Billy Joel - The Entertainer (from Old Grey Whistle Test)

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Billy Joel - The Entertainer (from Old Grey Whistle Test)

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Күн бұрын

Billy Joel “The Entertainer" from Old Grey Whistle Test
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Shortly after Billy Joel earned his first U.K. Top 40 hit with “Just The Way You Are,” he and his band travelled to England for an electrifying performance recorded for the hit BBC series The Old Grey Whistle Test. Ahead of his first headlining show in the country, Billy performed all the hits from The Stranger plus additional classics from his repertoire.
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Lyrics:
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'll forget my name
And I won't be here in another year
If I don't stay on the charts
I am the entertainer
And I've had to pay my price
The things I did not know at first
I learned by doin' twice
Ah, but still they come to haunt me
Still they want their say
So I've learned to dance with a hand in my pants
I let 'em rub my neck and I write 'em a check
And they go their merry way
I am the entertainer
Been all around the world
I've played all kinds of palaces
And laid all kinds of girls
I can't remember faces
I don't remember names
Ah, but what the hell
You know it's just as well
'Cause after a while and a thousand miles
It all becomes the same
I am the entertainer
I bring to you my songs
I'd like to spend a day or two
I can't stay that long
No, I've got to meet expenses
I got to stay in line
Gotta get those fees to the agencies
And I'd love to stay but there's bills to pay
So I just don't have the time
I am the entertainer
I come to do my show
You've heard my latest record
It's been on the radio
Ah, it took me years to write it
They were the best years of my life
It was a beautiful song
But it ran too long
If you're gonna have a hit
You gotta make it fit
So they cut it down to 3:05
I am the entertainer
The idol of my age
I make all kinds of money
When I go on the stage
Ah, you've seen me in the papers
I've been in the magazines
But if I go cold I won't get sold
I'll get put in the back in the discount rack
Like another can of beans
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'll forget my name
I won't be here in another year
If I don't stay on the charts
#BillyJoel #LiveMusic #TheEntertainer

Пікірлер: 240

@TimEric4d3d3d3 10 ай бұрын

Spoiler Alert: He did stay on the charts

@MCGenesis1984 3 ай бұрын

😅😂😂

@SmolNoodles 2 ай бұрын

For 53 years too

@CruceEntertainment 3 жыл бұрын

It’s not a narcissistic song. It’s a song about the business. You either make it or you don’t. And even if you do, you’re only as good as your last show, or last accomplishment. And the business will do with you as it pleases. That is the message.

@thejimbruce 3 жыл бұрын

For sure. It's a dope song. This particular version is quite good. I often don't enjoy live versions because they expose the limitations of a given artist, with this, it just shows you a super professional delivering the goods. No slam on anyone, just an observation.

@jeannineasselin2804 3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree. Not about narcissism at all.

@benedettomansueto4016 2 жыл бұрын

Very true

@forbrich2290 2 жыл бұрын

I agree, and I think it applies to most any business. You have to produce.

@Out_of_My_Head 2 жыл бұрын

So true.

@Junius 5 жыл бұрын

No autotune. He's so pitch perfect. So good. And he still sounds just at good today. Legendary.

@connorcrabb2811 4 жыл бұрын

Funny thing is Billy doesn't even think he is that great a singer

@fk2106 3 жыл бұрын

Billy is the greatest...He can compose, sing and play real music with complex musical arrangements and melodies...a true talent. Compared to Phil Collins, Billy is the real deal. Take away Phil's "gated reverb vocal tricks" and he sounds like your average Joe singing in the shower....Phil is all gimmick...

@narrabeenstudent7027 3 жыл бұрын

@@fk2106 jeez, you don’t have to prove Billy’s ability by shitting on another great singers ability

@fk2106 3 жыл бұрын

@@narrabeenstudent7027 Not "shitting" on anyone. The truth is the truth. Get over it.

@jimchu6647 2 жыл бұрын

@@narrabeenstudent7027 agreed,,, huge fan of both

@jenniferlapidus2229 3 жыл бұрын

I believe the “beautiful song that ran too long” was “Piano Man.” Love this song-lyrics are spot on!

