Billy Joel's: We didn't start the fire--The Examination and explanation--Imported by ETOX

At the beginning of the last decade of this century, the so-called Generation X had been dealing with the consequences of situations not oftheir own creation. These 25 to 40 year olds had been receiving fire from both their children and the baby boomers for their supposed initiation of the problems that began as mere headlines in the news but had now become serious social issues.

As a prominent member of this antagonized generation singer and songwriter, Billy Joel, used the medium of his profession to express his disgust at these unfair accusations in the song "We Didn't Start the Fire." Through the timeline of events laid out in the lyrics, Billy Joel remindshis generation that the burden of societies' ills are not solely on theirshoulders. As he precedes through the song, he points out key social issues that made an impacted not only his life, but all of American society beginning with events in early 1949 and leading up to the end of the 1980s.

One key event mentioned in the song is racial integration into US educational institutions. He starts by mentioning Little Rock, where in 1957 several black students were admitted to a previously all white high school after the Supreme Court ruled that the racial segregation of schools was unconstitutional. The outcry against this ruling from the white community was so great that President Eisenhower was forced to activate the Arkansas National Guard to allow the students to be admittedto classes.

Billy Joel also reminds us of this situation's twin that occurred in 1962 when James Meredith was admitted to Ole Miss. It was the first instance of racial integration in higher education. These two events were the beginnings of the Civil Rights movement in the United States. For the first time all men really were becoming equal. Even though the slaves had been freed, the long belief that all other races were inferior to whites still gave rise to "legal" discrimination of all other races, such as the Jim Crowe Laws and "separate but equal." However, due to the actions of these brave children, the society of the United States finally began to represent the principles and ideals that its country was based on.

Joel also mentions the phrase "Children of Thalidomide." This reference dates back to 1958 when the drug thalidomide came into use as a treatmentfor morning sickness in pregnant women. This so-called "miracle" drug was put into widespread use in Europe, South America, and Australia. TheUS Food and Drug Administration, however, deemed that it required more testing and was therefore banned from use in the United States. This turned out to be a wise decision, as the drug transformed from miracle to tragedy when its side effects became apparent. Children were born with horrid malformations, such as flipper-like appendages and mutated or missing internal organs.

The US public had at first been puzzled and annoyed at the denial of this amazing treatment. After the true form of the drug became apparent though, the public realized that maybe the government does know what it'sdoing sometimes. This event also helped to give the American Society itscharacteristic skepticism of anything "too good to be true" and to not believe everything they read.

Not all of Joel's references are domestic. In his lyrical history lessonhe also mentions the Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh. Ho Chi Minh was the leader of the Vietminh against Japan in World War II. As a US ally, he became a trusted friend, until his institution of a Communist regime and attempt to unify the entire country under Communist rule. This occurred after the US policy of stopping the spread of communism had begun, and so a valued ally became a bitter enemy. The subsequent attempt to halt Ho Chi Minh's takeover became known as the Vietnam War.

This conflict was the single most disillusioning event of the 20th century for the American Public. Many were angered and confused as to why their sons were dying in a country few could name and fewer could place on a map. The resulting protests and unrest rivaled that of the 1950's civil rights movement. The government's and presidency's apparentlack of concern both for the lives of it's soldiers and the opinion of it'spublic destroyed many's faith in the administration and would forever have the American people questioning every decision made by their leaders.

"We Didn't Start the Fire" is a song about blame and about victims. A song about problems brought on by a society's lack of concern for the rights of their fellow man. A song about a society's cultural icons. A song about a country, the United States, and the roles it and its people have played in world for the last 50 years. Billy Joel wrote this song to remind his peers that yes, this country has problems, but that they weren't the cause. He wanted to tell a society's younger generation that it's okay to want to fix these problems, but no-one, especially those who did cause the problems, could expect them to fix them all in day; they weren't the ones who gathered the kindling; they weren't the ones who struck the match, they weren't the ones who started the fire...



1949 Harry Truman Well loved 33rd President of the United States (1945-1953). Made the decision to drop the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima & Nagasaki. "Give 'em hell Harry!" The 1949 Inauguration was the first to be nationally televised, and was estimated to have been viewed by 10 million Americans. Doris Day Popular singer/actress and later, star of the Doris Day Show (1968-1973). Most famous movies: The Pajama Game ('57) and Pillow Talk ('59). Red China "The Red Troops," Communists take over mainland China. Nationalists establish themselves in Taiwan. Johnnie Ray Singer who cried when he sang. Hits: Cry and The Little Cloud that Cried. Johnnie Ray was born on January 10, 1927 in Dallas, Oregon. He was partially deaf since childhood and began wearing a hearing aid at age 14. In 1951 singer LaVern Baker and her manager Al Green helped him with his music. He signed a contract with Okeh in 1949. South Pacific Broadway musical first produced on this date Walter Winchell America's first modern gossip columnist known for his aggressive style and tremendous use of slang. America tuned into him on the radio. Joe DiMaggio "Joltin' Joe," "The Yankee Clipper" was an outfielder for the New York Yankees (1936-1951) and has the longest hitting streak in the Major Leagues. In 1949, an inflamed heel kept him sidelined for 65 games. When he returned to the lineup, his home run helped the Yankees beat Boston 5-4, and he went on to bat .500 in their three-game series. It was as if he'd never been gone. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1955 and married Marilyn Monroe in '54.

