We Built This City

Starship's 'We Built This City' is an anthem that celebrates the spirit of rock and roll and its influence on the cultural and social fabric of a city. The repeated chorus, 'We built this city on rock an' roll,' serves as a proud declaration that the city's identity and vibrancy are rooted in the music and the subculture that it represents. The song suggests that the essence of the city is defined by the creativity, rebellion, and energy of rock music, which has been instrumental in shaping the community and its values.

The verses of the song touch on themes of disillusionment and conflict with the establishment. Phrases like 'knee deep in the hoopla' and 'someone's always playing corporation games' reflect a sense of frustration with the commercialization and bureaucratic control that threaten the authenticity of the city's rock heritage. The song criticizes those who are out of touch with the community ('Say you don't know me, or recognize my face') and those who attempt to undermine the cultural significance of rock music by relegating it to the background ('someone stole the stage').

Moreover, 'We Built This City' also alludes to the broader search for American identity ('Looking for America, coming through your schools') and the struggle to maintain cultural integrity in the face of change. The mention of Marconi, the inventor of the radio, symbolizes the importance of music as a form of communication and connection. The song is both a celebration of rock's legacy and a call to preserve its role in the face of a rapidly evolving urban landscape, where the pressures of commercial interests and societal change are ever-present.