Big Shot

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some wild trivia about "Big Shot," the high-energy opener from Billy Joel's 1978 album 52nd Street, now spinning at THE ZOO! This hard-rocking track, which peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979, is a sarcastic takedown of a partygoer’s over-the-top night. In a 1996 Q&A at Florida State University, Joel revealed the song was inspired by someone close to him—and himself—reflecting his own wild nights in New York’s party scene. Later, in a 2010 interview with Howard Stern, Joel shared that the song took shape after dining with Mick and Bianca Jagger, imagining Mick singing it to Bianca, which explains the Jagger-esque swagger in the music video’s second verse. However, Joel debunked rumors in 2006, clarifying he never dated Bianca Jagger, despite speculation. Fans on Reddit’s r/BillyJoel love its live energy, especially the Long Island performance, with one calling it “fun as fuck” with a “diss track” vibe, rating it 8.6/10. The song’s lyrics name-drop Elaine’s, a trendy 1970s NYC celebrity hangout, as noted in a 2022 post by Billy Joel’s X account, tying it to the era’s glitzy nightlife.

The song’s creation also ties to Joel’s musical influences. Some fans, like one from Houston on Songfacts, hear echoes of Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets” in its piano riffs, though it’s likely inspiration rather than imitation, given Joel’s admiration for piano-driven rock. “Big Shot” captures the late ’70s nouveau riche culture, referencing Halston dresses and Dom Pérignon, with Joel’s biting delivery—complete with an Italian accent on “You had to be a big shot, dinja?”—adding a comedic edge. A Compulsive Reader article highlights how the song channels the era’s “tawdry glamour,” cementing Joel’s knack for storytelling. It’s no wonder a tribute band named Big Shot, led by Mike DelGuidice, formed in 2000 and later joined Joel’s touring band, keeping the song’s legacy alive.

Billy Joel, born William Martin Joel on May 9, 1949, in the Bronx, New York, kicked off his musical journey thanks to his mother’s insistence on piano lessons in Hicksville, Long Island. His father, a classical pianist, also shaped his early love for music. Joel dropped out of high school to pursue music, playing in local bands like The Hassles and Attila in the late 1960s. His big break came with his 1971 debut album Cold Spring Harbor, though it was 1973’s Piano Man, with its iconic title track, that earned him the “Piano Man” nickname and launched his career. By the time 52nd Street dropped in 1978, Joel was a superstar, blending pop, rock, and jazz influences, as seen in “Big Shot.” His work draws from idols like The Beatles, Ray Charles, and classical composers, creating a versatile sound that’s sold over 160 million records worldwide, making him the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the U.S.

Joel’s career skyrocketed with 52nd Street, his first #1 album, which won Grammys for Album of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. He continued churning out hits through the ’80s and ’90s with albums like Glass Houses and An Innocent Man, featuring classics like “Uptown Girl” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Though he stopped recording pop albums after 1993’s River of Dreams, Joel remains a touring legend, holding a record-breaking residency at Madison Square Garden. In 2001, he explored classical music with Fantasies & Delusions. His honors include six Grammys, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, and a 2013 Kennedy Center Honor.

Stay connected with Billy Joel through his official website, where you can find tour dates, news, and his latest single, “Turn the Lights Back On.” Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwbacks like the 2019 post celebrating 52nd Street’s Grammy wins. Fans can dive deeper at sites like One Final Serenade, an unofficial fan hub with detailed discography info, or join the Billy Joel Fans Facebook group to connect with fellow Zoo Freaks. For more on “Big Shot” and Joel’s legacy, check out the r/BillyJoel subreddit, where fans debate and rank his classics.