Released: September 29, 1977
Songwriter: Billy Joel
Producer: Phil Ramone
[Verse 1]
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
[Pre-Chorus]
Got to make the move right now
Got to meet that girl somehow
[Chorus]
Get it right the first time
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
[Verse 2]
I'm not much good at conversation
I never was much good
At coming on real strong
But if all it takes is inspiration
[Pre-Chorus]
Then I might have just what it takes
If I don't make no bad mistakes
And I
[Chorus]
Get it right the first time
'Cause 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 have to make the first time last
[Bridge]
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
The first few moments mean so much
[Verse 3]
So I suppose it's now or never
Before that woman
Walks right out of my life
Just let me pull myself together
[Pre-Chorus]
I've got to give it one good try
Gotta take my chance tonight
[Outro]
Get it right the first time
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 have to make the first time last
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
[Pre-Chorus]
Got to make the move right now
Got to meet that girl somehow
[Chorus]
Get it right the first time
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
[Verse 2]
I'm not much good at conversation
I never was much good
At coming on real strong
But if all it takes is inspiration
[Pre-Chorus]
Then I might have just what it takes
If I don't make no bad mistakes
And I
[Chorus]
Get it right the first time
'Cause 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 have to make the first time last
[Bridge]
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
The first few moments mean so much
[Verse 3]
So I suppose it's now or never
Before that woman
Walks right out of my life
Just let me pull myself together
[Pre-Chorus]
I've got to give it one good try
Gotta take my chance tonight
[Outro]
Get it right the first time
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 have to make the first time last
more tracks from the album
From the album
- The Stranger (1977)
Billy Joel popular songs
- We Didn’t Start the Fire
- Piano Man
- Vienna
- Uptown Girl
- The Longest Time
- She’s Always a Woman
- Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)
- Just the Way You Are
- Only the Good Die Young
- Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
- New York State of Mind
- Allentown
- Honesty
- The Stranger
- Goodnight Saigon
- My Life
- It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me
- Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)
- And So it Goes
- Big Shot
- Captain Jack
- An Innocent Man
- Zanzibar
- The Downeaster “Alexa”