THIS IS THE TIME - BILLY JOEL

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This Is The Time - BILLY JOEL

(Live At Shea Stadium)

“This Is the Time,” the third single from Billy Joel’s 1986 album The Bridge, is a mid-tempo ballad that treats memory as both consolation and warning. Written while Joel was married to Christie Brinkley and produced by Phil Ramone, the track builds from a spare piano-and-vocal opening into a fuller arrangement of drums, bass, guitars, and orchestration.

Billy Joel later described the song, in a 1997 Billboard interview, as being about holding onto a good stretch of a relationship because difficult periods will follow, not as a plea to freeze the moment in place. Contemporary trade reaction split along familiar lines: Billboard heard a “melancholy rock ballad from a doom-filled perspective,” while Cash Box praised the “wistful, melodic ballad” as further evidence of Joel’s songwriting craft. On the charts the record behaved exactly like a late-1980s adult-oriented ballad. Released in November 1986 with “Code of Silence” on the B-side, it entered the Billboard Hot 100 in mid-November, climbed steadily, and peaked at Number 18 on the chart dated January 31, 1987, spending 17 weeks on the list. It was far stronger on the Adult Contemporary chart, where it reached No. 1 for three weeks beginning January 10, 1987—Joel’s seventh leader on that tally—before yielding to Billy Vera & the Beaters’ “At This Moment.” Joel has rarely kept the piece in regular set lists, reserving it for occasions that already carry a sense of ending. One of the most pointed of those occasions came at Shea Stadium in Queens on July 16 and 18, 2008, the final concerts ever staged in the ballpark before its demolition. Joined by John Mayer on guitar and vocals, Joel performed “This Is the Time” as part of the two-night stand later documented on the 2011 album and film Live at Shea Stadium: The Concert.

In a stadium that had opened with the Beatles in 1965 and was about to close, the lyric about an old hotel being torn down acquired an extra layer of literal force. Mayer’s guitar lines lengthened the studio arrangement without overturning its reflective pace, and the roughly six-minute reading sits on the released album between Garth Brooks’ guest spot on “Shameless” and “Keeping the Faith.” Taken together, the single’s chart profile and the Shea reading illustrate how Joel’s ballads often outlast their initial pop rankings. At Shea, the same lyric that once soundtracked private remembrance became public valediction for a venue itself. The performance does not reinvent the song; it simply places its central claim, that the present is already becoming memory, inside a setting that was disappearing in real time.

YOU MAY BE RIGHT - BILLY JOEL

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You May Be Right - BILLY JOEL

"You May Be Right," the high-energy opener from Billy Joel’s 1980 album Glass Houses, is a rollicking rock anthem that showcases his transition from piano ballads to a grittier, guitar-driven sound. Written by Joel and produced by Phil Ramone, the song’s lyrics playfully confront a lover’s warnings about his reckless lifestyle—“You may be right, I may be crazy”—delivered with Joel’s signature wit and a saxophone solo by Richie Cannata that adds a punchy, New Wave edge.

Inspired by Joel’s admiration for punk and new wave acts like Elvis Costello, it marked a deliberate shift from the soft rock of The Stranger, blending aggressive rhythms with his melodic prowess. As a defiant declaration of independence, "You May Be Right" has endured as a concert staple, its infectious energy and relatable themes of self-acknowledgment making it a fan favorite in Joel’s extensive catalog.

On the Billboard charts, "You May Be Right" was a significant hit, peaking at Number 7 on the Hot 100 on May 3, 1980, and spending 13 weeks on the chart. As the lead single from Glass Houses, which topped the Billboard 200 for six weeks, the song helped solidify Joel’s commercial dominance in the early 1980s. It also reached #6 in Canada but failed to chart in the UK, contrasting with his broader international success. 

Compared to Joel’s other top-10 entries like "It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me" (Number 1) or "My Life" (Number 3), "You May Be Right" stood out for its rockier vibe, earning gold certification and contributing to the album’s multi-platinum status, as it captured the era’s blend of pop accessibility and edgier influences. Billy Joel’s performance of "You May Be Right" during his historic Live at Shea Stadium concerts on July 16 and 18, 2008, captured on the 2011 CD/DVD release, was a fiery setlist inclusion that energized the New York crowd. 

Featured mid-show, Joel delivered the song with vigorous piano work and robust vocals, backed by his band’s tight instrumentation, including a standout saxophone solo that echoed the studio version’s punch. The Queens venue, facing imminent demolition, added a nostalgic intensity, with the audience’s enthusiastic participation turning it into a communal rock-out. Amid a star-studded event with guests like Paul McCartney on "I Saw Her Standing There," this rendition highlighted Joel’s enduring stage charisma, as seen in high-definition footage that captures the song’s raw drive and the sold-out stadium’s electric atmosphere.

The Live at Shea Stadium performance of "You May Be Right" exemplifies Joel’s ability to infuse classics with live vigor, its placement in a hit-heavy set reinforcing the song’s role as a high-octane highlight. Fan reactions praise the concert’s pristine production and Joel’s passionate delivery, making it a fitting tribute to his New York roots. Despite its Number 7 Hot 100 peak, "You May Be Right" remains a testament to Joel’s versatility, blending rock rebellion with pop appeal, and its Shea rendition cements its legacy as an essential part of his live repertoire.

