Billy Joel - Q&A: Tell Us About "We Didn't Start The Fire"? (Oxford 1994)

[@Qrayon]

Billy's right. The melody to "We Didn't Start the Fire" is quite dull, but the arrangement puts life into it, and the melody to the chorus is interesting.

[@moxyblackfiddler]

Most popular songs are simple. Michael Jackson said that (paraphrasing) if you want to make a good song. Just make it simple that someone can sing it. He also composed a classical record in the 2000

[@Qrayon]

@@moxyblackfiddler That was the secret to Imperial Teen's popularity. Also, I was impressed how Robert Pollard of Guided by Voices was able to take a monotonous 3 chord progression that doesn't change throughout his song "Smothered in Hugs" and carry it with a great melody, making the song fun to listen to.

[@Lightwaves7984]

I like the guitar in the intro though also i think this vid does a good job capturing the song with pictures. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXWzn6aKh6apf68

[@BachBeethovenBerg]

The rhythm and the rhyming is what makes the verses interesting. The chorus isn’t a spectacular melody but it’s still more interesting than the verse.

[@Qrayon]

@@BachBeethovenBerg The rhythm and the rhyming ARE what MAKE the verses interesting.

[@jt16ify]

Funny how modest he is about a song that nobody else in the world would ever contemplate singing

[@kathyfox8288]

The Capitol Steps did a really good parody of it.

[@johnsarab4500]

Yeah, he describes the Boomer experience!

[@kafkasyrup]

Funny, Mike Stipe/REM sang something very similar two years earlier in 1987 with “It’s the End of theWorld as We Know It...”. I’m sure that’s just coincidence.

[@deniseredman195]

@@kafkasyrup just songs informing the world about reality is all they have in common. Other than that the fact they are great songs, (that were early warnings about our impending future). There's also others before that and since then, like Smash Mouth's, "Walking on the Sun" but none of them sound alike to my ears.

[@DerHoschi]

The german guy can do it!

[@mimoochodom2684]

"Some guy thought I had to steal that from him." LMAO.

[@jakeg3126]

I think he got sued for using someone’s trademarked tune or pace or something despite the fact it was unintentional and was some totally basic thing. I’m not sure if it was that song or not

[@EchoBoomer1987]

The great thing about it being a simple melody is it makes it easy to follow along turning it into a game of how much of this song can you memorize. It reminds me of the Presidents song or the Countries of the World song in Animainiacs. It’s educational but it’s fun trying to memorize it.

[@JorgeRodriguez-ih8ub]

Yeah, the rhythm makes it a perfect "sing along" song, even with its unconventional lyrics.

[@ryanramos2335]

I think that song is amazing. I've never heard anything like that, it has a catchy tune, and it tells you about history

[@ekgriffith1]

What an incredible way to respond to the question. The background to how the song took shape, humor, stories, inception and creation of the song and ends with answering her question. He could have provided the simple answer in 10 seconds and moved on... His incredible talent shines in the response.

[@GeldtheGelded]

"Heh?"

[@jlongobardy1612]

It's amazing, the way the electromagnetic radiation of celebrity turns the mundane into something we consider spectacular. Those same words about his song out of my mouth or written out by any of the other commentators here would fall on countless deaf ears. Superspecial people, those celebrities.

[@hoisin75]

Keaton to play billy in a biography

[@spacemon07]

My teacher in AP History back in 10th grade made us write an essay about this song. Introduced me to Billy Joel and I think him for that everyday when I think about it because he is also nice man that's quite actually nice.

[@ijonicus]

Same!

[@m.lk.town.]

thats funny. currently taking college english comp 2 and ended up here because im writing an essay on it. though i was given a few topics to choose from, they were all ultra specific and this was one of them. i'd heard it before and thought it would be fun to write an essay about a song.

[@beeps123]

I was fascinated by this song as a kid.

[@gaminglegend]

He could make an entire sequel of just 2020

[@heyna1185]

Lol ironically this is the exact mindset he‘s critiquing in the song xD

[@georgiethumbs2438]

Billy reminds me of Kevin Smith, this genius they have when it comes to pubic speaking. That is something that is VERY hard but those two guys make it seem simple as hell.

[@caseykunz7800]

Ive listened to him grow up.. but ive really started getting into his music alot more the past few years... the dude is amazing!...

[@timlazar9030]

I love Billy Joel in a suit that's too big making fun of his own songs.

