Glass Houses
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| Glass Houses | |||||
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| Studio album by Billy Joel | |||||
| Released | March, 1980 | ||||
| Recorded | 1979 | ||||
| Genre | Rock | ||||
| Length | 34:35 | ||||
| Label | Columbia | ||||
| Producer | Phil Ramone | ||||
| Professional reviews | |||||
| Billy Joel chronology | |||||
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Glass Houses is the seventh album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released in 1980 (see 1980 in music). It features Joel's first song to peak at #1 on Billboard's Pop Singles chart, "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me." The album itself topped the Pop Albums chart for six weeks and became the fourth best-selling album in the United States in the year of its release.
Opening with the sound of glass shattering, Glass Houses has more of a "hard rock" feel than Joel's prior albums. Accordingly, the response to this album was quite mixed. Glass Houses "turned off" many long-time fans, while at the same time, attracted many new fans to his music. The album was conceived as a reply to punk in general, and The Jam's second album This Is the Modern World in particular.[citation needed]
Contents |
[edit] Background
The album cover consists of Joel poised to throw a rock through the big two story window of his real life modern water front glass house in Oyster Bay. He moved into it in 1977, after getting turned down for an apartment at The Dakota.
It was the third collaboration between Joel and producer Phil Ramone, following The Stranger and 52nd Street.
[edit] Track listing
All songs written by Billy Joel.
- "You May Be Right" – 4:15
- "Sometimes a Fantasy" – 3:40
- "Don't Ask Me Why" – 2:59
- "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" – 2:57
- "All for Leyna" – 4:15
- "I Don't Want to Be Alone" – 3:57
- "Sleeping With the Television On" – 3:02
- "C'Était Toi (You Were the One)" – 3:25
- "Close to the Borderline" – 3:47
- "Through the Long Night" – 2:43
[edit] Personnel
- Billy Joel – synthesizer, harmonica, piano, accordion, keyboard, vocals
- Dave Brown – acoustic guitar, guitar, electric guitar
- Richie Cannata – organ, flute, keyboard, saxophone, wind
- Liberty DeVitto – percussion, drums
- Russell Javors – acoustic guitar, guitar, electric guitar
- Doug Stegmeyer – bass
[edit] Production
- Producers: Phil Ramone
- Engineer: Jim Boyer
- Assistant engineer: Bradshaw Leigh
- Mastering: Ted Jensen
- Photography: Jim Houghton
[edit] Charts
Album — Billboard (North America)
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Pop Albums | 1 |
Singles — Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | "It's Still Rock & Roll to Me" | Pop Singles | 1 |
| 1980 | "It's Still Rock & Roll to Me" | Adult Contemporary | 45 |
| 1980 | "Don't Ask Me Why" | Adult Contemporary | 1 |
| 1980 | "Don't Ask Me Why" | Pop Singles | 19 |
| 1980 | "Sometimes A Fantasy" | Pop Singles | 36 |
| 1980 | "You May Be Right" | Pop Singles | 7 |
| 1980 | "You May Be Right" | Adult Contemporary | 48 |
[edit] Awards
| Year | Winner | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Glass Houses | Best Male Rock Vocal Performance |
| Preceded by Against the Wind by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band |
Billboard 200 number-one album June 14 - July 25, 1980 |
Succeeded by Emotional Rescue by The Rolling Stones |
