First time hearing BILLY JOEL - THE PIANO MAN | The healing magic and power of music

[@matthewteague623]

"They're sharing a drink they call Loneliness, but it's better than drinking alone." Oh hell yes.

[@rebeccarowland2533]

I so am on the same page as you, Matthew Teague

[@robert_bbiii]

Shared misery is decreased, shared joy increased - Robert Heinlein. Same message.

[@simplysteve5149]

The whole song is great poetry really...but the line you mention about "sharing a drink they called loneliness, but it's better than drinking alone " is one of my all time favorites. Hands Down.

[@theodoreritola9758]

JESUS is coming back VERY soon ... Is every body ready

[@jonathanmol4489]

I prefer to drink alone. I don't trust people. Alone means no last call and no rejection. I also have penned 155 poems and drinking alone is part of my process. I have Parkinson's disease and drinking helps me write poetry that you can read.

[@michaelmolloy6697]

There’s nothing he has written that you would not like! He’s an icon

[@robertseymour6095]

Thank you

[@tomgnyc]

He's an icon but he has a lot of bad music, even he admitted it.

[@thegamersgalaxy2855]

@@tomgnyc LOL

[@birdsfan5440]

He has a lot of songs some are shit but I do love Billy Joel

[@BJ-eb3lt]

Billy Joel, IS the Piano Man, no doubts about it.

[@JoelWende]

This song is a true story. These are all characters he met when playing at a dive bar as Bill Martin. I love Billy Joel! I just wish he’d write some new music! He still plays and tours but hasn’t released a new album for 28 years!

[@marymichael389]

Know John at the bar’s niece.

[@siddhartramotar8774]

When I heard that he has written songs for fun since then but just hasn't recorded or released them I lost it lol. I really want him to release a new album or at least pass the songs he's written onto his daughter. Since his last album the only thing I can find that he's written was that weird christmas song.

[@Katt560]

The imagery Billy Joel’s paints in this song is brilliant.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

I daresay, "brilliant", is not a strong enough word. It's genius.

[@greybeard2280]

It's brilliant because it's about him. I've seen him live 7 times and he talks about the song he's preparing to sing, and when he does this you can pin drop. He could actually do a concert and do nothing but tells stories and I'd be satisfied....lol

[@niccolean]

When he plays this in concert, he plays the piano, harmonica, and sings the song. It’s amazing.

[@kurtiklaas]

...and the whole crowd sing-a-long. Fantastic!

[@finallythere100]

I think Cheers was based on this song... the spirit of the song influences it.. Norm never wanted to go home! :)

[@sallyatticum]

The lyric is even more genius, because it is "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."

[@BigNews2021]

My favorite verse from this song.

[@peppernagre3126]

Jackson Brown - Load Out Stay

[@karenconrad6471]

Thank you for your intelligent and engaging commentary on all your reaction videos. Too many reactors have seen this video as "funny," instead of a song filled with pathos, which of course it was.

[@kmach1000]

I agree. It's my favorite reaction channel.

[@sonia4641]

Mine too; the only one I've actually subscribed to.

[@TheDivayenta]

Yes! Why we love Harri, right?

[@briandeschene8424]

Pathos. Yes! Pathos. Thank you for sharing with us the perfect word.

[@rachaelgosser5659]

You can never go wrong with Billy Joel. I've never heard a song of his I didn't like.

[@theodoreritola9758]

This song came out in the 70s When times were much more swee the people were more friendly and Feared God more What happened ?

[@59elgreco]

Based on his true life experiences !!

[@dlbeal]

Had the pleasure to see him when he was a warm up band for Loggins and Messina. He introduced this song at that concert and we were all blown away!!

[@Mr.Dobalina_Mr.BobDobalina]

What a great experience!

[@jonathanmol4489]

Loggins has so many different soundtracks.

[@tcanfield]

Love how Billy turned the focus on himself for the last verse and described how he’s also a tragic figure like the rest; not a holier than thou like it sounded earlier.

