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.
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! 🍻)
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Personal Top 5 Billy Joel songs: Summer, Highland Falls Scenes From An Italian Restaurant Tell Her About It River Of Dreams Two Thousand Years Honorable Mentions: Pressure Miami,2017 (The Lights Go Out On Broadway) You're Only Human New York State Of Mind The Stranger Have fun with this HUGE rabbit hole! It is an amazing ride of brilliance, emotional depth, and the whole range of human experience. Billy is the center of the soundtrack of my life in the realm of pop rock.
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!
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.
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. ❤
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 -- ua-cam.com/video/izzM9LXqP-U/v-deo.html 2. New York State of Mind -- ua-cam.com/video/iM4LzEcaTK0/v-deo.html 3. Vienna -- ua-cam.com/video/fV_-a0P2L3o/v-deo.html 4. River of Dreams -- ua-cam.com/video/fo_vn_Ilsu8/v-deo.html 5. An Innocent Man -- ua-cam.com/video/mQCWY5ynBaw/v-deo.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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Great reaction to one of Billy Joel's best. Two other songs I recommend for a for a Billy newbie: * _The Longest Time_ (acapella) * _We Didn't Start the Fire_ (historical) Billy has a huge catalog of amazing songs.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
Please go down the Billy Joel rabbit hole. Great reaction. 🍻🇺🇸🔥 1. Moving uot 2.the longest time she's always a woman only the good die young 5.my life. 6. Still Rock'n'roll to me 🔥
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.
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.
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! ✌🏼
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.
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)
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!
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.
My friend told me that Billy Joel is no longer doing the Madison Square Garden concerts after this year (season)? He's selling his home in NY & moving to Florida. Glad I was able to hear him there 4-5 years ago. He did at least 5 encores and he was ill that night. He used to wear sneakers with the suit because he was always jumping around on stage. He always asks the crowd "do you want to hear - - or - -" everybody screams for the song they want. I was glad that Vienna won that one. Honesty is my favorite though. He was playing Mozart at a young age & boxed for a while. Loves motorcycles and he has/had a motorcycle "garage"? He likes to get dirty & is just a regular guy as we say in the NY/NJ area.
I'm born 1962 and have known and loved "Piano Man" since loong time. My son is born 1990, I raised him with lots of music, a lot of "oldies" and even classical music, folk music, oldtime jazz and all sorts of stuff. He told me, after my mom, his very very beloved grandma died (in his, mine and my siblings presence) and he drove home that night because having to work the next day, he listened to the Piano Man and had to stop to cry his heart out about losing his grandma. It IS a sad song, but of a certain kind of sadness. The somehow healing kind of sadness if that makes any sense... Does anyone understand what I'm writing? I'm not sure if I even get it myself... I've got a lump in my throat and want to hug someone but smiling anyway...
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.
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.” 😂😂😂
Listen to his early albums…Piano Man, Turnstiles, The stranger…amazing…and his later albums are great, too. Favs…New York State of Mind, You’re my Home, Vienna, I’ve Loved These Days, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant….just keep listening. So glad this was the music of my teens and 20s.
Outstanding analysis. Billy Joel and I are of the same generation. I love your appreciation of the cultural differences of the generations. There is more than just technology in that separation. I am reconciled that "Boomer" is a pejorative, but I know that the children will gain perspective eventually. I am heartened that you give voice to that perspective. Many of the "reaction" posts that I watch, I watch not for the reaction but because I am fond of the subject. I'll be coming back to you because I appreciate your insight.
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 ...
Where has this dude been hiding? Where have you been? Love that people your age are checking out the music of my generation. I grew up in the 50's and 60's and in college by 1970. Bars were like this. And you are dead on about cellphones. It was the golden age of music. Take time to enjoy it.
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.
Billy Joel is one of the greats. I grew up with him. I'm 57, and when I'd go out in the late 80's, this song would come on, and the whole bar would sing along. Everybody knew it.
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.
Billy Joel is and always be one of the Greatest piano player's of the '70's and '80's. I have enjoyed his music since I was a teenager and to now at age 60. I remember a line from Bob Seger's song, Old time Rock and Roll, "Today's music just doesn't have the same Soul". I agree with him 100 percent!
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!
I have so many fond memories of spending my 20s at the pub, and the regular band playing this and everyone singing (drunkenly) along - it's a timeless song and a timeless feeling (and yes, it's better than drinking alone). Other favorite Billy Joel songs: And So It Goes - very simple but guttingly heartbreaking; Downeaster Alexa and Allentown - two different working class stories; NY State of Mind - listen to the "Concert for New York" version just to listen to the audience lose their damn minds; and Leningrad - Cold War stories from both sides of the Iron Curtain.
