This Day "We Didn't Start The Fire's" Crash Course In History (1989)
Oct 2, 2025
On October 2, 1989, Billy Joel's iconic hit skyrocketed up the charts, sparking discussions about its historical significance. The hosts dive into why Joel wrote the song, inspired by a conversation about the 50s being 'boring.' They explore its catchy name-check style, cultural impact, and how it reflects the Cold War era. Obscure references, like Peyton Place and Ben-Hur, are unpacked, while critiques of the song’s thesis prompt questions about its educational value. A lively look back at a tune packed with historical references!
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Song As Historical Rebuttal
- Billy Joel crafted the song as a rebuttal to the idea the 1950s were boring by listing major events across decades.
- The hosts note all 59 referenced people were briefly alive together in May 1951–Sep 1952, showing the dense overlap of history.
Rapid Chronology As Musical Feat
- The song strings rapid-fire cultural and political references into a rhythmic chronology from the 1950s to the late 1980s.
- Hosts praise its compositional feat but also flag its limited lyrical depth beyond name-checking.
We Didn't Start The Fire Argument
- The chorus argues younger activists inherit long-standing turmoil rather than solely causing it.
- Nicole Hemmer frames the song as defending a generation by listing inherited crises like civil rights and assassinations.