Big Shot
Elton John and Billy Joel Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴Well, you went uptown riding in your limousine
With your fine Park Avenue clothes
You had the Dom Pérignon 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 had 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

Big shot
Big shot

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Big Shot" by Elton John and Billy Joel tell a story of a person who thinks they have it all - wealth, success, and fame. This person goes uptown in their limousine, with their designer clothes and Dom Perignon in hand, and brags to their friends about their latest success. However, the morning after, this person wakes up with a hangover and regrets all the things they said and did the night before. The song's lyrics sarcastically mock this kind of behavior, calling out this person for feeling the need to prove themselves to others and being a "big shot."

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "you had to be a big shot, didn't you?" in a mocking tone, highlighting the irony of someone who seems to have everything but is still not satisfied and needs to prove their worth to others. The bridge of the song gives advice to this person, telling them that it's okay to speak their mind but to also know when to leave it alone and go home.

Overall, "Big Shot" is a commentary on the vanity and insecurity of those who feel the need to constantly prove themselves to others. The song's lyrics are witty and full of sarcasm, highlighting the absurdity of this kind of behavior.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, you went uptown riding in your limousine
You traveled in style in your limousine.

With your fine Park Avenue clothes
You dressed in elegant Park Avenue clothes.

You had the Dom Perignon in your hand
You were enjoying a bottle of expensive Dom Perignon.

And the spoon up your nose
You were snorting drugs with a spoon.

And when you wake up in the morning
The next morning, when you wake up.

With your head on fire
You will have a terrible headache.

And your eyes too bloody to see
Your eyes are red and sore.

Go on and cry in your coffee
You'll probably cry while drinking your coffee.

But don't come bitchin' to me
Don't complain to me about your problems.

Because you had to be a big shot, didn't you
You had to act like you were better than everyone else.

You had to open up your mouth
You talked too much.

All your friends were so knocked out
Your friends were impressed with you.

You had to have the last word, last night
You wouldn't stop talking or arguing the night before.

You know what everything's about
You think you know everything.

You and to have a white hot spotlight
You wanted all the attention on you.

You had to be a big shot last night
You acted like you were better than everyone else.

They were all impressed with your Halston dress
Your friends were impressed with your expensive Halston dress.

And the people that you knew at Elaine's
You bragged about the famous people you know.

And the story of your latest success
You told stories of your recent accomplishments.

Kept 'em so entertained
Your stories were entertaining to your friends.

Oh, but now you just don't remember
You can't remember some of what you said the night before.

All the things you said
You said a lot of things the night before.

And you're not sure you want to know
You're afraid you might regret some of what you said.

I'll give you one hint, honey
I'll give you a clue.

You sure did put on a show
You acted like you were performing for an audience.

Yes, yes, you had to be a big shot, didn't you
You acted like you were better than everyone else.

You had to prove it to the crowd
You wanted to convince everyone you were the best.

So much fun to be around
You were entertaining to be around.

You had to have the front page, bold type
You wanted to be the headline story.

Well, it's no big sin to stick your two cents in
It's okay to give your opinion.

If you know when to leave it alone
But you need to know when to stop talking.

But you went over the line
You talked too much and crossed the line.

You couldn't see it was time to go home
You didn't realize it was time to leave the party.

No, no, no, no, no, no, you had to be a big shot, didn't you
You continued to act like you were better than everyone else.

You had to have a white hot spotlight
You wanted even more attention on you.

Big shot
You acted like a big shot.

Big shot
You acted like a big shot.

Big shot
You acted like a big shot.

Big shot
You acted like a big shot.

Big shot
You acted like a big shot.

Big shot
You acted like a big shot.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Word Collections Publishing
Written by: Billy Joel

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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