We Didn’t Start the Fire Lyrics – Fall Out Boy

[Verse 1]
In this section, Fall Out Boy references significant global events and personalities from 1989 to the early 2000s. The mention of "Captain Planet" reflects environmental concerns from the time, while "Arab Spring" signals the political upheavals across the Middle East. "L.A. riots" and "Rodney King" refer to racial tensions in the United States, with King being a symbol of police brutality. Technology and entertainment are also present with "Deepfakes" and "Pokémon," showing the rise of digital influence. This verse sets the stage for the historical depth of the song, reminding the listener of the global turbulence and pop culture that defined these years.

[Chorus]
The chorus echoes the original Billy Joel version, stating that the world's problems have always been present ("It was always burning since the world's been turning"). Fall Out Boy conveys the ongoing struggle of trying to address these issues while acknowledging that they didn't start these fires—they inherited them.

[Verse 2]
In this verse, the band lists more recent global events, such as "More war in Afghanistan," referring to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and "Cubs go all the way again," a reference to the Chicago Cubs' historic World Series win in 2016. Social and political movements like "Trump gets impeached twice" and "QAnon" also make an appearance, showing the impact of American politics. The mix of entertainment, politics, and societal shifts continues as Fall Out Boy builds a timeline through key moments that have shaped public consciousness.

[Verse 3]
This section touches on violence and societal issues, mentioning tragic events such as "Sandy Hook" and "Columbine," which were school shootings that brought attention to gun control debates in the U.S. Additionally, figures like "George Floyd" represent the fight against racial injustice, while "YouTube killed MTV" symbolizes the shift in how people consume media. The growing concern over environmental and societal decline emerges strongly in this verse.

[Verse 4]
The final verse reflects on more current and forward-looking issues. References to "Elon Musk" and the "Texas failed electric grid" highlight tech innovation and infrastructure failures. "Climate change" and the extinction of species like the "White rhino" showcase environmental degradation. The inclusion of "Prince and The Queen die" acknowledges the passing of cultural icons, while the question "What else do I have to say?" leaves the listener with a sense of frustration over the overwhelming number of world events.

[Chorus]
In the final chorus, Fall Out Boy reiterates the inevitability of the world's ongoing turmoil. The repetition of the line "It will still go on" drives home the point that these issues will persist long after they are gone, leaving the listener with a sobering message about the relentless nature of global events.