American Songwriter has revisited three Billy Joel songs from the 1980s that the outlet argues remain instantly recognisable to anyone who grew up in that decade, marking the singer-songwriter's enduring influence over a career spanning more than 50 years. All three tracks were written solely by Joel and became defining hits of the era, reflecting his ability to blend personal experience with broader cultural commentary.

The three songs are "It's Still Rock And Roll To Me" (1980, from Glass Houses), Joel's first US number one single and a response to critics of his stylistic range; "We Didn't Start The Fire" (1989, from Storm Front), inspired by a conversation with John Lennon's son Sean and referencing more than 50 historical figures and events; and "Uptown Girl" (1983, from An Innocent Man), widely assumed to be about his future wife Christie Brinkley, though Joel has said he was actually dating supermodel Elle Macpherson when he wrote it.