Do you remember the events that shaped the world in the past decades? Do you know how they influenced the music industry and culture? If you listen to Fall Out Boy’s 2023 rock rendition of Billy Joel’s 1989 anthem We Didn’t Start the Fire, you might get some clues. But what do these lyrics really mean?

Let’s decode the fire and see how Fall Out Boy updated this musical history book for the modern era.

Billy Joel’s Time Capsule

Joel’s original song was a rapid reflection on the societal changes, challenges, and iconic moments from the end of World War II to 1989. From the Cold War tensions to the birth of rock ‘n’ roll, Joel captured the essence of several decades in just a few minutes. He used catchy rhymes, allusions, and references to pack as much information as possible into each line. The song was a hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Fall Out Boy’s Modern Chronicles

Fast forward to 2023, and Fall Out Boy has added their own chapters to this musical history book. They kept the original melody and chorus, but changed the verses to reflect the events from 1990 to 2023. They also added some guitar riffs, drums, and vocals to give the song a rock edge. Let’s break down some of their lyrical choices:

Brexit: A nod to the UK’s decision to leave the European Union in 2016, marking a significant political shift that had global implications. Boston Marathon bombing: A tragic event that shook the world in 2013, reminding us of the unpredictability of life and the resilience of humanity. Rise of Myspace: A nostalgic throwback to the early days of social media in 2003, and a nod to how Fall Out Boy gained popularity through online platforms. Rodney King to Deepfakes: This juxtaposition highlights the evolution of media from 1991 to 2023. From the raw footage of Rodney King that sparked outrage and protests, to the era of deepfakes where seeing isn’t always believing and misinformation is rampant.

Pete Wentz, the bassist and lyricist of Fall Out Boy, mentioned in a candid chat that it was a challenge to condense so many events into one song. He said that he wanted to focus on lesser-discussed events that shaped the era, rather than the obvious ones like COVID-19 or 9/11.

The Controversies

No song covering such vast topics can escape controversy. Some listeners praised Fall Out Boy for their creativity and courage, while others criticized them for their choices and interpretations. One of the most controversial lines was rhyming “George Floyd” with “Metroid”. While some saw it as a creative liberty, others felt it trivialized a significant moment in the fight for racial justice in 2020.

In Conclusion

We Didn’t Start the Fire remains a powerful reflection of the times, both in its original form and its modern rendition. It’s a song that challenges us to look back, reflect, and understand the events that shape our world. Whether you’re jamming to Joel’s classic or headbanging to Fall Out Boy’s cover, remember the stories these lyrics tell and the fire that continues to burn.

We Didn’t Start The Fire Fall Out Boy Lyrics

Verse 1
Captain Planet, Arab Spring
L.A. riots, Rodney King
Deepfakes, earthquakes
Iceland volcano
Oklahoma City bomb
Kurt Cobain, Pokémon
Tiger Woods, MySpace
Monsanto, GMOs
Harry Potter, Twilight
Michael Jackson dies
Nuclear accident, Fukushima, Japan
Crimean peninsula
Cambridge Analytica
Kim Jong Un
Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man

Chorus
We didn’t start the fire
It was always burning since the world’s been turning
We didn’t start the fire
No, we didn’t light itbut we’re trying to fight it

Verse 2
More war in Afghanistan
Cubs go all the way again
Obama, Spielberg
Explosion, Lebanon
Unabomber, Bobbitt, John
Bombing, Boston Marathon
Balloon Boy, War On Terror
QAnon
Trump gets impeached twice
Polar bears got no ice
Fyre Fest, Black Parade
Michael Phelps, Y2K
Boris Johnson, Brexit
Kanye West and Taylor Swift
Stranger Things, Tiger King
Ever Given, Suez

Chorus
We didn’t start the fire
It was always burning since the world’s been turning
We didn’t start the fire
No, we didn’t light itbut we’re trying to fight it

Verse 3
Sandy Hook, Columbine
Sandra Blandand Tamir Rice
ISIS, LeBron James
Shinzo Abe blown away
Meghan Markle, George Floyd
Burj Khalifa, Metroid
Fermi paradox
Venus and Serena
Michael Jordan, 23
YouTube killed MTV
SpongeBob
Golden State Killer got caught
Michael Jordan, 45
Woodstock ’99
Keaton Batman, Bush v. Gore
I can’t take it anymore

Chorus
We didn’t start the fire
It was always burning since the world’s been turning
We didn’t start the fire
No, we didn’t light itbut we’re trying to fight it

Verse 4
Elon Musk, Kaepernick
Texas failed electric grid
Jeff Bezos, climate change
White rhino goes extinct
Great Pacific garbage patch
Tom DeLonge and aliens
Mars rover, Avatar
Self-driving electric cars
SSRIs
Prince and The Queen die
World Trade, second plane
What else do I have to say?

Chorus
We didn’t start the fire
It was always burning since the world’s been turning
We didn’t start the fire
But when we are gone
It will still go on, and on, and on
And on, and on, and on, and on, and on
We didn’t start the fire
It was always burning since the world’s been turning