It has been thirty years since Billy Joel released his iconic hit “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” a song that brilliantly captured cultural and historical events from 1949 to 1989. This fast-paced tune took listeners on a journey through time, mentioning notable figures like Harry Truman and Marilyn Monroe, and significant events such as the Korean War and Woodstock. Fall Out Boy has now picked up where Joel left off with their updated cover version.
The cover art for Fall Out Boy’s rendition states, “A Fall Out Boy cover of the Billy Joel song ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ covering newsworthy items from 1989-2023.” The revised lyrics include references to Myspace, the Mars Rover, Jeff Bezos, and the passings of Prince and Queen Elizabeth.
Pete Wentz, the bassist of Fall Out Boy, fondly reminisced about his childhood experiences with the original song. He particularly remembers the impactful line, “J.F.K. blown away.” However, he admits to getting a bit lost in some of the song’s references.
Wentz describes “We Didn’t Start the Fire” as being ever-present during that era, subtly permeating popular culture. He even recalls discussing the song’s lyrics in history class. As the band decided to cover the song, they aimed to revise the lyrics to reflect the 34 years since its release.
Examining Joel’s lyrics, Wentz finds it interesting which moments from the ’50s and ’60s were included and which were omitted. He sees the song as a form of documentation, capturing both triumphs and tragedies, symbolizing humanity’s existence. Fall Out Boy created their version for personal enjoyment, hoping fans would also have fun with it.
Rock music critic Brady Gerber, who writes for New York and Pitchfork, is a big fan of Fall Out Boy’s take on the song. He believes that every generation deserves their own version of “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Gerber acknowledges the catchiness and enjoyment of the melody and notes that even the original song faced criticism upon its release.
While it’s impossible to include every historical moment, Fall Out Boy’s rendition mirrors the original by covering a vast range of references, including climate change, Pokémon, and the “Twilight” films. However, one notable omission is a reference to the recent Covid pandemic. Wentz acknowledges this and explains that they debated its inclusion, ultimately leaving it for the next generation to address.
Overall, Fall Out Boy’s cover version of “We Didn’t Start the Fire” offers a fresh twist on Joel’s classic tune, incorporating contemporary references and showcasing the band’s creativity and musical talent.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
