FIRST TIME HEARING BILLY JOEL- PIANO MAN (REACTION)

[@HalfAndJai]

If you want to help support the channel to get better equipment feel free to leave a contribution to our Cashapp @bradleygetthatdoe

[@timgrady4630]

Brilliant. Excellent insights . So relate-able , this tune . More , please .

[@josemexicano1910]

Honesty, New York state of mind, The way you are, James, She´s got a way. A few good songs of the huge list by Billy.

[@hibhibb5429]

Check out Billy Joel's song/video "You're Only Human (Second Wind)".

[@SearlesHernandez]

Billy wrote this about his own experience as a piano lounge singer in Los Angeles for six months in 1972-1973. 💚🤙

[@roymoore3156]

Back then it seems we did so much more, and his six month California residency gave him years and years of material to draw upon in writing.

[@DAMAGEinc.056]

One of the greatest songs ever written. What a picture he paints with those lyrics. No matter how different we all are, background, race, religion, age, gender & how angry we are at each other for whatever the reason......we are all the same. We all have our own personal problems & demons we're fighting. But music can bring us all together. It's a powerful weapon! Some miss use it and others write songs like this. 🤜

[@carlbaker7242]

Great choice of words.

[@Bigfuzz1996]

Facts my brother, facts.

[@vidalsmith9160]

Facts!!

[@CarolinaGirl6919]

one of the two or three he has in the rock n roll hall of fame, with Always a Woman to Me, and another, maybe. One of the best songwriters of the 20th century, up there with Elton John. Icon.

[@TartRedFruit]

Nailed it my friend

[@andrelimoges3654]

My favorite line in this song is Their sharing a drink they call loneliness but it's better than drinking alone

[@annfrost3323]

I think it is: They are sharing a....

[@EattheApple666]

@@annfrost3323 they're

[@STEAKSAUCE-rg9jh]

​@@annfrost3323 you must be fun at parties

[@Youmama187]

That is the strongest line of the song. Most of us never want to realize how alone we are. We can go to something that is social, even if we know absolutely no one there. Better to be appart of a crowd rather then being appart of nothing

[@Bob-iv1wi]

One of my favorite lines ever.

[@AngelfromGenX]

Who else misses the piano bars that used to be everywhere? Sit, drink, talk, listen to the man at the piano.....

[@horstschafer1839]

His storytelling in songs is outstanding. He's a rabbithole for real emotional music. If you haven't heard, "Honesty" is such a masterpiece. Greetings from a Austrian fan of him over 40 years. And fan of yours!

[@thomasmacdiarmid8251]

For the fun of it, you might want to view and listen to Home Free's song "Quarantine." It is acapella to the tune of Honesty, but done during the Covid shutdown it parodies the ways people coped with being quarantined - as usual for Home Free, the vocals, harmonies, and whistling are stellar even while they are being totally silly.

[@juliathomas3380]

I forgot how much I love this song! Thanks to who ever requested! Great reaction!

[@johnraygun9868]

the reason this song hits so hard is because 99% of people can relate. Being in the military for 21 years and many bars around the world you couldn't escape it

[@SherriLyle80s]

If you haven't already heard of Scenes From An Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel, highly recommend! It's a story that changes beat almost like an opera or broadway. Really great song.

[@matthewhawkins517]

It isBilly Joel’s favorite song of his. It is awesome.

[@marieneu264]

Love that song!!!

[@Barrythevol]

There is a reason why he has already received a Kennedy Center honor and is known for being one of the best story telling songwriters ever. Listen to New York State of Mind. He wrote that song while riding a bus to his new home in New York, after having just arrived home from Los Angeles. He says when he walked in the door, he asked his wife where the piano was, went o it and write down the song in 20 or 30 minutes.

[@markpekrul4393]

Few concert-going experiences can match a live performance of Piano Man - which is always his final encore - when the lights go up, he and the band cuts out, and 20000 people or whatever sing this back at him....magical.

[@armandoperez7967]

Wow! Absolute classic song! A masterpiece! I was 8 years old when this song was released in 1973. My 18 year old at the time older cousin bought the album then and he still has it.

[@jaimereynolds258]

Love Billy Joel. This is a great song. Brings back a lot of memories

[@AP-gb3eh]

I bartended a piano bar for years , and it’s a astonishing education of people. This song was requested all the time and there were times it broke the pianist spirit. We would smile art each other and raise our eyes ,and keep on keeping on. ☮️

[@theConquerersMama]

Oh yeah, I have worked in bars since I was a teen. We didn't have piano players but we had juke boxes. I had a boss that would occasionally disable certain songs.

