# Rock/pop/folk songs with great piano in them? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 6, 2001, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026 "2001-04-06T04:17:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DigitalMuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecccb3/32.png) [@DigitalMuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalMuse)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/41 "2001-04-07T02:34:57Z")
_Marianne_ and \* Spark\* by Tori Amos, along with everything else by her _Goodnight Saigon_ and anything else by Billy Joel - I Guess that’s Why They Call it the Blues\* and _Can You Feel The Love Tonight_ by Elton John ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/42 "2001-04-07T02:42:36Z")
I personally have a weakness for rock songs with dirty piano, such as The Who’s “Long Live Rock” and David Bowie’s “Suffragette City”. ---
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/43 "2001-04-07T03:36:48Z")
On the Leonard Cohen tribute CD I’m Your Fan, John Cale does an absolutely astounding cover of “Hallelujah.” Just Cale and his piano. It’s the only song on the CD I would call a piano song-where the piano is the focus-but the rest of the songs are great as well. It’s one of those CDs I wish everyone in the world could hear at least once. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/44 "2001-04-07T06:33:15Z")
The Rolling Stones’ “Angie”. IIRC, the album version of The Moody Blues’ “Tuesday Afernoon” has a nice, long piano solo at the end. ---
**Author:** ![skaffen\_amiskaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d26b3c/32.png) [@skaffen\_amiskaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skaffen_amiskaw)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/45 "2001-04-07T10:47:53Z")
‘waiting for the man’ - Velvet Underground and Nico. ---
**Author:** ![tclouie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@tclouie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tclouie)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/46 "2001-04-07T11:06:47Z")
L.A. WOMAN!!! (Mr. Mojo Risin’…) A third vote for Elton John’s “Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleedin’.” And another vote for the Beatles. ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/47 "2001-04-07T14:21:04Z")
If you can find it, Al Kooper does a great extended version of “Baby Please Don’t Go” (from the album “Easy Does It”) with some great piano work in it. You might also want to check out a rather obscure composer named Conlon Nancarrow. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Saint\_Zero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Zero)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/48 "2001-04-07T14:39:44Z")
Thomas Dolby does have some good keyboarding skills. ---
**Author:** ![Broken\_Doll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@Broken\_Doll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broken_Doll)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/49 "2001-04-07T15:48:38Z")
Dammit, people already beat me to Tori Amos and Ben Folds Five…I’ll add **Nine Inch Nails** to the list though, but only for **The Fragile**. The other NIN albums aren’t as piano-ey as The Fragile. If that makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/50 "2001-04-07T16:40:02Z")
_The Kick Inside_ & “This Woman’s Work” - Kate Bush “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” - Elton John “Evil Woman” - ELO “Homeward Bound” - Fleetwood Mac (it’s from the album, _Bare Trees_ (and most anything played by Christine McVie) “Back in the USSR” - Beatles (that’s Nicky Hopkins playing, BTW) Lots of Billy Joel The aforementioned Tori Amos stuff, especially “Winter” ---
**Author:** ![omni-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8dc957/32.png) [@omni-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omni-not)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/51 "2001-04-07T17:10:13Z")
The Beatles’ **A Day in the Life** : Remember that single chord at the end? Fitting ending to a not too shabby album. ---
**Author:** ![Albert\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Albert\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert_Rose)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/52 "2001-04-07T18:09:50Z")
**Country Comforts** by Rod Stewart (cover) **Have a Little Faith in Me** by John Hiatt **This Song is Over** by the Who **Gettin’ in Tune** by the Who **At My Most Beautiful** by R.E.M. **Games People Play** by the Spinners **Good for You** by Hothouse Flowers **Queen of Pain** by Alanis Morissette (Unplugged) **Tupelo Honey** by Van Morisson **Old Old Woodstock** by Van Morisson **Be Thou My Vision** by Van Morisson **Carrying a Torch** by Van Morisson **Queen of the Slipstream** by Van Morisson **In the Garden** by Van Morisson **Backstreets** by Bruce Springsteen ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2001, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/53 "2001-04-07T18:29:46Z")
I’ll have to enthusiastically agree with **Odieman** that **Bruce Springsteen** has produced some wonderful rock music with great piano. In particular, the entire Born to Run album has some great tracks, including “Meeting Across the River” and “Jungleland”. I’ll also be the umpteenth person to mention **Elton John** ’s “Love Lies Bleeding/Funeral for a Friend.” an interesting tidbit about that song… an excellent cover of that song has been released by the band **Dream Theater** on their album “A Change of Seasons.” Anyone who likes Elton John should listen to this version of that song. A few other songs with piano/keyboard: [list] [li]Carry On Wayward Son, by Kansas[/li][li]Roll With the Changes, by REO Speedwagon[/li][li]Drowning, by Joe Jackson[/li][li]Getting in Tune, by The Who[/li][li]Whiter Shade of Pale, by Procol Harum[/li][li]21st Century Schizoid Man, by King Crimson[/li][li]I’d Do Anything for Love, by Meatloaf (please excuse me for mentioning this one… I don’t listen to it much, I swear!)[/li] A lot of other stuff by the same people is also pretty good. Some people that other folks have mentioned already (Billy Joel, Elton John, The Band, ELP, etc) I didn’t add because that would just be repetative now, wouldn’t it. That’s why I didn’t talk about Billy Joel, Elton John, The Band, ELP, etc. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2001, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/54 "2001-04-08T17:21:34Z")
Something in the air - Thunderclap Newman Riders on the storm - The Doors Cast your fate to the wind - Sounds Orchestral To those who know their stuff, and those who don’t,\*\* Nat King Cole\*\*, he could’ve made a huge name just on his piano playing alone. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2001, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/55 "2001-04-08T17:27:58Z")
Anything with **Chuck Leavell** in it. He plays on several Stones records, including Steel Wheels, Stripped, Dirty Work, Undercover, Vodoo Lounge, etc. You can also find him on Blues Traveler’s _Four_, on several Allman Brothers discs, and on the Black Crowes’ _Shake Your Moneymaker_. He also has an album out titled \*What’s in That Bag \*\* I haven’t heard it, but CDNow seems to indicate it’s a Christmas album. Chuck is certainly one of the best rock keyboard stylists around. Another guy who kicks some serious ass is \*\* Gonzalo Rubalcaba\*\*. That is, if you’re into Cuban jazz. This guys is seriously _insane_ on the ivories. Piano is his third instrument after drums and violin, and he originally came from a classical background. His technique is incredibly clean, his timing impeccible, and plays with great feeling both slow and fast. Everytime I listen to him, he sends chills up my spine. Go to [CDNow.com](http://CDNow.com) and have a listen, if jazz is your thing. I think he is one of the greatest living pianists of any genre. Please, give him a listen. If you’re into New Orleans-style piano, Dr. John’s all right, but head a generation back to his teacher, **Professor Longhair** for some wicked riffs. Also **A.J. Croce** ’s pretty cool, too. **Greg Phillinganes** is probably one of the most accomplished sessionists around. You can find his contributions on Eric Clapton’s _Journeyman_, as well as working with artists such as Venessa Williams, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and, God forbid, Kenny G. Hope this helps. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2001, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/56 "2001-04-10T01:34:23Z")
Almost forgot: “I Don’t Like Mondays” - Boomtown Rats “Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here” - Bob Dorough Hell, nearly all the Schoolhouse Rock songs. ---
**Author:** ![Fibonacci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Fibonacci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fibonacci)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2001, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/57 "2001-04-10T22:02:20Z")
I’ve gotta agree with RealityChuck on Nicky Hopkins work on Edward The Mad Shirt Grinder. Nicky was a piano player that added so much to the recordings of many groups yet got very little attention. His style was so distinctive & driven, that you could usually tell it was him even before reading the credits. When I went to see the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart in '68, the biggest thrill was getting to see Nicky Hopkins. (By the way, I’ve pretty much hated Rod Stewart since then until I heard Pete Townshend say that Rod had quietly been paying Ronnie Lane’s medical bills for years after he was stricken with MS. I still hate his music, but admire his loyalty & kindness.) I also saw Nicky play with Jefferson Airplane & Quicksilver Messenger Service. Alas, he’s gone off to play with the other rockers in Heaven’s Jam Band. But by all means check out Quicksilver’s Edward The Mad Shirt Grinder and track down anything else he played on and you won’t be disappointed. Two other piano players I would recommend you see play live if you can would be Allen Toussaint and Billy Payne of Little Feat. Make sure you get a seat where you can see their hands on the keyboard then sit back and be amazed. ---
**Author:** ![riserius1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ab992/32.png) [@riserius1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/riserius1)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2001, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/58 "2001-04-11T02:32:39Z")
A great piano solo, albeit hard to find, would be in the song No Big Deal by Ambrosia, off their album/cd One Eighty. Chris W ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2001, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/59 "2001-04-11T05:03:58Z")
I have to second Lynyrd Skynyrd. Billy Powell is a great piano player. Listen to “I Know a Little” - awesome piano work on that. Another second for “Jessica” by the Allman Brothers. And yet another second for Warren Zevon. He is classically trained, and studied under Igor Stravinsky. Almost all his music features very complex piano parts. ---
**Author:** ![Albert\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Albert\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert_Rose)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2001, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026/60 "2001-04-11T17:39:32Z")
I believe Nicky Hopkins played piano on the Rolling Stones’ “She Comes in Colors.” Here are a few more piano songs: **Handbags and Gladrags** by Rod Stewart **Morning Song** by Jewel **You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me** by Smokey & the Miracles (and also the Beatles) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-pop-folk-songs-with-great-piano-in-them/61026.md?page=4)