I am the entertainer
And I know just where I stand
Another serenader
And another long-haired band
Today I am your champion
I may have won your hearts
But I know the game, you'll forget my name
And I won't be here in another year
If I don't stay on the charts

I am the entertainer
I'm dressed in the style
I wear all kinds of sparkles
I flash the crowd my smile
But when the night is over
And I stand without my clothes
Perspiration stains and varicose veins
My eyes look shot
My belly's got a pot
And there's a pimple on my nose

I am the entertainer
Been all around the world
I've played all kinds of palaces
And laid all kinds of girls
I can't remember faces
I don't remember names
Ah, but what the hell
You know it's just as well
'Cause after a while and a thousand miles
It all becomes the same

I am the entertainer
I bring to you my songs
I'd like to spend a day or two
I can't stay that long
No, I've got to meet expenses
I got to stay in line
Gotta get those fees to the agencies
And I'd love to stay but there's bills to pay
So I just don't have the time

I am the entertainer
I come to do my show
You've heard my latest record
It's been on the radio
Ah, it took me years to write it
They were the best years of my life
It was a beautiful song
But it ran too long
If you're gonna have a hit
You gotta make it fit
So they cut it down to 3:05

I am the entertainer
The idol of my age
I make all kinds of money
When I go on the stage
Ah, you've seen me in the papers
I've been in the magazines
But if I go cold I won't get sold
I'll get put in the back in the discount rack
Like another can of beans

I am the entertainer
And I know just where I stand
Another serenader
And another long-haired band
Today I am your champion
I may have won your hearts
But I know the game, you'll forget my name
I won't be here in another year
If I don't stay on the charts



Lyrics submitted by kevin

Track duration: 03:39

"The Entertainer" as written by Billy Joel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


The Entertainer song meanings
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11 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:This song is so great! Though, it was the only hit single on the album "Streetlife Serenade" I LOVE the album cover.
    Flag KennyIngramon October 22, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I just wanted to say I played this song for my dad a while back and when he gets to the part where he says: "I've learned to dance with a hand in my pants" my dad was like, "WTF?" ROFL!
    Flag WaxAngelWingson March 24, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:to Globberts/bugmenot123:

    "I am the entertainer
    And I dress to fit the style
    I wear all kinds of sparkles
    I flash the crowd my smile

    But when the night is over
    And I stand without my clothes
    Perspiration stains, vericose veins
    My eyes look shot
    My belly's gone pot
    And there's a pimple on my nose"
    Flag Palomitzon April 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:globberts:

    I have never heard that, but I am fascinated. Google has left me alone on the subject of extra verses... get your friend who knows the verses to post them here!
    Flag bugmenot123on August 25, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:One thing about this song, Billy Joel actually made something like 12 more verses, which have never been released. I've been told by a person who knows the verses that they were very good, and pretty funny.
    Flag globbertson April 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:excuse me, no "bride" but "bridge".
    Flag crdesqon March 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Just a general statement by BJ on what he thinks of the music biz - that its great for everyone but the talent. That they use up the artist and work him hard until he is done, and then move onto the next victim:
    I am the entertainer, I bring to you my songs
    "I'd like to spend a day or two but I can't stay that long
    I got to meet expenses, I got to stay in line
    Got to get those fees to the agencies
    And I'd love to stay but there's bills to pay.
    So I just don't have the time

    I love how there is no bride in this song, and every verse just adds in another instrument until you hear the whole band at the end.
    Flag crdesqon March 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This verse is just the best: I am the entertainer, I've come to do my show
    You've heard my latest record, it's been on the radio
    It took me years to write it, they were the best years of my life
    It was a beautiful song but it ran too long
    If you're gonna have a hit you gotta make it fit
    So they cut it down to 3:05

    I was so surprised when I was singing along with "Piano Man" on the radio when I began singing a verse and a different one was being played. My parents explained to me that songs that are too long are cut short, and I thought that was insane.
    Flag lilamishgirl26on March 05, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:he was simply telling it like it is -- you gota have a hit or or YOU'RE GONE. Remember, there was no MTV or videos when this song was written. Image was less important than talent. If the public didn't buy your record, you were GONE. Period.
    Flag LolaBaton November 20, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This reminds me of American Idol.

    -EE
    Flag Endarireon June 01, 2004   Link

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