“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
Picture this: It’s the mid-80s, and you’re driving down a city street with the windows down, the radio blaring. Suddenly, you hear the unmistakable opening notes of a song that feels like an anthem for a generation. “We Built This City” by Starship captures the essence of an era, evoking memories of neon lights and synthesizer beats. This song, despite its mixed reception over the years, remains a quintessential piece of 80s rock history.
About The Composition
- Title: We Built This City
- Composer: Written by Bernie Taupin, Martin Page, Dennis Lambert, and Peter Wolf
- Premiere Date: Released on August 1, 1985
- Album: Knee Deep in the Hoopla
- Genre: Rock, with a distinct blend of pop rock and synth-rock elements
Background
“We Built This City” emerged during a transformative period for the band Starship, formerly known as Jefferson Starship. The band underwent significant changes in lineup and musical direction. Written by Bernie Taupin, best known for his collaboration with Elton John, and Martin Page, among others, the song was envisioned as a critique of the commercialization of the music industry. It was a bold statement wrapped in catchy melodies and anthemic choruses. Despite its initial mixed reviews, the song topped the charts, capturing the spirit of a changing music landscape and cementing its place in pop culture.
Musical Style
The song is characterized by its use of synthesizers, a hallmark of 80s music, combined with traditional rock instrumentation. Its structure is straightforward, featuring a memorable chorus that repeats the titular line. The layering of synthesizers and the rhythmic guitar riffs create a dynamic sound that was innovative for its time. These elements contribute to its energetic and uplifting feel, making it an instant hit on radio stations and music video channels.
Lyrics
The lyrics of “We Built This City” convey a sense of nostalgia and frustration with the music industry. Lines like “Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio” reference the golden days of radio and the shift towards a more commercialized music scene. The song’s chorus, “We built this city on rock and roll,” serves as both a declaration of the band’s roots and a critique of how those roots were being overshadowed by commercial interests.
Performance History
Over the years, “We Built This City” has been performed by Starship in various settings, from concert halls to television appearances. Its reception has been mixed, with some critics deriding it as one of the worst songs of all time, while others praise it for its catchy, anthemic quality. Despite the criticism, the song remains a popular choice for 80s nostalgia tours and has been covered by various artists, attesting to its lasting impact.
Cultural Impact
Beyond its success in the music charts, “We Built This City” has permeated popular culture. It has been featured in films, television shows, and commercials, often evoking the vibrant, if not sometimes cheesy, spirit of the 1980s. Its influence extends beyond music, symbolizing the era’s blend of rock rebellion and commercial pop.
Legacy
Despite the mixed reviews over the years, “We Built This City” continues to be a significant piece of music history. Its relevance today lies in its ability to evoke the spirit of the 80s and its commentary on the music industry, which remains pertinent. The song’s catchy, anthemic quality ensures it remains a beloved track for many, while its critique of commercialization continues to resonate.
Conclusion
“We Built This City” is more than just a song; it’s a piece of 80s rock history that captures the spirit and contradictions of its time. Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying its impact. I encourage you to give it a listen, perhaps revisiting the era it encapsulates so vividly. For a memorable performance, check out Starship’s live renditions, which bring an added layer of energy and nostalgia to this iconic track.
Video
Lyrics
We built this city
We built this city on rock and roll
Built this city
We built this city on rock and roll
Say you don’t know me or recognize my face
Say you don’t care who goes to that kind of place
Knee deep in the hoopla, sinking in your fight
Too many runaways eating up the night
Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio, don’t you remember?
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Someone’s always playing corporation games
Who cares, they’re always changing corporation names
We just want to dance here, someone stole the stage
They call us irresponsible, write us off the page
Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio, don’t you remember?
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
It’s just another Sunday in a tired old street
Police have got the choke hold, oh, then we just lost the beat
Who counts the money underneath the bar?
Who rides the wrecking ball into our guitars?
Don’t tell us you need us ’cause we’re the ship of fools
Looking for America, coming through your schools
Don’t you remember? (Remember)
Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio, don’t you remember?
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
We built, we built this city, yeah (Built this city)
We built, we built this city
We built, we built this city yeah (Built this city)
We built, we built this city
We built, we built this city yeah (Built this city)
We built, we built this city (Built this city)