Allentown is a sad song about the rapid decline in the economy, culture, and overall quality of life in Allentown Pennsylvania due to the closure of Bethlehem Steel the area main source. Billy Joel from nearby New York was aware of the downfall of Allentown when he would play the concerts there for his blue-collar fan base of the late 1970's and early 1980's. The song reaches #17 on the pop chart. With a lot of time for/of their hands since the closing of Bethlehem Steel as well as a lot of unresolved anger for the same reason, the city of Allentown records a response song to Billy Joel's " Allentown " entitled "Hey, Billy Joel, what is the Deal? Joel was confused and offended by Allentown's unfriendly and passive aggressive response in song.
