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over 3 years ago
Lyrics of Piano Man by Ray Charles
It′s nine o'clock on a Saturday
The regular crowd shuffles in
There′s an old man sittin' next to me
Makin' love to his tonic and gin
He says, "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"
La, la-la, di-di-da
La-la di-di-da da-dum
Sing us a song, you're the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we′re all in the mood for a melody
And you've got us feelin′ alright
Now John at the bar is a friend of mine
He gets me my drinks for free
And he's quick with a joke, or to light up your smoke
But there's some place that he′d rather be
He says, "Bill, I believe this is killing me"
As a smile ran away from his face
"Well, I′m sure that I could be a movie star
If I could get out of this place"
Oh, la, la-la, di-di-da
La-la di-di-da da-dum
Now Paul is a real estate novelist
Who never had time for a wife
And he's talkin′ with Davy, who's still in the navy
And probably will be for life
And the waitress is practicing politics
As the businessmen slowly get stoned
Yes, they′re sharing a drink they call loneliness
But it's better than drinkin′ alone
Sing us the song, you're the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we're all in the mood for a melody
And you′ve got us feelin′ alright
It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday
And the manager gives me a smile
′Cause he knows that it's me they′ve been comin' to see
To forget about life for a while
And the piano, it sounds like a carnival
And the microphone smells like a beer
And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar
And say man what are you doin′ here?
Oh, la, la-la, di-di-da
La-la di-di-da da-dum
Sing us the song, you're the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we're all in the mood for a melody
And you′ve got us feelin′ alright
Writer(s): Billy Joel
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Meaning
Piano Man by Billy Joel paints a vivid picture of various characters at a bar, each dealing with their struggles and seeking solace in music and camaraderie. The song highlights the role of the piano man in providing a temporary escape from life's hardships through music and unity in a shared space.
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Themes
Nostalgia and memory
• It's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete
• Can you play me a memory?
Loneliness and connection
• They're sharing a drink they call loneliness
• But it's better than drinkin' alone
Escape and dreams
• To forget about life for a while
• I could be a movie star if I could get out of this place
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Moods
Nostalgia, reflection, joy, solitude, angst
Rating: PG
Lyrics to be enjoyed with parental supervision
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Contributions
Last edit over 3 years ago
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Piano Man (Legacy Edition)
Album • 1973 • 33 tracks
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