Big Shot – English Lyrics

• By: Billy Joel
• Album: 52ndStreet

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant, yet critical, language of the late 70s with Billy Joel's 'Big Shot.' This hard-hitting rock anthem offers a masterclass in sharp, descriptive English, showcasing how words can be wielded with wit and attitude. Learn idiomatic expressions related to social climbing and excessive behavior, and appreciate Joel's storytelling prowess through his acerbic lyrics and powerful delivery. Its catchy melody and relatable themes of frustration make it a special and engaging piece for language learners.

[English]

(upbeat music)

♪ Well, you went uptown riding in your limousine ♪

♪ With your fine Park Avenue clothes ♪

♪ You had the Dom Perignon in your hand ♪

♪ And the spoon up your nose ♪

♪ And when you wake up in the morning ♪

♪ With your head on fire ♪

♪ And your eyes too bloody to see ♪

♪ Go on and cry in your coffee ♪

♪ But don't come bitchin' to me ♪

♪ Because you had to be a big shot, didn't you ♪

♪ You had to open up your mouth ♪

♪ You had to be a big shot, didn't you ♪

♪ All your friends were so knocked out ♪

♪ You had to have the last word, last night ♪

♪ You know what everything's about ♪

♪ You and to have a white hot spotlight ♪

♪ You had to be a big shot last night ♪

♪ They were all impressed with your Halston dress ♪

♪ And the people that you knew at Elaine's ♪

♪ And the story of your latest success ♪

♪ Kept 'em so entertained ♪

♪ Oh, 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 ♪

♪ Yes, yes, you had to be a big shot, didn't you ♪

♪ You had to prove it to the crowd ♪

♪ You had to be a big shot, didn't you ♪

♪ All your friends were so knocked out ♪

♪ You had to have the last word, last night ♪

♪ So much fun to be around ♪

♪ You had to have the front page, bold type ♪

♪ You had to be a big shot last night ♪

♪ Well, it's no big sin to stick your two cents in ♪

♪ If you know when to leave it alone ♪

♪ But you went over the line ♪

♪ You couldn't see it was time to go home ♪

♪ No, no, no, no, no, no ♪

♪ You had to be a big shot, didn't you ♪

♪ You had to open up your mouth ♪

♪ You had to be a big shot, didn't you ♪

♪ All your friends were so knocked out ♪

♪ You had to have the last word, last night ♪

♪ So much fun to be around ♪

♪ You had to have a white hot spotlight ♪

♪ You had to be a big shot last night ♪

♪ Big shot ♪

♪ Big shot ♪

♪ Big shot ♪

♪ Big shot ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
shot /ʃɒt/ A1	noun - an attempt or try
big /bɪɡ/ A1	adjective - large in size or amount
limousine /ˌlɪməˈziːn/ B1	noun - a luxury car with a long body and a driver
knocked /nɒkt/ A2	verb - to strike or hit something
spotlight /ˈspɒtˌlaɪt/ B1	noun - a strong beam of light that illuminates a specific area
entertain /ˌɛntəˈteɪn/ A2	verb - to amuse or interest someone
success /səkˈsɛs/ A2	noun - the achievement of desired goals
remember /rɪˈmɛmbər/ A1	verb - to recall or recognize from memory
prove /pruːv/ A2	verb - to demonstrate the truth or existence of something
crowd /kraʊd/ A1	noun - a large number of people gathered together
dress /drɛs/ A1	noun - a piece of clothing for women or girls verb - to put on clothes
latest /ˈleɪtɪst/ A2	adjective - most recent
hint /hɪnt/ A2	noun - a slight indication or suggestion
show /ʃoʊ/ A1	noun - a performance or display verb - to present or display
fun /fʌn/ A1	noun - enjoyment or amusement
stick /stɪk/ A1	verb - to put or push something into a substance

Key Grammar Structures

• ♪ Well, you went uptown riding in your limousine ♪

  ➔ Past Simple Tense

  ➔ The verb 'went' is in the past simple tense, indicating a completed action in the past.

• ♪ With your fine Park Avenue clothes ♪

  ➔ Prepositional Phrase

  ➔ The phrase 'With your fine Park Avenue clothes' is a prepositional phrase modifying the subject, providing additional information.

• ♪ You had to be a big shot, didn't you ♪

  ➔ Tag Question

  ➔ The phrase 'didn't you' is a tag question, added to the end of a statement to turn it into a question, seeking confirmation.

• ♪ All your friends were so knocked out ♪

  ➔ Past Continuous Tense

  ➔ The verb 'were' combined with 'knocked out' indicates a past continuous action, describing a state that was in progress in the past.

• ♪ You had to have the last word, last night ♪

  ➔ Infinitive of Purpose

  ➔ The phrase 'to have the last word' is an infinitive of purpose, explaining the reason for the action.

• ♪ You know what everything's about ♪

  ➔ Contraction

  ➔ The word 'everything's' is a contraction of 'everything is', combining the subject and verb into a shorter form.

• ♪ You had to be a big shot last night ♪

  ➔ Past Modal Verb

  ➔ The phrase 'had to' is a past modal verb, indicating necessity or obligation in the past.

• ♪ They were all impressed with your Halston dress ♪

  ➔ Past Passive Voice

  ➔ The phrase 'were impressed' is in the past passive voice, indicating that the subject received the action.