[@davidtogi5878]

indeed since in one way or another we were all a tragic figure

[@melissayost4888]

When this songs plays at a bar everyone breaks into song & sways back & forth. ‘They’re sharing a drink they call loneliness but it’s better than drinking alone.’

[@RicoBurghFan]

Don't ever forget that the piano man is lonely too. Such lyrical brilliance.

[@torchape]

This song is so well written. The brilliance is in what's not said, the back story you can glean from so few words. Genius.

[@greatcaesarsghostwriter3018]

Some of Billy Joel's songs are better than the others. This is his masterpiece.

[@jimtatro6550]

Billy Joel provided a huge part of the soundtrack of my youth. Just a few suggestions: Big Shot, Goodnight Saigon, Allentown, Just the Way You Are, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant and New York State of Mind.👍🔥🎧

[@jeffreiland7463]

@Jim Tatro --- I heard Joel asked by a talk show host what his favorite song was. Without much hesitation he said it was "Scenes.." --- It's mine as well. Although they're not the same genres, I always liken it to Meatloaf's "Paradise" in that they both tell that same melancholy story that the idealism of youth is gone and we're getting old.

[@melodymcdonald2140]

Definitely Scenes From an Italian Restaurant. The piano is absolutely amazing. He also does a duet with Ray Charles called Baby Grand that is so good..

[@jonathanmol4489]

My life from Bosom Buddies?

[@kathrynkissane5144]

I feelya

[@Angel268201]

Big Shot! What a song! It’s about his ex-wife! 🤣😂🤣

[@Angel268201]

The guy is a musical genius. GOD blessed him beyond his imagination.

[@brianmasinelli9694]

' Captain Jack ' live in New York is an absolute must see.

[@dreamcruzer4743]

Quite right. "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" Has always been one of my favorites.

[@maryannturton9830]

Agreed!

[@danpals7678]

Best bar song ever

[@darkomtobia]

"Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" is another absolute great song.

[@bemused9522]

YES!!!! My favorite!

[@ZacCostilla]

It’s Billy Joel’s personal favorite that he wrote and performed.

[@mackssboo]

This was inspired by Joel's experiences playing at The Executive Room, a piano bar in Los Angeles. He worked there for six months in 1972 after his first solo album, Cold Spring Harbor, tanked. The characters in the song are based on real people Joel encountered while working at The Executive Room. The "waitress practicing politics" is Elizabeth Weber, who ended up becoming his first wife when Joel married her in 1973 (they divorced in 1982). Joel played under the name Bill Martin, which explains why the patrons in the song call him Bill. Martin is his middle name.

[@mtnvalley9298]

thanks!

[@joelliebler5690]

It only sank because the producer recorded the album at the wrong speed otherwise some of his best tunes are on that album and when it was re-recorded decade or 2 later that became evident!

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Scenes from an Italian Restaurant! One of the best live performers ever. Oh yes, he was the Piano Man!

[@randallshuck2976]

I suggest his "New York State of mind", or "We didn't start the fire". I have never heard a bad song from him.

[@AliasMark69]

Billy Joel Best - "Only The Good Die Young" a True Masterpiece.

[@kylesummers1565]

He had a ton of great songs. Most of my classmates in the 80's weren't very interested, but I loved "I Love You Just The Way You Are", "You May Be Right, I May Be Crazy", "The Longest Time", "She's Always a Woman", "My Life", "IT'S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME", "Honesty". And, He held on to Christy Brinkley for a long time, so He had something going on.

[@theodoreritola9758]

My life and this song were from the 70s ,, and shes all ways a woman was 1978

[@kylesummers1565]

@@theodoreritola9758 Touché, but I graduated in 84, so my classmates encompassed the 70s and 80s. They were mostly either all "groove", all "country", or all "rock" (a little ALT/Techno, but that was really just getting started, and Rap was in it's infancy). BJ was an intermediary for me.

