It's nine o'clock on a Saturday
The Regular crowd shuffles in
There's an old man sitting next to me
Makin' 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."

La la la, di da da
La la, di da da da dum

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 feelin' 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"

Oh, la la la, di da da
La la, di da da da dum

Now Paul is a real estate novelist
Who never had time for a wife
And he's talkin' 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 drinkin' 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 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 comin' 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 doin' here?"

Oh, la la la, di da da
La la, di da da da dum

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 got us feeling alright



Lyrics submitted by kevin

Track duration: 05:36

"Piano Man" as written by Billy Joel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Piano Man song meanings
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133 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:His signature song
    Flag Yazardshiron April 12, 2013   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:i couldnt help but think this song is about the failure of the american dream as i just finished writing an essay on the great gatsby. the fact that the people were born in a small town in the middle of nowhere limits their dreams because they'll never have the opportunities that would might of had if they had been born somewhere else.
    the actual piano man represent the american dream and gives the people hope to keep going on with their life despite the fact that they will never be able to achieve their dreams.
    Flagged snevans201on November 24, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:This is a song people who are stuck in a small town and cannot pursue there dreams. However, Billy Joel is the piano man and got out of the small town. The lyrics are sad but the instrumentals make it seem happy
    Flagged gregb429on September 05, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment::_( , the best sad song I heard in my life
    Flagged Hamzaon May 30, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is a representation of the human side of everyone. Some very accomplished people staring into their drink and even he is playing at a mere local gathering. All people have their dark moments and it is great having something to make them smile or feel good. A little like seeing an old friend and this is kind of like what this song is...an old friend.
    Flag chipporaideron December 03, 2011   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning:The ultimate slow-it-down, grab a friend, and sway back and forth song. But the tune is a deep metaphor for the fundamental disappointments of life in individuals young and old, public and private sector, and, even, “successful” and “unsuccessful”. It doesn’t matter if you are a Navy lifer, a bartender, or a successful businessman; all people live with disappointments, regrets, and failures. However, the portrait painted by the lyricist shows how all of these flawed, melancholy people come together for one night to put all of their troubles aside and celebrate life with one another. The piano player serves as the focal point of the community’s diversion. In many ways, the song is summed up by the line, ‘He knows that it’s me that they’re coming to see to forget about life for a while’. It ultimately works as a microcosm of any community in which a flawed individual finds a sense of oneness and an escape from an often depressing existence.
    Flagged BillyEltonNeilon October 27, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:omg i love this song! i wish billy joel knew me
    Flagged kmhatamion June 27, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I'm not trying to define every lyric, but one thing that I get from the song is a "no ambition" kinda feel.
    Flagged x123321xon May 01, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Memory:My babysiter used to play this song while she was babysitting at my house. It was the song that started a lifelong love affair with Billy Joel's music.
    Flagged Dragonsgrrlon January 13, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:this song was in Castle last night
    Flagged tipkidon December 07, 2010   Link

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