Katie Svehla - Piano Man by Billy Joel

Piano man by Billy Joel:

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/billyjoel/pianoman.html

Piano Man by Billy Joel is well known around the world, but most people don’t think much into the meaning of it. And even if they do, everyone has their own interpretation. But the message that I get from it is told more in story form. Each verse highlights the story of a different person that this musician sees at the bar he plays at. And it’s quite peculiar, because the song basically tells you that you can’t expect anything just by looking at a person. The waitress is practicing politics, while the businessman gets stoned. They all want something different for their lives, but nevertheless, they come to the bar and hear music get played on a piano that is as unpredictable and ruthless as a carnival, they give him money and wonder what he’s doing in a run down bar. Why isn’t he doing something with his life? Everyone wishes that they could have done something better with their life, and they don’t want to see this amazing piano man turn out the way they did. Regretting what they haven't done. So long story short, I believe the message could be that we all have something we want to do with our lives, something unexpected. Something that a person wouldn’t know just by looking at us. We just have so get up the courage to do it. Some of the techniques that Billy Joel uses are theme, characterization, and a catchy and simple melody that makes you want to listen to it over and over again. And finally, I can apply this message to my life by not sitting around and waiting for things to happen. But actually doing them. Surprise the world with what you do.