Piano
Jimmy Webb Lyrics


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It's the ending of my day
No one left to say goodbye to, except you, piano
You're not listening anyway
You're not even try to but here's one for you, piano

Seems like it always comes down to me, spinning my piano stool
While you just sit there, grinning like a fool
One last song I gotta play, don't want to keep you up all night though
I make it mezzo piano

Kinda tired in my own way
Trying to keep myself upright though just like you, piano
Just keep smiling and I'll play this tune for you
Just keep smiling and we'll pull each other through





Softly, we'll play our folding music
And we'll fade, fade away

Overall Meaning

The song "Piano" by Jimmy Webb conveys the emotions of an exhausted and lonely pianist who has no one to say goodbye to at the end of the day, except for the piano itself. The mood is one of resignation and melancholy, as the singer acknowledges that the piano is not even listening to him, despite the countless hours he has spent playing music on it. He jokes that the piano is grinning like a fool, while he is left to spin on his stool and play one last song. The singer is also physically tired, a feeling that seems to be mirrored by the piano as well. Despite their exhaustion, the two of them somehow find solace in each other's company, acknowledging that they can "pull each other through."


The lyrics to "Piano" are powerful in their simplicity, conveying a deep sense of loneliness and isolation. The piano itself becomes a kind of character in the song, a reliable companion to the singer who is always there to listen, even if it cannot respond in any meaningful way. The use of musical terms such as "mezzo piano" and "folding music" creates a sense of artistic intimacy between the pianist and his instrument.


Overall, "Piano" is a poignant and expressive song that captures the deep sense of isolation and solitude that many artists experience in their work. It is a tribute to the power of music to connect people and provide solace in times of hardship.


Line by Line Meaning

It's the ending of my day
The day comes to an end


No one left to say goodbye to, except you, piano
There is no one left to say goodbye to except the piano


You're not listening anyway
The piano is not listening to me


You're not even try to but here's one for you, piano
I know you're not trying to listen, but I'll play one more for you anyway


Seems like it always comes down to me, spinning my piano stool
I always end up alone, spinning on my piano stool


While you just sit there, grinning like a fool
The piano just sits there with a foolish grin on its face


One last song I gotta play, don't want to keep you up all night though
I have one last song to play, but I don't want to keep the piano up all night


I make it mezzo piano
I'll play it softly (mezzo piano)


Kinda tired in my own way
I'm exhausted in my own way


Trying to keep myself upright though just like you, piano
I'm trying to keep myself upright, just like the piano


Just keep smiling and I'll play this tune for you
I'll play a tune for the piano as long as it keeps smiling


Just keep smiling and we'll pull each other through
If we both keep smiling, we'll get through this together


Softly, we'll play our folding music
We'll play our quiet, folding music


And we'll fade, fade away
We will slowly fade away




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NATHAN COLES, TERRY FRANCIS, LAURENT WEBB, DAVID COKER, JUSTIN BAILEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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