Described as "classic UK rock delivered with whiskey vocals", the band have been summarised as possessing a sound akin to the genres of alternative rock and "British traditional rock". Stereophonics' debut album, Word Gets Around, was released in August 1997 and charted at number six in the UK, aided by the singles "Local Boy in the Photograph", "More Life in a Tramps Vest" and "A Thousand Trees". The band reached mainstream success with the release of Performance and Cocktails (and its promotional singles "The Bartender and the Thief", "Just Looking" and "Pick a Part That's New") in 1999 and have achieved a total of ten top-ten singles as well as one number one: "Dakota" (2005). Having sold around 10 million copies worldwide by 2016, Stereophonics are one of the most successful Welsh rock acts. Upon their release of Pull the Pin, they achieved five consecutive UK number one albums.
The band have also been praised for their live performances, which have landed them headlining slots at many of the UK and Ireland's most high-profile music festivals, including Reading and Leeds in 2000, Glastonbury in 2002, V Festival in 2002, the Isle of Wight in 2004 and 2009, Oxegen in 2010, Tramlines Festival and TRNSMT in 2018, and Latitude in 2019. The band is part of the Cardiff music scene.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonics
Studio albums
Word Gets Around (1997)
Performance and Cocktails (1999)
Just Enough Education to Perform (2001)
You Gotta Go There to Come Back (2003)
Language. Sex. Violence. Other? (2005)
Pull the Pin (2007)
Keep Calm and Carry On (2009)
Graffiti on the Train (2013)
Keep the Village Alive (2015)
Scream Above the Sounds (2017)
Kind (2019)
Oochya! (2022)
Piano for a Stripper
Stereophonics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I play piano ok
I'll play for you
Because I like what you do
Take it or leave it
Take what you want
Take it or leave it
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming again
I'll play especially for you
Because I like you in blue
Some people like what you do
Others look badly on you
Take it or leave it
Take what you want
Take it or leave it
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming again
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming again
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming again
The lyrics to Stereophonics' "Piano for a Stripper" depict a scene of a piano player, potentially in a strip club, performing for a specific individual. The first verse sets the tone, as the singer offers to play for this person because they enjoy what they do. The singer acknowledges that not everyone approves of this person's profession, but they are unaffected by outside opinions.
The chorus, "Take it or leave it, take what you want, take it or leave it," embodies the attitude of the singer towards the entire situation, nonchalantly stating that the listener can enjoy the performance or not. The second verse confirms that the performer is playing specifically for this individual because they like them in blue. The verse also brings up the opposing outlooks on this person's profession.
The repetition of "now the time is over now, and it's only time for dreaming" serves as a transition between verses, emphasizing the illusionary aspect of the situation. The repeated phrase could represent the dreamlike quality of the performance or the idea that the listener will forget about the experience once it's over. Ultimately, "Piano for a Stripper" highlights the duality of the situation and the performer's acceptance of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Light the candle today
I am setting the mood for the performance
I play piano ok
I am a competent piano player
I'll play for you
I am performing for you
Because I like what you do
I enjoy your profession or performance
Take it or leave it
You have the choice to accept or reject my performance
Take what you want
You can choose to enjoy any part of my performance
Now the time is over now
The performance is coming to an end
And it's only time for dreaming
It's time to sit back and reflect on what was witnessed
I'll play especially for you
I will tailor my performance to your preferences
Because I like you in blue
I find you attractive in blue clothing
Some people like what you do
Some people enjoy your profession or performance
Others look badly on you
Others disapprove of your profession or performance
Now the time is over now
The performance has ended
And it's only time for dreaming again
It's time to reflect on the experience and imagine the next one
Now the time is over now
The performance has ended
And it's only time for dreaming again
It's time to reflect on the experience and imagine the next one
Now the time is over now
The performance has ended
And it's only time for dreaming
It's time to reflect on the experience
Contributed by Riley T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Prithvi Sindhar
Light the candle today
I play piano ok
I'll play for you
Because I like what you do
Take it or leave it
Take what you want
Take it or leave it
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming again
I'll play especially for you
Because I like you in blue
Some people like what you do
Others look badly on you
Take it or leave it
Take what you want
Take it or leave it
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming again
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming again
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming again
Brian Mulrooney
IMO, one of Stereophonics greatest songs.
Mel B
Thanks for all the Stereophonics videos! Are the best ones i had found in YT! :D
rosella gavin
wonderfull band...
Jose Alberto Freitas
Amazing song!
Iulia M
GREAT SONG!
Andrew B
Fav love it love Kelly
Andrew B
And its only time for dreaming
jessica collins
come on peeps!let's get this video to atleast 10000 views!I CANT do this by myself??!!?!
Prithvi Sindhar
Light the candle today
I play piano ok
I'll play for you
Because I like what you do
Take it or leave it
Take what you want
Take it or leave it
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming again
I'll play especially for you
Because I like you in blue
Some people like what you do
Others look badly on you
Take it or leave it
Take what you want
Take it or leave it
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming again
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming again
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming
Now the time is over now
And it's only time for dreaming again
jessica collins
WHY is this on like a soundtrack to some hit/indie movie!its such a great and might i say a sexy song!Kelly could have been a straight blues singer.........................his voice is just a one of a kind!