"Piano Man" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel. Released as his first single, it was included on the album of the same name in late 1973. The song is sung from his point-of-view as a piano player at a bar, reminiscing about his experiences there and the people he encountered. "Piano Man" is based on Joel's real-life experiences as a lounge musician in Los Angeles from 1972–73.
Most people consider this Joel’s signature song and it was his first major hit. "Piano Man" peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in March 1974. Almost a half-century later it is still a highlight of Joel's live shows, where he encourages the audience to sing the chorus. In 2015, the Library of Congress selected "Piano Man" for preservation in the National Recording Registry for its "cultural, historic, or artistic significance."
