IS THIS ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS OF ALL TIME? First Time Hearing Billy Joel - Piano Man Reaction!

Billy Joel is widely regarded as one of the most talented singer-songwriters of all time, and "Piano Man" is undoubtedly one of his most iconic and beloved songs. Known for his storytelling abilities and masterful piano skills, Joel has touched the hearts of millions with his music.
Billy Joel's "Piano Man" is a masterpiece that has resonated with generations of music lovers. Its heartfelt lyrics and soulful melody have made it a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. As we embark on this musical journey, we can't help but wonder if "Piano Man" truly deserves its status as one of the songs of all time.
Join us as we explore the intricate storytelling, powerful vocals, and mesmerizing piano performance that Billy Joel brings to this iconic piece of music. Through our genuine reaction, we aim to uncover the magic behind "Piano Man" and discover why it has stood the test of time.
Whether you are a long-time fan of Billy Joel or have never heard "Piano Man" before, this reaction video is for you. Get ready to witness the power and beauty of one of the greatest songs ever written.
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the channel for more first-time reactions to timeless music. Let's dive into the world of Billy Joel's "Piano Man" together!
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You can find the version of Billy Joel - Piano Man on KZbin at the link below:
• Billy Joel - Piano Man...
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You can find Billy Joel - Piano Man on Spotify and Apple Music at the links below:
music.apple.com/ca/album/pian...
open.spotify.com/track/6PqtL2...
For any reaction requests & suggestions - drop them in the comments!
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[@davesage4931]

“They’re sharing a drink they call loneliness cause it’s better than drinking alone.” That line is in my lyrical hall of fame.

[@moko8237]

That’s also my favourite line in the song!

[@stevenmotchan2048]

"And the microphone smells like a beer."

[@MoMoMyPup10]

Well then you better fix that HOF line to its proper place " -cause- *but* it's better than drinking alone" 🤣

[@JohnBullard]

Little old lady got mutilated late last night, Werewolves of London again!

[@JohnBullard]

Little old lady got mutilated late last night, Werewolves of London again! When will they check out Warren Zevon? He wrote some spanking lyrics.

[@jimfrederick3907]

"It's sad and it's sweet, and I knew it complete when I wore a younger man's clothes!" - Pure brilliance!

[@ohauss]

Note he also doesn't say "Play me a melody", but "Play me a memory". Pure poetry, showing us the nostalgic feelings of the old man.

[@andrewodinson3726]

I adore creative ways of saying things like that. Can make such a simple sentence sound so refined.

[@jimfrederick3907]

@@andrewodinson3726 His writing is like he is the "George Carlin" of lyricists.

[@MrChrismlamorte]

This is typically the last song he plays when he plays at Madison Square Garden. He only plays the music. The entire crowd sings the song in unison. It's awesome

[@rodbiagtan4250]

Wow, I didn’t know that. That must be so amazing!

[@zeebest3218]

I’ve been to two shows of his now, although technically it’s the last song of the set he always come back out with 4-5 songs for an encore starting with we didn’t start the fire

[@papamac2590]

This is one of those songs that you don’t really understand or appreciate until you’re past your prime.

[@zeebest3218]

does this mean I’m past my prime at 17 :(

[@papamac2590]

@@zeebest3218 No you’re not past your prime at 17. That said you haven’t lived enough life to fully appreciate this song.

[@xyonmckell]

"They're sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it's better than drinking alone." is an all time great line.

[@erniesteele3164]

"It's 9 o'clock on a Saturday, the regular crowd shuffles in"

[@willemthijssen1082]

Agreed. Every line of this song is great, but this one hits a little different

[@seanscanlon9067]

@@drfunk1011 You seem a little bitter and troubled about something and if so, I genuinely hope that you can find a resolution to it all.

[@user-td4yn2io4n]

X2

[@johnraygun9868]

i was a soldier for 21 years and been at bars around the world and it doesnt matter the country, language or anything, this song nails it

[@deirdre108]

But Davey who's still in the Navy wouldn't be wearing his cover indoors!

