I'd say there's 3 types of people. Those who know they love Billy Joel's songs. Those who don't know they know Billy Joel's songs. And those who lead their lives on Twitter hating on everything, because they ain't got anything better to do in their lives apparently.
I agree, but unfortunately I think it's an amazing line that gets lost in this video due the guy patting the waitress on her rear, as that distracts the viewer/listener from the song. Other than that one part, I love the video.
@@thehonestman26 This is what I came here to say. The best lyric in the whole song, and it's completely overshadowed by the video creator's interpretation. Almost as bad is John.. In my mind, he's at least passably good looking; which gives some credence to believing he could be a movie star. This guy makes it looks like they're playing it for laughs. That wasn't Billy's intention.
"Son can you play me a memory, I'm not really sure how it goes But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete when I wore a younger man's clothes" Poetry
What was your favorite video? I hadn't thought about that until now...I was born in 74 so it was MTV was prime for me...I think Metallica's Unforgiven was pretty awesome, Jeremy was awesome...but I loved the Unplugged stuff the best I think...
Billy Joel is one cool guy... he doesn't sell front row seats to his concerts. He has his people go up to the cheap seats and brings what he calls his true fans down to the front.
@@SnoBear626 You know there are two sides to every story, right? Several band members have been with him for 20, 30 or 40 years and are and were free to go off and do other projects and tour with other acts because they are free agents and not exclusively Billy Joel band members. He also kept paying from his own pocket, all of his current band members during the pandemic despite them not playing any shows and this below hardly reflects badly on him either. Multi-instrumentalist Crystal Taliefero - best known for her work with ongoing work with Billy Joel, along with Bruce Springsteen, and John Mellencamp - revealed she was diagnosed with Stage Two breast cancer in February. In a new wide-ranging interview with Rolling Stone, Taliefero spoke candidly about all aspects of her career, but couldn't help but show some major love for the "Piano Man" - who's been helping her during this troubling time. She said, "Here’s another thing about my boss. I have to say it. When I got diagnosed, he was the first one that jumped right in and said, 'Check this doctor out. We have a relationship with these guys over here.' So helpful. And that’s for all of us. When a tech guy had to have surgery for his diabetes, Billy was all over that. He cares. He really, genuinely cares about his family. And I consider this my road family." Taliefero, who began touring with Billy Joel in support of his 1989 Storm Front album, explained, "He’s always been upfront with us, which is a rarity these days. If I can be a little candid about my boss. . . It doesn’t get any better. This is it. You’re not going to see too many people like him. He’s a rarity. He does things that 90 percent of other people just don’t do. He thinks about us. He’s concerned about us. During this pandemic, he’s paid our salaries. Come on, man. I’m starting to get emotional here. . . Pretty amazing. It’s unselfish. It’s loving. It’s all of the above. That’s probably one of the main reasons he’s been so blessed. He’s not a taker, let’s put it like that."
Genius songwriter, Billy Joel has a huge catalog-rock, doo-wop, jazzy, bluesy, he has it all. I suggest “only the Good Die Young” as the next Billy Joel reaction.
Nah - @blackpegasusraps knows sound booth, mixing, etc, etc. - "The Longest Time" was *cutting edge* for it's time - it blew our parent's minds - in what, like eighty three? four? - can't remember, but I remember my mother LOVED the harmony in that song and told everyone she met "You know Billy Joel does all the parts on that, right? He's all the voices; they're all him. That's all Billy Joel, and there's no instru ments except a bass. It's all Billy Joel."
All great but Downeaster Alexa gets me every time. Like my heart soars with that song in a soul memory kind of way that I wonder if everyone feels when hearing it.
My daughter and I were in a random bar/restaurant last year in Pennsylvania, this song came on and I tell you every single person in that place sang this at the top of their lungs. It was superb.
I have been in a bar where people weren’t really paying attention to the piano player. He started this song and the room filled up so quickly with everyone singing along. This song gets a crowd going, at least it used to, I don’t know if it does now.
He's from Long Island. I used to go to Fire Island a lot in the summer. In a bar in Ocean Beach, when this song somes on everyone's sings at the top of their lungs and swings the pendant lamps hanging over the horseshoe shaped bar to the song. Great time.
Piano Man-written about his days playing in a piano bar. Uptown Girl-written about his then wife Christy Brinkley. We Didn't Start The Fire-written after a younger friend told him nothing important happened historically during his lifetime. He sat down and started naming all the important historical and cultural events that happen since he was born. He is such an amazing songwriter. Great reaction!! 😊
"Piano Man" written WHILE playing the piano bars. "Uptown Girl" written about his girlfriends Elle MacPherson and Christie Brinkley BEFORE he got serious enough to propose and marry her. "We Didn't Start the Fire" written after that history-ignorant statement was said to him by 21yo Julian Lennon.
The song was originally titled "Uptown Girls", plural. Billy Joel was dating both when he wrote it, although he was dating Elle first. By the time he made the video and released the song, he had committed to Christie.@@maryjohnson6796
There's a legend about how this song was written that just adds to the atmosphere even more. Supposedly, this song is a true story, a compilation of tales about people Joel met while doing a residency at a small piano bar. He was trying to get out of a contract with his label at the time, but they refused to let him go. So he spent the rest of the contract period hidden away in this bar, playing for guests instead of doing tours. When he was finally free, this was the very first song he wrote, a tribute to all the people he'd gotten to know.
