Updating Billy Joel’s classic hit ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire” with lyrics featuring all-new historical events has likely been on the minds of quite a few artists since its release back in 1989. With all of the world-changing moments that have come to pass since then, right now seemed to be just the perfect time for Alt-rockers Fall Out Boy and their brand new version.
Listen to Fall Out Boy Radio and more on the free Audacy app
In a post on their social channels, Fall Out Boy explain how they "thought about this song a lot... All these important people and events - some that disappeared into the sands of time - others that changed the world forever. So much has happened in the span of the last 34 years - we felt like a little system update might be fun. Hope you like our take on it…"
While the original 1989 Billy Joel single highlights world events and figures leading up to that year -- including the Richard Nixon Watergate scandal, actress Marilyn Monroe, England’s Queen Elizabeth taking the throne, Beatlemania, the Vietnam War, and more -- Fall Out Boy drop in with an epic continuation.
The new FOB version features references to everything from the murder of George Floyd to the ill-fated Fyre Fest, Harry Potter to the death of the U.K.’s Queen Elizabeth, Donald Trump’s double-dose of impeachments Michael Keaton’s Batman, My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade album, and much, much more.
Follow along with Fall Out Boy's official lyric video, and check out Billy Joel's original version for meta-reference below. Limited to 5000 copies, fans can pre-order the track on 7” via the band's official store.
Fall Out Boy - "We Didn't Start The Fire" 2023
Billy Joel - "We Didn't Start The Fire" 1989
Fall Out Boy's latest album, 2023's So Much (For) Stardust, is out now, and the band is currently on the road with Alkaline Trio and Bring Me The Horizon on select dates, making stops across the U.S. and Canada through August 6. Grab your tickets right HERE.
Related
Listen to more of your favorite music on Audacy's Emo Kids, Alt Now, Rockternative, Drivin' Alt, 90s and Chill, Alterna 00s, Greatest Guitarists, Greatest Drummers, and ALT Roots stations -- plus check out our talent-hosted Kevan Kenney's Music Discovery, and Megan Holiday's My So Called '90s Playlist.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram