About The Song
Released in 1973, “Piano Man” is a classic song that paints a vivid picture of a weary musician’s nightly routine in a small-town bar. Joel’s lyrics capture the bittersweet melancholy of a life spent entertaining others, while also offering a glimpse into the hopes and dreams of the patrons who frequent the establishment.
The song’s iconic opening line, “Sing us a song, you’re the piano man,” immediately sets the scene and invites the listener to step into the world of the song’s protagonist. The musician, likely a struggling artist, spends his nights playing requests and listening to the stories of his patrons. He encounters a wide range of characters, from the aging bartender to the young waitress, each with their own aspirations and disappointments.
Throughout the song, Joel uses vivid imagery and relatable anecdotes to create a sense of nostalgia and empathy. He describes the bar’s atmosphere, the sounds of the jukebox, and the conversations that take place around him. The musician’s perspective is both sympathetic and detached, as he observes the lives of others while grappling with his own unfulfilled ambitions.
The song’s chorus, “Sing us a song, you’re the piano man,” serves as a recurring refrain, reminding the listener of the musician’s central role in the bar’s social scene. It also suggests a certain detachment, as if the musician is performing for the patrons while remaining somewhat removed from their lives.
“Piano Man” is more than just a song about a musician’s nightly routine. It is a reflection on the human condition, exploring themes of loneliness, longing, and the pursuit of dreams. The song’s timeless appeal lies in its ability to connect with listeners on a personal level, evoking memories, emotions, and a sense of shared experience.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday
The regular crowd shuffles in
There’s an old man sitting next to me
Making love to his tonic and gin
He says, “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.”
Sing us a song you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feeling alright
Now John at the bar is a friend of mine
He gets me my drinks for free
And he’s quick with a joke or to light up your smoke
But there’s someplace that he’d rather be
He says, “Bill, I believe this is killing me.”
As the smile ran away from his face
“Well, I’m sure that I could be a movie star
If I could get out of this place.”
Now Paul is a real estate novelist
Who never had time for a wife
And he’s talking with Davy, who’s still in the Navy
And probably will be for life
And the waitress is practicing politics
As the businessmen slowly get stoned
Yes they’re sharing a drink they call “Loneliness”
But it’s better than drinking alone
Sing us a song you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feeling alright
It’s a pretty good crowd for a Saturday
And the manager gives me a smile
‘Cause he knows that it’s me they’ve been coming to see
To forget about life for a while
And the piano it sounds like a carnival
And the microphone smells like a beer
And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar
And say, “Man, what are you doing here?”
Sing us a song you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feeling alright