I have him to thank for my existence, probably. My parents met because my mom (who was in the Air Force at the time) refused to dance to Goodnight Saigon out of respect, and my dad, a Vietnam Vet, thought that was really classy and went over to talk to her. She LOVES that song, of course, it's just more a song to sing and listen to than dance to.
My favorite line in this song "Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness/But it's better than drinkin' alone." I love Billy Joel. His songs are all very different but all rich in storytelling set to great music.
When this song came out in 1973, we didn't have internet, youtube, cell phones, etc. We just rode around in our old cars and listened to this on the radio. We had to listen to the words and formulate the movie in our heads. Most artists didn't make music videos until MTV started in 1981.
I know you said "most artists" and you are right that videos took off much more after MTV came along and this particular version of the Piano Man video came out in around 1985, but there was an earlier original from 1973 that is also on UA-cam that I think was filmed in Australia where Billy also plays the harmonica too.
Love your comment. For me, it was 1984 with MTV, but Billy was there before MTV. And you know what? he didn't give a damn. He has always been dedicated to the music and that's it, end of story.
We called him "the storyteller" when I was young! His poetry is off the charts -- although it put him on the charts! 😅 He hid out in a piano bar for a period and wrote this homage to all the souls he met. Also, look up one of his B-sides, called "Vienna.'
Amazing song writer, singer, piano player a true legend. So young when he wrote all those unbelievably beautiful songs. One of my personal favorites is his "Only The Good Die Young."
Before Billy made it big , he moved out to LA and played piano at a bar to make ends meet. This song was released in the early 70s and then became a hit in the 80s. So they had to make a video to go with it
When you paint with precisely the right words, you can practically smell the room. It's like magic, leaving you feeling nostalgic for a place you've never been to before.
If you want your jaw to drop on a Billy Joel song, look up For the Longest Time. He overlays his own voice singing 6 different parts to make it sound like he's a full acapella group. The range of his octive register was legendary. Uptown Girl is also incredible.
He's been doing this since the 70s! His catalog has to be massive. He's so, so good. Do yourself a favor and check out his songs. "She's Always a Woman", for one, is gorgeous. ❤
Can't believe nobody has mentioned how he refuses to sell front row tickets to his concerts and instead scouts out people from further back in the audience to give them out for free.
LOL!!! This is what's great about reactions - You have to appreciate the Billy Joel fan base watching you blow up real-time discovering him for the first time!
Blly Joel is eternal. My 52 year old daughter and 23 year old granddaughter asked for tickets to a Blly Joel and Stevie Nicks concert for Christmas last year. They know great music.
Billy Joel is one of the greatest songwriters of all time. And he can make the piano sound like rock and roll! He has also has an ongoing residency at Madison Square Garden and has sold out over 100 times in a row. Definitely check him and his band out live, “Big Shot”, “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant”, “Only the Good Die Young”, “Good isn’t Saigon”.
it's not actually about Christy though he was dating her when it came out and she was the star if was actually another super model it was written about Elle McPherson
I'm 54 and can tell you the bar scene died before Covid. We used to go to bars in the 80's and 90's and socialise and drink, Its gone now, people can't communicate anymore. The video is more about the characters you find in bars that never change.
I love the irony of that last lyric - “and they sit at the bar and put bread (cash) in my jar, - then say man, what are YOU doing here? The question of course is what are any of them doing there.
I remember after 9/11 happened how the government tried to go "normal life" was billie joel performing New York State of Mind. That was a powerful performance.
I heard Billy Joel tell this story in an interview. His father was adamant that Billy become a classical pianist and was very disappointed when Billy took his classical training and turned it into a Pop/Rock career. His father would never really admit that Billy was successful since his success wasn't in the Classical music world. One day Billy and his father were walking down Fifth Avenue in NYC and they noticed a limousine parked at the curb half way up the block. As they were standing there, Itzhak Perlman came out of the building and was headed for the car. Billy's father got so excited to see the world-renowned violinist, and he said to Billy "Look! Oh my god! It's Itzhak Perlman!!" Perlman glanced their direction and recognized Billy. The three gathered and Itzhak was incredibly excited to meet "The Billy Joel!" He told him how much he enjoyed his music and that he listened to it constantly and that he was Billy's biggest fan. They spoke for a few minutes and then Itzhak said he had to leave to make a meeting. As he was leaving, he told Billy, "we must work together! Let's stay in touch!" He got in the limo and departed leaving Billy and his father completely stunned. Billy's father turned to him and said, "I guess you really ARE a big deal." His father completely supported his career choices after that and Billy and Itzhak ended up performing together in each other's concerts. Billy Joel is an institution. He calls Madison Square Gardens "his house." He has courageously reinvented himself with every album, venturing into different musical styles and periods. If all musicians were this courageous and inventive we would all be richer for it. Thank God he still performs so we can still get a taste every once in a while!