[@leapatterson2014]

This song is amazing and when seen in concert Billy Joel sings only the first couple of lines and the audience sings the rest while Billy plays. It will give you chills!

[@julieeverett7442]

and then have him in concert with Elton John, the two greatest rock pianists of the 20th century, and have audiences of 10s of thousands of fans sing "sing us a song you're the piano men", in perfect harmony

[@derekstiles5801]

I’ve always contended this is the greatest song written in the last century. It invokes sadness, happiness, melancholy and more, all in just a few minutes.

[@melaniewalker4060]

Thank you thank you for Billy Joel!! It doesn't matter what song he sings it's BRILLIANT. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kimtucker3540]

One of my favorites.

[@silverglove]

I've definitely confused contentment with complacency. I was a very active drug addict. I never thought anything was good enough. I've been clean for 7 years and learned that I'm fine where I am. The love of my wife, kids, and God is all I need. Love watching you two. Y'all seem like y'all would be awesome to hang with. Sending good vibes 🤙

[@phillyphan1225]

Congrats on the sobriety! Happy to hear you are enjoying life 🙏

[@lindarogers2271]

Your short story is awesome so happy to see you've found your happiness. Congratulations to being clean this long . You have made it and sat yourself free all those years no turning back.💯🤜🤛💪

[@nyarlathotep616]

Glad you managed to become sober. I still struggle with it. Mostly booze.

[@silverglove]

@@nyarlathotep616 I know your struggle. Alcohol was a major part of my life for years. I have faith in you. It's not something that we can beat on our own, but we can beat it. Much love

[@davidjarvie9546]

I'm 61 and was an addict for 35 years now I've been 6 years clean so I'm just behind your brother. Great news keep it going you know your passed the worst now. 🇬🇧👍🙏

[@drewcliff82]

One of my favorites ever. This is a end of the night at the bar kinda song. Everyone has their issues and downfalls but they can come to a spot like this forget about everything for a short while. As Jai said. It's like therapy. I can relate.

[@lovcymaribeth4081]

Love Billy Joel and all of his iconic music!

[@williamjones6031]

It feels so real because it is real, from his days playing dive bars in New York city. This was one of his earlier hits and one I played on the juke box when I was in High School

[@markvanderstelt8999]

he played dive bars when he moved to LA for a while.

[@nadjasunflower1387]

@@markvanderstelt8999 yup...because he was hiding out from his label. Label dispute and he was just waiting until it was up. went by Billy Martin. Martin being his middle name...which if you pay attention as the video outros...there's a sign from those times. circa '73 ish I believe. " Now appearing...Billy Martin "

[@terri2494]

This is the song that put Billy Joel on the map. Instant fame, and he lived up to our expectations throughout his career. Most of us have always known him as the piano man.

[@joycewelsh3876]

This was the song of my early 20's. Billy Joel was my go-to artist to listen to along with James Taylor. The singer/songwriters were the best because they wrote from their own experiences. Thank you for posting this tonite. It brought back a lot of great memories. I love watching your reactions and especially appreciated Jai's comments about working jobs you don't belong in. It hit home.

[@sherribrock2726]

Billy is great! He has so many hits. I hope y’all will cover more of his music!!

[@CrazeeAdam]

Billy was the Piano man before he made it big. This was his story, this was him, and still is in some way. Why this is such a good song is because it is true...all of it, or close to the truth as he could make it about life. (on top of the fantastic sound and his vocals of course)

[@jerickson725]

One of my favorites! I am so old -- it surprises me when people say they haven't heard a particular song before, lol! Great choice and great reaction Jai and Half ❤❤❤❤

[@lindarogers2271]

My thoughts are the same . Especially when it is a song like this one. My thoughts are everyone is familiar with this awesome song even if they don't know its words.

[@jerickson725]

@@lindarogers2271 Well I haven't heard this in a long time, so I can see how it's possible they never heard it. I know they would not lie about it. It just jolts me with a reality check every so often as in "Dang, this song is old, I'm old, time flies" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@kippnashleymiller3752]

I remember buying this song on cassette when I was very young. Loved it then and still love it now. It speaks so much truth.

[@derekmunson3695]

As long as you're doing Billy Joel, try listening We Didn't Start The Fire

[@davidwalker683]

What a great artist.. so many great songs.

[@lauraheadley9026]

We didn’t start the fire! Be sure to watch or read the lyrics while listening. It is still so relevant. So many truth bombs in that song!