"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.
I am so jealous! How I would love to be hearing all of Billy's work for the first time! Loads of great recommendations already and you really can't go wrong, but my personal favorites are on 52nd Street. Stiletto, Rosalinda's Eyes, Half a Mile Away and Until the Night. Piano Man was one of my first loves and my first 45 as well!
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.
i was in my car on my way to school, when I heard this song for the first time. I was so excited when the DJ. announced that this new artists was from my hometown!!
I grew up to Billy Joel's music sitting in a bar just like this one! Those were the days!!!! He lives a mile down the road from me in a tiny town on the north shore of long Island NY. He still rides his motorcycle around our little town tuck away in a cove. ❤
My roommate on college drug me to one of the concerts where he was the first for the 'real group', who were a country western group. We listened to Billy Joel and when the other group came on stage, half the audience left! Yep, that was maybe 1976 or 77.
Billy Joel recorded this song in the early 1970s. New York born, he had found a small label to record and manage him, but lost control over how it was done. The only record produced was botched over one of his songs, pressing a song at a ridiculously fast speed (Joel said it made him sound like a chipmunk), so he relocated to Los Angeles, basically disappeared, and worked as a piano bar musician until the contract timed out. During this time, he wrote "Piano Man". He signed with a major label, put out one album, but still had little control over how it was arranged or recorded. The label was intending to drop him, but this one track, "Piano Man" blew up the charts and saved his career. Eventually Phil Ramone teamed up with Joel as his record producer and Joel skyrocketed. Billy Joel has written some incredible songs and his music videos and live performances are incredible. Some UA-cam video recommendations for reactions: -"Billy Joel - New York State Of Mind (from Old Grey Whistle Test)" (master piano work) -"Billy Joel - Prelude/Angry Young Man (Live from Long Island)" (more master piano work; played with a broken thumb) -"Billy Joel - Goodnight Saigon (Official Video)" (written for a friend who was a Vietnam vet; chorus is made up of actual vets) -"Billy Joel - Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (Official Music Video)" (animated wonderfully) -"Billy Joel - Tell Her About It (Official Video)" (homage to early rock & roll influences) -"Billy Joel - The Longest Time (Official Video)" (homage to early rock & roll street corner acapella) -"Billy Joel - Uptown Girl (Official Video)" (homage to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons influence; he married the girl) -"Billy Joel - She's Always A Woman |Lyrics|" (incredible love song) -"Billy Joel - Travelin' Prayer (Lyrics)" (another incredible love song) -"Billy Joel - Baby Grand (Official Video) ft. Ray Charles" (written as a gift to his top influence Ray Charles; a duet) -"Billy Joel - The River of Dreams (Official Video)" (same girl from "Uptown Girl" is painting what will be his album cover) There are more, but this is a start. Enjoy.
This was his break-out hit that started his journey to stardom. The story is about the people he met working dive bars and honky Tonks in New York city. My name's not Davy, but I stayed in the Navy for life.
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.....
Still boggles my mind that there are people on Earth who haven’t heard of Billy Joel 😮
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.
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.
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! 🍻)
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
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.
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
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.
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 .
"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
Billy Joel is a rabbit hole that won't disappoint. Seen him in concert, and the talent he has live is just awesome.
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.
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".
Billy Joel is a piano prodigy. GOD blessed him with the gift of music.
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.
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.
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
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.
Personal Top 5 Billy Joel songs:
Summer, Highland Falls
Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
Tell Her About It
River Of Dreams
Two Thousand Years
Honorable Mentions:
Pressure
Miami,2017 (The Lights Go Out On Broadway)
You're Only Human
New York State Of Mind
The Stranger
Have fun with this HUGE rabbit hole! It is an amazing ride of brilliance, emotional depth, and the whole range of human experience. Billy is the center of the soundtrack of my life in the realm of pop rock.
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!
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.
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 .
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 -- ua-cam.com/video/izzM9LXqP-U/v-deo.html
2. New York State of Mind -- ua-cam.com/video/iM4LzEcaTK0/v-deo.html
3. Vienna -- ua-cam.com/video/fV_-a0P2L3o/v-deo.html
4. River of Dreams -- ua-cam.com/video/fo_vn_Ilsu8/v-deo.html
5. An Innocent Man -- ua-cam.com/video/mQCWY5ynBaw/v-deo.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 👌
This song is 50 years old. So you picked the starting point for Billy Joel. This song was preserved in the Library Of Congress
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.
