Big Shot (song)

"Big Shot" is a song performed by Billy Joel from his 1978 album 52nd Street as its opening track, released as a single in early 1979. The song would become the second hit single from the album, peaking at #14 in the United States.

This article is about the Billy Joel song. For other uses, see Big Shot (disambiguation).
"Big Shot"
Artwork for Dutch vinyl single
Single by Billy Joel
from the album 52nd Street
B-side"Root Beer Rag", "Half a Mile Away"
ReleasedJanuary 1979
RecordedA & R Recording, Inc., New York City, 1978
Genre
Length4:03 (Album version)
3:43 (Single version)
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Billy Joel
Producer(s)Phil Ramone
Billy Joel singles chronology
"My Life"
(1978)		 "Big Shot"
(1979)		 "Honesty"
(1979)

Lyrics and music

The song is superficially about the protagonist mocking a woman with a severe hangover for her intoxicated escapades around town, making numerous social and verbal faux pas while high on alcohol and drugs ("But now you just don'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 reference to late 1970s nouveau riche fads such as Elaine's restaurant and Halston.

During a Q&A session at Florida State University in 1996, Joel stated the song is about someone he was very close to, and also about himself.[1] In an interview in 2006, 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."[2] But in an interview with Howard Stern on November 16, 2010, Joel said the song was written after having dinner with Mick and Bianca Jagger. Joel told Stern that while writing the lyrics to "Big Shot," he was thinking of Mick singing the song to Bianca.[3] In the official music video, Joel does appear to be mimicking Mick Jagger during the second verse.

Reception

Billboard described "Big Shot" as "an upbeat rocker" with "very contemporary lyrical content," stating that it was driven by "powerfully rhythmic backing."[4] Cash Box said it is "tough-edged and sassy" with "a dramatic arrangement of guitars, piano, horns and drums," a "rich" lyric and "catchy" vocals.[5] Record World said that "Joel's fine sense of sarcasm and his finesse as a story-teller are perfectly blended."[6]

Release

The single release of the song had an abridged outro compared to the album version.

Live versions were released on the albums Kontsert, 2000 Years: The Millennium Concert, 12 Gardens Live, and My Lives.

Rock Band 3

The song was made available to download on December 14, 2010 for use in the Rock Band 3 music gaming platform in both Basic rhythm, and PRO mode which allows the use of a real guitar / bass guitar, and MIDI compatible electronic drum kits / keyboards in addition to vocals.

Charts
Chart (1979) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] 91
Canadian Singles Chart[8] 13
New Zealand Singles Chart 36
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 14
U.S. Cash Box Top 100 13

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[9] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Billy Joel Q&A: What Inspired the Song "Big Shot"?
  2. La Canna, Xavier (2006-11-10). "Billy Joel back to Aussie basics". Australian Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 1, 2008. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  3. "Billy Joel dreams in music". The Howard Stern Show. 2010-11-16. Archived from the original on 2012-05-03. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
  4. "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. February 10, 1979. p. 62. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  5. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. February 10, 1979. p. 18. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  6. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. February 10, 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  7. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 156. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  8. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
  9. "American single certifications – Billy Joel – Big Shot". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
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