Billy Joel - Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (Reaction!)

Never thought we'd do Billy Joel on the channel. You know, that was pretty good.
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[@dipsydoodle7988]

I laughed when you said there were too many words! 😂 Every Long Islander can sing this song word for word, right along with Billy. Pretty sure we learned the lyrics in the womb! 😂

[@karenwalsh1143]

Ain't that the truth!!!! He still lives on long Island about a mile away from me... we see him alot in the summer riding his motorcycle around Bayville

[@dipsydoodle7988]

@@karenwalsh1143 brethren!

[@theConquerersMama]

Right???

[@MoMoMyPup10]

Yeah the real trick is singing it while you're wailing away on the piano! Same with Elton's Funeral For a Friend. Not to mention remembering and playing every other song in the set like a legend. Each person has to come to rehearsal having their parts down pat or else.

[@cowetascore8476]

You get a copy of The Stranger when you are born in the hospital on Long Island. lol.

[@igmugleska966]

Old school songs tell a story, so you don’t have to remember lyrics. You remember the story.

[@MrBarryb505050]

Correct

[@mikemaricle9941]

Know them by heart.

[@lafenatu]

Billy Joel has said multiple times that this is his all-time favorite song he has written. It’s an amazing song.

[@karenwalsh1143]

I know every lyric to this song!!! Billy Joel lives about a mile away from me!!!!love seeing him riding his motorcycle around!!!!

[@reneerocha1796]

Deep deep rabbit hole!!! EXCELLENT!!!!! ❤ Billy Joel is an awesome artist! Please consider : Goodnight Saigon for our Vietnam vets🇺🇸 (Official Video) Thank you!

[@50NewEyes]

One of Billy’s best… and my favourite

[@eatsnopaste]

I think the lyrics of Piano Man may be some of the best ever written, the song" Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" with his piano work and the amazing sax playing and the composition of the entire song may make this one my favorite. Since i am now 65 and have heard all his songs, most of them when they came out originally, listening to them all again has maybe changed my mind a little.

[@dreamcruzer4743]

The memories this song brings back....Wow. The power of music is incredible isn't it?

[@warmaiden]

It's a great story - he was working on two different songs he couldn't get going, and while at a restaurant, a waiter made the comment he uses in the beginning about the wine, and he combined the songs. According to him, it's his own favorite song he's made.

[@zararobnett8284]

I always liked to think that even though they didn’t work out, Brenda and Eddie still had enough nostalgia to meet many years later and share a bottle of wine in their old hang out

[@maxking3]

I always thought that Bon Jovi could have picked up where Billy left off… “Eddie used to work on the docks” and “Brenda works the diner all day” would have been a really great hommage!

[@jamishops]

Thanks for this reaction. Billy Joel is one of the most eclectic songwriters ever. He writes it all from jazz to rock to folk and more. A catalog worth diving into. The sax player here is Mark Rivera. This show was done in 1982. Mark still plays with Billy to this day and his energy is still amazing. Goodnight Saigon and New York State of Mind are 2 more that demonstrate his versatility,

[@rosemariediamond5948]

This is a rabbit hole that you need to dive head first into. Billy Joel is an icon in American culture and needs to be honored

[@jofoster1596]

I miss the days when the sax solo featured in so many hits

[@howtodoitdude1662]

I liked what you said, the artists that paved our way. So so true!

[@RankopediaHarvey]

Was so waiting for you to get it!!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!! You know Brenda & Eddie who got married and divorced as teenagers in the 1970s??? Guess who met years later at the Italian Restaurant??? Brenda & Eddie!

[@cshubs]

When I was growing up, I assumed all pro singers/players were geniuses because they remembered all the lyrics and everything else. I still kind of feel that way. I've heard this song 10,000 times, and I wouldn't feel confident singing it solo.

[@wpollock1]

The story is about Brenda and Eddy meeting at the Italian restaurant and then how they got divorced. A Masterpiece.