How can you have lived as long as you have and not have heard Billy Joel?? He's an all time classic.
As usual he was pretending not to know .
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Great reaction to one of Billy Joel's best. Two other songs I recommend for a for a Billy newbie:
* _The Longest Time_ (acapella)
* _We Didn't Start the Fire_ (historical)
Billy has a huge catalog of amazing songs.
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 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.
"New York State of Mind," "Goodnight Saigon," "Big Shot," "Allentown" & "The Stranger". (And many more; they're all good.)
"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. ;)
Melody, He has 100% not been hiding. Huge star. Touring with Elton John, duets with Paul McCartney and Ray Charles.
So glad you're here brother. Joel is iconic. Top five Billy Joel songs? Umm not possible. Top 20? 30?
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 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
Who is he? A legend, that’s who Billy Joel is!
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.
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.
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.
Please go down the Billy Joel rabbit hole. Great reaction. 🍻🇺🇸🔥
1. Moving uot
2.the longest time
she's always a woman
only the good die young
5.my life.
6. Still Rock'n'roll to me 🔥
The 80's was an awesome time! Just Sayin...We lived in the moment and every night you could find a bar with a crowd.
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.
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.
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 consider Billy Joel to be the greatest balladeer of the 20th century, myself.
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.
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)
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!
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.
Saw Billy Joel at Arrowhead Stadium in August 2023. It was magnificent and packed.
My friend told me that Billy Joel is no longer doing the Madison Square Garden concerts after this year (season)? He's selling his home in NY & moving to Florida. Glad I was able to hear him there 4-5 years ago. He did at least 5 encores and he was ill that night. He used to wear sneakers with the suit because he was always jumping around on stage. He always asks the crowd "do you want to hear - - or - -" everybody screams for the song they want. I was glad that Vienna won that one. Honesty is my favorite though. He was playing Mozart at a young age & boxed for a while. Loves motorcycles and he has/had a motorcycle "garage"? He likes to get dirty & is just a regular guy as we say in the NY/NJ area.
I'm born 1962 and have known and loved "Piano Man" since loong time.
My son is born 1990, I raised him with lots of music, a lot of "oldies" and even classical music, folk music, oldtime jazz and all sorts of stuff.
He told me, after my mom, his very very beloved grandma died (in his, mine and my siblings presence) and he drove home that night because having to work the next day, he listened to the Piano Man and had to stop to cry his heart out about losing his grandma.
It IS a sad song, but of a certain kind of sadness. The somehow healing kind of sadness if that makes any sense... Does anyone understand what I'm writing?
I'm not sure if I even get it myself...
I've got a lump in my throat and want to hug someone but smiling anyway...
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.
1) Allentown
2) You May Be Right
3) The Longest Time
4) River of Dreams
5) It's Still Rock And Roll To Me
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.
Listen to his early albums…Piano Man, Turnstiles, The stranger…amazing…and his later albums are great, too. Favs…New York State of Mind, You’re my Home, Vienna, I’ve Loved These Days, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant….just keep listening. So glad this was the music of my teens and 20s.
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
Outstanding analysis. Billy Joel and I are of the same generation. I love your appreciation of the cultural differences of the generations. There is more than just technology in that separation. I am reconciled that "Boomer" is a pejorative, but I know that the children will gain perspective eventually. I am heartened that you give voice to that perspective. Many of the "reaction" posts that I watch, I watch not for the reaction but because I am fond of the subject. I'll be coming back to you because I appreciate your insight.
He is a legend. Enjoy going down the rabbit hole.
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 ...
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.
Where has this dude been hiding? Where have you been? Love that people your age are checking out the music of my generation. I grew up in the 50's and 60's and in college by 1970. Bars were like this. And you are dead on about cellphones. It was the golden age of music. Take time to enjoy it.
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.
Billy Joel is one of the greats. I grew up with him. I'm 57, and when I'd go out in the late 80's, this song would come on, and the whole bar would sing along. Everybody knew it.
Yes, those were the days. I might be old now, but the payoff is that I got to live this era. Magic. Especially musically.
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.
he's one of most talented artist, he's a piano concertist and wrote the best songs I ever heard. His catalog is amazing!!