SHE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN - BILLY JOEL

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She's Always A Woman - BILLY JOEL

"She's Always a Woman," from Billy Joel’s 1977 breakthrough album The Stranger, is a poignant, piano-driven ballad that celebrates the complexities and contradictions of a strong-willed woman with poetic lyricism and melodic grace. Written by Joel as a tribute to his then-wife and manager Elizabeth Weber, the song’s verses paint vivid portraits of her multifaceted nature—“She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes”—while the chorus affirms unwavering love.

Produced by Phil Ramone, its intimate arrangement, featuring Joel’s tender vocals and subtle orchestration, blends soft rock with a touch of jazz, distinguishing it from the album’s more upbeat tracks like "Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)." As a timeless ode to feminine enigma, the song has endured for its emotional honesty and Joel’s signature storytelling, influencing covers by artists like Fyfe Dangerfield and remaining a staple in romantic playlists.

On the Billboard charts, "She's Always a Woman" achieved solid success, peaking at Number 17 on the Hot 100 on October 14, 1978, and spending 14 weeks on the chart. It also reached Number 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart, reflecting its appeal to a mature audience drawn to Joel’s balladry.

As the third single from The Stranger, which hit Number 2 on the Billboard 200 and earned multi-platinum status, the song contributed to Joel’s rising stardom, though it didn’t match the Number 1 peaks of later hits like "It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me." Recently certified 2x platinum in the U.S. for over two million units sold as of July 2025, its chart performance underscores its lasting resonance, outshining some contemporaries in the adult contemporary realm and cementing Joel’s reputation as a master of heartfelt pop. Billy Joel’s performance of "She's Always a Woman" during his historic Live at Shea Stadium concerts on July 16 and 18, 2008, captured on the 2011 CD/DVD release, was a tender highlight amid the high-energy setlist. Positioned mid-show after "Goodnight Saigon," Joel delivered the ballad with his characteristic piano elegance and emotive vocals, the intimate lyrics resonating in the massive Queens venue before a sold-out crowd of over 55,000 per night. Backed by his seasoned band, the rendition maintained the original’s delicate charm, with the high-definition production capturing the audience’s warm response and Joel’s playful interaction, making it a standout in a concert featuring guests like Paul McCartney and Tony Bennett.

The Live at Shea Stadium performance of "She's Always a Woman" exemplifies Joel’s ability to blend nostalgia with live spontaneity, its emotional depth enhanced by the venue’s historic demolition shortly after. Fan reviews praise the concert’s pristine audio and Joel’s vocal clarity, though some note signs of age in his delivery. Despite its Number 17 Hot 100 peak, "She's Always a Woman" endures as a cornerstone of Joel’s catalog, its Shea rendition is a poignant reminder of his storytelling prowess and connection with audiences across generations.

MY LIFE (LIVE AT SHEA STADIUM) - BILLY JOEL

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My Life - BILLY JOEL

"My Life," from Billy Joel’s 1978 album 52nd Street, is an upbeat, defiant rock anthem that captures the essence of personal independence and breaking free from expectations. Written by Joel and inspired by his own experiences moving from Los Angeles back to New York, the song’s driving piano riff, punchy horns, and Joel’s spirited vocals deliver lyrics like “I don’t care what you say anymore, this is my life” with infectious energy. Produced by Phil Ramone, its blend of rock, pop, and jazz elements reflects the album’s innovative sound, which incorporated more urban influences. As a declaration of autonomy, "My Life" stands out in Joel’s catalog for its empowering message and catchy melody, later gaining renewed popularity as the theme for the sitcom Bosom Buddies, solidifying its place as a timeless ode to self-determination. On the Billboard charts, "My Life" was a major hit, debuting at Number 69 on November 4, 1978, and peaking at Number 3 on the Hot 100 on January 6, 1979, where it spent 19 weeks overall. It also reached Number 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart on December 16, 1978. As the lead single from 52nd Street, which topped the Billboard 200, the song contributed to the album’s Grammy win for Album of the Year, marking Joel’s first Number 1 album. Compared to his other hits like "Just the Way You Are" (#3) or later "It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me" (Number 1), "My Life" showcased Joel’s versatility, achieving top positions in Canada (Number 3) and the UK (Number 12), and earning multi-platinum certification in the U.S. for over three million units sold. The Live at Shea Stadium rendition of "My Life" exemplifies Joel’s enduring stage presence, with the high-definition production capturing the song’s dynamic build and the sold-out crowd’s enthusiasm, though some critics observed his voice showing signs of age. Fan reactions on platforms like Facebook highlight the concert’s excellence, with excellent band chemistry and a blast for the audience. As part of a set heavy on hits and deep cuts, it reinforced the song’s timeless appeal, blending nostalgia with live vigor. Despite its Number 3 chart peak falling short of some Joel classics, "My Life" remains a cornerstone of his repertoire, its Shea Stadium performance a fitting tribute to his New York roots and lasting impact on pop-rock.