[@rocknroller77]

I was in 6th grade when the song came out and even at that age, I knew it was a fantastic song. Especially that it came out the same year the Berlin Wall fell. I remember my teacher always had this song playing and we actually got to watch history of the Fall of the Wall. As a 11 year old, I could remember the historical significance it meant. It was absolutely fantastic

[@jgallagher6853]

Huh?

[@christianrogers9439]

hahaha ur profile pic got me

[@TheRealDustinNunn]

Billy Joel is one of my favorite music artists.

[@CaapriceTube1]

2:23 - Sean Lennon hanging out with 21 year olds at 14, lol. But I guess when your John Lennon's son you get a pass.

[@robertshrewsbury2891]

This is a well done song ("We Didn't Start the Fire") and very profound & philosophical to reality. Billy Joel does well!

[@xky1069]

South Korea, North Korea, Marilyn Monroe

[@timetellersunion3711]

As a South Korean, I can confirm this, Jesus bless you btw

[@ANNEAVES]

I had trouble hearing that lady but it sounded like she thought that the last line was about the Cold War. Which of course it wasn't it was the Pepsi and Coke but what a song. He's a musical genius.

[@luvcats4132]

I was sitting on the floor at the front of this. It was amazing. He threw the media out after 5 minutes.

[@bloodsling]

a song he hates/hated playing live,if you botch one line or sing a verse out of sequence it all falls apart.

[@SaskiaLoomans]

Thanks for the great song Sir ánd for the free history lesson!!! Very useful to learn dates :-)

[@moxyblackfiddler]

Cola Wars Pepsi va Coke was a big thing then. Also Bernie Goetz was crazy too

[@TheJer1963]

I feel he should have ended it with the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Still a great song to end the decade on. Of course it was a #1 hit.

[@lockedin60]

Every generation seems to think their time at hand is bad. The years may change but some things change and some things remain the same. I don't think we really learn how to navigate life we all seem to screw things up and keep repeating bad decisions. Racism is as bad now as it was in the late 50's and the early to late 60's. We continue to marginalize certain groups because they are different than us or hold to a different worldview than us. Billy I think you have made the years a little more bearable with your music.

[@garytaylor-ty6xt]

It's so crazy to think I have never once heard anyone drunk in a bar belting this out on a karaoke machine I sure for one haven't my balls ain't big enough lol 😂 😂 😂

[@zimmyLARS66]

i wanted to in a couple places but the song wasn't available on the machine; thankfully tho as my voice would have been terribly inadequate to make up for the relatively poor backing music on karaoke machines.

[@jobkramer560]

watching this a day before I turn 21. :(((((((

[@vicentetrigo9476]

Ur probably 22 already so happy late or early birthday

[@jobkramer560]

@@vicentetrigo9476 I am Vincente, thanks :)

[@Kinlon1102]

Happy late or early 24 birthday

[@jobkramer560]

@@Kinlon1102 Thanks Weston I turned 24 three months ago, so as long as a year is, you're not far off! :) When is your birthday, and how old did you became/will you become?

[@NUGGET-re6xu]

When a mans listening to his show and his wife is talking to him 0:43

[@xedra]

Wouldn't it be freaking amazing if he released Part 2 in 2029 after another 40 years???

[@sassycat6487]

Sean Lennon would have been 13 why was he hanging out with a 21 year old and 40 year old

[@davidpolston2643]

Jen Lee we can't make the assumption that they were the only other two there

[@freedompaisley]

He might have meant Julian Lennon, who would've been about 25 then

[@macca8606]

Yeah sure he meant Julian

[@Bethi4WFH]

What is odd about their ages knowing each other?

[@target__100]

The Original is great and everyone want a 2nd part to this day Wouldn't it be a extreme surprise if he would make one? I would love it

[@xtzyshuadog]

Amazing.

[@scottandvon]

For this 18 y/o in 1984, this was a major history lesson. Thank you BJ! Glad I got to see you here in Portland, Me.

[@diwakarbro3682]

I was mesmerized the first time I saw it on tv

[@Charlotte333]

I feel especially blessed to see this. It’s a real pleasure to see him here after all these years. Billy Joel doesn’t have to rent any head space with me. Honest I gave it to him.

[@JRobertOppenheimerVideos]

I would like to write a thing on Billy Joel, just so I can reference this song in the headline as follows: "The Ultimate Protest Song wasn't written in the 60s (But it mentions it)" And then there will be some words. Like these ones. But differently arranged. And then there will be some words. Like these ones. But differently arranged. And then there will be some words. Like these ones. But differently arranged. And then there will be some words. Like these ones. But differently arranged.