[@cindy2252]

If you want to hear a Billy Joel song that has an awesome piano solo and sax solo in one song check out "New York State of Mind" live (from Old Grey Whistle Test)🤯

[@sopwithpuppy]

If you can imagine how Billy must have agonized over EVERY word whist writing the song, ensuring it rhymed when he needed it to rhyme, scan with the correct number of syllables, and flow with the music. Then he played it to his band, who then drop in their little nuances and solos and riffs, then they practice it for hours on end. They finally sit down in a recording studio and lay down the track, rehearse it many times before each night of performance, then play it live HUNDREDS of times. They play it through in their dreams at night. They know all the words to all the songs through repeatedly playing the songs, every day.

[@kimking6036]

Billy Joel has so many style and moods. He can go from jazz, gospel rock, to name a few. If you thought this had a lot of words, check out We didn't start the fire. I love River of dreams, Innocent man, You may be right. I could be here all night writing my favorites

[@DorothyFarias]

This was probably Nassau Coliseum and I might have been there. Have no idea how many times I've been to his concerts. Local Long Island Hero, and also went to my High School. This song is a masterpiece.

[@cowetascore8476]

The Sears he talks about is probably the huge one in Hicksville that only recently finally closed down. My grandparents lived in Hicksville and that's where I got all my clothes. I was a kid from Levittown/north Seaford. lol.

[@nancyankrom3803]

Billy Joel, ah the memories his songs bring back to me from my younger days. He is an excellent story teller.

[@lindarumsey3109]

Billy Joel fans take pride in being able to sing along with these lyrics lol. I'm one of them 😊

[@itchyandred4131]

His masterpiece ✌️ My all time favorite song from him ❤️

[@maxking3]

Great choice, 4 songs for the price of one, including a ballad, some dixie land jazz, a little pop piano bridge and a great rock theme, all perfectly crafted to take you to a this little Italian place where two old friends meet and share their memories. Incredible song writing and one of the best multi-themed rock compositions (apart from Bohemian Rhapsody) But what should strike everyone is how tight the band plays this .. live! Billy’s voice and piano playing were at their peak back then. It has been said so many times before… you simply have no artists today that come close to this level of musicianship and songwriting today. Not close!

[@carolcarol3938]

I remember all these lyrics and many, many more of his huge range of songs. Billy's songs are usually stories.....he is a master storyteller, lyricist and STELLAR pianist. So much variety in his songs over the eras. You haven't even touched the surface in the genius of Billy Joel. Jump into that rabbit hole with both feet; you will never regret it.

[@danivansuperstar]

Billy's masterpiece. And Mark Rivera on both saxophones sends the message home. He's a helluva player and showman. Backup vocals and air guitar when there's nothing left to do. He's amazing and still tours with him at least up to a few years ago. Billy always surrounds himself with the absolute best musicians. Thanks for reacting to the great Billy Joel.

[@christyverplank3552]

This is 3 songs he couldn’t figure out how to finish then one day he had a decision. Bottle of white. Bottle of red and it struck him and he put them all together. Brilliant. Creative. One of the best lyrical songs ever written

[@normancharlesworth1289]

LOVE your channel! Took me a while to figure out that you were on a treadmill! Cheers!!

[@sarahboyett9767]

Saw him in England in the late 80's. Fabulous performer.

[@80sOGRE]

I love the song writing genius of how the Italian Restaurant couple ARE Brenda and Eddy. Telling their story in the third person.

[@theConquerersMama]

Not everyone thinks that.

[@80sOGRE]

@@theConquerersMama What's your take ? I never said it's what everyone thinks did i ? I just spoke on my own behalf.

