“We Didn’t Start the Fire” is a song by Billy Joel released in 1989. The song is a rapid-fire listing of various historical events, people, and cultural references from the mid-20th century up until the late 1980s. Each verse mentions a wide range of events and personalities, covering a broad scope of political, social, and cultural history.
The song highlights the idea that the problems and challenges faced by society are not something new but have been present throughout history. The chorus repeats the line “We didn’t start the fire” to emphasize that the issues mentioned in the song have been ongoing and predate the current generation. It suggests that people have always been faced with adversity and have tried to overcome or fight against it.
The song touches on significant events and figures such as Harry Truman (former US president), Joe McCarthy (US senator known for anti-communist activities), Marilyn Monroe (actress), Joseph Stalin (Soviet leader), Elvis Presley (musician), Martin Luther King Jr. (civil rights activist), John F. Kennedy (US president), and many others. It references historical moments like the Cold War, the Korean War, the Space Race, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, Watergate, and the AIDS crisis, among others.
“We Didn’t Start the Fire” serves as a historical snapshot and a commentary on the tumultuous events of the time, highlighting the cyclical nature of history and the constant struggles faced by society. It suggests that while individuals may not have caused these problems, they have a responsibility to address them and work towards finding solutions.
Fall Out Boy’s rendition of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” also covers significant political, cultural, scientific, scientific events from 1989 up to 2023, just as the original covered events from 1949 to 1989.
Watch: ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ by Billy Joel
Listen now: ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ by Billy Joel
About Billy Joel
Billy Joel is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He has sold more than 150 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He is known for his signature songs “Piano Man” and “Uptown Girl,” as well as his albums “The Stranger,” “52nd Street,” and “Glass Houses.” Joel has won numerous awards, including five Grammy Awards, a Kennedy Center Honor, and the American Music Award of Merit. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
Joel was born in the Bronx, New York, in 1949. He began playing piano at the age of four and started writing songs in his teens. After dropping out of high school, he played in a series of bands before signing a solo record deal in 1971. His debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, was not a commercial success, but his second album, Piano Man, released in 1973, was a breakthrough hit.
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