Behind The Candelabra: 15 Great Piano-Driven Pop Songs

John Hamilton | May 27, 2013 8:38 am

HBO’s Behind the Candelabra, Steven Soderbergh’s highly anticipated biopic on Liberace, debuted this past weekend to much critical fanfare, with many critics praising Soderbergh for approaching his subject with a modicum of humanity (as opposed to mean-spirited camp). Although Liberace never openly pined to be taken seriously, we think he’d appreciate the film’s attempt to go behind the caricature and laud him for his ivory-tickling talents. Not to mention his other talents, demonstrated mostly on lover Scott Thorson, played by Matt Damon.

In the spirit of reviving all things Lee, we’ve compiled this playlist of piano-packing pop stars, all of whom — whether they want to admit it in their cool little hearts or not — owe a debt of gratitude to the first man to make pianos hip since Tchaikovsky. Well, may “hip” isn’t the right word for the rhinestone encrusted, old-lady-arousing Lee…. perhaps we should say, Leee-gorgeous!

Adele, “Someone Like You” Adele may be collecting mucho royalties for her torchy #1 smash, but we think she should have to pay some of them back whenever some drunken mess tortures us with their rendition on karaoke night. Pay up, Adele!