[@johnraygun9868]

@@deirdre108 he already received an article 15 for that, put him in debt which is why he will probably be in the Navy for life trying to catch back up

[@johnraygun9868]

@@deirdre108 well, that and he caught herpes abroad

[@deirdre108]

@@johnraygun9868That’ll get you the always applicable article 134.

[@deirdre108]

@@johnraygun9868 LOL! And they always throw in the article 134 for free if 15 doesn't stick.

[@saltinewarrior8192]

Did you notice that he's playing the harmonica, the piano, singing and smoking all at the same time.

[@ThirdEyePerspective1111]

One thing I love about Billy Joel, is that you can ALWAYS hear the lyrics so clearly when he sings.

[@ESUSAMEX]

Yes, Billy left Long Island, NY and headed out to LA for a few years to rethink his career choices. He dropped his surname of Joel and began using his middle name of Martin. During his time as Bill Martin, he played in bars in LA and wrote this song. He returned to NY because he disliked LA so much and the rest was history.

[@boki1693]

I always heard he used martin also because he was a Yankees fan and they had a second baseman named Billy martin when Joel was a kid?

[@ESUSAMEX]

@@boki1693 He's a Met fan. He called himself Bill instead of Billy due to the fact Billy Martin was already a famous name in Yankeeland

[@boki1693]

@@ESUSAMEX I have actually heard both. Met and Yankee and somewhere in between. LOL. So I googled it. The general consensus is he is a Met fan. But having said that, there is compelling evidence he roots for the Yankees as well. When Billy Martin played for the Yankees, the Mets did not exist yet. So what might be the case is he was a Yankee fan in the 50's as a kid and some time later when the Mets came along started rooting for the Mets and or both teams.

[@ESUSAMEX]

@@boki1693 He did an interview in which he stated he was a Met fan since the Mets started in 1962.

[@joelliebler5690]

He also left New York to get away from his record manager who ripped him off on a record agreement and they messed up the speed of his first album as well!

[@briantaylor9475]

*It's sad and it's sweet; and I knew it complete; when I wore a younger man's clothes " Powerful.

[@GraniteStateofMind]

Absolutely one of the best songs ever written

[@dagmar.6954]

This is such a great story telling song. This was Billy's first single released in 1973. "Piano Man" is based on Billy Joel's real-life experiences as a lounge musician in Los Angeles. The song is sung from Joel's point of view as a piano player at a bar, reminiscing about his experiences there & the people he encountered.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

Yep, they went over all that in the beginning

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Third single. The first two didn't chart.

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

No doubt this is one of the greatest songs ever. I love that he keeps the fromt row empty at his concerts, then he has his folks go up and grab some people from the worst seats in the nosebleed sections to fill the front row. 'Uptown Girl' he wrote about supermodel Christie Brinkley who he married in 1985. Sadly his touring schedule and her busy schedule doomed the marrage although they remain close freinds. 'Travelin’ Prayer' is another great tune from Billy. Cheers.

[@seanscanlon9067]

@@drfunk1011 You seem a little bitter and troubled about something and if so, I genuinely hope that you can find a resolution to it all.

[@gregsteele806]

Most of the "Innocent Man" album was a love letter to Christie Brinkley.

[@calemobrien1139]

Songs like Piano Man, Bohemian Rhapsody & American Pie are the ones where you just belt out every word when you hear them on the radio or anywhere really 😎 PHENOMENAL SONG!!! One of my favorites!!!

[@DenanSeven]

A few years after Piano Man was released. I was in a bar/restaurant in Osaka Japan. They had music playing, a lot of American country, rock, etc. Then this song came on and Japanese people started singing the song in broken but earnest English. The table across from us (20+ people) stood and started swaying back and forth holding their beers up and singing, smiling and laughing. So, what else could I do, but join in... I didn't pay for thing that night. The power of music, especially great music, to unite people from disparate lands never ceases to amaze me.

