Synopsis

Billy Joel prepares his home for a romantic Christmas-season reunion, turning on the lights, stoking the fire, and setting the mood while waiting for his date to arrive. Outside, she struggles through a series of mishaps on her way to his door. By the time she finally appears, her clothes are torn, one shoe is missing, and she is covered in dirt. Joel's carefully arranged evening gives way to a playful celebration of her arrival, emphasizing that being late does not matter when she is finally there.

Factoids & Trivia

• "She's Right On Time" appears on Billy Joel's 1982 album *The Nylon Curtain*, where it is the fifth track and runs for approximately 4 minutes and 15 seconds.

• Although the song has a strong Christmas atmosphere, its central idea is a romantic reunion rather than a traditional holiday narrative. The seasonal setting comes from details such as Christmas lights, a fire, and choral music.

• The video was released as an official promotional clip in September 1982.

• Trade coverage from 1983 reported that approximately $180,000 had been spent on three Billy Joel videos from *The Nylon Curtain*: "Pressure," "Allentown," and "She's Right On Time." Most of the budget reportedly went to "Pressure."

• The song was later associated with a Dutch promotional single release, backed by "A Room of Our Own," rather than becoming one of Joel's major US commercial singles.