#RealEstateNovelist #”PianoMan”, #BillyJoel #loneliness #relationships
“Paul is a real estate novelist.”
That lyric from Billy Joel’s song, “Piano Man,” begs the question: “What does is a real estate novelist do? Incidentally, CBS cut off its televised Billy Joel concert at Madison Square Garden on the evening of April 14, 2024, in the middle of his performance of “Piano Man.” Joel’s fans who watched were not happy with CBS, and said so on social media. As a result, it was rebroadcast in full on April 19, 2024.
So, is Paul, who is one of the regulars in the bar at which the “Piano Man” plays, a novelist who dabbles in real estate? Does he write novels about real estate? Or, does he sell “novel” real properties?
The song does not explain. The point of the song is that Paul is among the lonely people, mostly men, who hang out regularly at the bar just to drink and listen to the piano man.
Though the song doesn’t explain Paul’s gig, Paul can teach us a few things.
First, loneliness is common – some might say an epidemic — today among children and adults. The explosion of social media, the isolation of the pandemic a few years ago and a general malaise among many people over their lives have contributed to the increase in loneliness.
If you are feeling lonely, hanging out at a bar – even if everybody knows your name, as in the TV show, “Cheers” – may not be the best solution. Certainly, no one would criticize the occasional trip to the bar to hang out with friends. But, making it a habit can be expensive and harmful over time.
Also, even though Paul in the song is lonely, we can suspect that he may write novels, and, perhaps, dabbles in real estate.
Novelists, unless they have a big seller, generally don’t make a lot of money. Having multiple streams of income can help a person pursue his or her passion, and still make a living.
If Paul sells “novel” real properties, that could be very lucrative. “Novel” properties tend to be expensive. Commissions for selling them tend to be high. If that’s the case, even money can’t cure loneliness.
Let’s presume here that writing novels about real estate would not be a lucrative pastime.
The song says Paul never had time for a wife. Either he is busy pursuing his passion and side hustle, or he’s busy selling expensive properties.
If you are unsure what to do with your life, think of people like Paul. Perhaps you have a passion that may or may not pay your bills. If so, a side hustle may be necessary. There definitely is nothing wrong with multiple streams of income, regardless of your situation.
Whatever you pursue for a living, or as a passion, let it (they) not be a substitute for relationships, friends and other pursuits that ward off loneliness.
If you are having trouble meeting people, think of something you like to do and find an organization of people who like the same thing(s), with whom you could have friendships or relationships. There are many such organizations out there, regardless of what you like to do.
The key here is having in-person relationships, not online relationships.
Online relationships can have a place, but they should not be one’s primary social interaction.
We tend to tip piano players at bars. In fact, the pianists expect that you “put bread in my jar,” as the song says. But the song “Piano Man” can leave a tip for you. Pursue your passion, make a living and have multiple good friendships and relationships.
Play on, “Piano Man.”
Peter