[@alansnow1129]

Same with that Neil Diamond song

[@user-du2pw7ox1b]

​@@alansnow1129 Caroline!

[@mil2k11]

Billy Joel - Legend. Not more I can say about that.

[@kevinehle6637]

Yes, it's one of the greatest songs. RocknRoll Hall of Fame song. It's hard to believe it was from 1973. ❤

[@donalddixon6541]

Not to me, there were hundreds of great songs in the 70's

[@terri2494]

Fifty years ago. I may be old but I grew up with some great music.

[@truthseeker6532]

Everytime I hear this song, I think of the TV show called CHEERS!!!! When I watch the TV show called CHEERS, I think of this song.

[@adamslone9292]

I couldn’t tell if you were kidding that you had never heard this song before. The song is legendary. But it really shows that after a couple of decades….younger people don’t know even super famous iconic artists. Guess my generation was the same!

[@truthseeker6532]

This song and The River of Dreams are his Best songs.

[@TomFurr-uc1hj]

Tha drummer was killing it too

[@richardkafka5625]

Billy Joel is a DEEP rabbit hole. So many great story songs and so many different styles.

[@Arkryal]

A deep hole indeed, lol. Should we tell them about "Atilla", lol... If this is their point of reference, I don't think they'd believe they're listening to one of the first Metal artists who hit the scene at the same time as Black Sabbath. I'm not always a fan of his songs, in terms of performance at least, but he is unquestioningly one of the greatest song writers of our time. If they react to another of his songs, I think "Always a Woman", while short and a little mainstream, is still one of his best lyrically.

[@johnnyd5285]

The best live show I’ve ever seen was Billy Joel and Elton John together! Can you imagine those two piano men together! 3 plus hours of the best song writing and playing ever!

[@maryannturton9830]

I was there! 2 masters!🎹🎙🎶👊

[@steverakes6182]

Billy Joel has written a lot of great songs, but none can top this one.

[@sherribrock2726]

That’s Billy playing the harmonica as well! He is multitalented!! My favorite song from his River of Dreams.

[@ericpearson8824]

You have to do Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant". It is such an iconic song from him. I just love how he is able to paint a vivid picture with his songs.

[@boki1693]

Not sure but I think thats the other one they did. Yep.

[@tinypurplefishesrunlaughin8052]

Man oh man that song just won’t ever leave you alone. It’s always there waiting to come back into your life. A memory of a lifetime.

[@richardlacey4923]

Let the aliens know more earthling!

[@boki1693]

@@drfunk1011 😯😯😵😵

[@seanscanlon9067]

@@drfunk1011 You seem a little bitter and troubled about something and if so, I genuinely hope that you can find a resolution to it all.

[@ajruther67]

What do I like about this song? It captures the complete scene of bars, especially back in the 70's when you had lounges, not bars and many had piano players. That and the fact of the story telling and the line "They’re sharing a drink they call loneliness cause it’s better than drinking alone." I believe that is true for so many.

[@giodagrate5369]

How is possible that you’ve never heard this song? How?

[@inthedarkanonymous5625]

This baffles me. It’s EVERYWHERE. Or was that back then?😊

[@dominictucci6030]

Possibly too young to have known this classic song.

[@yinzer]

Yes, one of them.

[@marsfalcon9250]

Everyone has a story. Everyone.

[@markmurphy558]

Billy was trained as an orchestral composer, and has written several symphonies. If you would like to try some live performances, there is several videos on YT of Elton and John and Billy Joel playing each other's music live at Shea Stadium. Amazing displays of technique and soulful piano. Finally, my favorite BJ song is a jazz song," New York State of Mind". performed live with an unbelievable sax solo.

