Say what you will about Billy Joel, the man has written some memorable songs. Which is why I’m pleased to read in The USA Today that he’s planning to release a dozen songs as DLC for Rock Band 3. Here’s the relevant quote:

One more new project has Joel venturing into virtual competition. A dozen of his hits will be downloadable for the video game Rock Band 3, out Tuesday. “I’ve never allowed my music to be used in a game before,” but an Entertainment Weekly review of NBC’s The Office changed his mind.

Alluding to an episode in which characters mention a Rock Band featuring Billy Joel, “the critic wrote something like, ‘God forbid that ever should happen.’ So I called my people and said, ‘Get me (on) that Rock Band game.’ Then I wrote the critic, saying that every time I get a check, I’ll give him a little nod.”

How’s that for sticking it to the man?

As far as I’m concerned, if the 12-pack doesn’t include “Only the Good Die Young,” “Pressure,” “Piano Man,” “You May Be Right,” and “Big Shot,” it’ll be a crime against nature. (I was going to say that “Piano Man” is unlikely due to lack of guitars, but I just realized there’s a mandolin, which would be particularly fun to play with the Mustang.)

Don’t believe me? I’ll put all those tunes after the break; just try and claim they wouldn’t be fun as hell with keyboards and a real guitar.

[Read, thanks to Croq for the HOT TIP!]