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. -Piano Man by Billy Joel
That, in my opinion, is one of the greatest song lyric lines ever written. While I’m not a huge Billy Joel fan, the song Piano Man is one of my favorite songs of all time because of the engaging and descriptive lyrics. Those lyrics paint a perfect picture of a moment in time captured at a dingy bar on a Saturday night. When you listen to the lyrics, you know exactly what each character looks like, what they are doing, how they interact with others, and what emotions they are feeling at the moment. The song presents a compelling snapshot of humanity. Genius, shear genius.
My husband Rob and I disagree on this topic, for he thinks the song Piano Man to be a story about a depressing gang of misfits who gather at a bar. He thinks it’s sad. While that may be true, I can’t help but marvel at the storyteller’s masterful imagery. That’s what sets the song apart from others. When you hear the beginning notes of Piano Man, you can be transported immediately to the dismal scene, ready to be swept away by the carnival piano sounds that light a spark in the otherwise gloomy night. And, you can cling to the hope that things will start to get better for everyone who is there in the bar. Riding along on the coattails of the Piano Man. Just my opinion, of course.
One night, Rob and I had a spirited discussion about the Piano Man song, as we recited and dissected every line, sharing our thoughts about the vibe, the lyrical expression, and the somewhat melancholy vision of the characters who were stuck in time. Having a nice Italian dinner with a delectably smooth bottle of Merlot fueled our passions as we asserted our thoughts more vigorously than, perhaps, we intended. Sorry if you were one of the fellow patrons at the restaurant that night. We are slightly embarrassed that we enthused a bit and our voices carried, as we systematically tackled all four verses, line by line. But it was all in good fun, and nobody complained.......at least not to us.
That lively dinner conversation occurred on a recent trip to the beach. Following our musical analysis, the next night we went to our favorite hangout spot there in town. We joined in on the Trivia Night contest, jokingly naming our two-man trivia team The Piano Men. We surprised ourselves and came in 2nd place for the competition! Won ourselves a restaurant discount card. Thanks Billy Joel! No, there weren’t any trivia questions about Billy Joel, but the discussion the night before had sharpened our critical thinking skills, and we were able to capitalize and bring home the silver medal. Yay us!
All that aside, the point I’d like to make is that the Piano Man line, that I quoted above, speaks truth. In that scene, although the old man couldn’t quite remember what song he hoped to hear, I’ll bet as soon as the Piano Man started playing, the bar patron probably smiled and sang along without missing a beat. Tapping out the tune. Flooded with memories. Can’t you picture it?
In addition to releasing dopamine, listening to music provides an emotional connection and evokes memories of the past. Much research has been done to discover how music and memory work together, such as the article by Dr. Kelly Jakubowski in Time magazine which describes that “Music is inherently bound up with personal identity…….What we call the reminiscence bump in autobiographical memory.” I’ll just trust the experts to explain all that. I can speak only to my own experiences. Familiar tunes can remind me of experiences I have had, places I have been, time periods that I have lived through, and people I have known. Music can transport me to a different version of myself. I am guaranteed to remember the melodies and the lyrics of songs that I knew from years before, while feel-good emotions abound.
And now I will segue into my most recent musical trip down Memory Lane.
I’ve been keeping my eye out for Music Legends who might be touring---see ‘em while I still can. I was delighted to read that, after a long hiatus, Stevie Wonder was hitting the road for a few concerts in October. But, I was bummed to find out that his Atlanta concert date conflicted with plans that we could not change. So, my sister and I figured it out, packed up, and drove to his next closest concert, in Greensboro, North Carolina. I was beyond excited to see Stevie perform his “Sing a Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” tour. And, I can say without any reservations, it was one of the best concerts I have ever been to. In the top three, for sure, if not #1 or #2. Named Rolling Stone magazine's 9th greatest singer of all time, Stevie Wonder really delivered.
During the concert, the energy in the arena was off the charts. Every single song was rocking and jiving and had us on our feet, singing and dancing along. Stevie’s voice was clear and strong. On stage, he was having a wonderful time. He flubbed a few intros, laughing as he corrected himself. He called us all out saying, “You guys are messing up my lyrics!!” But he good-naturedly hinted at the rest of the words so that we could sing along with him. Stevie was warm and affable. He spread his message of love and unity as he introduced each song, suggesting that everybody should remember to take a step back and start treating one another with kindness. The setlist was a salute to his career throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s, and on. I’m listening to the playlist right now. Crank it up! I can’t sit still.
At the concert it was so fun and so rewarding to hear the master play the piano and sing his repertoire with passion and vitality. A genuine Piano Man. He’d ask, “Are you ready to go home yet?” And we would scream, “NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” He’d laugh and play on. Almost 3 hours of full-on Stevie rockin' the rhythms, with just a tiny break in the middle.
Stevie Wonder is an absolute treasure. While this was not a political stage, Stevie encouraged everyone to vote their conscience, emphasizing that we as a people can do better in the way that we care for one another. It was a message well-received. Throughout his career, Stevie dedicated himself to improving the human condition. According to Google AI Overview, “Wonder's activism and artistry were intertwined throughout his career, and he repeatedly called attention to social issues.” In the 70s and 80s, he was instrumental in rallying support to establish Martin Luther King Jr Day as a national holiday to honor the civil rights leader. Stevie also used his fame to denounce apartheid in South Africa, protesting and raising awareness worldwide. His philanthropy in many areas has been widely reported. As a performer, Stevie Wonder emanates light and love. Oh, I am a fan. I have so much respect for the man, it was an honor to see him perform. And, besides, I always love me some Motown. Can’t get enough of it.
As we, the sold-out audience, sang along with songs that called for social justice and songs that celebrated life, we filled the arena with joy. Stevie Wonder, playing the grand piano and other keyboards, leading his 30-piece orchestra/brass/guitar/percussion/background singer entourage, was absolutely magnificent. That Piano Man was something else. A helluva performer. And, an icon who has preached love and togetherness his whole career.
To paraphrase Billy Joel, Stevie’s concert took me back to a time when I wore a younger girl’s clothes. You know, when I used to hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine. I learned a long time ago that when you believe in things that you don't understand, then you suffer. But you can also learn how to say: This is mine, you can't take it, as long as I know I have love, I can make it. Lovers keep on loving; Believers keep on believing. Over the years, that's the kind of stuff Stevie taught me.
When the Stevie Wonder concert ended, everyone in the audience was glowing. We would have stood around and had a big hug-fest if we weren’t all concerned about getting our cars out of the jammed parking lot in a timely manner. Luckily, the exit was speedy, and we all smiled and waved at each other as we went our separate ways. That night was such a meaningful experience, I'm still glowing a little bit, even now. Because….
Music is a world within itself, With a language we all understand. With an equal opportunity, For all to sing, dance, and clap their hands. -Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder
Do you have any musical memories with emotional ties? Any particular songs that speak to you? Any great lyrics I need to know about?
I’m all ears.