@TheLarrypep 2 жыл бұрын

The best years of his life

@GregJamesMusic 11 ай бұрын

It was "Piano Man." Even now, 50 years later, most radio stations play a rather clumsily edited version (and the hatchet job they did on "My Life" is even worse). It's kind of ironic that Billy calls "Piano Man" a "beautiful song," since he's said in later years that he doesn't think it's that good and only plays it live because people expect to hear it.

@jtal19 3 жыл бұрын

One of the most underrated songs of BJ. Love his growling, gutteral accents. He is simply the best and no one can copy him. He is his own genre of music.

@magicmike6961 3 жыл бұрын

don't forget the seventie's synth tp remind you what decade you are in

@wayneking9997 2 жыл бұрын

It's Billy Joel not bj

@ShedeasVideos Жыл бұрын

@@wayneking9997 It's William Martin Joel not Billy Joel

@DansMesCordes Жыл бұрын

Some might say he's an entertainer

@jahjahflash Жыл бұрын

Elton has copied many of his riffs... many many many many -- but still Billy is the best

@ivanb8126 2 ай бұрын

Now tell me this is not the best musical act of the 20th century. Billy Joel is the one.

@garytschosik2263 2 жыл бұрын

Hands down my favorite Billy Joel song. One of the most cleverly written of all time, and not many can rhyme their lyrics like that.

@floydpink37 2 ай бұрын

Tie for me between The Stranger and The Entertainer, both great.

@DanielTarbox 5 ай бұрын

FUN FACT: The verse "It was a beautiful song / But it ran too long / If you're gonna have a hit / You gotta make it fit / So they cut it down to three-o-five" is a reference to shortening the length of "Piano Man" while its full length is 5:38.

@island.of.reality6462 4 жыл бұрын

Who these days can write lyrical poetry like this man. This song flows and rhymes amazingly, yet still tells a story and makes complete sense.

@jtal19 3 жыл бұрын

What I love about BJ is that his lyrics are clear and coherent and applicable to everyone in one way or another and it tells something about his life too

@KarenLeos91 2 жыл бұрын

I love him but his lyrics are not hard at all. It’s basic rhyme structure, he has said so himself. I think he mentioned how a lot of his songs are basic limericks. That said, it’s doesn’t take away from how great he makes what he makes but let’s not also pretend like he is unique and what he does is very hard. These things can all be true at the same time.

@steviebrown7544 2 жыл бұрын

Gilbert o sullivan

@hatefullll 2 жыл бұрын

No one. No one writes like this anymore.

@kareninalabama 5 ай бұрын

I love his lyrics and he's definitely iconic. But I also love Sara Bareilles for her lyrical prowess as an example of a next generation artist. "Saint Honesty" and "Fire" are two examples that come to mind.

@Cooker224 7 ай бұрын

No computers for my fellow Long Islander. No auto tune, pure live. And, good Lord Liberty on the drums...

@alanmilligan1218 3 жыл бұрын

I finished work that night and raced home to see this guy, Billy Joel in The Old Grey Whistle Test. His hit, Just the Way you are had just charted in the UK, so I liked the look and sound of him. He knocked me out completely, I was 21 years old, played guitar/vocals, but Billy was light years ahead of me, and most others on the musical scene. This was just the start of his world ascent, all my friends and family ended up loving his repertoire, and so did most of the World. Have saw him 5 times, including London and Madison Square Gardens New York. Incredible .

@kirklyles1705 Жыл бұрын

Russell Javors KILLIN" that G chord!

@Out_of_My_Head 26 күн бұрын

So much of his material is underrated.

@TheKingRobot 3 жыл бұрын

So true the lyrics in this song, "the things I did not know at first, I learned by doing twice" such prolific poetry

@ricstormwolf 8 күн бұрын

My favorite song by Billy Joel

@fanaticaldueling6337 5 жыл бұрын

A great performance by a wonderful musician.

@italianstallion9148 5 жыл бұрын

A great performance by a wonderful band*. Everyone played an instrument here, not only one person was playing. I don't understand your logic.