"Scenes from An Italian Restaurant" will blow your mind. And you could throw darts at his music library and come up with pure gold each time. But I still say "Leningrad" is one of the best songs ever produced. The world needs more like it.
The story behind this song is great. Conflict with the record company. Dude basically went underground and hid to sit out his contract. Played piano bars and that’s where the song comes from
River of Dreams will blow your mind. Also I was stationed in Germany in the late 70s. Mad props to your dad for his service and for raising you. He did a great job.
Oh my gosh - in his concerts - Piano Man is always the last song - entire Stadiums sing other - it is amazing - blessed to have experienced this more than once in my life
Billy Joel is one of the most versatile artists out there. He excels at storytelling and he is not confined to any single genre. Recommendations for Billy Joel songs to show the breadth of his songwriting and musicianship: The Longest Time, The Downeaster Alexa, Christie Lee, Lullaby, The Ballad Of Billy The Kid, The River Of Dreams.
This song is from the 80’s, but I started listening to Billy Joel on my brothers’ album, The Stranger, which was from the 70’s. Here are just some of Billy Joel’s greats, since you asked. Listen to all of these, you'll be happy: You're My Home Captain Jack The Entertainer New York State Of Mind She's Always A Woman Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) Only The Good Die Young Just The Way You Are Honesty My Life It's Still Rock And Roll To Me Scenes from an Italian Restaurant You May Be Right Don't Ask Me Why She's Got A Way Allentown You May Be Right Always a Woman All for Leyna Vienna He's a true poet, a painter with words, and a great storyteller. Enjoy the journey. Love how you’re articulate, your enthusiasm and that you always get it.
BP. Ya gotta catch up. Billy Joel is one of the most prolific singer/songwriters in pop history. Great in concert. One of the things that makes him so unique is the wide variety of styles he writes/sings in. Also has written a full blown symphony. All the best and keep up the great work.
"🎶 but it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete, when I wore a younger man clothes"🎶 What a poetic and beautiful way to say you were young at the time. I have always loved that line. 😊
I have been a Billy Joel fan since i was a kid. I used to go to see his concerts & they were awesome. Piano Man turned 50 last year, i couldn't believe that it had been around that long. It seems that he has a different style for a lot of the songs, you never knew what to expect when you heard one of his songs for the first time.
"Piano Man" was Billy Joel's breakout hit, released back in 1973. He's a brilliant songwriter and the breadth of his subjects and musical styles over the decades is tremendous. One of my favorites is a song about the facades we show to others called, "The Stranger," from his 1977 album of the same name . To clarify, Billy Joel didn't start with "Uptown Girl." That was a song was released in 1983, after he was very established. It was included on an album (An Innocent Man) that basically represented an homage to the music of his youth. "We Didn't Start The Fire" is more recent still (1989) but again, he is looking back on events that took place throughout his lifetime.
You have got a D dive in the Billy Joel. He is absolutely incredible. I saw him play live in the piano, two piano tour with Elton John and they played for over four hours. It was incredible and they can play each other songs just at the drop of a beat there wasn’t any kind of autotune, there wasn’t any kind of lip-synching Elton could sing Billy songs they could play one another songs they were just!
He wrote this song from his personal experience singing in a bar when he was struggling a bit. The people in the bar were real people at the time he sang in the bar.
Billy's repertoire is extensive. His style is undefinable and his skill and artistry are unequalled. New York State of mind live and the Old Grey Whistle is epic!
I never once thought that that song affected me so much was because my Dad served 32 years, but it may part of it. My Dad was very angry with how Vietnam veterans were treated when they came home, and when I played him the song, he got teary. We Canadians have always supported our NATO cousins, but none more so than our brothers across the border
"I have to look up what else he's done!" 🤣😂🤣😆 Everything! Billy Joel is a legend and you can't go wrong with any Billy Joel song! Welcome to the rabbit hole.......😊❤
She threw his drink in his lap-girl got moves. Way to cool him off fast. There’s so many characters here and you can find them in any bar anywhere in the US.
40+ years listening to Billy Joel tells me it will take you some time to listen to all his hits. I am jealous, wishing I could hear them all again for the first time. One prolific musical genius.
Billy Joel is amazing, not just because of his performance and composition skills, but for the sheer breadth of his style. His songs range from cheery pop, to ballads, to zydeco, to folk, to hard rock. He even dabbled his feet in classical composing.
'Dabbled his feet in classical composing'? Well, considering he began classical piano lessons at age 4, and his father was ALSO a classical musician...
@@chris...9497 Oh yeah, I'm fully aware of his training and performance chops. I was referring to his Fantasies & Delusions album, where he was playing classical music of his own composing.
Billy Joel is an American icon and national treasure. His music has spanned decades and his piano skills are incomparable. 23 Grammy nominations, 6 wins. His album The Bridge is one of my favorites. "Turn the Lights Back On" is a song he just released in 2023. His first new song in 16 years or something like that. He's been bringing it for 50+ years.
There are two types of people: people who love Billy Joel's songs, and people who don't know they love Billy Joel's songs
I'd say there's 3 types of people.
Those who know they love Billy Joel's songs.
Those who don't know they know Billy Joel's songs.
