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Miles Archer

(18,837 posts)
Mon Sep 3, 2018, 11:36 AM Sep 2018

Billy Joel confesses that he didn't start the fire, or put the ram in the rama lama ding dong

In a new Rolling Stone interview, Joel admits that while he didn't start the fire, he also didn't shoot the sheriff, or the deputy, and he also didn't put the ram in the rama lama ding dong.

"I basically wrote some songs, made some albums, went on tours, and that's it. All in all, it's been a shallow, empty existence."

When asked about his hit "We Didn't Start The Fire," he revealed its origins in a late-night session at the Record Plant in New York. "My bass player accidentally left a cigarette butt in an ashtray, without extinguishing it completely. The ashtray was full, and the other butts ignited, and the studio owner accused me of starting a fire. I told him "I didn't start the fire," and later I spent some time in quiet introspection, and a song was born."

When asked about accusations that the song was a modern-day ripoff of Bob Dylan's "laundry list" style of lyrics in songs such as "Subterranean Homesick Blues," Joel replied "I've heard of Bob Dylan, but I don't think I've heard that one."

Bob Dylan could not be reached for comment.



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Billy Joel confesses that he didn't start the fire, or put the ram in the rama lama ding dong (Original Post) Miles Archer Sep 2018 OP
Grace Slick didn't build that city either. underpants Sep 2018 #1
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I don't feel like Peter Frampton does jberryhill Sep 2018 #3
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