You May Be Right - Billy Joel (1980) 7/16/23

Billy Joel was an angry young man. There were several reasons for this, including problems with his record company, and critics who panned some of his music.

That's the short list.

I bring it up because it explains today's Great Song of 1980: "You May Be Right."

The song was the opening track on Billy's "Glass Houses" album, and if the album TITLE wasn't subtle enough, the album COVER was even MORE blatant.

It showed Billy standing in front of a glass house getting ready to throw a rock at it.

And if you STILL didn't get it, "You May Be Right" started side one with the sound of breaking glass.

(Trivia: Producer Phil Ramone went through a LOT of rocks, bricks, and pane glass just to get the right "sound" of a glass house breaking. In the end, he used a hammer.)

Basically, the whole package was a not-so-veiled slam at Billy's critics.

To paraphrase the song's chorus: 'They may be right, he might be crazy, but he just might be the lunatic they're looking for.'

Chartwise, it wasn't Billy's biggest hit (#7 on the Hot 100, #8 in Canada). but the point was made, and it was a hit nonetheless.

Every fan of Billy's--and '80s music lovers--know the song, and to this day, Billy considers it one of his favorites.

"You Me Be Right" by Billy Joel. I KNOW I'm right when I call it a Great Song of 1980. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilsv0C1-aBw

Tomorrow: Daryl & John's list.