/4 bit, and Norwegian Wood. Joel’s lyrics are really good in this too. We have all encountered people that he describes in this song-and perhaps he is describing us too.
I have seen many reactions to this song / video, and I do regard it as a contemporary masterpiece of sorts, a story-telling song with such clever lyrics and skilful arrangements, not to mention the wonderful performance and delivery! As regards to your interpretation of this, I always enjoy the honesty of your words, somehow evidenced through your body language, I believe, and how your thoughts naturally develop so as to lead you to your conclusion. In this instance I remember hearing you say early on, once you had heard it, that you regarded it as a 'Happy Song', but by the time you had finished analysing it, if I might paraphrase that which I believe you said, you came to realise that it was perhaps more of a 'Bitter-sweet' account of people wilfully distracting themselves from the harsh realities of life. My favourite lyric is about John the bartender - 'As the smile ran away from his face' wonderful! Thank you for you genuine and honest reactions, x
❤️❤️
Thanks
You want to hear a great one from Billy you should listen to "River of Dreams"
I think you were born in the wrong decade . The songs I grew up with. Billy Joel is one of my favourites. I Italian restaurant, keeping the faith, only the good die Young, turn the lights back on......amazing songs
Oh holy music!
A movie in music.
A song about loneliness, disenchantment and lost dreams.
other very emotional songs are.....MIKE AND THE MECHANICS - THE LIVING YEARS and GILBERT O SULLIVAN - ALONE AGAIN NATURALLY and of course THE CARPENTERS - NOW
everyone knew vis song, v words n would often her v whole pub singing along.
Elton John would be great also
With some artists I think the music video can detract from the music itself, especially if it's a live performance that may sound muddy or omit some really nice studio instrumentation. Billy Joel is an exception to that for me. I have never seen a video of his that didn't enhance the song, and his live performances are fire!
Try some music by YES one of the greatest progressive rock groups of all time. You haven't reacted to them at all. Some good ones include "Roundabout", "Close to the Edge", "The Gates of Delirium". "Awaken", "Turn of the Century"... Loads of good ones. I'll subscribe if you do a YES song and so will many other YES fans.
Not enough money in education
Guy??
Why did you do that to the video ???? OTHERS DO NOT !!!.. Shame on the mess.
What a depressing thumbnail.
Funny, I was going to suggest you play this the other day, and wallah, here it is!!
He’s not only a musical genius he married two supermodels
Dated two but married one.