[@seanscanlon9067]

@@drfunk1011 You seem a little bitter and troubled about something and if so, I genuinely hope that you can find a resolution to it all.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

He was not famous yet when he was playing the bar scene, but this song he wrote from that experience put him on the map and was a big hit.

[@lynnie6633]

Billy Joel is a fantastic storyteller, and his catalog is huge. Two of my very favorite songs are "Goodnight Saigon" about the Vietnam War and "Prelude/Angry Young Man", especially the version live at Long Island. His piano skills will blow your minds!

[@huchlvr]

I get chills every time I hear 'Goodnight Saigon', even though the Vietnam War was when I was a tiny girl. There's something moving about they helicopter blades chopping before the music kicks in.

[@jeffhogland8953]

Goodnight Saigon, The Stranger and And So It Goes are all masterpieces.

[@robertpearson8798]

In one word, yes.

[@mikeconway9849]

Billy is a very talented performer. He has a very large catalog of outstanding music.

[@jasonlouis697]

I loved your discussion about the different "characters" in the song. Having grown up with this song, it helped me see folks on the street as people. It's like when you visit another city and look around. These people are walking here and there, each with their own lives, hopes, dreams, problems, crises. We are each "alone" and yet, we all share so much. Ok, enough of the philosophy. Thank you for another really fun reaction. You are both fun to watch.

[@barsandbarbells2022]

Couldn't agree more! Thx Jason!

[@jennhurl]

One of my favorite concerts ever was Billy Joel & Elton John called "Face 2 Face". Two grand pianos (one black & one white) on stage facing one another. Billy sang Elton songs - Elton sang Billy songs - they sang each others biggest songs together OMG mind blowing. I gave my daughter my t-shirt from 30 years ago & she loves it. They both have sunglasses on with the reflection of their home country flag on it - Billy 🇺🇸 USA & ELTON 🇬🇧 England

[@mitchellbaxter6314]

I saw them in '94 at RFK Stadium in DC. Can't believe it's been 30 years!

[@jonasjohansen8287]

Uptown Girl

[@KRAMPUS_420]

My favorite Billy Joel sone is "Downeaster Alexa", another great storytelling song.

[@heidibrower]

Joel is a great storyteller and musician.

[@felixnorman9562]

This was his first great hit

[@tomtortolani8082]

add one of the greatest musicians of all time.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

Early Billy was unmatched lyrically and songwriting. All of his early stuff is significantly profound and poetic. He could be considered the best ever at combining all of that into one 3 1/2 minute song (or longer if need be, no problem)

[@cassianfalkener3706]

lol... which brings up yet another of his songs: The Entertainer

[@fgrillo29]

I saw him live (for the first time) last June. He's 74 and he still has that powerful voice. His backing band is amazing. He has so many hits. That show was 2 hours of greatest hits and he still had some of his best that didn't make the show. Just amazing.

[@cindydegraaff5083]

Billy Joel is such a great writer, singer, performer. This song came out so long ago and it’s still relevant and not a show goes by without someone shouting out “Piano Man “ to him.

[@JerisEve]

His songs always have such great lyrics. My favorite is Innocent Man, and you really owe yourself a listen to that. The line that kills me in this one is: They sit at the bar and put bread in my jar and say, "Man, what are you doing here?"

[@cassianfalkener3706]

Such a hidden gem. Shouldn't be... it was the title track to a great album, and was released to the radio. I know everyone has their own tastes, but I just don't understand why that song doesn't get a lot more attention than it does. Relatively simple instrumentally (for the most part), but a fantastic showcase for his vocal power and range.

[@johndalessandro6433]

You can tell he didnt just write these lyrics....he lived it. One of the greats....check out " Still rock and roll to me" off the glass houses album i beleive

[@davidmarsden192]

I loved this song since the very first time I heard it (and saw this video, back in the mid-80s).

[@HalkerVeil]

I don't watch a lot of music reactions anymore for reasons. But this is one of the few I must always check out.