And those who lead their lives on Twitter hating on everything, because they ain't got anything better to do in their lives apparently.
Hahaha its true!
Exactly!!!
I disowned my brother because he does not like Billy Joel!
There are people who love Billy Joel and people who have bad taste in music.
"They're sharing a drink they call loneliness, but its better than drinking alone"
One of the best and most profound lines in all of music, IMHO.
Agree!
Sums up my life
I agree, but unfortunately I think it's an amazing line that gets lost in this video due the guy patting the waitress on her rear, as that distracts the viewer/listener from the song. Other than that one part, I love the video.
This!
@@thehonestman26 This is what I came here to say. The best lyric in the whole song, and it's completely overshadowed by the video creator's interpretation. Almost as bad is John.. In my mind, he's at least passably good looking; which gives some credence to believing he could be a movie star. This guy makes it looks like they're playing it for laughs. That wasn't Billy's intention.
His greatest hits is a 4-album/CD set and none of it is filler. Among the best storytellers of the century if not the best in music.
Whilst there are songs that resonate deeper in my soul, I 100% judge people that don't like this song.
100% haha. If anyone says this song is crap their taste in music is irrelevant
I agree!
Facts😂
@@YorkshireRippler I hear ya. When I hear someone say they hate this song, I want to ask them "Did it hurt when your soul died?"
Agree!!
You should watch Billy perform New York State of Mind. It's Amazing!!
Everything Billy Joel performs is amazing! But I'll grant you "New York State of Mind" Is one of his best.
The performance in Central Park with Garth Brooks was legendary.
Yes on BBC Old Grey Whistle Stop.
One of my favorite story telling songs, is we didn’t start the fire, that song is crazy
Spot on.
"Son can you play me a memory,
I'm not really sure how it goes
But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete
when I wore a younger man's clothes"
Poetry
Yes!
The comments of "this looks like a movie" .... Just reminds me of when MTV 1st came about and actually had music videos...
What was your favorite video? I hadn't thought about that until now...I was born in 74 so it was MTV was prime for me...I think Metallica's Unforgiven was pretty awesome, Jeremy was awesome...but I loved the Unplugged stuff the best I think...
Billy Joel is one cool guy... he doesn't sell front row seats to his concerts. He has his people go up to the cheap seats and brings what he calls his true fans down to the front.
Good on him! Not many would do that!
LOL I was going to post the same thing 😉 it's such a cool aspect of the man
So cool that he fires his longtime band members without telling them. He's a horses patootie!
@@SnoBear626 You know there are two sides to every story, right?
Several band members have been with him for 20, 30 or 40 years and are and were free to go off and do other projects and tour with other acts because they are free agents and not exclusively Billy Joel band members.
He also kept paying from his own pocket, all of his current band members during the pandemic despite them not playing any shows and this below hardly reflects badly on him either.
Multi-instrumentalist Crystal Taliefero - best known for her work with ongoing work with Billy Joel, along with Bruce Springsteen, and John Mellencamp - revealed she was diagnosed with Stage Two breast cancer in February. In a new wide-ranging interview with Rolling Stone, Taliefero spoke candidly about all aspects of her career, but couldn't help but show some major love for the "Piano Man" - who's been helping her during this troubling time.
She said, "Here’s another thing about my boss. I have to say it. When I got diagnosed, he was the first one that jumped right in and said, 'Check this doctor out. We have a relationship with these guys over here.' So helpful. And that’s for all of us. When a tech guy had to have surgery for his diabetes, Billy was all over that. He cares. He really, genuinely cares about his family. And I consider this my road family."
Taliefero, who began touring with Billy Joel in support of his 1989 Storm Front album, explained, "He’s always been upfront with us, which is a rarity these days. If I can be a little candid about my boss. . . It doesn’t get any better. This is it. You’re not going to see too many people like him. He’s a rarity. He does things that 90 percent of other people just don’t do. He thinks about us. He’s concerned about us. During this pandemic, he’s paid our salaries. Come on, man. I’m starting to get emotional here. . . Pretty amazing. It’s unselfish. It’s loving. It’s all of the above. That’s probably one of the main reasons he’s been so blessed. He’s not a taker, let’s put it like that."
He does that too? I know Garth Brooks does it for the front two rows.
True story . .makes the best songs
Genius songwriter, Billy Joel has a huge catalog-rock, doo-wop, jazzy, bluesy, he has it all. I suggest “only the Good Die Young” as the next Billy Joel reaction.
Nah - @blackpegasusraps knows sound booth, mixing, etc, etc. - "The Longest Time" was *cutting edge* for it's time - it blew our parent's minds - in what, like eighty three? four? - can't remember, but I remember my mother LOVED the harmony in that song and told everyone she met "You know Billy Joel does all the parts on that, right? He's all the voices; they're all him. That's all Billy Joel, and there's no instru ments except a bass. It's all Billy Joel."
@@TruCat I agree with your mom. The Longest Time is my vote for the best Billy Joel song. Although, I love New York State of Mind, too.
Still Rock and Roll to Me, You May Be Right, Movin' Out, Pressure, We Didn't Start the Fire... SO many good songs to choose from.