[@hollingbourne]

he's got the world in his arms x

[@russellbonesteel1115]

Mr. Joel Your Tune was a Profound Introduction for My History students 8th grade! We Teachers Desperately NEED Your Next Tune Which will take us from the 1980s to 2022! Much Love Russell: Basic Oregon Elementary Teaching License K to 9th Teaching License 290905!

[@rachelcox6649]

Have you seen Fall Out Boy's next edition?

[@mlk27743]

How could it have been Sean Lennon - Sean was barely a teenager. He was born in 1975 making him 12yrs - could it have been Julian Lennon?

[@ktwashere5637]

the most important thing about this is BJ telling the students that 21 year olds generally think they live in a terrible time. Current young people - you are not living through any worse a time than the young people who went before you.

[@video198712]

I'd like to know what Billy Joel meant in the line, "JFK blown away, what else do I have say" i want to know if he was happy or angry to that event?

[@RGabancho]

The Best music for me about the years in a years about the manipulation and the hypocrisy about all the things that I believe until now.

[@charliehansen6768]

Why was Muhammad Ali excluded when Billy Loves him

[@wakinglife7065]

This song gets more important each year of my life

[@Lickicker]

i know it may not be intentional but to me it feels like alot like a list of world scandals and misdeeds and then other things people were focused on, i mean not alot of people remember about the korean wars but Marylin Monroe alot more people will know and things to that effect

[@thattimestampguy]

0:52 I thought the melody was pretty bad 1:52 Joel is 40 Shawn Lenon’s 21 year old friend said “It’s a terrible time to be 21.” 2:51 Korean War, Suez Canal Crisis. 3:24 Rock n Rolla

[@brookechristian3275]

I love the song love you Billy

[@inquisitorchristopher8527]

1:20 - this sounds like a ODB - Shimmy Shimmy Yah

[@timetellersunion3711]

Jesus bless you

[@taylorgilmore853]

It's weird being 21 and having the shared experience of thinking that "this is the worst time to be 21"

[@jansdoe6963]

It's weird being 64 years of age and looking back. In one decade I saw President Kennedy, Malcom X, Dr. King and Robert Kennedy all being shot and killed. I was in the eighth grade when Robert Kennedy was murdered. I never thought I would make it this long. The only thing that worked for my friends & family was to keep a sense of humor. Sounds strange, but it's true.

[@joelbizzell1386]

Yeah. I thought that shit when I turned 21 too. ... Proved myself wrong at 25. Then I turned 30. After that 35. ...point is, I'll never be happy. 😆

[@vicentetrigo9476]

@@jansdoe6963 rock on man! Life's a piece of shit, when u look at it, life's a laugh and death's a joke it's true, so enjoy it, I'm only 18, I don't know half of the things u probably know, enjoy it, we appreciate you

[@mellinkin5482]

Maybe it's time to add a few new verses!

[@taeblends]

2:43 this is actually a really interesting perspective. I could say the same about me being that age during a worldwide pandemic and war in Europe. But what's interesting is that the song put things into perspective. I guess no era was good to grow up in because there's always SOMETHING loll

[@kawishabbasi9459]

What else can an individual do?!

[@suchgreatheights8841]

Wow he is humble and honest. It's funny how artists think their biggest hits were not 'that great. I never knew he went to visit Oxford. This man should've retired and taught whatever he wanted. Wise beyond his years. As a fellow new Yorker this man makes me proud. Long live Billy Joel. If you're reading this Billy, Thank you for sharing this song.

[@dgramop]

Billy Joel writes things in a list and thinks SONG! Low key making shopping lists into hit singles?

[@ronaldpetrin5823]

Forty years plus since the interview look at US now. I thought it was about communism fascism and injustices of authoritarian tendencies...

[@shwnshts9469]

Huh. So the Q was right in both assumptions; the song is both purposed and complete coincidence- which serendipitously speaks more to the heart of the song than anything else!🤦‍♂️👍The recipe to life is guaranteed to include at least 1 part dumb and 1 part luck(ratio and portion sizes varied to each individual's disliking) Oddly, he still doesn't see the (accidental) profound significance of the song ending where it began in a demented sort of way. And that significance is something he obviously didn't predict. It was a historical event but not a signal to future Chinese dominance. Joel instead still saw the work as a simplistic statement of juxtaposition between the important and the absurd. And while the race towards singularity is felt thru the music as it intensifies, we see it's just another nothing. Clearly the song gains momentum purely due to melodic consequence. Ya can't not climax in rock and roll. And that decision saves itself from what Joel believes to be a monotonous loop. Otherwise given the melody and the absurd dualism of our reality the song would in fact like the song says, "keep burning." HUH. DISLIKE! 🥀

[@JLar-bb5hl]

Nice, interesting explanation of an annoying tune. Great to see that a musician can admit to writing silly tunes.

