Billy Joel's PIANO MAN and other super heroes, super egos and unconvincing bar scenes

It's a listener-driven episode, as Jennifer raises Billy Joel's hit from the early 70s and recalls the uncomfortable "raw sexuality" of his stage performance. Dave's scientific background comes to the fore as he prepares a drink they call "loneliness" and we explore the ultimately tragic or heroic backstory to the song. Should pianists sing in a lounge bar or stay in the background? Did anyone ask for the harmonica? Is it a Gay Bar? We also discuss ableist dwarf-jokes, www.celebheights.com, feeling orright, self-aggrandising, clever or dumb, constrictive garments and recall, the wrestling origins, asking neighbours for underwear, rocketman or pianoman, the justice league of bar characters, don't feed pianomen bread, and businessmen getting stoned? It's completely wrong in every regard but understanding Piano Man is like climbing Everest and our thoughts are like the first frozen corpses you come across before you've even left base camp. Would you like to appear (well, vocally) on the show? Do you have a pop song or ear-worm from the SMOOTH FM genre that’s infested your mind and needs to be investigated? Visit this page anchor.fm/peter-davis6 and press the message button to record me your own voicemail hot-take on your specific smooth song of suckiness. You can be on a future episode! (you can always email sound files or text your thoughts to [email protected] if that's easier). Cheers! Sound clips are included for educational reference, criticism, satire and parody in fair use. Clips remain the property of the respective rights holder and no endorsement is implied. All information and opinion is performed and expressed in-character and does not reflect reality or genuine commentary on any persons (living or dead), bands or other organisations, or their works, and is not recommended listening for anyone, anywhere.