[@Sobolady89]

He was married to Christie Brinkley and he wrote She's Always a woman to her, which is a beautiful doing. They're divorced, but are great friends and have a DS suggest together. A New York State of mind is another great song by him.

[@douglasgilchrist2316]

I feel sorry for you ❤❤in the 70's music was all about storytelling I'm 63 a teenager in the 70s

[@susanseverance2096]

The star is the lyrics. The way the music so truly represents the lyrics is perfection. The piano must be recognized. I have played this song at full blast many times. The final chords mimic my heartbeat. A masterful song in every way. The human connection made through music. Love.

[@robertkern9911]

This song is one of the highlights of any Billy Joel concert. When he comes to the line sing me a song your the piano man the entire audience joins in and sings it to him. Very moving Bye the way tickets are now on sale for his next concert at MSG

[@cowetascore8476]

Actually, he lets the audience sing the whole song now.

[@robertkern9911]

@@cowetascore8476 it depends on the night you see him

[@mitchellbaxter6314]

@@cowetascore8476 My experience was that the audience sings every word of every song.

[@eddie623]

If i want enjoy my cup of coffee before i tackle what life has in store for this Texas cowboy just sit back and put u guys whatever music you have doesn't know to fail me because you two don't know the meaning of word failure so i know that im in good hands and thanks for just proving my point for playing billy joel you guys are outstanding👍

[@Arkryal]

What always amuses me about this song, he's singing about how awesome he is, but nobody finds it arrogant. It's that good. Many other artists have tried and been savagely ridiculed for it, but we all agree, in this case it's true.

[@scalefree]

Billy Joel is famous for the storytelling in his songs, often drawn from real life.

[@jimr8907]

I love Billy Joel. He grew up in Long Island 9 miles and a few years before me. According to my friends, we saw him at My Father's Place a few years before this album. No memory. I was probably at the bar not realizing who was playing. It was a great bar.

[@svenlima]

Before becoming a star Billy Joel was a piano man himself. So it's autobiographic

[@MP-od1zz]

Billy Joel, not too bad for a high school dropout. Love you guys, enjoying the ride!

[@kilroy205]

play me a memory

[@isinlarsa5996]

Billy Joel played the harmonic on a fixture around his neck when he plays it live.

[@Memorylanemodelcars2]

Yes Piano Man Is Autobiographical Billy Joel's Early Career Was Playing at Piano Bar Which Was Inspiration For The Song Which Was Break out For His Career

[@jmolony31]

This is always great live with 20,000 people singing the chorus.

[@charlesc7950]

Yes

[@danaustin3885]

Yep, one of the greatest.

[@Bigdogfindley]

Great storytelling. Great musicianship and writing. Billy Joel is a fantastic storyteller in most all of his music.

[@reneerocha1796]

Yes, it absolutely IS one of the best productions by this phenomenal artist.😊❤❤ He IS the piano man, and will always be. 😊you would do wise to dive in. ❤

[@Mister_Samsonite]

One of Billy's many great "every man" story songs. How many of us can relate to sitting in a bar, pondering our life choices. and wondering what if we'd chosen a different path?

[@llschnitz]

His Signature Song. No one covers it and maybe never will.

[@joebarrera9741]

This is his autobiography

[@jennifermcdonald5432]

Isn’t it insane that nearly all of us would rather be doing something else but we’re too scared to do it!

[@timcaldwell5241]

I went to seminar in Memphis in the early 70’s…Right down the street, in Overton Square, was a restaurant/club Friday’s(TGIF). We were seated in the balcony(second floor)…at the railing overlooking a Grand Piano, maybe 25/30 feet away. In my early 20’s, all we knew was they had some FINE Memphis ribs and that the drinks were reasonably priced! They had some singer/piano player that none of us had ever heard of as entertainment…it was Billy Joel😳!!! As he was on a raised platform, we were almost eye-level with him…practically able to touch the piano. I remember it was a Thursday night and at midnight (TGIF) and he sang “It was 12 O’Clock in the morning and the drinks went to half price”. And they did…we lost our minds…lol Not only did we get some of the world’s best BB-Q ribs, a cheap buzz, but a WORLD CLASS concert to go with it!!! Fifty years later, it still rates as one of the best nights of my life!!!

