STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF BILLY JOEL’S SONG “WE DIDN’T START THE FIRE”

Abstract

The present study is descriptive in nature and aims to provide a comprehensive stylistic analysis of Billy Joel’s song. It explores the rapid and transitory allusions to over one hundred significant events spanning 1949 to 1989, as referenced in the song following its release on the album Storm Front. These events are presented chronologically, reflecting occurrences for which Joel suggests “his generation” bears no direct responsibility. The song’s fast-paced stanzas incorporate fleeting references to 119 notable political, cultural, scientific, and socio-economic developments, highlighting the breadth and intensity of historical change. Stylistics, as a discipline, occupies a crucial position in the study of language and literature, offering a dynamic lens through which the structural and expressive dimensions of texts can be analyzed. To uncover the song’s deeper meanings, this study employs the linguistic and stylistic framework proposed by Leech and Short (2007), which allows for a detailed examination beyond broad linguistic observation. Through this approach, the research identifies Joel’s use of metaphors, anaphora, alliteration, and other figures of speech, which collectively animate ideas and create narrative cohesion. Analysis of these stylistic elements illuminates the literary techniques underpinning the song, while the song itself serves as the primary source of investigation. The study further draws on Norman Fairclough’s (1992) theoretical framework, situating the analysis within a critical discourse perspective that emphasizes the interplay between language, meaning, and social context.