You May Be Right

Album: Glass Houses (1980)
Charted: 7
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  • Friday night, I crashed your party
    Saturday, I said I'm sorry
    Sunday came and trashed me out again
    I was only having fun
    Wasn't hurting anyone
    And we all enjoyed the weekend for a change

    I've been stranded in the combat zone
    I walked through Bedford Stuy alone
    Even rode my motorcycle in the rain
    And you told me not to drive
    But I made it home alive
    So you said that only proves that I'm insane

    You may be right
    I may be crazy
    Oh, but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
    Turn out the light
    Don't try to save me
    You may be wrong for all I know
    But you may be right

    Well, remember how I found you there
    Alone in your electric chair
    I told you dirty jokes until you smiled
    You were lonely for a man
    I said take me as I am
    'Cause you might enjoy some madness for a while

    Now think of all the years you tried to
    Find someone to satisfy you
    I might be as crazy as you say
    If I'm crazy, then it's true
    That it's all because of you
    And you wouldn't want me any other way

    You may be right
    I may be crazy
    Oh, but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
    It's too late to fight
    It's too late to change
    You may be wrong for all I know
    But you may be right

    You may be right
    I may be crazy
    Hey, but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
    Turn out the light
    Oh, don't try to save me
    You may be wrong for all I know
    You may be right

    You may be wrong but you may be right
    You may be wrong but you may be right
    You may be wrong but you may be right
    You may be wrong but you may be right
    You may be wrong but you may be right
    You may be wrong but you may be right
    You may be wrong but you may be right
    You may be wrong but you may be right
    You may be wrong but you may be right Writer/s: Billy Joel
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 19

  • Randy W from OhioI bought a 1967 camaro in 1979 and I installed a cassette player and bought this cassette in 1980 and put it in the cassette player and I had it cranked and backed out of the drive thinking about a big tree that was across the alley and as I pressed the brake I heard the sound of shattering glass which scared the you know what out of me as I thought I had hit the tree. When I realized it was on the recording and I didn’t hit the tree I had s good laugh. I rewinded it to hear it again.
  • Steve from NjThe line about walking through the predominantly black Brooklyn neighborhood alone sounds like accidental racism, and the guitar line actually rips off Buffalo Springfield's "Rock and Roll Woman." And in trying to sound like Mick Jagger, Joel sounds more like Paul McCartney trying to sound like Mick Jagger ("Back In the U.S.S.R", Why Don't We Do It In the Road?").
  • Jack Flash from TorontoNorm Carr, I agree 100% with your comment. I've always thought "You May Be Right" had that Stones sound. Would love to see Jagger and Billy Joel on stage singing this song.
  • Pearson from Georgia My dad had this album when he was 15 in 1981 and this is a cool song Billy Joel is great. he is great at piano
    He rode his motorcycle in the rain
    That sounds dangerous
    But the song’s about
    A girl he likes thinks he’s crazy for doing all those things but he’s saying maybe you’re right maybe you’re wrong
  • Norm Carr from SarniaHis best song. I can’t get enough of hearing. A great song for playing drums with it, even for beginners. It has a Rolling Stones flavour right down to the tempo and a great saxophone in the bridge
  • Ed from Bedford, VaTo Susan from Atlanta, Georgia. I agree with you. I always thought Billy Joel was doing a Mick Jagger imitation in “You May Be Right”. Just like he imitated Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons in “Uptown Girl“.
  • Jon Daley from Hicksville Ny Fact .. he was reckless and crazy as a youngster .. I know a few neighbors of his growing up ... he never graduated hicksville high I wonder why .. I heard many stories some I cant say in public but all true
  • Susan from Atlanta, GeorgiaTo Allison from Allentown, Pa:
    Funny you should mention it. I've always known this was Billy Joel, but this morning, hearing it on the way in to work, I was blown away by how much he sounded like Mick Jagger in this song, which I had never noticed before. I came here specifically to see if anyone else had ever noticed it.
  • Tania from Brisbane, AustraliaGarth Brooks used to do a version of this in his concerts during the early 1990’s (at least), it’s WELL worth the listen!
  • Jim from London, OnAllison, I never thought of it 'til you suggested it, but this song DOES have a Rolling Stones flavour.
  • Allison from Allentown, PaDoes anybody else thing that this song sounds like the Rolling Stones? I seriously thought that they sang it up until a few days ago when I found this song on my dad's iTunes...
  • Drew from B\'ham, AlI personally believe most people in the world have a lunatic side & just have a time of wanting to burst it out of its shell and let it flow freestyle! LOL. I, for one, call that "adventurous". Do I have any witnesses?
  • Val from Des Moines, Iai love billy joel songs
  • Lolo Brown from Gertrude, Bahamasi efffing love this song sooooo much! my favorite line is " but it just may be a luuuunatic you're looking for!" ahaha story of my life...i swear! lol i looove this song sooo much!
  • Ken from Louisville, KyThis was one of the first songs Joel did in concert where he didn't play keyboards. He copied Roger Daltry and Robert Plant by using the mic stand as a prop when he sang this live.
  • Ken from Louisville, KyIn the 1950's and 1960's, Brooklyn's "Bedford-Sty" (Bedford and Suyvesiant Streets) neighborhood was considered the most dangerous in the U.S. Hence the line "I walked through Bedford-Sty alone".
  • Beth from Pittsburgh, PaI never get tired of hearing this song.
  • Mike from Hueytown , Al" Turn out the lights , don't try to save me " hahahaha
  • Mark from Jonesboro, ArI seem to remember Billy Joel saying in an interview that the glass house pictured on the album cover was actually his own house.
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