Thirteen
Big Star Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't you let me meet you at the pool?
Maybe Friday I can
Get tickets for the dance
And I'll take you, ooh-ooh
Won't you tell your dad, "Get off my back"
Tell him what we said 'bout 'Paint It Black'
Rock and Roll is here to stay
Come inside where it's okay
And I'll shake you, ooh-ooh
Won't you tell me what you're thinking of?
Would you be an outlaw for my love?
If it's so, well, let me know
If it's no, well, I can go
I won't make you, ooh-ooh
The song "Thirteen" by Big Star is a romantic ballad about a young boy who is infatuated with a girl and is asking her to let him into her life. He is asking for simple things at first, to walk her home from school and to meet her at the pool. As the song progresses, he starts to become bolder and asks her to go to the dance with him. He also asks her to rebel against her father’s authority and embrace Rock and Roll. He wants her to come inside where it’s okay and he will shake her.
The boy is not just asking the girl to be his girlfriend, but he is also questioning her thoughts and feelings about him. He then asks if she would be willing to go against the status quo and be an outlaw for his love. He emphasizes that he won’t force her to do anything, but if she does feel the same way, she should let him know.
The song portrays a sweet, innocent and genuine love, which is rare to find in today's music. The lyrics describe the feeling of falling in love for the first time and the excitement that comes with it. The melody is simple and soft, but it conveys the emotions of the boy who is telling the girl how much he loves her.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you let me walk you home from school?
Asking the girl if she will allow the singer to accompany her home from school
Won't you let me meet you at the pool?
Asking the girl if she would like to meet the singer at the pool
Maybe Friday I can
Get tickets for the dance
And I'll take you, ooh-ooh
Suggesting a date for Friday's dance and offering to take the girl on it
Won't you tell your dad, "Get off my back"
Tell him what we said 'bout 'Paint It Black'
Asking the girl to confront her father and tell him about their conversation about 'Paint It Black'
Rock and Roll is here to stay
Come inside where it's okay
And I'll shake you, ooh-ooh
Promoting the significance and longevity of rock and roll and urging the girl to come inside and dance
Won't you tell me what you're thinking of?
Would you be an outlaw for my love?
If it's so, well, let me know
If it's no, well, I can go
I won't make you, ooh-ooh
Asking the girl what she thinks of him, questioning if she would be willing to break societal norms for him, and assuring her that he will respect her decision
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alex Chilton, Christopher Bell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oppothumbs1
Dylan let me make a few points. You are one handsome guy but maybe you missed out on the things Alex Chilton is talking about and I don't know your age but you can catch up I hope. I missed it too and I am crying with you. Try to make the best of the life you have. What makes this song so great? It's not to pretty, the lyrics are real. Thank goodness a girl didn't sing this or write the great lyrics or some super flossy band of today doesn't do this. I hope?
Won't you let me walk you home from school?
Won't you let me meet you at the pool?
Maybe Friday I can
Get tickets for the dance
And I'll take you, ooh-ooh
Won't you tell your dad, "Get off my back"
Tell him what we said 'bout 'Paint It Black'
Rock and Roll is here to stay
Come inside where it's okay
And I'll shake you, ooh-ooh
Won't you tell me what you're thinking of?
Would you be an outlaw for my love?
If it's so, well, let me know
If it's no, well, I can go
I won't make you, ooh-ooh
@user-ti6cb2yi8u
Won't you let me walk you home from school?
Won't you let me meet you at the pool?
Maybe Friday I can
Get tickets for the dance
And I'll take you
Oh, oh, oh
Won't you tell your dad to get off my back?
Tell him what we said about "Paint It Black"
Rock and roll is here to stay
Come inside now, it's ok
And I'll shake you
Oh, oh, oh
Won't you tell me what you're thinking of?
Would you be an outlaw for my love?
If it's so then let me know
If it's no then I can go
And I won't make you
Oh, oh, oh
@vinesauce
I am both surprised and extremely pleased to see this song has over a million views. Big Star was one of the very best and it's great to see them get some well deserved attention.
@srn7878
You should play sanic ball not .use super sanic And I dare you to explore lava core and if you do not find the Easter egg there you will be very disappointed
@BilisNegra
somerandom name I´m wonderin' what kind of dope are you into....
@strikersun14
I honestly know this song from That 70's Show. I've come into contact with a lot of good music through series. And I agree, this song definitely deserves the attention.
@reahshin
VINESAUCE YOU ARE AMAZING OH MY GOD SO RANDOM SEEING YOUR COMMENT HERE (YOU TOTALLY DONT KNOW ME BUT yES)
@marikwondo
Tim Smink Same! Just watched that episode and had to hear the whole song!
@george.5145
I’m turning 14 in 6 minutes and i just thought i should have one last moment being 13. Such a beautiful song to end it off with.
@lisamarie1929
Oh please enjoy being 14… before you know it, you’re 35… 💜. Best wishes
@rylieb1334
Time is precious and fleeting. Enjoy your youth, be wild and free, and don’t waste your time worrying about tomorrow when you’ve still got today. Good luck kid. 💛
@kelechi_77
Wish I knew of this band and this song when I was 13! Seventeen now, you've got amazing taste