Billy Joelhas a long list of successful hits, but one of them pains him to have to hear. It’s not uncommon for singers and musicians to dislike some of their songs. Taylor Swift wouldn’t play her 2007 single “Picture To Burn” live for over a decade, andSlash is known to have despised “Sweet Child O' Mine.”
However, as a skilled songwriter, it’s hard to imagineJoel disliking any of his best-written songs. After all, he made somedefining music of the ’80s, and his songs continue to make an impact today. Though, despite the influence one of his songs has had on pop culture,Joel maintains that it’s just not very good.
Billy Joel Doesn’t Like “We Didn’t Start The Fire”
Joel Called The Song “Terrible”
While it might be Grammy-nominated and one of his best-known songs, Billy Joel isn’t as impressed as his fans are with “We Didn’t Start The Fire.“The 1989 single was a commentary on society and continues to be reinventedfor modern times, recently by Fall Out Boy in 2023.
However, as culturally defining as the song is, Joel has spoken multiple times about his dislike for it. Most notably, in 1993, Joel told documentary filmmaker David Horn (viaSmooth Radio) that the single is “a terrible piece of music” and “not much of a song.“Joel seems to particularly dislike the song’s melody, and even compared it to a dentist’s drill.
While the song was initially met with mixed reviews upon release,it immediately became a staple of pop culture. Plus, Joel’s dislike of “We Didn’t Start The Fire” has had no impact on the public’s perception of it.
The song becameJoel’s third #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chartsand remains one of the best-known songs of all time. While it may not be his best work artistically, it has had a lasting impact, and it’s unlikely anyone will forget about it anytime soon.
Why Billy Joel Continues Performing The Song Live Anyway
Joel Knows His Fans Love The 1989 Single
While Billy Joel doesn’t like “We Didn’t Start The Fire,” he surprisingly has not cut it from his setlists. Joel is known not to play “Just The Way You Are” because it was written for his ex-wife, but his 1989 single still makes the cut.
His shows would feel incomplete without the iconic song.
As much as he might find the song unappealing, crowds still go wild for his catchiest hit. Joel, like many singers, knows what their audiences want to hear, and his shows would feel incomplete without the iconic song. Up until the end of his Madison Square Garden residency in New York City,Joel still played the songfor his audience.
According to some live videos from the performances, the audience was ecstatic to sing along to the 1989 single. WhileBilly Joelopenly dislikes the song, knowing how much it means to his fans does seem to make it easier for him to play.
