Day 36 - Piano Man
Billy Joel
1973
Disclaimer: All perspectives, opinions, and memories in this entry are mine and mine alone. Some content is rugged, raw, and - sometimes - NSFW, but it's all authentic and included with purpose.
Yesterday's entry was favorite recorded song, tomorrow's is favorite overall lyrics. But today is my favorite all-time line from a song.
30 days ago I mentioned my 2nd favorite line and we finally made it to #1.
So much I can and want to say about this song. I could probably write an entire novel about just this one song. Seriously, if you ever want to sit down with me over a bottle of wine and talk about nothing else other than this song, I’m down. I'm not joking, I would love to.
Won’t be my first time.
But it’s ultimately on the list because it contains my Favorite Line in songwriting history:
30 days ago I mentioned my 2nd favorite line and we finally made it to #1.
So much I can and want to say about this song. I could probably write an entire novel about just this one song. Seriously, if you ever want to sit down with me over a bottle of wine and talk about nothing else other than this song, I’m down. I'm not joking, I would love to.
Won’t be my first time.
But it’s ultimately on the list because it contains my Favorite Line in songwriting history:
“And the waitress is practicing politics
While businessmen slowly gets stoned
Yes, they’re sharing a drink they call loneliness
But it’s better than drinking alone”
Have mercy.
Beyond the vivid imagery of the sad, weathered people in this bar, the construction of these lines are jaw dropping. As someone who geeks out over the craft of turning phrases, this is the apex. And I know that it’s legit because I loved it as a teenager, I loved in my 20’s, I loved it in my 30’s and I love it even more as I head into my 40’s. That’s the true test of greatness to me - sometimes you outgrow a song or a concept in a song.
This one has only deepened with me over the years.
Listen to "Piano Man" here:
Have mercy.
Beyond the vivid imagery of the sad, weathered people in this bar, the construction of these lines are jaw dropping. As someone who geeks out over the craft of turning phrases, this is the apex. And I know that it’s legit because I loved it as a teenager, I loved in my 20’s, I loved it in my 30’s and I love it even more as I head into my 40’s. That’s the true test of greatness to me - sometimes you outgrow a song or a concept in a song.
This one has only deepened with me over the years.
Listen to "Piano Man" here:
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