One Final Serenade: Songs of Billy Joel
 Download "Get It Right The First Time"
But if all it takes is inspiration
Then I might have just what it takes If I don't make no bad mistakes and I Get it right the first time Cause that's the main thing The least known song from The Stranger is probably "Get It Right The First Time." It is an upbeat, funky, Latin-tinged, disco-like song; just a nice bit of fun. The song opens with Liberty Devitto and Doug Stegmeyer laying down a funky drum and bass line, and then Richie Cannata comes in playing the flute. It is the closest that Billy ever came to doing a disco song, yet it all works. The song is catchy and the bossa nova type beat is irrestible, but next to such classics as "Just The Way You Are," "Vienna" and "Scenes from An Italian Restaurant," it hardly received any airplay or recognition. But listening to it is a guilty pleasure for hardcore Billy Joel fans 
Billy Joel (1977). Publicity photo.
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I don't believe in first impressions
For just this once I hope that looks don't deceive I ain't got time for true confessions I've got to make the move right now Got to meet that girl somehow Get it right the first time That's the main thing I can't afford to let it pass You get it right the next time that's not the same thing Gonna make the first time last. La la la la la la la . . . I'm not much good at conversation I never was much good at comin' on real strong But if all it takes is inspiration Then I might have just what it takes If I don't make no bad mistakes and I Get it right the first time Cause that's the main thing I can't afford to let it pass You get it right the next time that's not the same thing Gonna make the first time last. La la la la la la la . . . I might find the courage Yeah I might get up the nerve But if my timing ain't just right What purpose would that serve? I don't know, I don't know, I don't know How to say those first few words If I want to put myself in touch Those first few moments mean so much I suppose it's now or never Before that woman walks right out of my life Just let me pull myself together I've got to give it one good try Gotta take my chance tonight, and Get it right the first time That's the main thing I can't afford to let it pass You get it right the next time that's not the same thing Gonna make the first time last. La la la la la la la La la la la la la la . . .
Billy on "Get It Right The First Time" on SiriusXM.
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Thematically, the song is about taking a chance on making a good first impression with someone. You have to seize the moment and make the most of your opportunity because you may not get another. Getting it right the next time is just not the same thing as getting it right the first time. The guy from "Get It Right The First Time" who is trying to get up his nerve to meet a girl should meet Diane from "Sleeping With The Television On" who is looking for someone solid and can't be bothered with those "just-for-the-night boys."
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I recall that Donny Osmond performed the song live at the Miss USA pageant (or similar event) in the early 80s, but that's the only time I've ever heard the song performed by someone other than Billy. I remember watching Osmond's performance on television and experiencing a weird cognitive dissonance because the song was not a hit (he chose this out of all the Billy Joel songs?), Osmond's star was fading at the time, and it was the Miss USA pageant. (Update: I finally found the video of Donny Osmond's version, see video below). It was a weird mix of oddities, almost as odd as this (Paul Anka). Osmond also sang "Just The Way You Are" as a duet with Cheryl Ladd on the Donny & Marie show in the 1970s, and recorded it in 2005. Billy, with his wise-guy attitude and serious songs, was never the teen idol that Donny Osmond was but that didn't stop Tiger Beat magazine from featuring Billy in its "A New Face To Love" column in February 1974. Click here and enjoy.
Videos
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Original studio version (audio only) of "Get It Right The First Time." © 1977 Sony Music Entertainment.
This is a demo version (audio only) of the song, it is incomplete. It features a sax instead of the flute.
Billy discusses "Get It Right The First Time" and says "I don't know where that came from." Again, thanks to Rob Prisament for posting.
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Live version (audio only) from a concert at Nassau Coliseum on December 11, 1977.
Here is an alternate take (audio only). Thanks to Rob Prisament for posting.
Brief snippet: "Liberty DeVitto shows you how to play the Steve Gadd-inpired drum part from this classic single which was released as the B-side of Just the Way You Are."
Donny Osmond singing "Get It Right The First Time" in 1980 on the Miss American Pageant?
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