Definitely that next and basically that whole album
All great but Downeaster Alexa gets me every time. Like my heart soars with that song in a soul memory kind of way that I wonder if everyone feels when hearing it.
My daughter and I were in a random bar/restaurant last year in Pennsylvania, this song came on and I tell you every single person in that place sang this at the top of their lungs. It was superb.
I have been in a bar where people weren’t really paying attention to the piano player. He started this song and the room filled up so quickly with everyone singing along. This song gets a crowd going, at least it used to, I don’t know if it does now.
If you are ever in a bar and this song plays and people don’t sing along you are in the wrong kind of bar lol
He's from Long Island. I used to go to Fire Island a lot in the summer. In a bar in Ocean Beach, when this song somes on everyone's sings at the top of their lungs and swings the pendant lamps hanging over the horseshoe shaped bar to the song. Great time.
Nice! ❤
Same thing happened to me in a bar when American Pie came on jukebox....everyone sang along!
"Ima have to look up this Billy Joel guy" I AM DECEASED 💀💀💀😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣
This sound I heard set the stage for TV series Cheers.
Piano Man-written about his days playing in a piano bar.
Uptown Girl-written about his then wife Christy Brinkley.
We Didn't Start The Fire-written after a younger friend told him nothing important happened historically during his lifetime. He sat down and started naming all the important historical and cultural events that happen since he was born.
He is such an amazing songwriter. Great reaction!! 😊
"Piano Man" written WHILE playing the piano bars.
"Uptown Girl" written about his girlfriends Elle MacPherson and Christie Brinkley BEFORE he got serious enough to propose and marry her.
"We Didn't Start the Fire" written after that history-ignorant statement was said to him by 21yo Julian Lennon.
I love A Matter of Trust
Uptown girl isn’t about Christy it’s about Elle mc something. He dated her first. Sorry I’m a Billy geek.
The song was originally titled "Uptown Girls", plural. Billy Joel was dating both when he wrote it, although he was dating Elle first. By the time he made the video and released the song, he had committed to Christie.@@maryjohnson6796
Didn't start the fire.....cool....did not know.
Great song ...great story teller
No joke, the best thing is watching you realize you've been sleeping on one of the all-time greats
Every Billy Joel album is a different genre, this man is a f****** genius and always has been.
Billy Joel is a story teller. I'm a UK RAF Veteran. Billy has a song about the Vietnam war called Goodnight Saigon.
It's a must watch,
yes,yes,yes
It all about the lonliness of so many who wander into the bars to find sone form of joy
I know you aren't an American, but thank you for your service, mate.
There's a legend about how this song was written that just adds to the atmosphere even more. Supposedly, this song is a true story, a compilation of tales about people Joel met while doing a residency at a small piano bar. He was trying to get out of a contract with his label at the time, but they refused to let him go. So he spent the rest of the contract period hidden away in this bar, playing for guests instead of doing tours. When he was finally free, this was the very first song he wrote, a tribute to all the people he'd gotten to know.
And there's the thematic resonance of all the people trapped by circumstances while Billy's trapped in his contract.
@malcolmrowe9003 "and they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar and say 'Man, what are you doing here?'"
@@paulp9274 Exactly. Cause they KNEW it was Billy Joel who could pack 40k+ venues and he is playing piano in some crummy "dive bar"????
Under an assumed name.
No, it's true: he played as "Bill Martin" in The Executive Room in LA.
It warms my heart to see the young generations discovering the 60s, 70s & early 80s music.
Music was made from the Soul back then.
I miss it😊
If you start listening to him you will be listening forever. He wrote it all and plays and sings it all.
Billy Joel has been making hits for decades. I'm 58 years old and he has been putting out favorites of mine since I was a kid.
I have him to thank for my existence, probably. My parents met because my mom (who was in the Air Force at the time) refused to dance to Goodnight Saigon out of respect, and my dad, a Vietnam Vet, thought that was really classy and went over to talk to her. She LOVES that song, of course, it's just more a song to sing and listen to than dance to.
hes in his 70s
I'm 55 and yeah, my mother had his records, so I grew up on his music. I've seen him live twice and would happily go again.
I'm 58 as well..I think I still have one of his 8-tracks down in my basement somewhere! Just love his whole collection.
Billy Joel has an epic catalog of music, and so many of them have speak to you on different levels.
And he also wrote symphonic music.
My favorite line in this song "Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness/But it's better than drinkin' alone." I love Billy Joel. His songs are all very different but all rich in storytelling set to great music.
When this song came out in 1973, we didn't have internet, youtube, cell phones, etc. We just rode around in our old cars and listened to this on the radio. We had to listen to the words and formulate the movie in our heads. Most artists didn't make music videos until MTV started in 1981.
I know you said "most artists" and you are right that videos took off much more after MTV came along and this particular version of the Piano Man video came out in around 1985, but there was an earlier original from 1973 that is also on UA-cam that I think was filmed in Australia where Billy also plays the harmonica too.
Thanks! I'll try to find it..@@seanscanlon9067
Love your comment. For me, it was 1984 with MTV, but Billy was there before MTV. And you know what? he didn't give a damn. He has always been dedicated to the music and that's it, end of story.
