The Entertainer
LIVING ROOM - Billy Joel Lyrics
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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
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 three o five
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
In "The Entertainer," Billy Joel reflects on the transient nature of fame and success in the entertainment industry. The lyrics depict an entertainer who understands the fleeting nature of public adoration and the constant need to stay relevant in order to maintain popularity and financial stability.
The first verse illustrates the entertainer's self-awareness, as he acknowledges his position as just another performer, knowing that his time in the spotlight is temporary. While he may have won the hearts of his audience for now, he recognizes that the public's attention can easily shift, and if he doesn't continue to achieve chart success, he will fade into obscurity.
The second verse delves deeper into the sacrifices and compromises the entertainer has had to make to stay in the industry. The line "learned to dance with a hand in my pants" symbolizes the performer adapting to the demands and expectations of his audience and the industry. He allows people to exploit him and his work, accepting their critique and payment for the sake of maintaining his career.
In the third verse, the entertainer speaks of his extensive experience and worldwide touring, yet he admits to becoming jaded by the repetitive nature of his lifestyle. Faces and names blur together, and the excitement that comes with performing in different venues and meeting different people fades away. This repetition and loss of individuality seem to contribute to his own disillusionment.
In the final verse, the entertainer addresses the reality of his profession. He expresses his desire to connect with his audience on a deeper level but acknowledges the limitations imposed by his career. The pressure to meet financial obligations and obligations to the agencies that represent him takes precedence over personal connection and extended periods of time for leisure or genuine engagement. He laments the compromises he has made and how his songs have been edited down to fit commercial standards rather than expressing their original artistic intent.
Overall, "The Entertainer" offers a bittersweet examination of the price of fame and the pressures faced by performers in the entertainment industry. Through introspective and self-aware lyrics, Billy Joel provides a glimpse into the fleeting nature of success, the compromises that must be made, and the struggle to stay relevant in an ever-changing industry.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the entertainer
I am the performer who captivates and entertains audiences
And I know just where I stand
I understand my position in the industry and my role as an entertainer
Another serenader
Just like many other musicians who serenade their audience
And another long-haired band
There are countless bands with members who have long hair
Today I am your champion
For this moment, I am the one who has won your admiration
I may have won your hearts
Through my performance, I may have gained your affection
But I know the game, you'll forget my name
However, I am aware of how fickle fame can be and that you may soon forget about me
And I won't be here in another year
If I am not able to stay relevant and popular, I will not be present in the industry for much longer
If I don't stay on the charts
My survival as an entertainer relies on maintaining my presence on the music charts
I am the entertainer
Once again, I am the performer who captivates and entertains audiences
And I've had to pay my price
I have faced struggles and challenges along my journey
The things I did not know at first
There were lessons I had to learn through trial and error
I learned by doin' twice
I had to repeat my mistakes to truly understand and grow
Ah, but still they come to haunt me
Yet, those past mistakes continue to affect me
Still they want their say
There are still people who wish to voice their opinions about my past actions
So I've learned to dance with a hand in my pants
I have learned to navigate difficult situations and maintain composure
I let 'em rub my neck and I write 'em a check
I allow others to criticize and take their payment for it
And they go their merry way
Afterwards, they move on without much consequence
I am the entertainer
Once again, I am the performer who captivates and entertains audiences
Been all around the world
I have traveled extensively
I've played all kinds of palaces
I have performed in prestigious venues
And laid all kinds of girls
I have had many romantic encounters
I can't remember faces
The multitude of faces I have encountered blend together in my memory
I don't remember names
Similarly, I struggle to recall specific names
Ah, but what the hell
However, it doesn't bother me much
You know it's just as well
It's just as fine not being able to remember
'Cause after a while and a thousand miles
Over time and distance, everything starts to blend together
It all becomes the same
Everything begins to feel repetitive and homogeneous
I am the entertainer
Once again, I am the performer who captivates and entertains audiences
I bring to you my songs
I present my songs to you
I'd like to spend a day or two
