Thirteen
Big Star Lyrics
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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
@DamienMcGuinness
[Verse 1]
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-hoo
[Verse 2]
Won't you tell your dad get off my back?
Tell him what we said about "Paint It, Black"
Rock and roll is here to stay, come inside, well, it's okay
And I'll shake you, ooh-hoo
[Verse 3]
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
I won't make you, ooh-hoo
@housevo330
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
@indigopisces
This song has meant so much to me over the years…. I was just playing my own version and suddenly broke down crying remembering my brother Frank and I listening to it years ago in our teens. He just passed away Easter 2023. So much depth and heart in this simple ballad. Thank you Big Star
@marksr8784
May he RIP
@bobsbigboy_
this is not therapy. this is a youtube comment section, sir
@KungFuKenny10
Hope you have let go.
@the_dwarf_135
That 70s show brought me here. Such a beautiful and simple song. It's really sad that old music is being overlooked for new music.
@simonappel2599
People always appreciate what has come before, you just have to listen enough. Elliott Smith did a great cover of this song over 20 years after its release. Things take time
@kimfelgenhauer3356
Me too 🫶🏻
@ledsith
Love .
@lamestudiosinc418
Not by me, brother. Big Star are one of the best bands of alternative music.
@colinwilson4609
I was introduced to Big Star by the Replacements song Alex Chilton. Thanks, Replacements!