Crazy to think I was 9 when this was released and I'll be 60 this year.
@@williamh4172 Yep, exactly the same for me. I'll be 60 in August.
We called him "the storyteller" when I was young! His poetry is off the charts -- although it put him on the charts! 😅
He hid out in a piano bar for a period and wrote this homage to all the souls he met. Also, look up one of his B-sides, called "Vienna.'
Amazing song writer, singer, piano player a true legend. So young when he wrote all those unbelievably beautiful songs. One of my personal favorites is his "Only The Good Die Young."
Before Billy made it big , he moved out to LA and played piano at a bar to make ends meet. This song was released in the early 70s and then became a hit in the 80s. So they had to make a video to go with it
Thanks for the history! Much appreciated!!❤
Many of the characters in the song are based on real people he met while working that gig.
His first wife was the waitress at the bar he played at.
This is actually the second video for this song. Here’s original one: ua-cam.com/video/hRlsu-4BNv8/v-deo.htmlsi=sPukDAbwDjH7WCxp
Haha ! "how did we go from Piano Man, to Uptown Girl, to We didn't start the fire?" Welcome to the Billy Joel fan club.
When you paint with precisely the right words, you can practically smell the room. It's like magic, leaving you feeling nostalgic for a place you've never been to before.
Yes, honey!! Billy Joel is an amazing story teller! I’m sure by now you’ve been playing ALL kinds of Billy Joel 👏🏼
If you want your jaw to drop on a Billy Joel song, look up For the Longest Time. He overlays his own voice singing 6 different parts to make it sound like he's a full acapella group. The range of his octive register was legendary. Uptown Girl is also incredible.
Right. For the Longest Time is not one sleep on. Very well layered and amazing that he did it all.
YES!! Forgot that one. It always makes me so happy.
Yes! It’s classic!
Billy Joel was actually called The Piano Man. He started out singing and playing in a piano bar. He wrote his own songs, and he is phenomenal.
Scenes From An Italian Restaurant is an epic Billy Joel song, you'll love it.
incredible!
But you need to do the Live version.
There's not a bad or even so-so song on his album The Stranger.
Ooh yeah, that’s a good one.
I think that's my favorite song, inspired by the Beatles, a day in the life. 3 songs came together for one incredible song
He's been doing this since the 70s! His catalog has to be massive. He's so, so good. Do yourself a favor and check out his songs. "She's Always a Woman", for one, is gorgeous. ❤
It's not "beta" to be respectful to others. It's actually how we should all behave.
Can't believe nobody has mentioned how he refuses to sell front row tickets to his concerts and instead scouts out people from further back in the audience to give them out for free.
I was actually one of those who got invited to the second row! It was awesome!!
'Only The Good Die Young' thats my favorite Billy Joel song.
Agreed
“Always a woman”, one of the best songs of all time
Keeping the Faith, Matter of Trust, Still Rock and Roll to Me, Pressure, We Didn’t Start the Fire…I could go on and on. Billy Joel is great.
Matter of Trust is one of my favorite videos, much less songs!
Pressure is a good one! All for Leyna slaps hard also
My favorite line is "their sharing a drink they call loneliness but its better than drinking alone" that line is so deep
Not meaning to be a dick here but it is 'they're' sharing, as in they are.
Their sharing changes the context a little.
Modern artists can take big lessons from Billy Joel. Musically and lyrically brilliant!
Theres a german word called "schunkeln", which means to link arms and sway back and forth while drinking and singing. This song is perfect for it.
LOL!!! This is what's great about reactions - You have to appreciate the Billy Joel fan base watching you blow up real-time discovering him for the first time!
Blly Joel is eternal. My 52 year old daughter and 23 year old granddaughter asked for tickets to a Blly Joel and Stevie Nicks concert for Christmas last year. They know great music.
We have tickets too❤
👌
Billy Joel is one of the greatest songwriters of all time. And he can make the piano sound like rock and roll! He has also has an ongoing residency at Madison Square Garden and has sold out over 100 times in a row.
Definitely check him and his band out live, “Big Shot”, “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant”, “Only the Good Die Young”, “Good isn’t Saigon”.
"Goodnight Saigon"
I think you got a little over-excited there...
Been listening to him since 1978
Listen to 'Cause she's always a women to me', I love Billy Joel
Billy Joel has always had a way with words. “It’s sad and it’s sweet and I knew it complete, when I wore a younger man’s clothes” genius.
Uptown Girl was written about his Super Model wife Christy Brinkley, who stars in the video of the song.
Beat me to saying this
it's not actually about Christy though he was dating her when it came out and she was the star if was actually another super model it was written about Elle McPherson
Whenever he asks what did he do my mind always thinks of Christy Brinkley since she was a supermodel, and still beautiful, while I was growing up.
Christy Brinkleydid star in uptown girl video. She was his wife then.
I'm 54 and can tell you the bar scene died before Covid. We used to go to bars in the 80's and 90's and socialise and drink, Its gone now, people can't communicate anymore. The video is more about the characters you find in bars that never change.
yep. I miss it
I love the irony of that last lyric - “and they sit at the bar and put bread (cash) in my jar, - then say man, what are YOU doing here? The question of course is what are any of them doing there.
