"It’s in 6:8 time, which is a waltz. It’s a long song. And the topic is a bit depressing...”: Billy Joel ponders surprising new interpretations of his much-loved track Piano Man

Billy Joel on stage in Tokyo.

Billy Joel has been talking about his long career and about the theories about his early hit and theme song, Piano Man.

That song was based on Joel’s own experiences and describes the various characters that its narrator sees frequenting the bar where he plys a living. Now in an interview on NBC’s Today programme, he has addressed fan theories that the bar where these people meet could be an LGTBQ venue.