[@theConquerersMama]

@@80sOGRE I had never heard your take until seeing reactions a few years ago. You are not alone in thinking that. It's just not how I have thought of it or anyone who talked to me about it interpreted it. We took it as a couple or a group - some said just old friends. Some said a former couple. Some said two people. Some said a group meeting. At the old Italian restaurant and comparing notes. Someone offered that there was a new person like a wife or girlfriend who didn't grow up with them and they were explaining (after the waiter offered the wine selection) who the friends they were talking about were who didn't join the reunion, Brenda & Eddie. There is no right answer. Ours just sounds more narrative and less schizophrenic.

[@80sOGRE]

@@theConquerersMama yeah i can see that. it's a bit more straight forward and less emotionally significant but yes, it's subjective anyway. It just doesn't make any sense why someone would start a narrative about a couple at a restaurant then start telling a story about some other couple that really doesn't have anything to do with the first couple. Emotionally it's not good writing.

[@theConquerersMama]

@@80sOGRE well coming from a musical theater/radio play background it makes sense to me. As would a lot of the people who heard it when it came out. Add in that Joel himself explained it as two different songs finding a common ground when the waiter offered the wine. Like all art it is subjective. I just wouldn't write as forcefully certain as you did in your original comment. As if that is the definitive interpretation.

[@reborndaughter445]

I noticed you did the Prayer, which I love and I appreciated your chills from it. THEN, it came up that you were reviewing this gem. Billy always said it was his favorite and it's a stellar performance. The Horn guy is simply amazing! Glad you loved it. Subscribed.

[@cshubs]

"The Stranger" was one of the first three albums I bought, 41 years ago, on cassette. It's part of my soul. I am sure that guy is the reason I took up saxophone in sixth grade. I'd use my Walkman, which was like a small hardcover book. I went through countless AA batts. It needed 4 at a time.

[@sarahboyett9767]

Him and Stevie Knicks are going to be in concert together in May 2023 in Nashville, TN

[@ijolafitts5297]

🤗 Subbed for Rush and was delighted by your reaction so much, I scrolled back and 🥰Surprise! Billy Joel! 😉 I'm 54 and Billy still has Residency Shows at Madison Square Garden. 🤯 Was blown away when he toured with Elton John! I love this man since 😒them early Long Island & South 🤦🏾‍♀🤦🏾‍♀Hampton shows! 🤩 He was an Amazing Story Teller and when Billy 'sings', he tells a story. That's so much easy to "sing" then some 'regular pop songs' in my opinion! Pleasure hearing this again! Always feels like MSG shows seeing videos of what I've enjoyed Live since 😳JHS! 🤦🏾‍♀ I'm showing my age! 😁😂🐰

[@angelashepherd4429]

I saw him around this time and he was FANTASTIC ❤

[@moosecat]

If you look at Billy's left thumb, it's still bandaged. Before this concert, Billy got into a wreck while riding his motorcycle, and his left thumb took a certifiable beating. However, listening to his piano playing, it doesn't sound like he missed a note.

[@Pixelologist]

Lou Ferrigno....LOL!

[@KL-nm6nl]

You may notice Billy's hammering the piano with a wrapped thump, not sure if broken or just injured but impressive, the best of showmen!!!

[@seanscanlon9067]

He had recently had surgery on his hand and other wrist after being knocked off his motorbike when a driver went through a red light and hit and flipped him. The bone in the tip of the thumb had to be removed and so the taping was to help support it because he can no longer moved the tip part of his thumb by itself. There were parts of this concert and I think even in this song itself (have not gone back to check) where he is shaking out his hand too.

[@leslieharding7335]

Kind of like rock opera, with clear and distinct movements in the story.

[@hoolihanmick5897]

I'm just watching this video and first time I've heard the whole song in 20 years and i remember ALL the lyrics. The classics and masterpieces you NEVER forget!

[@annabinksy1694]

That was my favorite song off that album!!!!

[@MrBarryb505050]

I'm originally from Kentucky and now live in South Carolina. 60 years old, and I know every word this song since this song came out. Fantastic story, fantastic song

[@mistylee717]

I totally was able to sing along the whole time. Didn’t know all those lyrics were still in my brain somewhere.

