DifícilJazz and BluesPresent ContinuousSimple Present

Piano Man

Billy Joel

Released in 1973, 'Piano Man' is one of Billy Joel's signature songs, bringing to life the stories of bar patrons in a New York City piano bar. The song showcases Joel’s storytelling ability, blending elements of jazz and blues that appeal to a wide audience. Its narrative style makes it an excellent resource for English learners, as it presents everyday conversations and sentiments that are relatable. The song has been a cultural touchstone, resonating with generations and inspiring various covers by numerous artists.

Lyrics

Piano Man — Billy Joel

English

It's nine o'clock on a Saturday

The regular crowd shuffles in

There’s an old man sitting next to me

Making 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"

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 feeling alright [Chorus]

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 someplace that he'd rather be

He says, "Bill, I believe this is killing me"

As the 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"

[Chorus]

Now Paul is a real estate novelist

Who never had time for a wife

And he's talking 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 drinking alone

And say, "Man, what are you doing here?"

[…]

Grammar

What you learn from this song

Present Continuous (Presente Continuo)

The Present Continuous is used to describe actions happening right now or ongoing situations. It is formed with the verb 'to be' plus the -ing form of the main verb. This structure is helpful for English learners as it clearly distinguishes between completed actions and ongoing activities.

"There's an old man sitting next to me" — Here, 'sitting' indicates that the action is happening at the moment.

"The waitress is practicing politics" — This implies that her action is ongoing and part of her current role.

"He's quick with a joke, or to light up your smoke" — The use of 'is' indicates a current characteristic.

Simple Present (Presente Simple)

The Simple Present tense describes habitual actions, general truths, or routines. It is utilized for facts and actions that are regular or true in the present. Mastery of this tense is crucial for English learners as it forms the basis for understanding daily conversations and descriptions.

"It’s nine o'clock on a Saturday" — This is a statement of fact about the present time.

"He gets me my drinks for free" — This line shows a habitual action.

"Now Paul is a real estate novelist" — It states a current situation or fact about Paul.

Fun facts

Did you know?

Billy Joel wrote 'Piano Man' while working as a piano bar entertainer in Los Angeles, capturing the essence of his experiences.

'Piano Man' was released as the title track of Joel's album and became his first big hit, reaching number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song's melody and lyrics have been covered by various artists, including Garth Brooks, who performed it during a live concert.

The character of the piano man in the song symbolizes dreams and aspirations, resonating with listeners who feel trapped in their daily routines.

'Piano Man' was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, marking its significance in popular music history.

For students

Why learn English with this song?

Learning English with 'Piano Man' is beneficial because of its clear pronunciation and narrative style, which makes it easier to grasp contextual vocabulary. The song incorporates a range of expressions used in everyday conversation, providing learners with practical language skills. Its repetitive structure aids in reinforcing grammar concepts, and the storytelling nature enhances comprehension and retention.

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