One Final Serenade: Songs of Billy Joel
This is a video I made for "I Don't Want To Be Alone" using clips from the movie "Intolerable Cruelty" with George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones. © One Final Serenade. Except photos, and Words & Music by Billy Joel. "I Don't Want To Be Alone (Anymore)" © 1980 Sony Music Entertainment. "Intolerable Cruelty" © 2003 Universal Pictures.
 Download "I Don't Want To Be Alone"
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 pop song, sounding much like an Elvis Costello tune. Billy seemed to be trying for a new wave pop sound in this song, and he got it right. It is also reminiscent of Joe Jackson and Hall & Oates. The song is a mature love song, about a man and woman who are reconciling ("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 past problems ("I forgot when she walked through the door, I said I'm sorry but she said it was cool"). The topic is somewhat serious, but the song is engaging and light. 
"Wear a jacket and a tie"
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.
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 start of their relationship. Don't ask me why.
Billy on "I Don't Want To Be Alone" from SiriusXM.
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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 "Being caught by the wink of an eye."
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