Billy Joel - Q&A: Story Behind The Lyrics To "Piano Man"? (Harvard 1994)

Throughout the years, Billy Joel has become known for his willingness to hold Q&A sessions with fans in settings across the globe. Here Billy is asked about story behind the song 'Piano Man' off the 1973 album of the same name at Harvard University in 1994.
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Billy Joel's official KZbin channel features music videos, live performances, interviews, TV appearances and more. Best known for his first hit song, 'Piano Man', in 1973, Billy has written and recorded thirty-three Top 40 hits in the United States. He is a six-time Grammy Award winner, a 23-time Grammy nominee and one of the world's best-selling artists of all time, having sold over 150 million records worldwide. Billy Joel is the sixth-best-selling recording artist and the third-best-selling solo artist in the United States.

[@leokimvideo]

Billy should have a TV show, he's great as a have a chat funny guy.

[@ethank4820]

Wow I used to watch your channel.

[@kathyp6403]

I .met Billy in st. Bart's1982...Christie brinkley was there we were at a little bar Lounge loulou's. Believe there met there that night...wow

[@mimoochodom2684]

"The gig sucked but free drinks." LOL. Love this guy. No wonder he made it big.

[@gracealexandre3381]

One musical artist who really talks to his fans as if they're ALL in the same level. That makes him even more admirable.

[@betteboop57]

Geez....I saw him before he was "big". Grew up on Long Island listening to him locally.

[@betteboop57]

because he wasn't when we first saw him years & years & years ago on Long Island. He was a nobody!!

[@ggabe2865]

betteboop57 do you remember what songs he did back then?

[@juubilo1509]

probably Cold Spring Harbour songs, or his older bands.

[@anthonybaratta6152]

I’d love to hear what your initial reactions were of him when you heard him perform?

[@leonardodalongisland]

Fellow Islander here-trying to get Billy and Christie to star in a short film I wrote based upon Harry Chapin's Taxi.

[@bigwig5395]

Piano man makes me feel nostalgic about the 70s and i was born in the 80s

[@bamabelle7075]

Isn't it weird when you feel nostalgic for a time or place that you were never in? I was born in the mid 70's but I feel that way when I hear 60's pop/rock, when I see the clothes, especially the mod-style dresses from that era, the home decor, etc. It's as if I'm missing 'my old life'.

[@scottkellogg2180]

Shoot I was born in 2000 and it gets me hella nostalgic for a time I never lived through.😂 That’s the magic of great artists.

[@SaudDowaihy]

First two minutes in....... He had a career in stand up that he threw away

[@deniseg812]

That is so true! I saw him many times, the one time that stands out is ; the Glass Houses Tour, the New York Times critics panned him the first night, because they said everyone sang along with him and blah blah blah!. When he sang New York State of Mind, he took out the New York Times, and sang the New York Post , the Daily News.

[@ELLIOT1311]

Think he turned out ok career wise lol

[@Metalcomedienne]

😂😂😂❤

[@ryandatkinson]

More time has passed between this video and now than had passed between the release of 'Piano Man' and this video. Time, man.

[@warrenjinks5134]

this song is timeless 😁

[@EE-in7su]

It's even worse now!

[@gracealexandre3381]

@@EE-in7su How on earth is it worse? Billy's become a SUPER LEGEND in music!

[@EE-in7su]

@@gracealexandre3381 I meant 'the length of time from the video and now'. The song is still one I will blast and belt along to!

[@tmalone2530]

And just think how it is now. Piano Man is a 50 year old song. I can’t wrap my head around it.

[@nathanrico5701]

He stepped onto a stage with a joke mask. What a legend.

[@raran44]

I fricken love Billy Joel

[@AndrewKazmierski]

I can listen to this over and over, the audio was part of the 3 disc box set from the 90’s!

[@DrakeMayeGlazer]

Could’ve been the greatest comedian ever lol

[@andrestabares4559]

IS DAVID STILL IN THE NAVY?

[@rufie83]

he probably will ;-)

[@michellebrodeur3880]

did John ever become a movie Star?

[@jekblom123]

Is Davy still "alive" is the more important question.

[@brandonroth7926]

Davey is still alive and he lives in Virginia Beach

[@brandonroth7926]

John died over ten years ago at the age of 81.

[@adelineschuyler4842]

he is a pure gem! where's his accent from?? i love it.

[@dstein111]

Long Island baby!!

[@lunamai5668]

Love piano man!!! he's so funny in this XD

[@shannonnes8154]

He will be playing just 4 miles from me... in Louisville.. I am hoping to get tickets! But this Q&A's are great!!

[@thezombiecreeper]

4:53 - I love this part even though it has nothing to do with the song

[@user-wn8iv1ve7d]

love billy☺️ he’s so funny😆

[@JeffK1980]

5:03-5:13... lol. Cracks me up 100%. Sounded like he was imitating Bronson Pinchot from Perfect Strangers. Two thumbs WAY up!

[@shashwatkumar7718]

The way he says producer is so much like Joey from friends!

