But Fisher, who lives in Port Royal, heard about Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s visit to the Lehigh Valley back in January to unveil the state’s first statewide economic development strategy.

When Shapiro also gave a callout to singer Billy Joel, the message resonated with Fisher.

Shapiro said, “I think Billy Joel owes us a new ‘Allentown’ song — ‘Allentown 2.0.’ I’m sick and tired of hearing that old song. He owes a new one, given what is happening in Allentown and across the Lehigh Valley. This is Lehigh Valley 2.0, and we are proud of the work that is happening here.”

The original “Allentown” song by Joel was actually about a steel mill in nearby Bethlehem, but he couldn’t find anything to rhyme with that so he made it Allentown. The song was released in 1982 on Joel’s “The Nylon Curtain.”

Photo courtesy of CONRAD FISHER
Singer-songwriter Conrad Fisher on the outdoor setting in Juniata County for his video for ‘Allentown.’

Fisher said one of the governor’s staff members attended a show at the venerable Ragamuffin Hall. “A couple days later, the governor said he thinks there should be another “Allentown” song.

While Shapiro’s message about the Lehigh Valley being a region on the rise was serious, he was toying a bit with Joel. However, Fisher put pen to paper and released his toe-tapping version of “Allentown,” which was released in late May and is available on many streaming platforms.

“I’m not Billy Joel, but I heard you loud and clear, governor,” Fisher quipped. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Fisher’s version will ever replace Joel’s historic hit, but he’s still very proud of his work.

Fisher’s new catchy version of the “Allentown” song, which includes a three-minute video that is posted on his Facebook page, will certainly put listeners in the Keystone State of Mind. It was filmed in the Port Royal area on top of mountains that go across to Ickesburg on Route 74 where there is an outlook.