Billy Joel has finally addressed the 'Piano Man' gay bar theory

22 August 2024, 14:14

It's his signature song.

In fact, 'Piano Man' became so beloved that Billy Joel would frequently become known as the "piano man".

'Piano Man' was Joel's breakthrough song and has continued to bookend his concerts to this day, often performing it as his encore.

But in the years since its 1973 release, the song has taken on an entirely new meaning to an entirely new generation of fans.

Joel himself was surprised in 2015 after performing at the Bonnaroo festival in the US, when the young crowd sang along word-for-word.

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It's also taken on a new meaning with the LGBTQ+ community too, with a theory circulating that 'Piano Man' is about a piano player in a gay bar, being the only person in there who doesn't know.

Some sections of his fans believe the narrator of the song is a naïve straight man who's unsure of his surroundings, with his audience asking him: "Man, what are you doin' here?"

Now in a recent interview with NBC Today, Joel has addressed the 'gay bar' theory first-hand.

"There’s this new theory out there now that it’s actually about a gay bar," Joel said.

"I [thought], 'Oh I see how that could be.' Paul’s talking to Davy who’s in the navy; he doesn’t have time for a wife."

Joel refers to the lyrics: "Paul is a Real Estate novelist / Who never had time for a wife / And he’s talking to Davey / Who’s still in the Navy / And probably will be for life."

According to the theory, the narrator is observing a man in navy uniform who would dedicate his life to his work, alluding to his homosexuality and the fact he won't find a wife because of it despite society's pressures.

Suggesting the struggles that homosexual men faced at the time, the song delves into the mind of repressed homosexuals Paul and Davy who seek comfort with the lonely piano man playing at the bar.

During the interview however, Joel poured cold water on the notion, saying that the original thinking behind Paul's character was that he was too busy trying to write the 'Great American Novel' rather than searching for romance.

He shrugged that the theory did make sense however, adding: "It’s a whole theory – it’s very funny, actually!"

Billy Joel - Piano Man (Original Video)

Joel later discussed the impact 'Piano Man' had on his career, having been signed to Columbia Records and achieving unlikely fame after his debut album was a flop two years prior.

"At the time I was totally shocked that they wanted to put it out as a single. It’s in 6/8 time, which is a waltz."

"It’s a long song; and the topic is a bit depressing. It didn’t go gold when it came out – but it got a lot of airplay."

After recently completing his record-breaking ten-year residency at Madison Square Garden - his hometown venue - Joel joked:

"I’ve watched people in the crowd. They know the lyrics so I’m following them! When the audience takes it over, I like that. I get to take a little break!"

With his residency coming to an end, Joel was asked about retirement, which he swiftly dismissed.

"It doesn’t mean I’ll never play there again," he said of the iconic New York concert hall. "It’s just the end of this run."

"I’m not gonna stop doing shows. That’s what I do. I asked a couple of contemporaries - [Don] Henley, [Bruce] Springsteen - ‘What are you gonna do now?'"

"They said the same thing: ‘Keep performing.’ Why? ‘Because that’s what I do.’ … Good idea!" he added.

"What else am I gonna do, stop doing shows, sit around and watch TV, [turn into] a vegetable? No, I don’t wanna do that."