Starship’s “We Built This City” is a sonic mural of the 1980s rock scene. It’s a vibrant proclamation against the corporatization of rock music, a genre built on rebellion and freedom. The song portrays a landscape where commercial interests drown the true essence of rock. Its powerful refrain, “We built this city on rock and roll,” serves as a rallying cry for those who value the roots and soul of the genre, emphasizing rock’s foundational role in shaping musical landscapes.
The song implies a struggle between the original artistry of rock and the commercial entities seeking to commodify it. It’s about loss, resistance, and the relentless spirit of rock and roll.
Craving more? We delve deeper into the roots and revelations hidden within this rock anthem!
“We Built This City” Lyrics Meaning
This song, chronologically interpreted, begins with a robust declaration, “We built this city on rock and roll,” illustrating the foundation of a musical landscape crafted on the principles of rock music. It implies the creation of a space vibrant with rebellion, freedom, and raw emotions.
As we move through the lyrics, “Say you don’t know me or recognize my face, Say you don’t care who goes to that kind of place,” it denotes a sense of alienation and the neglect of the authentic roots of rock. The sentiments of being unrecognized and unappreciated echo the clashes between commercialism and originality.
Further into the song, the term “Knee deep in the hoopla, sinking in your fight” symbolizes the struggle and chaos ensuing from the corporatization of music. It depicts a scenario where the true essence of music is getting submerged in external conflicts, while “Too many runaways eating up the night,” reflects the dominance of fleeting and shallow entities over the genuine spirit of rock and roll.
The recurring line, “Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio, don’t you remember?” suggests a nostalgia for a time when music, especially rock, was pure and untainted by commercial influences. It’s a call to remember rock music’s original essence and values.
As the song progresses, the lines “Someone’s always playing corporation games, Who cares, they’re always changing corporation names,” further emphasize the commercial takeover and loss of individuality in music. The essence of rock, the dance, the stage, are all overshadowed by corporate manipulations, “We just want to dance here, someone stole the stage.”
Towards the end, “Who counts the money underneath the bar? Who rides the wrecking ball into our guitars?” illustrates the destructive influence of commercial entities on the soul of rock music. The final lines, “Looking for America, coming through your schools,” possibly symbolize a search for authenticity and originality in a rapidly commodifying musical world.
The Story Behind “We Built This City”
This iconic song, echoing the untainted spirit of rock, emerged from a period when rock music was experiencing unprecedented commercialization. The musicians, grappling with the changing dynamics, were attempting to hold onto the original spirit of rock.
Starship, previously known as Jefferson Starship, witnessed the shifting musical landscapes firsthand. The music industry’s transformation in the ’80s was marked by a surge in corporate interests, altering the foundational elements of rock music. The roots, built on rebellion and freedom, were in constant conflict with commercial entities seeking to mold music into a profitable commodity.
The songwriters, including Bernie Taupin, sought to capture this conflict and the inherent nostalgia for a time when music was untarnished by profit motives. The song is a reflection of the struggle faced by musicians of that era, striving to maintain authenticity in a world dominated by commercial influences.
The tumultuous environment during the creation of this song played a crucial role in shaping its narrative. It wasn’t just about crafting catchy tunes; it was a rebellion, a proclamation to preserve the true essence of rock music. It’s a reminder of the relentless spirit of rock and roll and its foundational role in shaping the music we love. The song remains a timeless anthem, resonating with everyone who values authenticity and the untarnished spirit of music in an ever-evolving industry.