The Entertainer

Billy Joel

About The Entertainer

"The Entertainer" is a single by singer Billy Joel released as the only single from his 1974 album Streetlife Serenade. The song peaked at #34 on the US charts, a Top 40 hit for Joel that year. The song is a cynical and somewhat satirical look at the fleeting fame of a musician and fickle public tastes ("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"); this theme would be examined in the later song "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me". Another verse in the song references the shortening of Joel's song, "Piano Man", from 5 minutes and 38 seconds to 3 minutes and 5 seconds to fit a radio slot, referenced by the lyrics "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." Additionally, the timing printed on the label of the 7" release of "The Entertainer" was 3:05, although the actual 45 length was 3:11 (while the album length was 3:41). In the single version, Verse 3 (which starts at 1:02 in the album version) is edited out, and Verse 2 (which starts at 0:40) contains a steel guitar in its second half, which is actually featured in the second half of the third verse in the album version; indeed, on the single mix, the instrumental crescendo of the album version is anticipated by bringing the fuller instrumentation of Verse 3 under the vocals of Verse 2. As a result of this, the slightly emptier original instrumentation of Verse 2 (which includes a downward slide on the synth) and the vocals of Verse 3 are completely omitted, while the instrumentation of Verse 3 (featuring the steel guitar) does appear, but earlier. 


Year:
2001
3:40
29 
#1

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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

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Billy Joel

William Martin "Billy" Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man," in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to the RIAA. He also has the third best-selling album in the United States with his Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2. more »

16 fans

Written by: Billy Joel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


17 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"The Entertainer" is classified in the rock and pop genres.
Album Inclusion
The song "The Entertainer" is included in Billy Joel's 1974 album titled "Streetlife Serenade."
Chart Rankings
Upon its release, "The Entertainer" reached number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
Personal Motive Behind Song
"The Entertainer" is a commentary by Billy Joel on the music industry, expressing his frustration of being a pop star.
Song Interpretation
In "The Entertainer," Joel refers to his previous hit "Piano Man," critiquing the shortening of the song for radio play by saying "If you're gonna have a hit, you gotta make it fit, so they cut it down to 3:05."
Other References
The song also discusses the transient nature of fame and the harsh realities of the music industry.
Use in Media
The song has been used in popular culture, notably in the 2015 film "The Walk."
Live Performances
Despite its strong message, it is not a song Billy Joel typically performs in concert.
Recorded Label
"The Entertainer" was released by the record label Columbia Records.
Song Duration
The original recording of the song runs for 3 minutes and 38 seconds.
Key Facts
The song is performed in the key of D minor.
Music Video
A music video was made for the song, which features a live performance by Joel.
Songwriting
Like the majority of his works, Billy Joel was the sole writer of "The Entertainer."
Relevance Today
The themes in "The Entertainer" continue to be relatable, as they refer to the struggles faced by artists in the music industry.
Homage
Despite the song's cynical outlook, it's seen as an homage to the trials and tribulations of being on the road and performing for an audience.
Vinyl Release
"The Entertainer" was also released as a 7" vinyl single in 1974.
Overall Reception
Fans and critics generally like the song for its honest take on music industry and fame.

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    The Entertainer

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1975

    Billboard #34


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