Billy Joel shares his views on Piano Man on The Howard Stern Show
Why Billy Joel Was Surprised by the Success of “Piano Man”
I've always shared the same view. Piano Man is one of Billy Joel's simpler songs. Don't get me wrong, it's far from low effort. The song has universal appeal because of its relatable theme and its raw, simple storytelling.
When I'm in the car with my parents, who grew up listening to Indian music, and I play Piano Man over Bluetooth, it inevitably puts a smile on their faces. The harmonica sections remind them of classic Bollywood songs.
Compare it with Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, which is widely considered his magnum opus, and the difference in composition and storytelling becomes abundantly clear. Piano Man is still one of my favourite songs, but it probably doesn't crack my Top 5.