[@WhitewithBlue]

Nice to see footage of this masterclass!

[@largolegato]

The last thing he talked about, the "producer" thing is so true. I've encountered people like this, who claimed themselves "producers" or someone who has some kinda power and telling you that you're too good for this place, you deserve a better position, I can hook you up with ___, etc.

[@johnlaccohee-joslin2113]

Billy you can always become a stand up comic as well as being known world wide for your music. Your description and conception of Bathoven are so realistic, I just wonder if he would be able to be as constructive regarding your musical career. There are few who do not know at least most if not all the words to piano man, and all those who like you, have sat there doing really what they enjoy more than anything else in life, can honestly say that the words fit the job if you can ever call it a job. There are few in life who can say that they work doing their hobby, and there is a lot of inspirstion that comes from doing it. The description you gave concerning tge piano lessons and the end result of sticking with it regardless of the idiots who thougth you were soft in the head as well as a mis guided young child who did not understand how important football really would become to you later in life, boy did they get it wrong. I just wonder how many more of us actually met our wives because of what we did, sadly in most cases I have found that this was also to become the reason for breaking up as well, with the never ending line of groupies that follow you around, sad but nun the less true. I truly have to say that if ever there was a song that describes the life in music and the black and white line up be it the real thing or a kurzweil, they all have their magnetic atraction that says do not pass play! My hope is that you too will be remembered for your gift to the world a lot more than a couple of hundred years later. For me, the most shameful thing is those who never listen to what we say, being far to busy working out how to blow the world to bits than to be involved in just making life just that bit more interesting, and enjoyable. May you outlive those people by a long long way!!!!

[@kai326]

*Beethoven

[@ferv888]

I didn't read your long message. But john archer is a comedian and he is actually john at the bar

[@ppap9170]

JoeJoe bathoven

[@alexanderkelly7819]

This song is so good. His favorite of mine and isn't even close.

[@johnnystir9796]

I'd watch a One Man Show on Broadway with Billy.

[@katiekent8195]

Yes! Couple minutes into Billy's spiel, I kept thinking 'one man show on Broadway' -- funny, funny dude--- never knew!

[@thombendtsen399]

He’s funny. Charismatic.

[@liamtg912]

he could actually be a comedian

[@pharb69]

I'm sure that he could be a movie star ;)

[@victorsuarez9424]

If only he could get out of that place...

[@italianhockeywall]

liam in this day and age, where most comedians are not funny, yeah. Heck, he probably got more laughs out of me than Amy Schumer.

[@ferv888]

The real john from John at the bar is actually john archer, a comedian. (i think)

[@manguera9]

piano man is one of my favorites songs,back in the 70 i worked as a musician in a cabaret..very smoky place ,,strip dancers, business people sitting with sailors having good time watching the show,the show usually started by 11 pm i played 3 sets until 4.30 am,, one night a man approaching me telling me " you are good player,MAN WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE..?

[@Manzie1000]

I'm doing a divey gig right now...

[@davidburrows8410]

Piano tuition

[@mrver3232]

John at the bar.... WAS A MAN NAMED JOHN HOLY CRAP

[@Haights]

And (and I cannot stress this enough) he was at the bar

[@rats-oc3vv]

OH MY GOD WHAT 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 MY LIFE IS A LIE 😭😭😢😭😭💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

[@ronroberts1281]

BILLY JOEL IS AN INTERESTING MAN!

[@jenette80]

i love billy joal piano man is great

[@georgiethumbs2438]

Wow this is awesome, thanks for posting

[@blazerocker1734]

Damn. I really wanted to know whether or not John actually became a movie star. : (

[@ferv888]

John is actually a comedian. Named john archer

[@afewloosescrewandnuts]

he ded

[@jamesmocket1825]

I feel like he must be a comedian on the side 😂😂

[@xxboonisbadfortnitexx1549]

Cool

[@xxboonisbadfortnitexx1549]

Nice

[@york8757]

I wish we could hear the tune of 8:08 more than we did

[@kaminip]

Lockdown rediscovery WooHoo!

[@rodolfogiraldi5040]

He must have been a comedian too, super funny

[@stephancastonguay1405]

billy..........your a funy guy........

[@qweasdzcxc3655]

Really funny guy

[@dcworld1076]

i love billys humour

[@Badlands26]

Is there a full video of this Q&A?? If so I’d love a link thanks

[@Badlands26]

?

[@notadweeb1074]

YEAA "VE RI TAS"

[@m_tias]

"Not a song, yet reminiscent of a song" -God

[@drdolittle7419]

HIS INTRO LOL

[@dandillinger23]

🎶"bill joel" 🤣

[@hamirthapar6788]

WHAT?!?! BILL MARTIN?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[@ferv888]

John at the bar is actually john archer?

[@chrisb1010]

7:39 - What song is that or is it just an improv?

[@bherber]

Funny how Billy says that these masterclasses are meant to impart knowledge about the music business for aspiring musicians, but it's always just questions about stories behind the songs. I don't think I've ever heard a question in any of these about the actual music business..... Contracts, strategic business decisions, etc......

