Billy Joel recently opened up about the fan theory surrounding his iconic song “Piano Man.” The song, released in 1973, tells the story of a piano player in a bar who shares anecdotes about the bar’s patrons.
Despite becoming one of Joel’s trademark songs, “Piano Man” was initially not intended to be a single due to its unconventional structure and somewhat depressing theme. However, the song garnered significant airplay and became a fan favorite over time.
In the song’s third verse, listeners are introduced to Paul, a “real estate novelist” who never had time for a wife. When asked about the meaning of a real estate novelist, Joel explained that it refers to a real estate broker attempting to write the great American novel.
During a recent interview, Joel addressed the speculation that Paul and Davy, another character in the song, might be interpreted as being in a gay relationship. Although Joel never intended this interpretation, he acknowledged the validity of the theory and found it amusing.
Aside from discussing the fan theories surrounding “Piano Man,” Joel also talked about his latest single, “Turn the Lights Back On,” which marks his return to releasing new music after a long hiatus. Despite releasing new music, Joel expressed that he does not feel particularly inspired to write more songs, as he finds the songwriting process to be tormenting.
As a prolific singer-songwriter, Joel prefers to focus on creating music for himself rather than aiming to produce chart-topping hits. While fans may hope for more new music from Joel in the future, the artist seems content with his current approach to music creation.
In addition to his musical endeavors, Joel also mentioned relying on the audience for help with lyrics during live performances, highlighting the challenges of performing complex songs like “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”
Although Joel’s musical career has spanned several decades, he continues to captivate audiences with his timeless hits and insightful storytelling. As he embarks on this new chapter of releasing music, fans eagerly await what the future holds for the legendary artist.