@victormirabelli5895 5 жыл бұрын

The Entertainer, which was from 1974's Streetlife Serenader, only reached the top 40, and didn't reach the success of The Piano Man#25 in early 1974. I really enjoy Billy Joel's earlier material then his 80s-90s output. I wish he would play this song in concert. Ive seen him perform a dozen times since, 1984, and he never played it.

@charleskelly6327 3 ай бұрын

he just did last Friday 4/26 at MSG

@leojbramble 4 ай бұрын

just a masterpiece

@chrsmi14 18 күн бұрын

One of the best songs ever...and a great version right here...

@davidheilman1928 2 жыл бұрын

I've heard this song hundreds of times. Each time feels like the first! Amazing.

@pcb415 4 жыл бұрын

Liberty was one of the greatest drummers ever!

@PsalmsWest 3 жыл бұрын

A lyrical genius, and master of composition. Timeless Art.

@flyawaytodie Жыл бұрын

When Billy Joel sings, he tells a story. Whether it be his own story, like this song and Piano Man, or that of a couple he knew in high school (Scenes From an Italian Restaurant), or a young man dreaming of a bigger life (Movin' Out), he sings of somebody's life.

@plernhaddock9588 5 жыл бұрын

can we also recognise that guitarist at the beginning wOw

@darren.plateroti 5 жыл бұрын

That's Mr. Russell Javors for ya. Was a fantastic rhythm player for most of his time with Billy (though he is lead on this one), and unfairly got the boot with bassist Doug Stegmeyer after The Bridge tour so new musicians could come in.

@italianstallion9148 5 жыл бұрын

Recognize* & Russell Javors.

@eddyvideostar 4 жыл бұрын

@@darren.plateroti Was this the reason? What year was this, was this 1977?

@connorcrabb2811 4 жыл бұрын

@@darren.plateroti I think he was amazing like the rest of you but I think he got replaced because he wasn't doing as much anymore while they were playing. It was sad when they all got let go but I guess that's the music business for you. At least they are all still jamming together with lords of 52nd street, they are pretty good. Loved all the original band members.

@connorcrabb2811 4 жыл бұрын

@@eddyvideostar Billy said that they isolated his guitar one time and it was just pluck.......pluck.......pluck but who knows I think they all kind of knew while on the bridge to Russia tour it was all kinda coming to an end. Sad but times change and the original band members still play in a group called lords of 52nd street.

@TAMINDCONTROL 7 ай бұрын

本日2024/1/24の東京ドーム公演の3曲目でしたね！生で観覧させてもらいました、ありがとうビリー✨

@robindew9072 10 ай бұрын

There will never be another like Billy Joel. He is spectacular

@amyalexander8256 8 ай бұрын

my guy is playin piano keyboard and singin at the same time and hear i can barely play guitar and sing the chorus of a song that i know by heart. dude is EXTREMLY talented.

@jenRWfan 5 жыл бұрын

The words to this song relate to many singers . They come, they go ...!

@stefe7579 5 жыл бұрын

Yes, but I hope this isn't about Billy Joel! Btw nice pic (^_-)

@jenRWfan 5 жыл бұрын

No definitively not Billy 😊

@junebermingham9300 5 жыл бұрын

Saw a documentary on Billys life.,,long time ago,,when he was younger he had a lot of struggles,,he had to work really hard to get where he is today,,He deserves all the good luck and love he gets,,

@ClassicTVMan1981X 4 жыл бұрын

@@stefe7579 It was about him in his struggling early days ("Today, I am your champion, I may have won your hearts/But I know the game, you'll forget my name/And I won't be here in another year/If I don't stay on the charts")... the fifth verse was about the unexpected chart success of his 1973 single "Piano Man" from the album of the same name, and how some radio stations had to play the edited version ("It was a beautiful song, but it ran too long/If you're gonna have a hit, you gotta make it fit/So they cut it down to 3:05").

@kapparomeo 4 жыл бұрын

Fun fact: go to 3:05 and the line is "like another can of beans". With the complaint of the 3:05 verse being how pop music can be a production-line, that feels serendipitious and poetic.