[@riccardoangeli802]

Piano Man unico artista che ha tutti gioielli nel suo repertorio... Da giovane poi dal vivo miglior performer in assoluto.... Guardare i suoi concerti per credere

[@kellysimmons8437]

It's telling the story, that's how he remembered the words.

[@jamesmiller1048]

I think the word you are looking for is masterpiece.

[@johnthegreek5836]

Definitely a masterpiece

[@stuarthornsby7023]

I saw him on New Year's Eve in South Florida about 5 years ago. He was still great. His show was over 3 hours long (with no opener) and he took about one five minute break while his band continued to play. He was on stage at midnight and it was amazing. He still wears a jacket for every show he does.

[@DannyLeeOGT]

Love this!!

[@anthonyhitchman9789]

You know when you love a song that you watch the same video reacted to different people. Quite startling really. Apart from piano man this Billys most flamboyant. Both brilliant.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@carlswenson5538]

Long time band mates Marl Rivera on sax and the wonderful Liberty DeVito on drums. The more you watch Billy's live performances the more you experience his brilliance as a song writer and performer. I strongly urge you to watch Angry Young Man from Shea Stadium's final show.

[@eileenreid5348]

The Stranger was the first album I ever heard as a child, I can sing EVERY song on this album, I was born in 69…

[@angelarasmussen1800]

Did you notice the broken thumb? It makes his performance even more remarkable. A lot of lyrics? Have you heard "We didn't start the fire?"

[@string4755]

'Lou Ferrigno' (hilarious) is Mark Rivera. Mark has been with Billy since 1982. Billy has often commented about how this song is a mini-opera. Trained as a classical pianist, it's always amazing to see how Billy combines all of his varied musical influences to create his music. You will enjoy Billy's jazz inspired album '52nd Street', especially the 2nd side. "Half a Mile Away" and the title track "52nd Street" are highlights.

[@cherylrobbins715]

Love this.

[@warmaiden]

Oh, I'm so glad you made it to this one!! Thank you

[@bobsteinzig]

Mark Rivera (SAX) i am now 70 yrs old. Saw billy just after The Stranger came out. 50 foot runway into audience he was ding this and the lights went down. Mark had come to the end of ramp hit a blast and my ear popped. still have a buzz in that ear

[@seanscanlon9067]

I found your channel a while back via country music act reactions you did with Ali and have been watching only that genre on your channel here in London, UK. I am a massive fan of Billy Joel and so was pleasantly surprised to see you were reacting to this song too now. And I got into country music via Garth Brooks covering Billy's song Shameless. Billy himself though had quite a few songs with a bluegrass/country/western sound to them on his Piano Man album, with tracks like Travelin' Prayer, You're My Home, The Ballad of Billy the Kid, Worse Comes to Worst and Stop in Nevada.

[@tomhawk8330]

One of the great rock story songs..

[@lisakaufman7366]

Billy Joel is very versatile in his music. He's my number 1 favorite male singer.

[@christinapeck966]

Music is life 🎶🎹🥁🎺🎷👏🏽🎶😊

[@lightatthecape2009]

Great song..

[@deennaemilio]

It's a masterpiece.

[@angelashepherd4429]

Billy wrote this and said it's his favorite ❤

[@christophermckinney3924]

Would love to see you react to Billy Joel’s Goodnight Saigon as a tribute to the Vietnam Vets. Live from this same concert in Madison Square Garden sometime around 1982-83.

[@marcobenedetto2175]

When you've been listening to him for nearly 50.years the lyrics are embedded lol

[@vincentvancraig]

thats EXAXTLY how you remember words like this, its a story & having that linear thing/story helps u to remember, especially if youve performed it a thousand times....also, teleprompters for some...theres no sin in teleprompters, ppl get nervous, & forget words, the teleprompters help put that part of their nervous brains at ease & perform better....i dont think billy has one here tho, it may have been before teleprompters were super common, &, im not sure billy gets nervous, hes the greatest, & one of the most intense, but also, the most laid back & funny performer ever.

