What makes We Built This City by Starship notable?

The album's title track became one of the most recognizable songs of the decade, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, it also faced significant backlash, with critics labeling it as emblematic of corporate rock's decline, igniting discussions about authenticity in music. Released in 1985, We Built This City marked Starship's transition into a more mainstream sound following the breakup of Jefferson Starship. This was their first major release after the band's rebranding and came during a period of commercial peak, as they sought to capture the evolving pop landscape.

How many songs are on We Built This City?

We Built This City has 3 tracks, running approximately 16 minutes.

We Built This City

Starship · 1985

16 min · 3 tracks · new wave

A polished blend of rock and new wave that captures the tensions of a changing musical landscape in the mid-1980s.

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Top tracks — play these first

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We Built This City (4:54) — The anthem encapsulates the struggles of musicians against commercial pressures, symbolizing a pivotal moment in rock history where artistic integrity faced industry challenges.
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We Built This City (Special club mix) (7:00) — This extended version offers a glimpse into the dance-oriented side of mid-80s music, showcasing how pop and rock were merging in club culture.
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Private Room (instrumental) (4:54) — As an instrumental track, it provides a contrasting sonic landscape that highlights the band's versatility, allowing listeners to engage with mood over lyrics.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 We Built This City (Special club mix) 7:00
2 We Built This City 4:54
3 Private Room (instrumental) 4:54

What to play next

Listen next

Knee Deep in the Hoopla

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new wave

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata