In 1985, Grace Slick made the biggest “mistake” of her career thanks to Elton John. Now, it has been streamed 780,000,000 times
Jefferson Starship’s 1985 hit ‘We Built This City’ became Grace Slick’s biggest commercial success, despite her considering it a poor song. The story describes how she agreed to record it while trying to make amends with the band after being fired, and how a track she disliked helped revive their fortunes.
Slick objected to Bernie Taupin’s lyrics, arguing that Los Angeles was built on oil, oranges and the film business, but the producer predicted the song would be a hit. It reached number one in the US, sold more than a million copies and has accumulated about 780 million Spotify streams. Elton John’s power-pop sound is cited as an influence on the band’s direction.
In short
- Grace Slick called ‘We Built This City’ a mistake.
- The 1985 hit reached number one in the US.
- It has about 780 million Spotify streams.
Explained simply
Jefferson Starship were an American rock band that grew out of Jefferson Airplane, a prominent group of the 1960s. Grace Slick, who had been a singer with both bands, left Jefferson Starship after being fired and later returned to record with them.
‘We Built This City’ was written by Bernie Taupin, known for his songwriting partnership with Elton John, and producer Peter Wolf. Slick disliked its lyrics about Los Angeles and thought the city’s real foundations were oil, oranges and films; the song’s sound also drew on the polished pop then associated with artists such as John. Its success became a major commercial moment for the band and for Slick, despite her reservations.