[@theodoreritola9758]

@@kylesummers1565 O OK

[@lisarainbow9703]

I'm so thrilled and delighted that piano bars are making a comeback. They were normal entertainment in a lot of places, until disco and karaoke muscled them out for a few decades. Nothing beats the vibe and feeling of everyone gathered around the piano, singing familiar songs together in an informal atmosphere...

[@Gamesta100]

My favourite music instrument to hear is guitar with piano 2nd

[@mikeyates7931]

You know , Harri , this is the power of music 🎶 I'm an Italian-American Man , you're a Black-British Man , but WE BOTH love and connect with THIS song 🎵 and THAT makes US Brothers

[@bowtangey6830]

"Man, what are YOU doing here?" What a great, pithy, almost venomous line. Billy knew he had the goods! When would the world realize it? As perfect a song as ever could be. 💗💗💗

[@BobC-fo3si]

I love this song. It's pure storytelling at it's best. My favorite line is, "But it's sad and it's sweet, and I knew it complete, when I wore a younger man's clothes"

[@christopheryochum3602]

Yes, he started out doing this. Isn't it amazing how he's so good at the piano, at singing, at writing the music, and at storytelling, that he could do just one of those things as a vocation; but he does them all. Every song on every album he wrote.

[@jrobertlysaght]

"Zanzibar" is another great bar/story song by Billy Joel, I recommend it over the hits everyone else plays to death.

[@maryannturton9830]

You can never go wrong with Billy Joel,the consummate storyteller!

[@debbiechang5781]

He actually did work in a piano bar in his earlier days. Such a genius songwriter/storyteller/musician! A well deserved standing ovation from Harri is a great honor! 🌺✌️

[@mariansinger2596]

This reminds me of folk singers like Harry Chapin-- love these songs that tell a story about everyday people.

[@memorylanemodelcars]

This was the Song that Launched Billy Joels Career into the Stratosphere !

[@elliotsmith9812]

He is kind to the people. He is not thrilled with his job and the manager, but he is kind to all of them.

[@richardcummins5465]

Standing ovation from you. RESPECT man!

[@richardkev3077]

He has many great songs. But the Piano Man is sheer genius.

[@darleendionne6403]

Check out his song "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" - my favourite. However, any of his songs are worth hearing!

[@theodoreritola9758]

Why is it that most songs from the 70s are TIMLESS Like Piano Man

[@JackleenaO]

"Captain Jack." I dunno if you can get thru that one Harri; you've an abundance of compassion and the lyrics will devastate you!

[@bethking7348]

Billy fought alcoholism for quite a while. Bravo Billy on your recovery. Such a great artist. Thanks for posting

[@richardcummins5465]

Could listen to this song all day, every day. A classic.

[@eschaflowne]

Try hearing “And So It Goes.” Best lyrics you’ll ever hear.

[@kiffliescott6109]

I still remember the first time I heard this song on the radio. It was 1974. I was thirteen years old. I knew I was hearing something special.

[@Airestotle09]

One of the greatest songs ever written. Takes you to a different time

[@jamishops]

Thanks for reacting to my all time favorite, Billy Joel. The man is a genius with his words as well as his music. He loves all types of music and it shows in his eclectic catalog. Check out New York State of Mind, Goodnight Saigon, For the Longest time and so many more.

[@oldermusiclover]

mine will always be The Longest Time such wonderful harmonies

[@dasy2k1]

The lyrics of the entertainer are some of the best. Complete 2 fingers at the music industry which makes it even better

[@bookjeannie]

Billy Joel is memories of marrying my husband. Played the album over & over on his small console record player. 50 years ago now. Still love Billy. Fortunate to see him in concert, best concert ever. 5 encores! 🎶💙🎶💙

[@ronpotter9810]

Every song you hear from this guy will show you a different side of his artistry. Multi talented. It doesn't matter what you choose next from him, I reckon you will like it.