@user-xe2lo2je9z Жыл бұрын

I always thought he said like another can of beer! Oh well!

@srtjhsrzdfhkgdf9961 7 ай бұрын

観られてよかったです！ありがとうございます！

@matthewdrabczyk9040 Жыл бұрын

ok, so, i don't know when someone last commented on this, but my goodness you cannot get more close to perfection playing this song live! Just in my opinion, Billy Joel at his most awesome and his most creative and real!

@dianastark1951 4 ай бұрын

Love you Billy, great music still enjoying your music in my 73rd year. 2024 love love ❤️

@markjamesmeli2520 3 жыл бұрын

So much adrenaline. They have the tempo flying.

@davidferrier8659 Ай бұрын

Great song

@thaithommy 7 ай бұрын

Whow, the Entertainer ❤

@dannytyrant 3 жыл бұрын

This chord structure is straight out of Newfoundland. Love it! Nobody else pulls this off

@colincostello1630 3 жыл бұрын

The lyrical intro is one of the best ive ever heard

@thefool2007 Жыл бұрын

Damn BJ is so amazing. I'd pay to go back in time and see an early concert like this. Such talent, such raw energy, such a performer and this band behind him is stellar. I've been fan since I was a child in the 80's and never get tired of Billy or his amazing music. Thanks Billy for making my life bearable and enjoyable with this awesome music.

@fetijajasari6624 5 жыл бұрын

He hits the nail! Soooo true!

@martintheresume8054 5 жыл бұрын

Good music

@fernandogarcia-dx5fh Ай бұрын

Muy entretenida es está cancion

@silversliver1592 3 жыл бұрын

HOLY CRAP ... WHAT A PERFORMANCE AND VOICE

@robertobravo7714 2 жыл бұрын

Such a tight performance!

@AudioFileZ 2 жыл бұрын

I love Doug's bass playing on this track so much. Gone way too soon he was great and is missed. I saw BJ on this tour and he was really engaged and full of energy. This was a band as much as most bands ever achieve, not just the singer and his rotating cast. The best years were anchored with these guys.

@AudioFileZ 2 жыл бұрын

@Sam Hill ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! No matter how quality the musicians that later toured with Billy it never got nearly as good.

@kapwapoedolomitetalabritne8841 Жыл бұрын

Russel Javors guitar intro

@andygandromeda392 3 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite songs. When I first heard it, many years ago, the sound of the Moog captivated me. Hearing it live today makes me relive that experience. Thanks for uploading it.

@cards0486 2 жыл бұрын

Gosh!! I love this song!! He took the crummy things he went through, dishonest managing, all his hard work, and not getting what he deserved, and just how hard that kind of life is, and composed one of the best songs he ever did. I never get tired of it.

@user-xe2lo2je9z Жыл бұрын

This song should be released! So damn underrated!

@marymazzanti2073 3 жыл бұрын

Billy Joel is the entertainer

@glennknauer2696 2 жыл бұрын

the drummer kicks ass!

@aneeksaha7068 3 жыл бұрын

Billy Joel sings with so much passion

@dansaucier6539 2 жыл бұрын

The single greatest musician of my lifetime.

@leojbramble 4 ай бұрын

props to Alexa for becoming a musician; if he were my dad, I'd have become an architect or a cobbler, or a teacher... ANYTHING but a musician! Too much shadow...

@aauaustralia4619 2 жыл бұрын

Was so stoked to hear him play this live at the garden in may. Great live or off the album.

@hatefullll 2 жыл бұрын

How do i love Billy Joel......let me count the ways....nope. that would take too long. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

@cupsizematters21 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant song writer 🙏

@florancerudi 2 жыл бұрын

The stranger and 52nd Street were albums I got when I was about 10 or 12 years old.... My love for music began thanks to this man This is some really cool excellent footage of a very young Billy Joel........ Bravo

@juliegibson8536 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve seen Billy live many times and he’s as good today as he sounded in the 70s. He’s a legend.

@ontherhodes8088 3 ай бұрын

Certainly knows his way around a Minimoog.

@danielhkhk7283 3 жыл бұрын

This is so difficult to sing and play, but he makes it look so easy. Wonderful.