[@kj320175]

Downeaster Alexa- Billy Joel.... is a great one as well

[@twwtjohns]

Billy Joel is a genius.

[@TexasMagnolia]

Yes! Let us take you on a Journey of our music! A must, please react: Elton John - Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding (live)…..a freakin’ masterpiece!

[@risktaker53]

Heck, I'm 70, and I still remember all the lyrics, lol!

[@risktaker53]

...yet I can't remember what I had for dinner last night, lol!

[@riccardoangeli802]

La Perfezione 👏🎹👏🎹👏

[@hayleycomet8029]

that was actually epic

[@TrevorPalmatiershow]

New York State of Mind and Just The Way You Are are my favs. He's genius.

[@seanshukoski3457]

If you love saxophone solos, PLEASE check out Bruce Springsteen’s song Jungleland, preferably one of the earlier versions. Clarence Clemons is a master of the sax, and his solo during that song is practically a religious experience.

[@badhairday_247]

That was some performance.

[@mikefetterman6782]

During the writing and arranging of the song before recording, he probably sang each of these lines 200 times before going to the studio. And I am being conservative. Hearing from Glen Frey (Eagles) talk about living above Jackson Browne (70s singer songwriter) basement apt. He heard nothing but one song being slowly written line by line 10 hours a day, for weeks. That song became Doctor my eyes.

[@bobsteinzig]

Billy brought sax back to R&R

[@micheles1887]

The couple he’s singing about and the couple sharing the table are Brenda and Eddie - “they parted the best of friends”.

[@grilledspaghetti]

He was playing here with a broken thumb. Which is mind boggling.

[@reneerocha1796]

Idk how he remembers all these either. I’ve heard people comment on that for years. SMH. It’s crazy how he does it! His catalogue is so extensive!

[@reneerocha1796]

Cheers! Yes! Lol!

[@Tessie46255]

Check out Billy doing “Piano Man” live. He is so talented. We saw him in concert and he was phenomenal.

[@katrinaprescott5911]

You are impressed by his remembering these lyrics? Have you ever heard "We Didn't Start the Fire"? That song requires Cliff's Notes.

[@lindazee]

I think you should really revisit this video because I have observed your growth and evolution over the past year, and you will definitely see this masterpiece with new eyes. There was so much going on in this piece that I think you may have missed a lot. In any case, Billy Joel was on FIRE 🔥 and so were all the other musicians, not just the saxophonist, whom I believe is the amazing Mark Rivera. Go ahead and give it another look and listen!

[@GillDawe]

Why haven't you done more Billy Joel!? So much more where this came from!!!

[@davidjacobucci3326]

My grandson knows all the lyrics and he,s 7 yrs old! He does live in Long Island

[@johnkent9582]

I memorized these lyrics in 1977)

[@rozafrrozafr]

I hadn't seen thus before Billy forgot some of his words lol

[@MrBarryb505050]

I know every single word until this day

[@EessaTube]

Check out his song, 'Shades of Grey'.

[@Pothos969]

We all remember all the lyrics...

[@PCallahanPhilly]

Trivia: He was playing with a broken thumb. Note the bandage.

[@stephenmelone8589]

If you want to hear more of Billy's sax player listen to NEW YORK FRAME OF MIND at Old Whistle Test . You won't be sorry .

[@isebmazo2140]

Billy - Until the Night

[@inthedarkanonymous5625]

I’m almost 73, I’m not from Long Island, and I can sing all the lyrics too.

[@EessaTube]

If you like Sax, check out the band 'Supertramp' and songs like 'The Logical Song' and 'Bloody Well Right'.

[@sarahboyett9767]

He can play some keyboards.

[@lisajohnson8183]

So I had to laugh when you paused it the first time. In the middle of the best part of the song. 😂