Music, philosophy: “We Built this City….”, part 1: Meaning

Self-tutoring about meanings of songs: the tutor mentions “We Built this City,” recorded by Starship.

“We Built this City,” regardless of what people say now, reached number one on Nov 16, 1985. Everything about the song was good, including its interesting message.

What “We Built this City” is about, to my mind, is relevant today: times are changing so quickly that yesterday’s successful ways, as well as positions, may no longer be. In the case of “We Built this City,” it seems to refer to San Francisco in the 80s. Once a place of arts, individualism, and curiosity, it found itself being repurposed by the Tech industry. Those “rock and roll” people, at least to some extent, had to put on business suits or else get out of the way.

Likely an underlying current the song also referred to was the increasing regulation Americans were facing. From its free spirit of the 60s and early 70s, America was increasingly becoming a place where paperwork would be needed to make it rather than just starting from scratch. It was an identity crisis that was hard for many to face.

I have fond memories of the “We Built this City.” It’s a one-of-a-kind song that tells a relatable story.

Source:

YT: RHINO

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