Legendary artist Billy Joel dedicates song to Donald Trump at NYC concert, and it gets his attention

Biz Pac Review ^ | 5/29/16

[verga]

It’s good to see Billy fans here, especially those who know him well!

Most of the people I went to school with were into Bruce Springsteen I would ask them if they ever actually listened to the lyrics to "Born in the USA". I would get a look of befuddlement. The people I hung out with, we were all into Billy Joel and Bob Seeger. They wrote our life stories.

[kabar]

“The Entertainer”

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

[Rastus]

I’m with you there. Springsteen’s politics were too much for me. I even like much of Mellencamp, since he was better at leaving the politics out of the actual songs. I listen to a lot of liberals, but not when they include it in their songs.

[Hildy]

There’s a rumor that Trump is bringing in Billy Joel to perform at the Republican convention. They said that Trump is going to throw a party to end all parties. Glad I’ll be there!

[FlingWingFlyer]

It sounds to me as though the commentating bobblehead was insulting veterans and their families more than he was Trump. “Media” toads make me sick

[Mom MD]

These are the times (to remember)

[Charles Martel]

His great song “Allentown” really, really hit home with me. It was like he was singing about where I lived.

Joel's "plight of the common man" tunes always seem to have a ring of sincerity about them that Springsteen's lack.

[LS]

I interviewed Billy about six years ago for research on my book “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” with Vanilla Fudge singer/keyboardist Mark Stein.

He was one of only two who did not go into rock because of the Beatles. His idol was (among others) Dave Brubeck. So I sent him a very obscure Brubeck album.

[dfwgator]

Liberty is a monster drummer.

[Bethaneidh]

My favorite. Almost suitable. Can’t unsee in my mind’s eye, DT riding a motorcycle in the rain.

[Rastus]

I was stranded down in Chicago
I walked through BLM alone
Only to be told the violence was my fault

Well, that’s crazy and untrue
It’s within the left’s purview
And the only thing I said was to go Galt

[PLMerite]

Billy Joel’s music featured prominently in the soundtrack of my youth. I saw him in concert back in the 80s and I think I wore out a copy of The Stranger. But he’s right about the political opinions of a piano player.

[Incorrigible]

Billy Joel is playing Madison Square Garden every month. Tells you a lot about an artist who can do that.

I’m not his biggest fan but went to the concert last month with a buddy. Being 50, I couldn’t help but know nearly every song by heart.

He injects a lot of humor between songs and plays to the audience. Now, keep in mind, this is a New York/New Jersey audience.

He prefaced “The Entertainer” by dedicating it to Donald Trump when I was there. He also dedicated “New York State of Mind” to Ted Cruz.

Nothing mean, just a bit of humor in keeping with the night and the audience. I have a pretty thick skin living and working behind enemy lines!

[Bethaneidh]

Haha, well done. That song is highly amenable to adaptations.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks SoFloFreeper.

"I’m in the entertainment business. Donald Trump's campaign has been very entertaining... Aside from that, who cares about the political opinions of a piano player?"

Now *that's* a healthy attitude!

[BraveMan]

I'd love to spend a day hanging out in his garage!

[central_va]

He’s been hitting the Drano again.

[Skooz]

Peter Allen always weirded me out.

[King Moonracer]

FUBJ.... Wait, what?

[chasio649]

Now if we get only get some of those preachy actors to say: Who cares about the political opinions of a movie star?

---

Elvis never commented on politics...He just said he was an entertainer...Nobody ever knew what Elvis thought on the turbulent 60’s....He stayed out of it and never wanted to disappoint a single fan.