you know whoβs gay? paul the real estate novelist who never had time for a wife and davey whoβs still in the navy and probably will be for life
New headcannon: everyoneΒ in that song is gay except the Piano Man who has no idea heβs playing at a gay bar and the staff and regulars have a betting pool on how long heβll take to finally figure it out. So far John is ahead.
βThe manager gives me a smile βcause he knows that itβs me theyβve been coming to seeβ also implies that the Piano Man is possibly an incredibly attractive but oblivious himbo, and if you listen to the rest of it imagining that, this all fits a little too well.
this makes too much sense. Also, the full quote is βNow John at the bar is a friend of mine. He gets me my drinks for free. And heβs quick with a joke or to light up your smoke. But thereβs someplace that heβd rather beβ Yes, your bed, he wants to be on your bed honey, thatβs not a joke, he is flirting with you.
Lighting another manβs cigarette is some old-school gay cruising.
Billy Joel actually addressed this interpretation!
You know, good on him for just rolling with it.