1950 Joe McCarthy The Republican senator who led "Witch Hunts" against the communists in America. He also started the dreaded "Black listing." Richard Nixon Member of the US Senate and later President. Investigated domestic communism during this period. Studebaker Clement, Henry, and John Studebaker, The downfall of this eccentric auto company came when their sports car did not catch on as well as the new corvette. Television The "Boob Tube" was introduced and became widely popular throughout the world. North Korea Democratic peoples republic occupied by U.S.S.R. They invaded... South Korea On June 25, 1950 and remained occupied until July 27, 1953. The United States supported South Korea. Start of the "Cold War"? Marilyn Monroe Norma Jean-Baker -- Actress and Pin-up girl. In the movie "Love Happy", United Artists, April 1950 staring: Marx Brothers, Ilona Massey, Eric Blore, Vera-Ellen, Raymond Burr, Marilyn Monroe had a 3 minute walk-on scene with Groucho Marx. She married Joe DiMaggio in 1954 and died of a drug overdose in 1956. Popular Movies: Some Like It Hot and Bus Stop

1951 Rosenbergs Ethel-Greenglass Rosenberg and Julius Rosenberg were listed as communists and were convicted of giving secrets to the U.S.S.R. Executed, they were spies, they were traitors. H-Bomb First tested in 1951. This weapon was more powerful than the destrctive Atomic bomb. Researched by Edward Teller as a response to the fear of communism after Russia duplicated the A-bomb. Sugar Ray Five time middle weight champion (1951-1960). Welter weight champion (1946-1951) Panmunjom City in South Korea where the cease fire negotiations took place. Talks started in 1951 and the truce was signed in 1953 ending the Korean War. Brando Marlon Brando Jr. The "Buddy" actor. Won Oscars for: On the Water Front (1954) and The Godfather (1972) The King and I Popular musical and book by Oscar Hammerstein based on the novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margret Landon. About King Mongkut of Thailand and the social life and customs therein. and The Catcher in the Rye Well known book by J.D. Salinger.

1952 Eisenhower "Ike" David Dwight Eisenhower. Allied European military leader and 34th U.S. president (1953-1961). Vaccine Jonas Salk, on March 11, 1952, provides the body with lasting defensive powers against 3 types of polio viruses. England's got a new Queen Queen Elizabeth II starts her reign, she is 27 years old. Marciano Rocky Marciano, Boxer and Actor. Became the heavyweight champion of the world when he defeated Jersey Joe Walcott on September 23, 1952. Undefeated Heavyweight Champion (1952-1956). Died in a plane crash in 1969. Liberace George J. Liberace. Conductor, violinist and pianist born Wladziu Valentino (1919-1987). Rose to stardom in the fifties and went on to become the highest paid entertainer during the sixties and seventies. Known for his elaborate costumes, flashy piano styles and his token candelabra. Most well known piece: Mack the Knife Santayana good-bye George Santayana, (1863-1952), American philosopher, poet, and novelist, whose wide-ranging philosophical speculation was expressed in a style of great literary distinction. died September 26, 1952., Memorable quote: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

1953 Joseph Stalin Dictator of Russia (1929-1953), successor of Lenin. Instituted Socialism throught the use of force. Died, March 5, 1953. Malenkov Georgi Malenkov was a close associate of Joseph Stalin he, became Prime Minister of Russia after Stalin's death and remained in his position until 1955. Nasser Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egyptian President (1953-1970). He led the disposal of King Farouk in 1952. and Prokofiev Russian Composer who died in 1953 after putting together Peter and the Wolf. Rockefeller John D. Rockefeller. Most well known of the wealthy Rockefeller family. Founded Chevron Oil company. Nelson Aldridge Rockefeller was Governor of New York from 1958 to 1974. Campanella Roy Campanella was a black baseball catcher for Brooklyn from 1948 to 1957. He led the NL in RBI's in 1953 and held the MVP. He was paralyzed in a car accident in 1958 and was entered in to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969. Communist Bloc The Communist Bloc refers to the countries that comprised the "enemy" during the Cold War.

