Welcome back to “That’s Entertainment!” –
The A To Z Challenge.
I hope you enjoy my musical selections.
Let’s see what’s up today!

Artwork by Ernest Federspiel
BILLY JOEL – Known as the “Piano Man” after his signature song of the same name, Billy Joel is a singer, songwriter and piano player extraordinaire. Joel, born in 1949 in The Bronx, NY, enjoys a hugely successful career yet holds fast to his humble hometown roots. Known for his love of boating and fishing the waters off Long Island, NY, Billy Joel is frequently spotted working on his boat or drinking a beer at the docks with the locals. He’s a longtime supporter of the sport of Long Island fishing and fishermen. Professionally, from 1971 to 1993, Billy Joel released 12 studio albums spanning the genres of pop and rock, and in 2001 released a one-off studio album of classical compositions. With over 160 million records sold worldwide, he is one of the world’s best-selling music artists and is the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the United States. In 2014, Joel began a concert residency at Madison Square Garden, playing one concert a month until July 25, 2024, after 10 years and 150 shows. In 1973, Billy Joel released “Piano Man”; the song is sung from the point of view of a piano player at a bar, describing the various patrons. The song is based on Joel’s real-life experiences as a lounge musician in Los Angeles from 1972 to 1973.
This is “Piano Man” by Billy Joel
Please join me again tomorrow for more of “That’s Entertainment” and the A To Z Challenge!
NAR©2025
All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy’s Notes 🖊️🎶, The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, The Rhythm Section, et al., and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.


Oh, I’m a Billy Joel fan. I enjoy listening to the song while reading your posts. Very nicely done on this challenge, Nancy. I’m learning a lot and enjoying the stroll down memory lane as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful comment, Brenda! I can’t imagine a world without music. It’s very easy to write about something I love. Thank you for coming along for the ride! ♡🎶
LikeLike
Absolutely one of the all-time greats. I still get a high when I hear one of his songs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great comment! I feel the same way about him. One of the best multi-talented artists around. Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Stranger was one of the first albums I purchased for myself. I really enjoy his music. 🎶
LikeLiked by 1 person
Any album would have been a great purchase. He’s a leader in the world of multi-talented performers! Thanks, Jill.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s got a knack for songwriting. The Stranger is probably my favorite album of his.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You and Jill feel the same way. He’s an extraordinary performer. Thanks, Lisa!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks for the background info on this great singer, songwriter, Nancy, …he’s a grrrrreat addition to your list, … something about his voice stirs the inner musical being, 🎶you can’t help but respond, …🎼… I’m off to ask Alexa, she’s the quickest way I can get my fix….(Music wise I mean😙) ….💫😎💫Penn💫🎶🎼💫
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh dear, …I’m Anon, …sounds very furtive, … erm, …let’s try again, …💫😎💫
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Penn! There’s no way I could have omitted him from my challenge; that would have been just wrong!
LikeLike
Good ole Joel! A great choice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed, dear Keith! You can never go wrong with Billy Joel. Thank you!
LikeLike
Some one mentioned ‘Piano Man’ as Dylanesque. I agree…one of the great who told vivid and pointed/poignant stories with his music. Do we get that with current popular songsters?
LikeLiked by 1 person
To answer your question … no, we don’t, except maybe for Weird Al and songs like The Saga Begins! This is somewhat Dylanesque but with much more of a melody. Thanks, Liz.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An amazing talent, and great choice for this series.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agree 100%, D! To have left off New York’s “Boss” would have been a sin. Thanks, my friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve always liked this ‘Dylanesque’ song
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely one of his best but there are so many I could describe in the same way. Thanks, Glyn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know Billy Joel had a 10-year residency at Madison Square Garden. Seems fitting! 🙂 I love your A to Z theme and mentioned this challenge in my last post, including a link to your blog. Have a good weekend! 🌷
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw him on Colbert talking about the MSG. Talk about a goose laying golden eggs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a really good gig!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very kindly for the nod, Debbie. I got to one of his earlier MSG shows; it was pretty damn impressive how everyone there knew all the words to all his songs. I don’t think anyone sat down the entire time. Who else can we say that about?
LikeLike
I have heard some people say that Piano Man is the greatest song ever written.
LikeLike
I’ve heard of this!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay!! I hope you enjoyed Billy Joel, Sonia. Thank you!
LikeLike
Great post Sis, I really love Billy Joel and Piano man by him is my favourite song ! My second favourite is We didnt start the fire.
Of course I have to send you this little homage from Sam.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good choices, Willow! I love everything Billy Joel has ever done so for me any video you shared would have been fine. Sam did a great job on Piano Man; it suits him well. Thanks, Willow! 🎶🖤
LikeLiked by 1 person
We didn’t start the fire is such a great social history lesson isn’t it !!
💜💜💜💜
LikeLike
👏👏👏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Fan! To have omitted the real ‘Boss’ from my challenge would have been criminal.
LikeLiked by 1 person