Those of you who know me, realize that I am a huge fan of rock n roller, Billy Joel.  I have seen him 30 something times.  Although, he's getting up there in years, he can still jam. And, like his previous wife, he's got another hottie.  I'll be seeing him again in a couple of weeks, then perhaps a few months later.  I'm questioned a lot of why do I spend $100 per ticket to see him, when I have seen him so many times.  It's fun and I love his music and his style. Plus, he's not gonna be performing forever,  he's pushing 60, just like Elton.

Billy is an entertainer.  He not only plays the piano, but he talks to the crowd, and being from the Bronx really lays on the accent.  He is really funny. Of course, nowadays, his shows are about 2  hours long, when I can remember them being 4 hours easily.  He would just rock the night away.  He is a true showman.  Have you ever seen his Live at Yankee Stadium concert?  Of course, it's nearly 20 years old now, but it was excellent.  He pulls out the accordian for Downeaster Alexa, and strums the guitar for We Didn't Start the Fire, for unique showmanship. And, when he and Elton John are on the Face to Face tours....I need a sedative and a tranquilizer when the show is over.  Words can't describe that show.  Okay, think of a word 10,000 times better than AWESOME.

He is incorporating a lot of his old stuff that wasn't a hit or topped any charts. He could release another album of old stuff called MORE SONGS FROM THE ATTIC, and some of it may be catchy now.  Like the one song A ROOM OF OUR OWN or SOMETIMES A FANTASY or SLEEPING WITH THE TELEVISION ON or even ALL YOU WANNA DO IS DANCE.  Great songs, but never really big hits for him.  Also rare ones like ELVIS PRESLEY BLVD. and HOUSE OF BLUE LIGHT.  Almost everyone knows of his tribute song NEW YORK STATE OF MIND, but only Billy Joel fans would know how creepy it is to listen to MIAMI 2017 ( I'VE SEEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT ON BROADWAY ) since the 9/11 attacks, this song is now spooky instead of kooky.

I'm not a big fan of his legendary song, Piano Man.  Sorry, I'm not one for waltzes.  But I am a fan of swaying and beer drinking songs.  However, on the flip side of Piano Man is a cool and funky song called THE ENTERTAINER ( it sounds nothing like the ragtime hit made by Scott Joplin ).  The lyrics are so true about Billy or any other performer of his kind of craft.  I think this song is a lot better than Piano Man.  In Piano Man, he refers to one gig he had years ago almost as a lounge lizard, and just sings about how boring it was.  But in THE ENTERTAINER, he illustrates the ups and downs of being a performer, climbing to the top, and struggling to stay there, as well as how the audiences may react to his music.  He also tells the tale of how touring on the concert circuit isn't as glamorous as it may sound.

Check out the lyrics.

The Entertainer - Billy Joel

I am the entertainer,
And I know just where I stand:
Another serenader,
And another long-haired band.
Today I am your champion.
I may have won your hearts.
But I know the game,
You will forget my name,
And I won't be here
In another year,
If I don't stay on the charts.