[@shihansensei983]

I am absolutely certain that you will like his classic 'New York State of Mind.' One of the most genius compositions and lyrical savvy you will ever find. Billy also gives lots of love to the other musicians (especially the saxophonist) which plays an incredible solo.... Simply put, a must see/listen...

[@FUBAR1986]

This song is written about his own personal experience, starting out in the business… Billy Joel has a huge, huge portfolio one of the deepest rabbit holes you go down, and one that after introducing my father to he became a huge fan as well❤

[@Frostrazor]

He really knew how to make music that makes us feel great! Totally connecting song that touches everyone. He is such a great storyteller with his music. Another one with similar great vibes like this is "Italian Restaurant" Such a great feeling that song.

[@markhine3232]

1st time I heard this song was in 1975 in Biloxi, Ms. At Keesler A.F.B. I was an 18yr old airman n this song hit me hard. Was so powerful and a true testament of what many working class Joe's n military personnel were feeling at that time. Thank you so much for reacting to it. Brought back mostly good memories of my 1st real experiences away from home. More good memories from that rock era, please!!

[@myronscott8611]

He's one of my favorites and very underrated I believe our greatest artist came out of the 70's and 80's

[@judgildea]

Billy is a true artist and story teller..watch more. He's got a great voice too..

[@cheryljohnson733]

He will be one of America's greatest songwriters and performers.. HE is a classically trained pianist. When his family emigrated to the US from Germany his father returned. His mother always dissuaded him from music but it couldn't be hidden. When he met his father much later in life he discovered he had a step brother who was the conductor for the Viennese Opera.

[@mcseforsale]

You should watch Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. That's from the same-ish era as this. His catalog runs 50 years deep.

[@Star-dj1kw]

I love the musicality of his performance. The crescendo at the line: “if I could get out of this place”. Just go good 😊

[@marcuspi999]

The most profound lyric is the end. He goes through the list of regular customers, what they do, then what they'd rather be doing. But the final person on the list is himself when they say, "man, what are you doing here?" He's too good to be playing at this little hole in the wall for tips and free beer.

[@whattheactual3589]

Yes, Jai! A lot of us have lived “lives of quiet desperation.” Much love to you both.

[@dawnmarieallenkent2495]

Billy is from Long Island (NY), one town over from where I grew up.. he is our "Home Town" Treasure! Many of his songs reflect his life. I have never met a fellow Native Long Islander that didn't love Billy!

[@krisfox3537]

It's their escape from real life. Great story and song.

[@kellsinpdx]

This has got to be one of my all time favorite songs.

[@theglanconer6463]

He is a minstrel. Telling stories. Beautiful.

[@Ira88881]

Wonderful reaction. This song came out in 1973, when I was 16. And was a tsunami on the musical landscape at the time. Incredible impact and radio play.

[@mike-rv1on]

I'm on my 100 plus yt account. I speak my mind and stuff happens. You guys Crack me up. I'm a 45 plus year musician. Music soothes the savage beast. Peace.

[@mike-rv1on]

Crack me in a good way. I loved your reaction to black cookout.

[@dayleeclaton9219]

My favorite song by Billy Joel.... For the Longest Time.... listen to it, amazing!

[@aliciawiseman6434]

One of my favorite songs from Billy Joel! Such a talent.

[@1Adam20]

@8:26 On the sitcom Taxi when the writers were researching information for the different workers in a taxi company, everyone seemed to be "waiting" for someone. The reason is everyone had another "job", but the guy who came in said to the producers, "...me? I'm a cab driver, I am the only cab driver in this place." That became Judd Hirsch's character. Essentially, the role of the piano player here.

[@beckyleavitt7808]

This brings back so many memories. Billy Joel went thru so much. Got it out of the mud. Awesome guy. Love your channel!

[@JovanGaluit-vy5hr]

I am so glad you posted this. Not enough to say about his music. Spent *money* to see him in Detroit last year, and I never need to see anything or anyone again. He is a gift.

[@djffe8597]

It's not just a song, it's an anthem!

[@cynthiaclark4878]

Love Billy Joel music. He put his life into his music. My favorite was 'THE LONGEST TIME". I'd heard he wrote some of his songs to one of his wives- Christie Brinkley. Not sure if this is one or not but I always liked it. Keep up the good work on your chazannel!

[@seanscanlon9067]

This was written and recorded around ten years before Billy met Christie and while he was still married to his first wife Elizabeth. She worked in the same bar that Billy played piano in and is the waitress practising politics.

