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From the hit 1980 album Glass Houses, “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” was a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 11 weeks in the top 10. Overseas, it reached #14 in the UK and #21 in New Zealand.
The song is a cynical look at the music industry as a publicist/manager begs the protagonist (Joel) to remain hip for the younger crowd, and the protagonist’s refusal to change, claiming his music will remain relevant regardless of his appearance.
The song was a stab by Joel at the new music genres that were around in the late 1970s (punk, funk, new wave) and uses a new wave sound, and was inspired by the realization that, after reading a review about a particular (unnamed) band, Billy had no idea what their music sounded like.
The music video depicted Joel mixing elements of new wave, punk, and funk as he records a music video. The single reached Platinum certification from the RIAA for sales in the U.S.
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