@rwbpiano 3 жыл бұрын

Very true about the music business, then and now

@pamalford8319 Жыл бұрын

One of many reasons why he is a Gershwin Prize winner. One of the greatest songwriters ever.

@JFinSD2 3 жыл бұрын

You just don't hear this song enough. It was a moderate hit that should have been more popular

@suneetkumar8002 5 жыл бұрын

Movie for Billy ++

@jonpayne4931 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely outstanding.

@ostermanumbrellaco.7445 Жыл бұрын

I discovered while having a Billy Joel hits on auto play while I was asleep and I awoke to the synth playing and WOW was I mesmerised by thinking off nothing and hearing this song. One my of favourites

@dreamspinner3mn 2 жыл бұрын

Nobody does it better than Billy.

@datweirdhomeschoolgirl1150 2 жыл бұрын

It is so crazy that music used to be this good

@brianparks9968 4 жыл бұрын

You will always be on the charts

@mattrobledo4871 3 жыл бұрын

He just says it how it is, love this song

@robindew9072 10 ай бұрын

Such talent. Another amazing song.

@ricofama1785 Жыл бұрын

I remember this song impressed me when it first came out and it still holds up...great musicians, great song

@kylekerwin4993 9 ай бұрын

The purity of the instrumental sound, lyrics, genuine vocals and throwback video is epic. What a great song. Love the lyrical mention “if your gonna have a hit, you got to make it fit, so they cut down to 3:05”. Radio wanting shorter songs for air play time. I love the dig to Radio on calling them out. Shame even today you’ll never here a 10-12 minute song play. A generation in the dark by Radio not honoring so much talent is a crime in itself.

@BrendanMahoney-jk7nu Жыл бұрын

I really liked how he made a song about being "pissed off" in the record industry.Very creative !!!!

@alexrader3647 Жыл бұрын

Lord how we need this now...

@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288 5 ай бұрын

The organ!!! Delicious!🗽 🎶🎵🎶🗽

@Atleastihavemydog 7 ай бұрын

I’m so glad he put words to this song. It’s great!

@khurramakhteronline Жыл бұрын

Aaahhh wow what a memories!

@jeffreywright2294 2 жыл бұрын

Good old days Awesome song 🎵

@thethomasnatproject725 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent song It basically says it all…

@thethomasnatproject725 2 жыл бұрын

And the best band performance

@ShedeasVideos Жыл бұрын

Love the way you get that portamento and sustain happening in a matter of seconds!

@lisalee2885 3 жыл бұрын

What a great time there...he was on fire 😎👍💜👍😎

@xbocax16 3 жыл бұрын

One of my favorites from Billy

@spinipsFI 3 жыл бұрын

Epic!

@lunamai5668 5 жыл бұрын

Hes very ambidextrous (Billy)

@uncletiggermclaren7592 6 ай бұрын

Congratulations on your new release. Song track of my life, you , Bowie, Beatles, Joan Armatrading, Marley, Scratch Perry.

@thomaspirozzi6797 Жыл бұрын

I’ll always love how perfectly passive aggressive the line “if you wanna have a hit you gotta make it quick, so they cut it down to 3:05” I can feel the anger from billy at the studio

@donmalone Жыл бұрын

Wow ... I heard a lot of Keith Emerson there.

@GaryGoldbaugh 4 ай бұрын

Billy has awesome piano chops...he studied for years with famed classical concert pianist Morton Estrich....🎹

@christopherback2103 Жыл бұрын

He's a really good singer

@donaldmatthew4980 2 жыл бұрын

A 100 years ago, and still here, go on Billy. X

@charlesfinch2664 4 жыл бұрын

the acoustic guitar/synth combination reminds me of styx 10/10 great song

@Bobber256 3 жыл бұрын

I love the faux self-pity. Billy Joel is just the best... the most amusing career, the best career. Seems to be following, almost as an antiquarian, but he was actually avant garde. The Bach of our age.

@dominaevillae28 2 жыл бұрын

Faux? Seems like a classic disillusionment with the business/rage against the record company song.