It's Still Rock and Roll to Me

Billy Joel

About It's Still Rock and Roll to Me

"It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" is a 1980 song performed by Billy Joel, from the hit album Glass Houses. The song was number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for two weeks, from July 19 through August 1, 1980. The song spent 11 weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and was the 7th biggest hit of 1980 according to American Top 40. The song is an examination of the themes of a musician's declining fame and changing public tastes that were expressed in his 1975 hit "The Entertainer". According to drummer Liberty DeVitto in an interview, the sound engineer for the song had him tune his snare drum extremely low so that it would "flop" when he played it. The single eventually reached Platinum status from the RIAA for sales of over 1 million copies in the United States. Pop rock musician Drake Bell covered the song in 2014 on his rockabilly album Ready Steady Go!.  


Year:
2006
3:25
34 

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What's the matter with the clothes I'm wearing?
"Can't you tell that your tie's too wide?"
Maybe I should buy some old tab collars?
"Welcome back to the age of jive
Where have you been hidin' out lately, honey?
You can't dress trashy till you spend a lot of money"
Everybody's talkin' 'bout the new sound
Funny, but it's still rock and roll to me 
What's the matter with the car I'm driving?
"Can't you tell that it's out of style?"
Should I get a set of white wall tires?
"Are you gonna cruise a miracle mile?
Nowadays you can't be too sentimental
You best bet's a true baby blue Continental"
Hot funk, cool punk, even if it's old junk
It's still rock and roll to me 
Oh, it doesn't matter what they say in the papers
Cause it's always been the same old scene
There's a new band in town
But you can't get the sound from a story in a magazine...
Aimed at your average teen 
How about a pair of pink sidewinders
And a bright orange pair of pants?
"You could really be a Beau Brummel baby
If you just give it half a chance
Don't waste your money on a new set of speakers
You get more mileage from a cheap pair of sneakers"
Next phase, new wave , dance craze, anyways
It's still rock and roll to me 
What's the matter with the crowd I'm seeing?
"Don't you know that their out of touch?"
Should I try to be a straight 'A' student?
"If you are then you think too much
Don't you know about the new fashion honey?
All you need are looks and a whole lotta money"
It's the next phase, new wave , dance craze, anyways
It's still rock and roll to me
Everybody's talkin' 'bout the new sound
Funny, but it's still rock and roll to me

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Billy Joel

William Martin "Billy" Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man," in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to the RIAA. He also has the third best-selling album in the United States with his Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2. more »

16 fans

Written by: Billy Joel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release and ranking
"It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" is a hit song by Billy Joel that was released in 1980. It's Joel's first song to ever reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Album
The song is featured in Joel's Grammy award-winning album "Glass Houses" which also received high praise and chart-topping success in several countries. The album took a harder rock sound compared to Joel's earlier albums.
Song Theme
The song's lyrics deal with the themes of music industry trends and changing public tastes, reflecting Joel's belief in the enduring nature of rock and roll despite the rising popularity of new genres during the 1980s.
The Video
The music video for "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" was one of Billy Joel's first videos and plays on the theme of fashion trends, featuring a variety of outfits from different eras.
Drake Bell's Cover
Actor and musician Drake Bell covered "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" in 2014. His version of the song is featured on his rockabilly inspired album "Ready Steady Go!" produced by Brian Setzer.
Reception of Bell's Cover
Bell's cover was generally well received by critics and fans alike, praising his rendition for keeping the original song's charm while contributing his own unique style.
Connection to TV Show
Interestingly, Drake Bell is known for his role on the popular television show "Drake & Josh". In an episode of the show, his character performs a parody of "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me."
Live Performances
"It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" remains a popular song for Billy Joel to perform during his live concerts. It's often a crowd favorite due to its catchy tune and classic rock 'n' roll flair.
Parodies and Influence
Not only has the song been covered by other artists like Drake Bell, but it's also been parodied and sampled in various forms of media due to its timeless relevance in the music industry.
Lasting Impact
Both Billy Joel’s original and Drake Bell's cover version continue to be celebrated, proving that "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" indeed portrays the lasting spirit of Rock and Roll.

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    It's Still Rock and Roll to Me

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1980

    Billboard #1


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