[@alexharbison4411]

One of the greatest songs? Not even his greatest song. Such an amazing magazine of music to explore. Nice raction

[@foofghtr]

Billy is playing the harmonica while playing the piano in real time, and singing.

[@ronaldsinagra8825]

What this music video doesn't show is that Billy Joel is playing the harmonica while playing piano. I've seen him in concert 3 times, and every show was amazing.

[@sylvanruud451]

The two things I like about this song, other than the obviously brilliant lyrics, are that the lyrics are all in the form of a limerick, and the rhythm is that of a waltz.

[@mikelamb828]

all of the Billy Joel and Elton John collaborations are worth a watch as well. Some are worth a reaction: e.g. when Billy plays "Candles in the Wind," because Elton no long does.

[@paulmiller3469]

Martin is his real middle name, and Joel is his real last name. He dropped the last name when he was hiding from record producers (and of course picked it up again later), and he actually did work as a piano man in some LA bar. So its autobiographical, and he was serious when he sang that line about people asking him what he was doing there.

[@willfromyadkinville]

YES YES YES! so many great albums! so many albums i would rate as tens without ranking them! my personal favorite album is Songs In The Attic.

[@VIDSTORAGE]

The video was made in the 80s and he made the song in 1973 .. Another great one from his early years is Captain Jack

[@jimmoffat3599]

IS THIS ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS OF ALL TIME? yes

[@chrisswanson8666]

billy joel is 1 of my mt rushmore of music.................he is amazing, but also check out his live versions

[@kimking6036]

When the bar closed down. Most of us gone. Lights out so the cops wouldn't catch us. We would sit around singing. This was our favorite

[@ianlove1215]

When Billy does his concerts he sometimes has the rig on so he can play the harmonica as well as piano. Another song to try is Leningrad, which he wrote after a concert tour he did to Russia several years ago.

[@vegasviking86]

Somebody get this man some sunblock lmao

[@lorispiro-pioggia4289]

He is the best. You need to do. We didn’t start the fire.

[@donnamikola48]

This song, according to wikipedia, "is based on Billy Joel's own experience as a piano-lounge singer for six months in 1972-73 at the now defunct Executive Room bar in the Wilshire district of Los Angeles. Who knew?

[@meltorme-ntor2933]

This is such an amazing song. Very bittersweet.

[@user-sr4gw3gs4v]

Virtually all of Billy’s songs tell a story!

[@robertherring9277]

This inspired me often as a kid performing!

[@JPVLDRodrigues]

A song about loneliness,disenchantment and lost dreams.

[@FredtheFrisian]

Talk about creating an atmosphere!

[@dawncochrane1898]

Billy Joel is a freaking legend! And I agree, completely, about how amazing he is at observing people, and being able to convey the beauty/melancholy/human condition in such a moving way. He is way, way, way on the other side of brilliant. Great reaction!!

[@jacquelinecyr7182]

The fact you don't know Billy Koel is sad.... how can you not!! 🤦‍♀️

[@willlockler9433]

Never get tired of this talent. It just make you feel.

[@MundoDragon]

No love for Liberty Devito on those drums? Iconic drummer.

[@robertgarcia3031]

Great song.

[@jerrykessler2478]

Billy Joel learned to play the piano when he was 3 years old and wrote his first song when he was 5. He doesn't show much respect for his talent. I believe that it's because the music comes so easily.

[@dennyfrodge7539]

If you haven't reacted to it yet please react to "just the way you are"by Billy Joel

[@chuckvelten5337]

From my hometown of Hicksville Long Island New York.

[@noway3372]

As of 2-23-24 125k Seen him 3 times in Detroit