This version of the song was included in the original 1985 release of Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II compilation album, but the full album version was restored for the remastered edition, as well as The Complete Hits Collection: 1973–1997.

[3] Cash Box said that "the bass, drums and keyboards at times poke and pound like an annoying headache (appropriately, considering the theme) while sliding into briefly melodic calm at others.

"[4] Billboard said that it shows Joel "learned lessons from new music acts while keeping his melodic instincts intact" and specifically commented on the drumming and vocal performance.

A common motif in the video is the use of water, whether splashed on Joel's shoes, rushing out from school desks, or flooding his apartment.

Several scenes in the video make references to movies such as A Clockwork Orange, Poltergeist and, in the framing sequence, The Parallax View.