You May Be Right

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some wild trivia about Billy Joel's "You May Be Right" from the Glass Houses album, spinning now on THE ZOO! This track kicks off with a iconic glass-shattering sound, a nod to the album’s cover where Joel is poised to hurl a rock through a glass house—actually his own home in Cove Neck, Long Island. Producer Phil Ramone went all out to capture this effect, using over 30 sheets of thick glass to get that perfect, bloodcurdling crash. In a 2007 book, Ramone revealed they miked the studio extensively, smashing glass until the final piece gave the "harrowing" sound that launches the song. Joel told SiriusXM in 2016 that recording Glass Houses was the most fun he’d had in the studio, aiming for a raw, live rock vibe to match his arena shows. The song itself is a bold rocker, with Joel trying to convince a hesitant love interest to take a chance on his wild side, admitting, “You may be right, I may be crazy.” It hit #7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and remains a fan favorite, with Joel naming it one of his top five songs in a 2017 Stephen Colbert interview.

Another cool tidbit for the Zoo Crew to share: the song’s rebellious energy was Joel’s response to critics who pegged him as a soft-rock balladeer. In a 2010 In the Studio interview, he said he was tired of the “mellow” label after the success of The Stranger and 52nd Street, so he cranked up the guitars and saxophones, leaning into a harder sound inspired by the punk and new wave scenes. The glass-breaking intro was symbolic, as Joel explained in a Playboy interview, meant to “throw a rock” at his critics’ perceptions. Fans on X have celebrated this, with one post noting it took 40 years to connect the glass crash to the album cover’s imagery. The song’s live energy also made it a staple, even closing out the 2024 Grammy Awards. Oh, and fun fact: The Chipmunks covered it on their 1980 album Chipmunk Punk, and Joel loved it!

Now, let’s rewind to how Billy Joel got his start, Zoo Freaks! Born May 9, 1949, in the Bronx, New York, Joel grew up in Hicksville, Long Island, where his parents pushed him toward classical piano at age four. By 14, he was hooked on the British Invasion and soul music, joining bands and playing gigs. In the late ’60s, he recorded two albums with the rock group The Hassles, followed by a brief stint in the heavy metal duo Attila. In 1971, he went solo with the poorly produced Cold Spring Harbor, which locked him into a bad contract. Escaping to Los Angeles, he played piano bars under a pseudonym, inspiring his signature hit “Piano Man.” His 1973 album of the same name broke through, and by 1977, The Stranger made him a star with hits like “Just the Way You Are.” Joel’s knack for catchy melodies and storytelling, paired with his core band, cemented his rise, leading to the rock-driven Glass Houses in 1980.

Stay connected with the Piano Man, Zoo Freaks! Check out Billy Joel’s official website for tour dates and news, like his upcoming shows with Sting. Follow him on Facebook (3.3 million likes), Instagram, and X for updates, including posts about Glass Houses’ 40th anniversary. Fans can dive deeper with Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast, hosted by lifelong fans Michael Grosvenor and Jack Firneno, or join the Glass Houses Podcast Facebook page. For community vibes, check out fan-run groups like Billy Joel Fans on Facebook or the Cold Spring Harbor Project on YouTube, archiving rare live content. Keep rocking with THE ZOO, and let “You May Be Right” crank up the party!