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"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 1970's 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

References

1. La Canna, Xavier (2006-11-10). "Billy Joel back to Aussie basics". Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 2007-06-18.

• 1978 songs
• 1979 singles
• Billy Joel songs
• Songs written by Billy Joel