But if all it takes is inspiration
Then I might have just what it takes
If I don't make no bad mistakes and I
Cause that's the main thing
​ The least known song from The Stranger is probably "Get It Right The First Time." It is an upbeat, funky, Latin-tinged, disco-like song; just a nice bit of fun. There is a Stevie Wonder vibe here though not overt. The song opens with Liberty DeVitto and Doug Stegmeyer laying down a funky drum line (reminiscent of Steve Gadd) and bass line, and then Richie Cannata comes in playing the flute. It is the closest that Billy ever came to doing a disco song, yet it all works. Musically and thematically, it is reminiscent of a Stevie Wonder song or Earth Wind and Fire's version of "Got To Get You Into My Life." The song is catchy and the bossa nova beat is irresistible, but compared to other songs from The Stranger it hardly received any airplay or recognition. The song is a guilty pleasure for hardcore Billy Joel fans.
Billy Joel (1977). Publicity photo by Jim Houghton
I don't believe in first impressions
For just this once I hope that looks don't deceive
I ain't got time for true confessions
I've got to make the move right now
Got to meet that girl somehow
That's the main thing
I can't afford to let it pass
You get it right the next time that's not the same thing
Gonna make the first time last.
La la la la la la la . . .
I'm not much good at conversation
I never was much good at comin' on real strong
I might find the courage
Yeah I might get up the nerve
But if my timing ain't just right
What purpose would that serve?
I don't know, I don't know, I don't know
How to say those first few words
If I want to put myself in touch
Those first few moments mean so much
I suppose it's now or never
Before that woman walks right out of my life
Just let me pull myself together
I've got to give it one good try
Gotta take my chance tonight, and
La la la la la la la, La la la la la la la . . .
​HUGH MCCRACKEN: ACOUSTIC GUITAR
RALPH MACDONALD: PERCUSSION
Billy on "Get It Right The First Time" on SiriusXM.
Thematically, the song is about taking a chance on making a good first impression with someone. You have to seize the moment and make the most of your opportunity because you may not get another. Getting it right the next time is just not the same thing as getting it right the first time. The guy from "Get It Right The First Time" who is trying to get up his nerve to meet a girl should meet Diane from "Sleeping With The Television On" who is looking for someone solid and can't be bothered with those "just-for-the-night boys."
I recall that Donny Osmond performed the song live at the Miss USA pageant (or similar event) in the early 80s, but that's the only time I've ever heard the song performed by someone other than Billy. I remember watching Osmond's performance on television and experiencing a weird cognitive dissonance because the song was not a hit (he chose this out of all the Billy Joel songs?), Osmond's star was fading at the time, and it was the Miss USA pageant. (Update: I finally found the video of Donny Osmond's version, see video below). It was a weird mix of oddities, almost as odd as this (Paul Anka). Osmond also sang "Just The Way You Are" as a duet with Cheryl Ladd on the Donny & Marie show in the 1970s, and recorded it in 2005.
​ Billy, with his wise-guy attitude and serious songs, was never the teen idol that Donny Osmond was but that didn't stop Tiger Beat magazine from featuring Billy in its "A New Face To Love" column in February 1974. Click here and enjoy.
Original studio version (audio only) of "Get It Right The First Time." © 1977 Sony Music Entertainment.
Live version (audio only) from a concert at Nassau Coliseum on December 11, 1977.
This is a demo version (audio only) of the song, it is incomplete. It features a sax instead of the flute.
Placeholder for video (audio only) of an alternate take that was previously available on YouTube.
Billy discusses "Get It Right The First Time" and says "I don't know where that came from." Again, thanks to Rob Prisament for posting.
Donny Osmond singing "Get It Right The First Time" in 1980 at the Miss USA Pageant.