I Don't Want To Be Alone

Album: Glass Houses (1980)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this pop tune from Billy Joel's seventh album, Glass Houses, a man nervously waits to reunite with his estranged girlfriend in the lobby of the Plaza Hotel. He's not sure he wants to rekindle the romance if she's simply looking for someone to warm her bed.
  • According to Joel's drummer Liberty DeVitto, the line, "But like the song, being caught by the wink of an eye," is a reference to Jan Bradley's 1963 R&B hit, "Mama Didn't Lie," which contains the lyrics, "They're wrong to think I will be caught by the wink of an eye."
  • Located in Midtown Manhattan, the Plaza Hotel is a luxury hotel and apartment building that's long been one of New York City's iconic locales. It also served as the setting for many famous movies, including Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, where Kevin McCallister schemes his way into staying in one of the suites.
  • Glass Houses was Joel's third album to be produced by Phil Ramone. Prior to teaming up with Joel, Ramone produced Paul Simon's hit 1975 album, Still Crazy After All These Years.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.