[@bethcrumpton476]

Two of his best thought provoking songs are "And So It Goes" and "Goodnight Saigon."

[@JosephNordenbrockartistraction]

I like the line "and he knows that it's me they've been coming to see to forget about life for awhile" Like this regular gig is yours as long as you want it. People will offer you money if you shine above average with talent.

[@conniekungfu206]

He literally paints a picture of that bar! He's telling a story. ❤😊

[@patholguin5503]

Welcome aboard! As a fan of Billy Joel, I'm glad that you understood the excellent story that Billy was telling. Billy has been writing great songs for decades.

[@letsgomets002]

You my friend have the most accurate and intelligent reaction to this song ,compared to the others who have reacted that I've heard who didn't have a clue about the sadness of this song....for this I subscribed to your channel.

[@sherribrock2726]

Billy plays both the harmonica and the piano!

[@janicepitkin9650]

I find it amazing that you're only discovering these songs now. Many people have lived their entire lives listening to Billy

[@EShelby2127]

I was a doorman in college when the drinking age was 18. Mostly kids looking to hook-up. The bartenders and waitresses were the ones with the sadness... and the fighters... and the family that owned the bar, a MESS!

[@southernwanderer7912]

I love Billy Joel. He's a great songwriter/singer and a poetic storyteller in a real way that people can understand.

[@mikelamb828]

his signature song, and his live performances at Shea Stadium and the tribute when he was presented the Kennedy Center Honors are priceless performances.

[@bookjeannie]

Billy Joel is our love story, played him over & over! 🎶💙

[@davidbarker77]

I remember a number of evenings sitting in a loud, smoke filled bar pretending to have a good time and wondering if there wasn’t a better place to be. And you’re right, it made you drink more. Thankfully I moved on to a marvelous wife and a beautiful daughter and a more meaningful life. This song came out at about the same time as my bar days and it stopped some of us in our tracks and made us think about it. Thanks, Harri! Try his Good Ship Alexa.

[@mljrotag6343]

The Stranger, Goodnight Saigon and Allentown are all more serious well written songs.

[@oldladylovesBruno]

I think this is my favorite Billy Joel song. His voice is so clear. I hear every word. It bothers me when I hear a song and can't understand the words. Billy is perfection. I'm glad you listened to him. Another favorite of mine is by Aerosmith, "Dream On". I think you'd love it too.

[@Lakeshore14]

Have seen Billy in concert twice. His shows are fantastic. For Piano Man he plays the harmonica. His songs are legendary and too numerous to mention. Thanks for your reaction.

[@rayboston8737]

This song is a Masterpiece! He wrote it at 23!

[@helenstravis3834]

Billy Joel wrote another song about his career called "The Entertainer." Another one - of many- is one called "Keeping The Faith."

[@larryparker8677]

Billy Joel was a piano man before he became one of the best composers and singers of music. Piano men in that era were in most communities. It was a wonderful feeling of togetherness that you got from there presence.

[@drohegda]

Harri Billy Joel songs "" Poetry In Motion "". What a gift to have grown up listening to Billy's music. 🎹👍😎

[@shalomirene1]

love you man x

[@IllumeEltanin]

Very deep hole you're diving in to with Billy Joel. I'll also suggest Scenes From An Italian Restaurant.

[@debbieeppsmullins208]

BEST Billy Joel song in my opinion.

[@tryingtolearn2876]

One of the Best songs written by a musician in lew of what he does, plays a piano.

[@terryallen345]

The most elegant way to say "life can suck"

[@kylemoran4343]

The first time I saw Billy Joel, was back in the early 70's at the Baltimore Civic Center. He was an unheard of opening act, (the crowd Loved him) and he blew us away. He was opening for an act named Alice Cooper... The whole show was great ! Plus one of my friends might of brought some LSD... it was the 70's after all. lol

[@geraldjensen6831]

One of the greatest artists of our time...