[@Thebestintheworld17777]

One of the funniest memes I ever saw said "For a song called Piano Man that guy with the harmonica won't STFU" 😂

[@82acroney]

Well I know about a year like this Billy Joel party, he is a timeless artist, one of my all-time favorite artists, his music and lyrics and what he sings about is still relevant to this day

[@carlbaker7242]

Billy Joel, you can never miss. Great choice. Excellent lyrics.

[@alexakl6445]

This is his most famous song, but he has such a huge catalog. Everybody is using the word "iconic" these days, but Billy Joel is definitely iconic when it comes to great American music. Please keep checking him out. It's hard to pinpoint a favorite of mine, but probably "Always a Woman to Me" , "A Matter of Trust" (great beat) and "In the Middle of the Night" - others keep coming to mind. Great reaction!

[@suzanneprock7286]

Billy Joel has always been a favorite, saw him twice in the 70's and once in the 90's when he toured with Elton John.

[@AlbertoBerio]

I cant believe you never heard of Billy Joel before. One of the greatest singer songwriters ever in pop music.

[@Proud.American58]

Now you should check out his song “Captain Jack”.

[@vasiliarkhipov2121]

Absolutely love this song. When I was in the Marine Corps we use to drive into Savannah GA to party and there's a piano bar there called Smiles. I'm basically convinced it's the best place on earth. They have 2 pianos on stage and it is just a non-stop party. There are people in there of all ages and everyone is dancing at their tables or getting on stage playing games. It really is fantastic. Every time I hear this song, I can't help but think of that bar. They played this song every night and the whole crowd would sing along. It was amazing.

[@MaskHysteria]

More than any other music I absolutely love great piano music and Billy Joel is one of the absolute best. Not only does he caress the ivories into producing wonderful melancholy blues, his lyrics are both storytelling and poetry combined. Piano Man never fails to make my a bit misty eyed, particularly the opening phrases and imagery of an old man reliving his memories through music while, simultaneously probably drowning his sorrows in regret at the bar, something just about every one of us can relate to.

[@edjones2846]

One of my all time favorite songs.

[@tortjerandsen8615]

Best take on Piano Man. It's therapy. You are so right.

[@EricWoodyVariety59]

Love billy Joel. He has many awesome songs, Anthony's song, goodnight Saigon, uptown girl,Allentown, ect....

[@curtiswilson3569]

Love the led zep shirt. I spent 29 years of my life serving tables and playing music live and working three jobs knowing I was meant for better. During that time though, I also worked toward a Juris Doctorate... and for the last 12 years have been a successful trial attorney.. still working on my next big steps. Everyone deserves more than their current location.. its whether or not they are actually working toward it or not that makes the difference.

[@ernarc23]

If that isn't soul-soothing, I don't know what is. Thank you. ❤

[@davidholcomb4715]

Wow. Just the other day I was listening to this song and I thought to myself that you guys should do a reaction video for this. I am very glad you both enjoyed it. Great song.

[@bethhowton2719]

Billy Joel has a mountain of great music, one of my favorites is "Sceens From an Italan Restaurant", 'Just the Way You Are", " We didn't Start the Fire". Enjoy

[@hawkuser604]

This came out in 1973, the year I was born. Reminds me of some good times hanging out with my regular working buddies after work at the bar. Listening to each others bitches and gripes and having a drink together.

[@vovindequasahi]

Hey Mandela effect! I swear to you I remember Billy doing the harmonica as well.

[@ThunderWolf86]

I’ve always loved this song, from the moment I found it, or rather that it found me. It’s an upbeat, happy sounding song on the surface, but the meaning behind it is deeply profound, about the drudge and dispair of common life for so many of us, and how we can often long for just something to raise our spirits, and help us escape if only for a few sweet minutes, and in those moments we’re all the same, regardless of where we came from. Thanks for your reactions, I really enjoy how you look at different styles of music from many different walks if life

[@vincentvancraig]

Billy joel hasnt sang this song at concerts for at least 30 years....he plays it every time, but the crowd takes over with the singing duties, he just plays the piano, looks around and smiles a little.

[@GrumpyOldGuyPlaysGames]

There was another reactor who watched this for the first time, and he was going on about how he'd never even heard of Billy Joel, but that the video had 1.3 million views. Which meant, according to this young man, "Either Billy Joel is the biggest one-hit wonder in the history of music, or else I've been living under a f*cking rock..." One of the greatest songwriters ever. I love this man's music, and haver done since the 1970s.

