On this day May 12, 1980, Billy Joel released It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me, a bold and catchy track that pushed back against music trends of the time while celebrating classic rock and roll roots. The song became one of the biggest hits of Joel’s career, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and holding the top spot from July 19 through August 1. It also climbed to number one in Canada and sold over two million copies in the United States.
Featured on the album Glass Houses, the track showcased a more stripped-down and edgy sound compared to Joel’s earlier ballads. With lyrics that challenged the idea of chasing musical fads, It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me stood out as an anthem of artistic confidence and became a defining song of the early 1980s. Its strong message, catchy chorus and driving beat helped it resonate with both longtime fans and a younger generation.
The success of the single marked a high point in Billy Joel’s career and helped solidify his status as one of the most influential singer songwriters of the decade.
Fun fact: It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me was Billy Joel’s first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of his most performed songs in concert.
Featured on the album Glass Houses, the track showcased a more stripped-down and edgy sound compared to Joel’s earlier ballads. With lyrics that challenged the idea of chasing musical fads, It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me stood out as an anthem of artistic confidence and became a defining song of the early 1980s. Its strong message, catchy chorus and driving beat helped it resonate with both longtime fans and a younger generation.
The success of the single marked a high point in Billy Joel’s career and helped solidify his status as one of the most influential singer songwriters of the decade.
Fun fact: It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me was Billy Joel’s first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of his most performed songs in concert.