[@strongestfan9823]

Did you know he plays the harmonica and the piano at the same time when he does this live . I don’t know anyone else that can do that

[@joannryan5929]

You need to react to We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy. He managed to put together a song about historic moments in American history in chronological order with rhyme. Fantastic!

[@doncarlton4858]

Early in his career Billy Joel played piano in bars just like this in Los Angeles. That experience provided inspiration for this song.

[@paulm.5979]

Nice! Billy Joel has had over 30 top 40 hits and so many amazing songs. Try River of Dreams, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Pressure, Keeping the Faith,, Honesty, We Didn't Start the Fire, just a few to get you started.

[@KolozII]

Love me some Billy Joel! His catalogue is fantastic! Some highlights of his include "Uptown Girl", "The Longest Time", "New York State of Mind", "Only the Good Die Young", and "Just the Way You Are". There are a lot more, but to keep this post short, I'll stop it there.

[@bromixsr]

Tou got it right when you compared the lyrics to poetry. Billy Joel is one of the all-time great songwriters. It's not that often you hear of a boy from New York being good with words.

[@j.k.1963]

Such a pleasure to hear this gem again. It stands for what music does for us. Billy Joel is just a great artist.

[@Gamesta100]

This is a song that makes you picture the bar and the occupants he describes. You don't just listen you also experience.

[@ReallyFarFarAway]

👉 ... " - Fantastic !!! " ... 👈

[@thomastimlin1724]

Lullaby (Goodnight My Angel) will tear you apart if you are a parent or were. Billy Joel was/is a genius.

[@cindyduncan7049]

"As the smile ran away from his face" so poetic.

[@donrogers1337]

Friday and Saturday night in the bars of America, hundred's of life's story's and a thousand dreams and wishes, some fulfilled and others dashed.

[@Cboy2023]

Harry..Scenes From An Italian Restaurant is his Masterpiece (not just my opinion)

[@alrivers2297]

Much like other great artists and bands, he has numerous masterpieces. Not just one

[@ronbrown912]

One of the greatest songs ever written.

[@matt75hooper]

A Masterpiece for the ages.

[@prenticehammond2003]

Wow, standing "O". I Agee, well deserved. However, I first heard this song in college in 1974 or 1975. Enjoyed it for many years.

[@robinreiley1828]

I saw Billy Joel at the 14th St Academy of Music in NYC in early 72. He was the opening act for J.Giels Band and Captain Beefheart. It was just before "Piano Man" was released. He played a very bitter medley of songs by piano players, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elton John, Leon Russell etc. He knew he was better than all of them but had yet to make it. In a few months his whole life would change!

[@celebmrk9]

Watch one of his last live performances, the crowd sings the chorus back to him…very, very moving indeed. Billy gets very emotional…

[@Gothic55]

Billy Joel is brilliant - song is semi autobiographical. Have seen him in concert several time - including concert he did will Elton John, where they played each other’s songs. I really wish that Billy Joel would record new music -been over 29 years since his last vocal album. Great review..

[@desertrat4453]

One of the best songs ever written...the piano sounds like a carnival and the microphone sounds like a beer...so many great lines. Harri, not everybody lives a fulfilled life but people find comfort and peace where they are.

[@jodiedehart3314]

If you like the blues and jazz, you'd love Billy Joel's " New York State of Mind", the saxophone and piano are INSANE!!❤️❤️❤️

[@kathrynkissane5144]

Your listening skills are incredible. The lyrics are so meaningful. You actually LISTEN.

[@dawnscheerhoorn9583]

Billy Joel is a genius.

[@nickperkins8477]

Uptown Girl and Tell Her About It are two other fantastic songs by Billy Joel. River Of Dreams, as well. He is immensely talented and versatile.

[@craigkoehnen]

Scenes From an Italian Restaurant is arguably his best tune. Never was released as a single, but is shear genius.