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10 Moments Missing from Fall Out Boy’s ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’

By Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

“We Didn’t Start the Fire” received an update today (June 28) courtesy of Fall Out Boy. The original version by Billy Joel recounted notable historical moments from 1949-1989. Meanwhile, Fall Out Boy’s update highlights major events and figures from 1989-2023.

With the release of their updated version, Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz said, “I thought about this song a lot when I was younger. All these important people and events- some that disappeared into the sands of time- others that changed the world forever. So much has happened in the span of the last 34 years- we felt like a little system update might be fun. Hope you like our take on it…”

Fall Out Boy had a lot of ground to cover in the song, because a lot has happened in the past 34 years. The band did a great job featuring a diverse variety of topics. They namechecked Kurt Cobain, John Wayne Bobbit, 9/11, Balloon Boy, deep fakes, Kim Jong Un, Fyre Fest, Taylor Swift and so much more. However, there were some notable omissions from the song that we think were major moments of the past 30+ years.

Here are just ten major moments missing from Fall Out Boy’s update on “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”

  • Coronavirus Pandemic

    Sure, it’s a little obvious, and it’s a topic many of us are tired of talking about. But the coronavirus pandemic was (hopefully) a once-in-a-century moment that impacted the literal world. We understand why it was not mentioned, but c’mon now!

  • Roe v. Wade Overturned

    Regardless of what side you fall on, the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court in 2022 is a massive moment in American history. There’s no debating that statement at all. It’s a topic that is still being discussed constantly.

  • The Rise of Smartphones

    Whether you’re an iPhone user, love your Android or still miss your Blackberry, the smartphone has changed the way people live and operate around the world. It’s made us more connected and reachable, which definitely has its pros and cons. But the smartphone might just be the biggest technological advancement in the past 30+ years.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYLDe9i4UCw

  • 'Gangnam Style'

    Psy’s “Gangnam Style” was a worldwide phenomenon! Not only was it the first video on YouTube to hit 1 billion views, but you can really trace back the global explosion of K-pop to “Gangnam Style.” Sure, people may not do that fun little dance anymore, but the song holds up and is still an undeniable banger.

  • The Rise of Streaming Platforms

    Netflix and Hulu and Amazon Prime, OH MY! The way we consume television and movies has changed so much in the past 30+ years, and the rise of streaming is very much one of the biggest influences. The same can be said about music streaming platforms, too.

  • Princess Diana

    Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan Markle are both name-checked in the new version of “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” But Princess Diana is inexplicably absent. Considering the continued interest in the late royal over 25 years after her tragic death, it seems like a major oversight.

  • Marriage Equality in the U.S.

    Similar to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, you remember where you were when the Supreme Court ruled on marriage equality in the United States. It was an absolutely massive moment in the history of the country.

  • 'The Dress'

    Who knew a simple picture of a dress would cause so much discussion! Whether you saw “The Dress” as white and gold or blue and black, it literally doesn’t matter. Everyone absolutely lost their minds about this.

  • Many of the biggest hit shows of the past 34 years

    A few TV shows were named in Fall Out Boy’s version of “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” including Tiger King, Captain Planet, Stranger Things and Pokemon. However, there are so many other culture-changing shows that were left out like The Sopranos, Mad Men, Modern Family, Atlanta, Friends, Breaking Bad, Seinfeld and so many others. And The Office, who had their own parody of sorts (“Ryan Started the Fire”). Frankly, there could be an entire “We Didn’t Start the Fire” about just TV shows!

  • #MeToo

    The conversation around sexual misconduct in society changed with just two words. It was a conversation that led many high-profile people to face the consequences for their sometimes decades-worth of horrendous actions. The #MeToo impact on the worlds of entertainment, sports, politics and beyond cannot be ignored.

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