1954 Roy Cohn Lawyer and Chief counsel to Senator McCarthy during his "Witch Hunt" trials. Juan Peron Dictator of Argentina, died in 1974. Toscanini Arturo Toscanini, child prodigy. One of the great Orchestra conductors who performed in New York and Italy. He retired in 1954 at the are of 87. Dacron The Tradename for Polyester fiber rope. The beginning of polyester clothing. Dien Bien Phu Falls Vietnam swamp land, location of the Frenc fortress that was defeated in 1954. Rock Around The Clock Number 1 song by Bill Haley and the Comets. Considered the beginning of Rock n' Roll.

1955 Einstein It doesn't take a genius to know Albert Einstein. Physicist and mathametician who penned the Theory of Relativity and did substantial work on the creation of the Atomic Bomb. He won the Nobel Prize before passing away on April 18, 1955. James Dean Actor and teen heartthrob. Became an icon for American teenage boys after a career in films which was tragically cut short when he was killed in a car accident on Sept. 30, 1955. Films: Rebel Without A Cause (1955), East of Eden (1955), and Giant (1955) filmed before his death. Brooklyn's got a winning team The Brooklyn Dodgers wins the World Series 4 games to 3 against the New York Yankees. Davy Crockett Frontiersman under President Andrew Jackson who died at the Alamo in 1936. Because of Walt Disney's now weekly show, Davy Crockett becomes the newest fad among kids. Peter Pan The Disney Feature Full Length Animated Movie hits theatres. Elvis Presley Actor/Singer "The King" of Rock n' Roll Disneyland Walt Disney opens his first amusement park in Anaheim, California.

1956 Bardot Bridget Bardot, French actress and sex symbol. Famous for marijuana and her long blonde disheveled hair. Budapest Moved towards democracy in Hungary, armored tanks quickly put a stop to it. Alabama Moved towards civil rights with the Civil Rights Movement. Blacks protested against discrimination. Krushchev Nikita Krushchev, the Premier of Russia who built the Berlin Wall in '56. " We will bury you!" Princess Grace Grace Kelley. Actress who married Prince Ranier III of Monaco in '56. Movies: High Noon (1952) Peyton Place First night time soap opera Trouble in the Suez Egypt nationalizes the canal and refuses passage to Israel. War erupts and Irael, with the help of France and Great Britain occupy the Sinai Penninsula.

1957 Little Rock Arkansas, troops are sent to a central high school to enforce racial integration. Pasternak Boris Pasternak, russian creator of Dr. Zhivago. Forced to refuse the Nobel Prize for literature in '58. Mickey Mantle "The Commerce Comet." NY Yankees outfielder (1951-58). Won the AL Triple Crown in '56 and held the record for 536 home runs. He was a 3 time MVP, including the '57 season, and was entered into the Hall of Fame in '74. Kerouac Jack Kerouac, led the "Beatnik" movement, authored On the Road in 1957. b. Oct 20, 1931 Sputnik The first artificial satellite, launched by the Russians on Oct 4, 1957. Sputnik means satellite in Russian. Chou-En-Lai (Zhou En-Lai?) The premier of China sought to normalize relations between the PRC and the USA Bridge on the River Kwai Won 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor-Alec Guinness and Best (Adapted) Screenplay.

1958 Lebanon President "Ike"Eisenhower sent troops to Lebanon where 241 marines died. Charles de Gaulle French army general who assumed leadership after WWII, he became the first president of the fifth republic (1959-1969). California Baseball In 1958 (between the 1957 and 1958 seasons, at least) the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants (the baseball team) moved out west to California - Los Angeles and San Francisco respectively. Starkweather Homicide The Starkweather Homicides - In January, Charlie Starkweather and his girlfriend, Caril Fugate, went on a 11 (we've also heard "over 15") person killing spree over a span of a month and a half. The spree started with Fugate's parents and spread over the Midwest. He was executed in the electric chair.

OR!

I can't believe this, we've heard a few explanations! The second is that the lyric is about John Starkweather who climbed a tower at a Texas college and started shooting at people with a rifle.

OR!!

The third idea is that it refers to the Richard Starkweather murder spree that inspired the film "Badlands." Children of Thalidomide Thalidomide was given to women to help with birthing proceedures and morning sickness. Childern are consequently born with birth defects, typically abnormally short arms. Sometimes, no arms or legs at all.

1959 Buddy Holly My man! Singer/songwriter of Buddy Holly and the Crickets. Died in a plane crash with 2 other rock n' roll singers, including Ritchie Valens, on Feb 3, 1959. (See the American Pie page) Ben Hur

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