50 years of history in less than 3 minutes

[AZhitman]

(sent to me by James S. earlier today - thought you guys would enjoy it...)

This song and its title was an answer on ‘Final Jeopardy’ --- only one person got it right. The question was (paraphrased) "What 1980's song do history teachers praise for its educational value."

The song is Billy Joel's homage to the 40-years of historical headlines since his birth in 1949. I wish that the depths of this song could have been fully appreciated when it was released. Twenty years later, it is still amazing what Billy Joel was able to put into music and lyrics lasting only a few minutes.

So, whether you are a Billy Joel fan or not, you probably remember his song, “We Didn't Start the Fire”.
Here it is, linked to photos..... a neat flashback through the past half a century. Thanks to Billy Joel and some guy from the University of Chicago with a lot of spare time and Google.

Enjoy!

http://yeli.us/Flash/Fire.html

[themadscientist]

I immediately thought of this song.

[numbnuts240]

i was introduced to this song and we did a study on all the events/people in the song back in 6th grade. that was back in '97. awesome song and awesome message.

[Jesda]

I used this as the theme song for my radio show. I of course didnt bother getting permission, but it sounded great.

[Solar_Runner]

I like the song, intelligent and with a neat beat.

Been a fan of Bill since my Senior year of HS.... He was "that dude on the piano with the tennis shoes..."

[Amays U G37S]

Billy Joel is the winner

[DudeZ]

my question is: what is wrong with the other two people on that final jeopardy?! i knew this song right away. its a classic

[breadbox]

I had a history project where we all got a cd with just that song on it and we had to write it out and ask people if they knew the historical significance and were graded accordingly. My grandma knew most of them which helped me. I had a friend who called his mid 20's brother who knew them all. <--- That guy is intense in person.

[MinisterofDOOM]

This was my favorite song when I was a kid. I listened to it so much I still remember the lyrics perfectly. It's still one of my favorites. The whole album (Storm Front) is excellent. I have it on cassette and CD.

My favorite song from the album:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVlDSzbrH5M[/youtube]

[Repo Man]

When I was in high school, I was on our radio staff and we managed to blow a really nice set of JBL studio speakers with this song. Lulz.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF5x_AS1yYw[/youtube]


*cough*

One of my favorite songs btw.

[sbird1]

That song was the theme for my graduating high school class 6 years ago... ever since, I've hated it. Sorry if I'm a downer. Just ignore me.

[Eikon]

I'm a huge Billy Joel fan. Have been since high school. I've seen him in concert 3 times I think.. maybe 4. I have the entire "we didn't start the fire" song memorized.. not from a concerted effort, just from listening to it so many times.
Storm Front is a great album!

[jdansmith]

I was totally oblivious to the subliminal messages until The second time I
watched it.