And Probably Will Be for Life is a verse from the song Piano Man sung by Billy Joel. The lyrics of the song are written by himself.
And Probably Will Be for Life Lyrics
[Verse 1]
It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday
The regular crowd shuffles in
There’s an old man sittin’ next to me
Makin’ love to his tonic and gin
He says, “Son, can you play me a memory?
I’m not really sure how it goes
But it’s sad, and it’s sweet, and I knew it complete
When I wore a younger man’s clothes”
[Refrain]
La, la-la, di-dee-da
La-la, di-dee-da da-dum
[Chorus]
Sing us a song, you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feelin’ alright
[Verse 2]
Now John at the bar is a friend of mine
He gets me my drinks for free
And he’s quick with a joke, or to light up your smoke
But there’s someplace that he’d rather be
He says, “Bill, I believe this is killing me”
As the smile ran away from his face
“Well, I’m sure that I could be a movie star
If I could get out of this place”
[Refrain]
Oh, la, la-la, di-dee-da
La-la, di-dee-da da-dum
[Verse 3]
Now Paul is a real estate novelist
Who never had time for a wife
And he’s talkin’ with Davy, who’s still in the navy
And probably will be for life
And the waitress is practicing politics
As the businessmen slowly get stoned
Yes, they’re sharing a drink they call loneliness
But it’s better than drinkin’ alone
[Piano Solo]
[Chorus]
Sing us a song, you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feelin’ alright
[Verse 4]
It’s a pretty good crowd for a Saturday
And the manager gives me a smile
‘Cause he knows that it’s me they’ve been comin’ to see
To forget about life for a while
And the piano, it sounds like a carnival
And the microphone smells like a beer
And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar
And say, “Man, what are you doin’ here?”
[Refrain]
Oh, la, la-la, di-dee-da
La-la, di-dee-da da-dum
[Chorus]
Sing us a song, you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feelin’ alright
Music Video
Song Credits
| Song | Piano Man |
| Artist | Billy Joel |
| Album | 50 Years of the Piano Man |
| Writer | Billy Joel |
| Producer | Mike Stewart |
About the Song
“Piano Man” by Billy Joel is a classic song that feels warm, nostalgic, and emotional. Released in 1973, it tells the story of a piano player who performs in a small bar. While he plays, he watches different people come and go, each with their own struggles and dreams. The bartender, the businessman, the waitress, and many others listen to him play because music helps them escape from their problems for a little while.
The song is written like a short movie, where each verse introduces a new character. The chorus — “Sing us a song, you’re the piano man” — is catchy and makes you imagine the whole bar singing along. Even though the mood is cheerful on the surface, there is a feeling of sadness underneath. Many characters are unhappy with their lives, but the piano man brings them comfort through his music.
What makes “Piano Man” special is how real it feels. Billy Joel wrote it based on his own experience playing in bars before becoming famous. The storytelling, harmonica, and piano melodies create a rich and timeless atmosphere. The song remains one of Joel’s most famous works and is loved across generations for its honesty, storytelling, and beautiful music.