One Final Serenade: Songs of Billy Joel
From Glass Houses (1980)
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But I'm avoiding all the hard cold facts
That I've got to face So ask me just one question When this magic night is through Could it have been just anyone Or did it have to be you Billy's "I Don't Want To Be Alone (Anymore)" is a breezy, casual song about a guy and girl who reconcile at a hotel. It's just a nice jazzy pop song, sounding a bit like an Elvis Costello tune. Billy seemed to be trying for a new wave-like pop sound in this song, and he got it right. It is also reminiscent of Joe Jackson and Hall & Oates. The song's tone is lighthearted, but this is belied by the lyrics; this is a mature love song about a man and woman who are reconciling and willing to express their vulnerability and regret ("I want you tonight although you hurt me before') or are at least trying to figure out if they are right for each other ("could it have been just anyone or did it have to be you?"). They want to move forward and forget about their past issues and problems ("I forgot when she walked through the door, I said I'm sorry but she said it was cool"). 
"Wear a jacket and a tie"
Billy on "I Don't Want To Be Alone" from SiriusXM.
There may be some doubt as to whether or not this is a true and lasting reconciliation, or if the couple is just getting back together because they are lonely. Is she seeing him simply because she does not want to be alone anymore, or is she saying that as a way to protect herself? When she says "I want you tonight although you hurt me before," does "tonight" mean one night or does it mean something more? And does she forgive him too readily when he says he felt like a fool and is sorry, and she simply says "it's cool"? Like many emotions and desires -- and relationships -- it is unclear, amorphous, and ambiguous. There is more here than we first realize.
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She said she'd meet me in the bar
At the Plaza Hotel "Wear a jacket and a tie" "What's the occasion?" She just smiled and she wouldn't say why So here I am standing, waiting in the lobby Sweating bullets in this stupid old suit And when she sees me she busts out laughing "You're a sad sight honey, but you look so cute" and I don't want to be alone anymore I was checking you out I was just making sure No, I don't want to be alone anymore And, I want you tonight Although you hurt me before It didn't matter that I felt like a fool 'Cause I forgot when she walked through the door I said I'm sorry, but she said it was cool And I don't want to be alone anymore It's so confusing choosing sides In the heat of the moment Just to see if it's real It's so erotic having you Tell me how it should feel But I'm avoiding all the hard cold facts That I've got to face So ask me just one question When this magic night is through Could it have been just anyone Or did it have to be you And, will you still be saying-- I don't want to be alone anymore I was checking you out I was just making sure No, I don't want to be alone anymore And I want you tonight Although you hurt me before It didn't matter that I felt like a fool 'Cause I forgot when she walked through the door I said I'm sorry, but she said it was cool And I don't want to be alone anymore But, don't you know that it's wrong It's wrong, it's wrong... But like the song Being caught by the wink of an eye I can't be sure we'll get along But I'm willing to try As long as you can tell me-- I don't want to be alone anymore I was checking you out I was just making sure No, I don't want to be alone anymore And, I want you tonight Although you hurt me before It didn't matter that I felt like a fool 'Cause I forgot when she walked through the door I said I'm sorry, but she said it was cool And I don't want to be alone anymore Vertical Divider
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Some may consider it one of the weaker songs on Glass Houses; it was not released as a single and is never performed in concert by Billy, but if it's the weakest song on the album, then that's one great album. It has grown on me over the years. I like the short but sexy sax solo too.
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Although Billy did not meet Christie Brinkley until a few years after Glass Houses was released, I always imagined this song to be about them and the initial phases of their relationship. Don't ask me why.
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"Being caught by the wink of an eye."
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