I wish I could stay longer and spend more time
I can't stay that long
However, I am unable to stay for an extended period
No, I've got to meet expenses
I have financial obligations to fulfill
I got to stay in line
I must adhere to certain responsibilities
Gotta get those fees to the agencies
I need to ensure that the appropriate fees are provided to the agencies
And I'd love to stay but there's bills to pay
Although I would love to remain, I have bills that need to be paid
So I just don't have the time
Therefore, I am unable to stay for long
I am the entertainer
Once again, I am the performer who captivates and entertains audiences
I come to do my show
I arrive to perform my show
You've heard my latest record
You are familiar with my most recent music release
It's been on the radio
It has received airtime on the radio
Ah, it took me years to write it
It required several years to compose
They were the best years of my life
Those years were the most fulfilling and rewarding for me
It was a beautiful song
The song carries great artistic beauty
But it ran too long
However, it was deemed too lengthy
If you're gonna have a hit
To achieve success with a song
You gotta make it fit
It must adhere to certain length and format requirements
So they cut it down to three o five
Therefore, it was edited and shortened to three minutes and five seconds
I am the entertainer
Once again, I am the performer who captivates and entertains audiences
The idol of my age
I am considered an icon of my generation
I make all kinds of money
I earn a significant amount of income
When I go on the stage
During my performances
Ah, you've seen me in the papers
You have observed my presence in newspapers
I've been in the magazines
I have been featured in various magazines
But if I go cold I won't get sold
However, if my popularity declines, my records will not be purchased
I'll get put in the back in the discount rack
My albums will be relegated to the discounted section
Like another can of beans
Similar to an ordinary can of beans
I am the entertainer
Once again, I am the performer who captivates and entertains audiences
And I know just where I stand
I understand my position in the industry and my role as an entertainer
Another serenader
Just like many other musicians who serenade their audience
And another long-haired band
There are countless bands with members who have long hair
Today I am your champion
For this moment, I am the one who has won your admiration
I may have won your hearts
Through my performance, I may have gained your affection
But I know the game, you'll forget my name
However, I am aware of how fickle fame can be and that you may soon forget about me
I won't be here in another year
If I am not able to stay relevant and popular, I will not be present in the industry for much longer
If I don't stay on the charts
My survival as an entertainer relies on maintaining my presence on the music charts
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Joel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ela4796
In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along
I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense
And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you, soon, I suppose
But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break
And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows
So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows
@elizabethdevries8028
In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along
[Verse 2]
I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense
[Chorus]
And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose
[Verse 3]
But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break
[Chorus]
And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows
[Verse 4]
So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break
[Outro]
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows
@SuspiciousMind28
Who else is here because Billy Joel said this is his favorite song while on the Grammys red carpet. I love and grew up listening to B.J. I Iove all his music.
@MarioBusters
Just heard him say it, and I thought I should come back to check this out. Great decision!
@karmiccorvidae2133
😂😂😂
Me !!!
I heard it earlier today.. but here to listen. It's been a long time since I've heard it.
@tinageraghty8083
He still sounds good!
@doloreschansey9556
That would be me. How cool!
@314Thethirdeye08
I had to come listen.., I just pray he writes more! His new song is Fantastic!
@latinoburger123
When I divorced my husband, my mother came over, said nothing & played this
I’ve never cried so hard, I’m 6’3” & I broke down in my moms arms
I still cry when I hear this 🥺🥹🥺
@jacquelineprieto9135
I was in choir in HS and I had no clue this was a Billy Joel song
@DarinHudson
One of the most beautiful songs Billy ever did…
@scotchman8977
My dad showed me this song when I was very young, but I never really cared for Billy until a few years ago when my dad passed. I looked through his old Vinyls and found a little gem named "Storm Front." I cried for a good while. I sang this song at one of my choir concerts in high school for him, and cried again when I went to my first concert, and the crowd sang this song into the open night sky.
I love Billy Joel now, almost as much as I love my dad. Thanks Billy, thanks for reminding me of an old friend, and an even better father.