When it comes to atmospheric storytelling, very few songs remotely compare to Billy
Joel’s signature song, “Piano Man.” The song has captivated generations of listeners since its
1973 release, hailed for its ability to capture a single place with such vivid authenticity. An
established legend, Joel is not a one-hit-wonder, and “Piano Man” is not his only show of lyrical
mastery. Throughout Billy Joel’s illustrious career, his combination of plain language with
profound thought has earned him a spot among the best lyricists of all time.
Billy Joel’s lyrics strike a unique balance between the ordinary and the abstract,
something that sets him apart from many other artists who have enjoyed similar popularity. His
language is plain and modest, not hyper-embellished with unrelatable abstractions and
metaphors. Foremostly, the lyrics are accessible, and therein lies their genius. Joel is a musical
everyman who masterfully connects to listeners with an authenticity that appeals to all types of
people. Take, for instance, the at times crude language in Joel’s “Captain Jack,” which does not
detract from its artistic value, but rather enhances it by imbuing in it a distinct honesty.
References to habitual drug use and lust are not censored, but fully transparent. Its humanity is
so incredibly apparent because it does not hide behind euphemisms or metaphors in its
exploration of addiction and escapism. It says it plainly, simply, but beautifully. It sounds easy to
write, but it’s not.
Compare the piano man’s lyrics to those of his contemporary Sir Elton John, a legendary
pianist and songwriter in his own right. The Rocket Man’s lyrics and musical style are larger than
life, writing every song with a sense of grandiose wonder. Sir Elton’s hit “Goodbye Yellow Brick
Road” chronicles a rejection of the glamorous lifestyle of stardom with a grand sound and
abstract lyrics, being thematically resonant, but not lyrically relatable. This is his style, and he is
highly effective at it, but it is very different to Joel’s signature style. Billy Joel’s thematic
equivalent was his 1976 Turnstiles song “Say Goodbye to Hollywood,” which covers the same
idea but in a more down-to-earth, grounded style. Both artists are master lyricists, but it is Joel’s
realistic and extremely human style that sets him apart from other popular artists of his time.
Every one of Joel’s songs, from the three-part mini-rock opera “Scenes from an Italian
Restaurant,” to the bittersweet hedonistic farewell “I’ve Loved These Days,” to his doo-wop
love-letter “The Longest Time,” is a masterclass in lyrical simplicity. They are deep, profound,
and ubiquitous while maintaining an accessibility and relatability that is seldom found elsewhere.
Billy Joel is not merely a master of the ivories, but one of the greatest songwriters of all time: a
position that is not at risk any time soon.