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"'''Big Shot'''" was the second hit single from ]'s 1978 album '']''. The song was released in early-1979, just as his other hit single from that same album, "']", was peaking at #3. It would soon become his second top-twenty hit of 1979, peaking at #14. "'''Big Shot'''" was the second hit single from ]'s 1978 album '']''. The song was released in early-1979, just as his other hit single from that same album, "']", was peaking at #3. It would soon become his second top-twenty hit of 1979, peaking at #14.


The song is about the protagonist mocking a woman, probably a celebrity ("And the stories of your latest success / Kept 'em so entertained"), with a severe ] about her intoxicated galavanting around town, making numerous social and verbal ] while high on alcohol and drugs ("But now you just can't remember / All the things you said / And you're not sure you want to know / I'll give you one hint, honey / You sure did put on a show!") The song makes late 1970's cultural references to such ] fads such as and ]. The song is about the protagonist mocking a woman, probably a celebrity ("And the stories of your latest success / Kept 'em so entertained"), with a severe ] about her intoxicated galavanting around town, making numerous social and verbal ] while high on alcohol and drugs ("But now you just can't remember / All the things you said / And you're not sure you want to know / I'll give you one hint, honey / You sure did put on a show!") The song makes late 1970s cultural references to such ] fads such as and ].


A rumor that the song was based on a bad date with ] is not true. In an interview in 2006, Billy Joel said, "I read that the song 'Big Shot' is said to be about a date I had with Bianca Jagger. I never had a date with Bianca Jagger."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20736947-1702,00.html | title=Billy Joel back to Aussie basics | author=La Canna, Xavier | date=2006-11-10 | publisher=Australian Associated Press | accessdate=2007-06-18}}</ref> A rumor that the song was based on a bad date with ] is not true. In an interview in 2006, Billy Joel said, "I read that the song 'Big Shot' is said to be about a date I had with Bianca Jagger. I never had a date with Bianca Jagger."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20736947-1702,00.html | title=Billy Joel back to Aussie basics | author=La Canna, Xavier | date=2006-11-10 | publisher=Australian Associated Press | accessdate=2007-06-18}}</ref>
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==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}



{{Billy Joel}} {{Billy Joel}}

Revision as of 05:21, 16 June 2010

"Big Shot"
Song
B-side"Root Beer Rag", "Half a Mile Away"

"Big Shot" was the second hit single from Billy Joel's 1978 album 52nd Street. The song was released in early-1979, just as his other hit single from that same album, "'My Life", was peaking at #3. It would soon become his second top-twenty hit of 1979, peaking at #14.

The song is about the protagonist mocking a woman, probably a celebrity ("And the stories of your latest success / Kept 'em so entertained"), with a severe hangover about her intoxicated galavanting around town, making numerous social and verbal faux pas while high on alcohol and drugs ("But now you just can't remember / All the things you said / And you're not sure you want to know / I'll give you one hint, honey / You sure did put on a show!") The song makes late 1970s cultural references to such nouveaux riche fads such as Elaine's Restaurant and Halston.

A rumor that the song was based on a bad date with Bianca Jagger is not true. In an interview in 2006, Billy Joel said, "I read that the song 'Big Shot' is said to be about a date I had with Bianca Jagger. I never had a date with Bianca Jagger."

Single and album edits

The only change made in the single version is an abridged outro.

Chart positions

Chart (1979) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 14

References

  1. La Canna, Xavier (2006-11-10). "Billy Joel back to Aussie basics". Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
Billy Joel
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilations
Singles
Other songs
Tours
Films
See also
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