Why Did Billy Joel Write We Didn’t Start the Fire

We didn’t start the fire is one of the melodious yet meaningful songs written by the American ballad maker and music icon Billy Joel. The song was released in the year 1989 as part of his famous album Storm Release. In contrast to other songs, the lyrics of we didn’t start the fire were penned before the melody was formed. Billy Joel adopted the stream of consciousness style for writing this particular song so as to delineate his thoughts in the form of monologue.

The Writing of We Didn’t Start the Fire

Born in a family of pianists, Billy Joel was pushed to learn the classic theories of music and art of piano playing—despite disapproval, he had to abide by the family trade. Since his formative years, Billy was very much interested in the subject of history. He used to gather information from all possible sources about history. At one point in life, Billy Joel even decided to become a history instructor. The lyrics of we didn’t start the fire reflect his love for history. He wrote the song at the age of forty and included heading/title of all major personas and events in a chronological order that made history between the years 1949 to 1989.

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 it but we’re trying to fight it

Billy Joel was an advocate of young generation and through his song we didn’t start the fire, he wanted to tell them that whatever crisis the world is facing presently, is not because of them. The culprits are their fathers and grandfathers who gathered all the kindling and left the innocent new generation to suffer the results of their slips and wrong decisions. He further articulated that the current impeccant society is trying to atone for their wrongdoings but if they fail in the process, there should be no regrets because after all, they didn’t start the fire.