re: Worst Song Ever

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My vote for worst song ever goes to We Built This City by Starship.

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I figured someone would mention this song as it was a fad at one point to hate this song.

But for me, this is not even my least favorite song to ever hit number 1, much less worst song ever (as mentioned above, The Shaggs are tough to beat here).

The final result is not a great track, for sure. It feels contradictory, complaining about corporations yet sounding like "corporate pop". But the song itself has quite a bit more substance to it, if you know the backstory. The original lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin.... yeah, THAT Bernie Taupin. He shopped around the lyrics looking for someone to write the music. Martin Page recorded a demo version. (The link below is supposed to be the demo, but some of the stories Ive heard don't line up... unclear)

We Built This City- Demo


The lyrics are about the disappearance of live music venues in Los Angeles. I think part of that message was lost when Starship, a Bay area band, recorded it (not to mention the DJ talking about San Francisco in the bridge). For me, looking at the lyrics through the lens of the disappearing live music clubs gives more insight to the real meaning. It's not a celebration but a lamentation of what is lost. In some ways, it is a descendant of "For What It's Worth". Albeit, a somewhat watered down descendant, nowhere near as well done and powerful as that classic.

I think the evaluation of the song is also affected by the fact that Starship was the remnants of Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship. The first band one of the legends of the 60s, the second a successful rawk band of the 70s and early 80s. The change is quite abrupt.

For me, Id rather listen to this 100 times than the Macarena or (You're) Having My Baby (the music is fine, the lyrics... wow) or Informer. All hit number 1 in the US.