His catalog is unreal🔥🔥🔥 New York State of Mind unbelievable! Musical legend ❤️
Totally second New York state of mind.
Live version from the 70’s, maybe early 80’s.
I remember after 9/11 happened how the government tried to go "normal life" was billie joel performing New York State of Mind. That was a powerful performance.
The variety of his hit songs are the main reason he's in the songwriter's hall of fame! Well deserved!
I heard Billy Joel tell this story in an interview. His father was adamant that Billy become a classical pianist and was very disappointed when Billy took his classical training and turned it into a Pop/Rock career. His father would never really admit that Billy was successful since his success wasn't in the Classical music world. One day Billy and his father were walking down Fifth Avenue in NYC and they noticed a limousine parked at the curb half way up the block. As they were standing there, Itzhak Perlman came out of the building and was headed for the car. Billy's father got so excited to see the world-renowned violinist, and he said to Billy "Look! Oh my god! It's Itzhak Perlman!!" Perlman glanced their direction and recognized Billy. The three gathered and Itzhak was incredibly excited to meet "The Billy Joel!" He told him how much he enjoyed his music and that he listened to it constantly and that he was Billy's biggest fan. They spoke for a few minutes and then Itzhak said he had to leave to make a meeting. As he was leaving, he told Billy, "we must work together! Let's stay in touch!" He got in the limo and departed leaving Billy and his father completely stunned. Billy's father turned to him and said, "I guess you really ARE a big deal." His father completely supported his career choices after that and Billy and Itzhak ended up performing together in each other's concerts.
Billy Joel is an institution. He calls Madison Square Gardens "his house." He has courageously reinvented himself with every album, venturing into different musical styles and periods. If all musicians were this courageous and inventive we would all be richer for it. Thank God he still performs so we can still get a taste every once in a while!
You can never go wrong with Billy Joel. The man is a true legend
Go down the rabbit hole of Billy Joel. You will be pleasantly surprised
"Scenes from An Italian Restaurant" will blow your mind. And you could throw darts at his music library and come up with pure gold each time.
But I still say "Leningrad" is one of the best songs ever produced. The world needs more like it.
❤❤❤ it was so amazing growing up in the 80's. Our music was everything.
🥹my childhood was filled up with brilliant music and I will be thankful for this till the end of (my) time
Billy Joel was awarded a lifetime achievement award.
He deserves it.
Billy Joel is considered a legend. He has so many amazing songs. Loved this review!
I've been to close to 200 concerts & I can honestly say, Billy Joel is EXCELLENT in concert, a great showman WELL WORTH the money!!
Every song written tells a story. Every song. Billy is a great writer/singer.
Saw him 4 times in concert. Chills everytime he plays this , 50,000 people singing the chorus . Amazing
The story behind this song is great. Conflict with the record company. Dude basically went underground and hid to sit out his contract. Played piano bars and that’s where the song comes from
River of Dreams will blow your mind. Also I was stationed in Germany in the late 70s. Mad props to your dad for his service and for raising you. He did a great job.
Oh my gosh - in his concerts - Piano Man is always the last song - entire Stadiums sing other - it is amazing - blessed to have experienced this more than once in my life
Can't wait to see him in Oct.
Lovethe way you are so surprised!
Not only does he sing and play them....he writes them all too!! Mega talent 😁😁🇬🇧
Billy Joel is one of the most versatile artists out there. He excels at storytelling and he is not confined to any single genre. Recommendations for Billy Joel songs to show the breadth of his songwriting and musicianship: The Longest Time, The Downeaster Alexa, Christie Lee, Lullaby, The Ballad Of Billy The Kid, The River Of Dreams.
Hi, I so much enjoy watching you react to the music I grew up with !
This song is from the 80’s, but I started listening to Billy Joel on my brothers’ album, The Stranger, which was from the 70’s. Here are just some of Billy Joel’s greats, since you asked. Listen to all of these, you'll be happy:
You're My Home
Captain Jack
The Entertainer
New York State Of Mind
She's Always A Woman
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
Only The Good Die Young
Just The Way You Are
Honesty
My Life
It's Still Rock And Roll To Me
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
You May Be Right
Don't Ask Me Why
She's Got A Way
Allentown
You May Be Right
Always a Woman
All for Leyna
Vienna
He's a true poet, a painter with words, and a great storyteller. Enjoy the journey. Love how you’re articulate, your enthusiasm and that you always get it.
@swtp32 The video may be from the 80s but the song was on his 1973 album Piano Man. I had it on 8 track in my car stereo in high school (class of 74).
BP. Ya gotta catch up. Billy Joel is one of the most prolific singer/songwriters in pop history. Great in concert.
One of the things that makes him so unique is the wide variety of styles he writes/sings in. Also has written a full blown symphony.
All the best and keep up the great work.
"🎶 but it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete, when I wore a younger man clothes"🎶
What a poetic and beautiful way to say you were young at the time.
