The Fire

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Want to waste a lot of time today? Check out this wikipedia page for Billy Joel's iconic song "We Didn't Start the Fire." The song is one of my favorites - it combines classic rock with history, what could be better? Although Joel has said he's ambivalent about the song's melody (he wrote the lyrics first, then added the tune) I love how driving and forceful it is - one of those songs you sing in the car, revving the engine and pounding the steering wheel as you go.

Here's the story behind the song: Joel turned 40 in 1989 and, looking back on the events of his life, crafted a song out of bullet-fire references. The song is chronological by year and some lovely super-fan out there has linked each reference to its own wiki page - a great way to brush up on your 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s history!  How cool would it be to look back on your forty years and examine how much the world has changed - definitely a positive side to aging!

Images from here, here and here.

Take a look at 1960 (straight from Wiki):

And the full song, here.

I think we need more history-themed pop songs, don't you? 

Lawd, knows we have enough for "hookin' up in da club" ...

* Thanks to 22 Words for the link!