[@zimmyLARS66]

Obviously you are an astute-less musical non-afficianado

[@JorgeRodriguez-ih8ub]

😂😂 Billy is not only a great musician, but also a funny, and down to earth person.

[@siamlawma]

Any history buff with an average music industry knowledge should listen to this song

[@DerHoschi]

How far we come... No Vietnam (...). But nothing had changed...

[@jmssun]

China and hyperemic is prophetically one event in 2021

[@WakaWaka2468]

0:21

[@imranatheistformer-muslim3884]

How many people died in the Cola Wars please?

[@strangeworldsunlimited712]

No recorded deaths (HA!), but there WAS a pretty serious injury (Michael Jackson).

[@carolcarol3938]

Billions in dentists bills and diabetes treatments

[@Supersweetguy]

+Imram Atheist Former-Muslim: Nobody died the Cola Wars, its all about which sodas is popular, Coke or Pepsi. At that time Coca Cola won the war.

[@faheemahmad3957]

this was his only best song.... wish he had made a sequel

[@avg190874]

Володарский, где, ты?! Переведите это!!!!!!

[@daisyfields4986]

He’s being vague about a trail of breadcrumbs that lead down a rabbit hole...but he’s not going to come right out and explain any of it - some people still value life. Throughout the course of time movies, books, and other forms of art have also tried to tell the masses, but the majority can not see nor hear what the true message is.😉

[@nickieglazer33]

Ikr 🤦🏼‍♀️ The only question I would ask him is... Who did start the fire 🔥??????!!!!! ⚠️👁‍🗨😎

[@yoda7330]

Who else came from JK! Studios?

[@mario486waluigi2]

I think the message of the song is that he's saying that even though a certain decade had good music like the 50s, 60s, 70s etc. It doesnt mean that it was a great decade to live in. (I could be wrong but correct me if that's not the case)

[@jacphoenix9957]

He's saying We didn't start this fire they did, we are just living in it.

[@michaelsorrells4649]

I like this song

[@thisishere3071]

very cool

[@ryancaruso9515]

Such a john lovitz-billy crystalness to him

[@kodyeldridge5847]

I think he secretly hates this song XD

[@thedylanbowen]

I don’t think it’s a secret 🤣🤣🤣 he’s admitted that he hates singin this song live

[@TuneTamasha]

Fascinating!

[@thefutureprez2016]

So he writes the words and music for the song then goes around saying he didn't care for the way the song was written? The next question should have been "why not write the song in a way that you liked?"

[@michaelj.r457]

+thefutureprez2016 If I recall, Billy once said that this was the one song he wrote where he wrote the lyrics first and then wrote the music. Billy typically said that he wrote the music 99.9% first when he wrote songs, and that sometimes the melody was so beautiful, that he compared putting lyrics to "adding a mustache to an already finished painting." which is why he stopped writing lyrics after 1993. In the case of this song, I think this was the one time where the lyrics were more important to Billy than the melodies.

[@amazed66]

He does sometimes overdo the false modesty act but that's probably due to overcompensating so as not to seem like the big I am on things. He did also only really suggest the melody wasn't great and the lyrics aren't really words as such and more just a list of important people and events during the first 40 years of his life.

[@dennismejares655]

there is always story behind it

[@TowGunner]

thefutureprez2016 He disses himself incessantly in interviews and in settings like in this video. Perhaps he feels he endears himself to the audience but I find it Uber-annoying. I guess his fans are idiots for buying his shitty written songs. However, he has no problem performing at MSG once a month playing said songs while charging exorbitant prices for tickets.

[@princessoffire1107]

How old were you when you wrote this ? I'm honestly not trying to be a smartazz here but undoubtedly you don't know of, nor ever heard many of his songs to ask that question. He was and still is a highly prolific composer and lyricist. In the 70s and 80s he was putting out album after album chock full of brilliant songs. Start The Fire may be simple melodically as he said, but that song is pretty damn deep and so is so many of his songs. I think what he was trying to say is he had no idea the song would be such an enormous hit.

[@guacamoleweiner69]

It billy joel would have waited 7 more weeks, he could sang about the fall of the berlin wall

[@blastermaster2383]

So who started this fire ?