I have always loved that line. 😊
My Favorite Billy Joel songs are - Pressure - Only the Good Die Young - Movin Out - Just the way you are - Still Rock and Roll to me
I actually prefer it without the video. So this is a video long after this song made him famous. He was only 24 when he wrote this.
I have been a Billy Joel fan since i was a kid. I used to go to see his concerts & they were awesome. Piano Man turned 50 last year, i couldn't believe that it had been around that long. It seems that he has a different style for a lot of the songs, you never knew what to expect when you heard one of his songs for the first time.
"Piano Man" was Billy Joel's breakout hit, released back in 1973. He's a brilliant songwriter and the breadth of his subjects and musical styles over the decades is tremendous. One of my favorites is a song about the facades we show to others called, "The Stranger," from his 1977 album of the same name .
To clarify, Billy Joel didn't start with "Uptown Girl." That was a song was released in 1983, after he was very established. It was included on an album (An Innocent Man) that basically represented an homage to the music of his youth. "We Didn't Start The Fire" is more recent still (1989) but again, he is looking back on events that took place throughout his lifetime.
I thought Uptown Girl was for Christie Brinkley ? supermodel that he was dating and eventually married ?
@@nadjasunflower1387 Initially, it was for Elle McPherson.
You have got a D dive in the Billy Joel. He is absolutely incredible. I saw him play live in the piano, two piano tour with Elton John and they played for over four hours. It was incredible and they can play each other songs just at the drop of a beat there wasn’t any kind of autotune, there wasn’t any kind of lip-synching Elton could sing Billy songs they could play one another songs they were just!
He wrote this song from his personal experience singing in a bar when he was struggling a bit. The people in the bar were real people at the time he sang in the bar.
So, I recently figured out I know way more Billy Joel than I thought. He had hits in several decades. Songs I knew but did not realize was him.
Billy's repertoire is extensive. His style is undefinable and his skill and artistry are unequalled. New York State of mind live and the Old Grey Whistle is epic!
That was SO FUN watching you realize how MANY songs Billy Joel sang. YES, all of his songs are so different, he's a genius.
When this comes on at the bar and karaoke, and the whole bar sings along. It feels good ❤❤❤
My favorite Billy Joel moment is when he stopped playing in the middle of the Grammys to protest them playing Sinatra off the stage.
It's biographical. It's how Billy Joels career began.
Billy Joel has three Greatest Hits Albums, not one duplicate on them, I own all three. He is an amazing artist, and yes he writes his own songs.
innocent man, uptown girl, river of dreams, only the good die young. so many greats
We didnt start the fire - one of my favorite too.
If your dad served, you should check out “Good Night Saigon” by Billy Joel
Totally. Amazing song
I never once thought that that song affected me so much was because my Dad served 32 years, but it may part of it. My Dad was very angry with how Vietnam veterans were treated when they came home, and when I played him the song, he got teary. We Canadians have always supported our NATO cousins, but none more so than our brothers across the border
Especially an older live version, where all the Vietnam veteran roadies come on stage.
Billy Joel anything. Pick anything.
Perfectly said 👍🎶🙂
"I have to look up what else he's done!" 🤣😂🤣😆 Everything! Billy Joel is a legend and you can't go wrong with any Billy Joel song! Welcome to the rabbit hole.......😊❤
Still Rock and Roll to Me, great Billy Joel song.
You could spend a week listening to his music. He writes his own lyrics, music and arrangements. He is a singer-songwriter-
musician extraordinaire!
When this song comes on at a karaoke bar.. it's such a good time. EVERYONE gets involved.
Love watching him discover songs and artists many of us have been listening to for years.
You are right. It doesn't matter what a woman wears, a man has no right to touch her body.
What if she wears a shirt that says "You have my consent to touch my body." on the front and back of the shirt?
She threw his drink in his lap-girl got moves. Way to cool him off fast. There’s so many characters here and you can find them in any bar anywhere in the US.
40+ years listening to Billy Joel tells me it will take you some time to listen to all his hits. I am jealous, wishing I could hear them all again for the first time. One prolific musical genius.
Billy Joel is amazing, not just because of his performance and composition skills, but for the sheer breadth of his style. His songs range from cheery pop, to ballads, to zydeco, to folk, to hard rock. He even dabbled his feet in classical composing.
'Dabbled his feet in classical composing'?
Well, considering he began classical piano lessons at age 4, and his father was ALSO a classical musician...
@@chris...9497 Oh yeah, I'm fully aware of his training and performance chops. I was referring to his Fantasies & Delusions album, where he was playing classical music of his own composing.
Good old times, no autotune, just the real voice with instruments, Billy is great. Listen "Honesty" is beautiful
Billy Joel is a freaking Legend!!!!! He has soooo many songs!!!!! Listen to his album Glass Houses!!! Every song is AMAZING!!!!! 🔥
Billy Joel is an American icon and national treasure. His music has spanned decades and his piano skills are incomparable. 23 Grammy nominations, 6 wins. His album The Bridge is one of my favorites. "Turn the Lights Back On" is a song he just released in 2023. His first new song in 16 years or something like that. He's been bringing it for 50+ years.
30 years. His last album was River Of Dreams, 1993.
Billy Joel is one of the best musical artists of all time. You need to listen to his entire catalog