We Didn't Start the Fire
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 tried to fight it........
That is the chorus from Billy Joel's 80s hit named "We Didn't Start the Fire."
Those who remember the 80s either think that this song was brilliant or they think this song was stupid.
Joel said that the ultimate purpose of the song was to neither provide a complete account nor pass blame; what he really wanted to do was help young people realize that there are lessons in the past that might help us work through the present. That may be why he somewhat curiously included George Santayana in the song. The Harvard professor stated, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Joel phrased it a bit less poetically; “No matter how much you try,” he said, “the world is going to be a mess. All you can do is the best you can and maybe make the world immediately around you a better place.”
It is somewhat relevant today for a few reasons.
First of all, President Trump, Canadians did not burn down the White House in 1812. Why are you trying to turn your loyal supporter base against your one true allay. Pick any issue ever. I guarantee Canadians are not the bad guys. One of our Prime Ministers, Lester Pearson won a Nobel Peace Prize for organizing the United Nations to solve the Suez Canal Crisis. And, that was in his spare time. The issue didn't impact Canada that greatly, but, hey, that is Canada. When there is a chance to broker peace, we are at the table. Nelson Mandela is one of modern day true heroes. Which country started the process to end apartheid and free this man so that he could live his destiny? You guessed it. Canada. And, by the way, your welcome that our diplomats risked their lives to free your hostages held in Iran.
Secondly, it is just sad how this man can spout off whatever he wants and get away with it. At one point, I had a lot of respect for America's Mayor, Rudy Guiliani. I lost a lot of it when he became Trump's personal attorney. When he said that Trump could shoot James Comey and then pardon himself, I lost all of it. It is somewhat sad that everyone around him seems to have drank the kool-aid. And yet, he is still popular. I just don't get it.
Finally, this song is relevant today because it does send a somewhat hopeful message. Our world has lived through a lot of strife. Every generation has had strife. Every generation following will likely have strife. But, we have lived through horror before. Hopefully, we will get through this as well. This won't last forever.
And speaking of great 80s songs, lets listen again to The Politics of Dancing by Reflex. Its the Politics of Dancing, it's the politics of, ooooh, feeling good. Maybe we need to start dancing to this song again.
It was always burning since the world's been turning
We didn't start the fire,
No, we didn't light it, but we tried to fight it........
That is the chorus from Billy Joel's 80s hit named "We Didn't Start the Fire."
Those who remember the 80s either think that this song was brilliant or they think this song was stupid.
Joel said that the ultimate purpose of the song was to neither provide a complete account nor pass blame; what he really wanted to do was help young people realize that there are lessons in the past that might help us work through the present. That may be why he somewhat curiously included George Santayana in the song. The Harvard professor stated, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Joel phrased it a bit less poetically; “No matter how much you try,” he said, “the world is going to be a mess. All you can do is the best you can and maybe make the world immediately around you a better place.”
It is somewhat relevant today for a few reasons.
First of all, President Trump, Canadians did not burn down the White House in 1812. Why are you trying to turn your loyal supporter base against your one true allay. Pick any issue ever. I guarantee Canadians are not the bad guys. One of our Prime Ministers, Lester Pearson won a Nobel Peace Prize for organizing the United Nations to solve the Suez Canal Crisis. And, that was in his spare time. The issue didn't impact Canada that greatly, but, hey, that is Canada. When there is a chance to broker peace, we are at the table. Nelson Mandela is one of modern day true heroes. Which country started the process to end apartheid and free this man so that he could live his destiny? You guessed it. Canada. And, by the way, your welcome that our diplomats risked their lives to free your hostages held in Iran.
Secondly, it is just sad how this man can spout off whatever he wants and get away with it. At one point, I had a lot of respect for America's Mayor, Rudy Guiliani. I lost a lot of it when he became Trump's personal attorney. When he said that Trump could shoot James Comey and then pardon himself, I lost all of it. It is somewhat sad that everyone around him seems to have drank the kool-aid. And yet, he is still popular. I just don't get it.
Finally, this song is relevant today because it does send a somewhat hopeful message. Our world has lived through a lot of strife. Every generation has had strife. Every generation following will likely have strife. But, we have lived through horror before. Hopefully, we will get through this as well. This won't last forever.
And speaking of great 80s songs, lets listen again to The Politics of Dancing by Reflex. Its the Politics of Dancing, it's the politics of, ooooh, feeling good. Maybe we need to start dancing to this song again.
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