[@davidbentley145]

Workin a dead end job...yes!Thanks guys...one must have belief in themselve's,self motivation and Family and friends for support!

[@davidjarvie9546]

Another great Billy Joel song is "we didn't start the fire" I highly recommend a listen 🇬🇧👍

[@chipsfalling8625]

My favorite of his and it changes the more you listen to it based on your mood. Thanks for sharing.

[@Stryphe]

Try Vienna by Billy Joel,great song

[@badplay156]

I saw an interview with Billy Joel. He said every time he walked into a piano bar they would start playing it. After a short time he would give the piano player an apologetic nod because the song has no natural ending

[@jerrybutler1336]

that is one of the all time best sing along songs, ive been at wedding receptions an seen people in their 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60s singing along the other is don mcclains american pie, everyone knows it

[@carolw24]

Billy joel has amazing songs, like We didn't Start the Fire. River of Dreams

[@iChristyD]

First concert Hubby & I went to see together was Billy Joel & Elton John, such an amazing concert!! Would love to see him again, but he doesn’t tour anymore. We did go see Elton on his farewell tour in Atlanta, still amazing!!

[@williamosullivan8855]

Thank you for getting this and music in general

[@jakecook2375]

This song came out in 1973 and it was one of my girl's favorites along with The Love of Money by the O'Jays and Elton John's Benny and the Jets and we were in the 9th grade. Jai you gave an excellent review about this song and Half we partied real hard to the music of that time without worrying about foolishness like some one getting shot. I believe the 70's was the best decade of music in American history because we had all genres of music at all time highs, rock, soul, country and western, pop, R and B and Jazz. When you heard that harmonica we knew that Billy was on the piano and we had 1,000s of great performers like him in the 70's.

[@santaslowdog]

Backstabbers was a good one too 😉

[@jakecook2375]

@@santaslowdog We could name a thousand artist and still have another thousand to name the artistic expression was that strong and all of them were unique sounding.

[@markdecker6190]

You know what I love about reaction videos such as yours that I dig? I was around when Billy Joel first released this song and the album it was on of the same name, even got to see him perform twice. The thing is though, over the years thanks to excessive radio play I started tuning it out every time it came on and even got to hate it because it was played over and over again. But when people like yourselves hear it for the first time, and when your reactions indicate to me that you get how great the song was in the first place, it's given me a whole new appreciation for it and I've come to love it again, so thanks!

[@joelmastrobattisto422]

Billy Joel would be a great rabbit hole to go down, he’s a phenomenal piano player and has a great voice. But probably the best thing about him is he’s real life lyrics. I would start with she’s always a woman, Vienna song, scenes from an Italian restaurant, Captain Jack, just the way you are, big shot and many more

[@sharonromero5995]

It’s a different vibe from this but I think you would enjoy “We didn’t start the fire “ by Billy Joel. 🔥 🔥

[@TenorMike33]

Never too late to discover the Legend that is Billy Joel....welcome

[@heathersullivan2561]

My favorite Billy Joel song. Great story telling.

[@ethelynchristopher6995]

If you ever have the chance to see Billy Joel in concert I highly recommend it. He is a phenomenal entertainer (he also actually has a song called The Entertainer) and puts on a great show. One of the best concerts I've ever seen (and I've been to a lot of concerts in my life).

[@johnlerseth4305]

I love you two! Y’all real. I have a suggestion on another Billy Joel song. “It’s a Matter of Trust.”

[@chrissemones6195]

My favorite Billy Joel dog. Old , but so much feels in this one .

[@terwya]

My favorite Billy Joel song. I know every word.

[@lisanickelson788]

Such an iconic song! Love Billy Joel 😊

[@jimmythetout109]

Many of Joels songa are autobiographical , Uptown Girl , was written about his then wife , supermodel Christie Brinkley , who came from the " better side of the tracks " ,

[@kohl2080]

Love❤️ y'all. We really need your positivity right now.

[@jmartinez9332]

When he was trying to be unrecognizable he was using his middle name and called himself Billy Martin during this stage of his career. This song wasn't a huge hit for him but it became a cult classic after he became more popular. He always ends the show with this song and the entire audience twenty thousand or more all singalong at the end if he doesn't do this song at his concert than the show's not over. Billy Joel is has sold about the third or fourth most albums of any solo artist in the history of music.

[@ButternutGOLD]

Dream your best dream , then make it happen ! Believe in your dreams