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Quiz about Anatomy of a Song Piano Man
Quiz about Anatomy of a Song Piano Man

Anatomy of a Song: "Piano Man" Quiz

Just how much do you know about Billy Joel's classic "Piano Man"? Pit yourself against 10 questions about the song and/or associated facts. Song #4 in the 'Anatomy' series.

A multiple-choice quiz by FussBudget. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
FussBudget
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
202,529
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
9 / 10
Plays
9904
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
Last 3 plays: Guest 166 (8/10), Guest 174 (9/10), Philip_Eno (10/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. The very first line of the song tells us the time. What hour of the night is it? Hint


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Question 2 of 10
2. Later in the first verse, we are told about an old man, who is making love! In the bar! Who or what is he making love to? Hint


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Question 3 of 10
3. We are still with the old man from question 2. He asks the Piano Man to sing him a song that he knew when he was younger. How does the old man describe being younger? Hint


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Question 4 of 10
4. In the chorus, the crowd at the bar exhort the Piano Man to sing to them, and they say:

"Well, we're all in the mood for a ______"

 Hint


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Question 5 of 10
5. What is the bartender's name? Hint


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Question 6 of 10
6. The bartender has aspirations to be something else, "If (he) could get out of this place". What is it that he wants to be? Hint


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Question 7 of 10
7. One of the men at the bar is named Paul. How is Paul described? Hint


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Question 8 of 10
8. Paul drinks with a friend called Davy. What organisation does Davy work for?

Answer: (Think "Village People")

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Question 9 of 10
9. On what day of the week is the song set? Hint


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Question 10 of 10
10. In the last verse, what is it that "smells like a beer"? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Dec 28 2024 : Guest 166: 8/10
Dec 27 2024 : Guest 174: 9/10
Dec 27 2024 : Philip_Eno: 10/10
Dec 27 2024 : emmal2000uk: 10/10
Dec 21 2024 : griller: 9/10
Dec 19 2024 : Guest 76: 10/10
Dec 19 2024 : Guest 174: 10/10
Dec 19 2024 : klrunning: 9/10
Dec 18 2024 : Guest 70: 10/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The very first line of the song tells us the time. What hour of the night is it?

Answer: Nine o'clock

 "It's nine o'clock on a Saturday
The regular crowd shuffles in"

Songfacts.com states: "This was inspired by Joel's experiences playing at The Executive Room, a piano bar in Los Angeles. The characters in the song are based on real people Joel encountered working at The Executive Room".
2. Later in the first verse, we are told about an old man, who is making love! In the bar! Who or what is he making love to?

Answer: His tonic and gin

 "There's an old man sitting next to me
Makin' love to his tonic and gin"

Whew! That was close! This is a family quiz!
3. We are still with the old man from question 2. He asks the Piano Man to sing him a song that he knew when he was younger. How does the old man describe being younger?

Answer: When I wore a younger man's clothes

 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"

He sounds like the sort of guy that might morosely be hanging out at a bar doesn't he?
4. In the chorus, the crowd at the bar exhort the Piano Man to sing to them, and they say: "Well, we're all in the mood for a ______"

Answer: Melody

 "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".
5. What is the bartender's name?

Answer: John

 "Now John at the bar is a friend of mine
He gets me my drinks for free"

Good old John! It's always good to know the guy who serves the drinks!
6. The bartender has aspirations to be something else, "If (he) could get out of this place". What is it that he wants to be?

Answer: Movie star

 "Well I'm sure that I could be a movie star
If I could get out of this place"

It almost sounds like the characters portrayed in Harry Chapin's "Taxi".
7. One of the men at the bar is named Paul. How is Paul described?

Answer: A real estate novelist

 "Now Paul is a real estate novelist
Who never had time for a wife"

Songfacts.com states "The line "Paul is a real estate novelist" is about a real estate broker who was a regular at the bar who always claimed to be working on a book. Joel figured Paul would never finish because he was always in the bar".
8. Paul drinks with a friend called Davy. What organisation does Davy work for?

Answer: Navy

"And he's talkin' with Davy, who's still in the navy
And probably will be for life"

What's a nice sailor like Davy doing in a bar like that?
9. On what day of the week is the song set?

Answer: Saturday

 "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"

Saturday! Good drinking night!
10. In the last verse, what is it that "smells like a beer"?

Answer: The microphone

 "And the piano sounds like a carnival
And the microphone smells like a beer"

Mmmmmm, beer!
Source: Author FussBudget

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Related Quizzes
This quiz is part of series Song anatomy:

A musical journey! How well do you know these songs?

  1. Anatomy of a Song: "Maggie May" Easier
  2. Anatomy of a Song: "Daniel" Easier
  3. Anatomy of a Song: "Sultans of Swing" Average
  4. Anatomy of a Song: "The Boxer" Easier
  5. Anatomy of a Song: "Piano Man" Easier

Also part of quiz list
Referenced Topics
Music   Movies   People   Names   Billy Joel   Beers   Harry Chapin   Keyboards  

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