Billy Joel is and always be one of the Greatest piano player's of the '70's and '80's. I have enjoyed his music since I was a teenager and to now at age 60. I remember a line from Bob Seger's song, Old time Rock and Roll, "Today's music just doesn't have the same Soul". I agree with him 100 percent!
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!
I have so many fond memories of spending my 20s at the pub, and the regular band playing this and everyone singing (drunkenly) along - it's a timeless song and a timeless feeling (and yes, it's better than drinking alone).
Other favorite Billy Joel songs: And So It Goes - very simple but guttingly heartbreaking; Downeaster Alexa and Allentown - two different working class stories; NY State of Mind - listen to the "Concert for New York" version just to listen to the audience lose their damn minds; and Leningrad - Cold War stories from both sides of the Iron Curtain.
Forty years ago or so, Billy Joel toured with Elton John. The Piano Man Tour. It was an awesome concert.
"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.
I am so jealous! How I would love to be hearing all of Billy's work for the first time! Loads of great recommendations already and you really can't go wrong, but my personal favorites are on 52nd Street. Stiletto, Rosalinda's Eyes, Half a Mile Away and Until the Night. Piano Man was one of my first loves and my first 45 as well!
My favorite Billy Joel song is "And so it goes".
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.
Welcome to the wonderful thing that is Billy Joel!
One of the greatest songs ever written, and recorded I just love Billy Joel
Billy Joe has an amazing catalog. He is a great storyteller. "Uptown Girl" Don't miss it.
i was in my car on my way to school, when I heard this song for the first time. I was so excited when the DJ. announced that this new artists was from my hometown!!
There's so many songs that I could suggest, but among my favorites...Allentown, Pressure, Big Shot, I am the Entertainer, Just the way you are
He’s been “hiding” in plain sight. Prolific songwriter, lyrics clever and downright authentic.
I grew up to Billy Joel's music sitting in a bar just like this one! Those were the days!!!! He lives a mile down the road from me in a tiny town on the north shore of long Island NY. He still rides his motorcycle around our little town tuck away in a cove. ❤
My roommate on college drug me to one of the concerts where he was the first for the 'real group', who were a country western group. We listened to Billy Joel and when the other group came on stage, half the audience left! Yep, that was maybe 1976 or 77.
Billy Joel recorded this song in the early 1970s. New York born, he had found a small label to record and manage him, but lost control over how it was done. The only record produced was botched over one of his songs, pressing a song at a ridiculously fast speed (Joel said it made him sound like a chipmunk), so he relocated to Los Angeles, basically disappeared, and worked as a piano bar musician until the contract timed out. During this time, he wrote "Piano Man".
He signed with a major label, put out one album, but still had little control over how it was arranged or recorded. The label was intending to drop him, but this one track, "Piano Man" blew up the charts and saved his career. Eventually Phil Ramone teamed up with Joel as his record producer and Joel skyrocketed.
Billy Joel has written some incredible songs and his music videos and live performances are incredible. Some UA-cam video recommendations for reactions:
-"Billy Joel - New York State Of Mind (from Old Grey Whistle Test)" (master piano work)
-"Billy Joel - Prelude/Angry Young Man (Live from Long Island)" (more master piano work; played with a broken thumb)
-"Billy Joel - Goodnight Saigon (Official Video)" (written for a friend who was a Vietnam vet; chorus is made up of actual vets)
-"Billy Joel - Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (Official Music Video)" (animated wonderfully)
-"Billy Joel - Tell Her About It (Official Video)" (homage to early rock & roll influences)
-"Billy Joel - The Longest Time (Official Video)" (homage to early rock & roll street corner acapella)
-"Billy Joel - Uptown Girl (Official Video)" (homage to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons influence; he married the girl)
-"Billy Joel - She's Always A Woman |Lyrics|" (incredible love song)
-"Billy Joel - Travelin' Prayer (Lyrics)" (another incredible love song)
-"Billy Joel - Baby Grand (Official Video) ft. Ray Charles" (written as a gift to his top influence Ray Charles; a duet)
-"Billy Joel - The River of Dreams (Official Video)" (same girl from "Uptown Girl" is painting what will be his album cover)
There are more, but this is a start.
Enjoy.
Love Billy Joel - so talented. ❤
This was his break-out hit that started his journey to stardom. The story is about the people he met working dive bars and honky Tonks in New York city.
My name's not Davy, but I stayed in the Navy for life.
It's melody not memory. Billy Joel is an ICON!
He had an amazing career. So many songs! If he sneezed, five songs would come out of his nose!
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.