"What comes to mind when you think of Starship' s eternal 1985 hit "We Built This City?" For most it'll be that bright, synth-heavy chorus, which is sung with such gusto by Grace Slick and Mickey Thomas that you can practically picture them fist-pumping in the vocal booth when they recorded it. Some people may hear "We Built This City" and just generally think about the mid '80s, where this brand of so-called "corporate rock" had reached a dominant apex in Reagan's America"
"Okay, true, it can be a little annoying. But "We Built This City" can't be the worst song ever. Because how can the worst song ever have such an incredible, deeply satisfying pre-chorus? That's what I think when "We Built This City" comes to mind: "Marconi plays the Mamba!/ Listen to the radio/ Don't you remember?," sung right before that mammoth of a hook."
Starship's 1985 single "We Built This City" features a bright, synth-heavy chorus sung by Grace Slick and Mickey Thomas with conspicuous gusto. The song epitomizes mid-'80s "corporate rock" aesthetics that many associate with Reagan-era, mall-polished commercialism. The lyrics present an anti-commercial take on San Francisco's musical history that clashes with the song's stadium-ready production. The single prompted debate about artistic surrender from fans familiar with the band's Jefferson Airplane roots. The song's pre-chorus—"Marconi plays the Mamba!/ Listen to the radio/ Don't you remember?"—is highlighted as a deeply satisfying melodic moment despite broader criticism.
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