Does he write novels about his favorite houses?
I think he works in real estate but dreams of being a novelist.
FTR, I really don’t like that song.
A term that fit the meter.
This is funny. I heard this song on the radio last week and was thinking of asking the exact same question here.
What ever it is, it precludes have enough time for matrimonial affairs.
That’s pretty much how I interpret it, too.
He could just as easily be a ‘real estate-novelist’. Not only real, but probably be the one-and-only of his kind, too.
Two previous threads on this subject:
This is what I’ve always assumed, too. And I’ve wondered if “never had time for a wife” meant he was also a closeted homosexual. I might be reading too much into that one, though.
I worked in real estate, and actually met a broker who ws writing the “Great American Novel.” After reading some of it, I decided it was good he was in real estate.
The guy who wrote the novelized versions of those two great American movies, House and (arguably the best sequel name ever) House 2: The Second Story?
That’s probably why he’s sitting beside Davey, who’s still in the navy, and probably will be for life. Obviously he’s gay too.
I always took it to mean that he’s the guy who writes the house descriptions for real estate newspaper ads. God knows most of them are the closest thing to fiction…
I’m surprised this very upfront song gets so many threads. It’s about people drinking because their artistic dreams did not come true:
An old guy is lamenting his lost dreams of youth, wanting to hear the music he has since forgotten.
Joe at the bar is sure he could be a movie star if he could his job.
Paul is in real estate thinking it will tide him over till he’s a famous novelist.
Davy drifted into the Navy and probably will be there for life.
Bill himself is playing in a tacky bar while having dreams of being rich and famous, which he was doing at the time. No doubt he talked to many a drunk he thought they could make it.
I never thought of that. I always assumed that between real estate and writing, he just never got around to getting married. Given the song’s theme of faded dreams and not repressed homosexual rage, I think it’s probably the latter.
For example, the old man sitting next to Bill is not litterally making love to his tonic and gin.
Although the real estate novelist’s name is “Paul”.
Thanks for that image. 
And here I thought for sure he was a Tanquersexual.
With jokes like that, you should probably be doing stand-up in that club.
Pfft. I would SO Bomb-ay…
Wipe that Beefeating grin off your face.
Quick rundown: during a low point in his life and career, Billy Joel got a job playing piano in a cocktail lounge. Over time, he came to realize that almost all the regulars at this bar (both the customers and the employees) were miserable people who wished they were doing something better with their lives.
Billy wants to be a rock star, but is stuck singing “Misty” for besotted businessmen.
“John at the bar” is an actor. Like many actors, he got a job as a bartender, figuring it was only temporary, and that he’d become a star soon. But now, he’s starting to realize he may NEVER make it as an actor, and may be stuck in a mundane job forever.
Paul is a “real estate novelist,” which means he’s a middle-aged real estate salesman who’s been telling everyone for years about the great novel he plans to write some day (but which he’ll probably never get around to).
The waitress who’s practicing politics is probably a law student who can’t wait to get her degree and get away from this lousy job.
Everyone at this bar has big dreams that probably won’t come true.