Song: The Entertainer ~~ 1974 ~~ 3:48
Artist: Billy Joel
LP/CD: Streetlife Serenade ~~ Columbia ~~ 1974
Composer: Billy Joel

I am the entertainer
And I know just where I stand
Another serenader
And another longhaired band

Today I am your champion
I may have won your hearts
But I know the game, you’ll forget my name
And I won’t be here in another year
If I don’t stay on the charts, oh

I am the entertainer
And I’ve had to pay my price
The things I did not know at first
I learned by doing twice

Ah, but still they come to haunt me
Still they want their say
So I’ve learned to dance with a hand in my pants
And I rub my neck and I write ‘em a check
And they go their merry way, oh

I am the entertainer
I bring to you my songs
I’d like to spend a day or two
But I can’t stay that long

Ah, I got to meet expenses
I got to stay in line
Got to get those fees to the agencies
And I’d love to stay but there’s bills to pay
So I just don’t have the time

I am the entertainer
I’ve come to do my show
You’ve heard my latest record
Spin on the radio

Ah, it took me years to write it
They were the best years of my life
It was a beautiful song, but it ran too long
If you’re gonna have a hit you gotta make it fit
So they cut it down to 3:05

I am the entertainer
The idol of my age
I make all kinds of money
When I go on the stage

Ah, you see me in the papers
I’ve been in the magazines
But if I go cold, I won’t get sold
I’ll get put in the back in the discount rack
Like another can of beans

I am the entertainer
And I know just where I stand
Another serenader
And another longhaired band

Today I am your champion
I may have won your hearts
But I know the game and you’ll forget my name
I won’t be here in another year
If I don’t stay on the charts

Transcribed by: Char Star
Uploaded on: September 18, 2003