[@ElvarMasson]

1:42

[@andreashoppe1969]

Back in the day, when the people in the crowd actually paid attention instead of looking at their phones every 10 seconds

[@gracealexandre3381]

Billy moonlights as a comedian.

[@leonardodalongisland]

It's the MOST self-explanatory song in history! Duh!

[@rogerdat45]

what a sad soul

[@fahdchoudry7763]

Hallo. Why he no explanation for bread in the jar. Why they put the bread in the jar? It make no sense please. Bread get squishy and hard to get bread out of jar

[@annelivalkama7451]

I think Billy meant "bread" by putting money in his jar, like tips.

[@katiekent8195]

"bread" is american slang for "money"

[@eddy0043]

Half of that crowd is rich now

[@ocalyy]

whos here?

[@nsj9509]

Genius 20 years ago lol

[@dannysmith9217]

American Prodigy.

[@superamishguy]

funny guy

[@beautifulloser75]

Billy Joel is just Neil Diamond with an 8ball and an attitude.😀

[@suzanmann2480]

your taste will change as you age honey.

[@studentoftheword6115]

He's making all this up.

[@xxboonisbadfortnitexx1549]

How do you know

[@xxboonisbadfortnitexx1549]

Explain?

[@untruelies]

I have two ex-wives as well-it is funny. Great musician.

[@ECWnWWF]

he didn't mention why they put bread in his jar

[@annelivalkama7451]

Bread is slang for money.

[@JakeRanney]

bodily byproducts lmao

[@jenniferlawrence9652]

I hope everyone who loves him loves all Jewish people..he is one of the best Jewish songwriter's alone with Bob Dylan and Paul Simon

[@andrewwagner9901]

Jennifer Lawrence Neil diamond has gotta be on that quick list

[@creativesource3514]

I Billy Joel and Cat Stevens.

[@oma15]

its a good song but it's no vienna

[@BardiaSaeedi]

Wow, these people are clapping and laughing too much.

[@bobsmith-ov3kn]

he seriously put his glass of... whatever... on the piano? I don't care if he's Billy Joel, that's likely a $100,000+ piano there...

[@bobsmith-ov3kn]

djjazzyjeff123 ...uhh first off, that's definitely a real piano, not some pseudo piano that you seem to think exists (what are you even trying to describe, acoustic pianos with digital output??) 2nd off, the reason that's a gigantic no-no has nothing to do with how I think the cup of water will affect the freaking acoustics, it's because you might SPILL THE FREAKING WATER AND RUIN THE PIANO... which is only even more-so true if it's some kind of digital.

[@bkb6156]

bob smith it's definitely not a real piano. He has been using the shell of a grand piano with a keyboard in it for years.

[@h0lly_blue]

some artists do use keyboards in the form of grand/upright piano shells - Chris Martin of Coldplay uses one of those sorts of pianos, as does Paul McCartney IIRC nice attempt Bob, have a muffin and chill

[@superretrobros.5801]

who's this guy? just doin his job I guess. hahah

[@jameswatters8281]

Really. kind of doesn’t. Know lyrics

[@cody8804]

The laughs are annoying. He's just explaining the lyrics it's not a comedy routine

[@scottcoulter2365]

cody8804 my name is Cody :)

[@gracealexandre3381]

It's not a comedy routine, but some answers from Billy are very laughable. It makes you wonder, does he moonlight as a comedian?

[@heleneschenbacher8512]

Wow! 100% of the people are white! How amazing! These children (students) have NO idea how LUCKY they are....born to a father and mother and lived in a home...didn’t run out of food halfway through the month. Minimum wage is so low that even working full time keeps one below the poverty line. Not a minority, not born in Africa where AIDS is decimating the continent. Not Ethiopia....not living in Afghanistan where major powers used the Middle East as a killing field. Does anyone KNOW or CARE that two million Vietnamese people died from the 1950s to the 1970s? Ahh no one here cares...

[@oneway4667]

Helen Eschenbacher wrong video

[@calebharmon9066]

Bro what are you talking about

[@ziggywhiteduke9276]

...Bad day?

[@heleneschenbacher8512]

Bad day? How about 14 months of worry and desperation watching the United States slip into corporatocracy. A nation I love and served as I approach 70 years of age. I’m a kama’aina a resident of Hawaii. Yes I was here when we got the text message that a nuclear warhead was heading our way. Living on an island of one million ppl there is nothing you can is say goodbye to your Ohana-your family and friends. We live on volcanic rock. You can’t build a basement much less dig a bomb shelter so yeah POTUS calling a vicious dictator who has slaughtered tens of thousands of his own ppl “little rocket man is bad. We love our country here. We hate this administration! They are cruel mean bigoted hateful ppl.

[@ziggywhiteduke9276]

Helen Eschenbacher Ok...calm down. I understand the turmoil and thank you for your service, Its just that your comment is so out of place in this video.