Chilton said in the September 1994 issue of Guitar Player that he considers himself a "musical performer, not a songwriter" and that some of his songs sound only "half-baked" to him. Nonetheless, his compositions have been performed by a number of artists, including Teenage Fanclub, This Mortal Coil, The Bangles, Wilco, Graham Coxon, Garbage, Tom Bradbury, Son Volt, Counting Crows, Elliott Smith, Jeff Buckley, Superdrag, Evan Dando, Cat Power, Yo La Tengo, Placebo, Xiu Xiu, and His Name Is Alive. The Replacements wrote the song Alex Chilton in his honor on their 1987 Pleased to Meet Me album, produced by Jim Dickinson in Memphis.
On March 17, 2010, Alex Chilton died of an apparent heart attack in a hospital in New Orleans. He was 59.
Thirteen
Alex Chilton 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 fro the dance,
And I`ll take you,
ooo ooo ooo.
Won`t you tell your dad get off my back?
Rock and roll is here to stay,
Come inside now it`s ok,
And I`ll shake you,
ooo ooo ooo.
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,
ooo ooo ooo.
The song "Thirteen" written by Alex Chilton describes a young boy's infatuation with a girl. He begins by asking to walk her home from school and meet her at the pool, and expresses his desire to take her to the dance on Friday. He then encourages her to stand up to her father and tell him about their mutual love for rock and roll music. Alex Chilton contrasts this innocent first love with the presence of adult themes such as rebellion ("outlaw for my love") and sexuality ("shake you").
The lyrics in "Thirteen" capture the essence of teenage romance - sweet, innocent, and hopeful. Alex Chilton uses simple language to convey the feelings of his young protagonist. The song highlights the importance of communication and honesty in a relationship, as the boy asks the girl to express what she is thinking and feeling. While the song may seem like a simple love song on the surface, it also touches on the societal changes that were happening in the 1960s as youth culture began to assert itself in a more significant way.
Line by Line Meaning
Won`t you let me walk you home from school?
Can I be your protector and accompany you home from school?
Won`t you let me meet you at the pool?
Shall we hang out by the pool together?
Maybe Friday I can, Get tickets fro the dance, And I`ll take you, ooo ooo ooo.
Perhaps on Friday, I could arrange for us to dance together and be close to you.
Won`t you tell your dad get off my back?
Can you please ask your dad to stop being against us?
Tell him what we said `bout "Paint It Black,"
Share with him our love for the rebellious and free-spirited rock and roll lifestyle.
Rock and roll is here to stay, Come inside now it`s ok, And I`ll shake you, ooo ooo ooo.
Demonstrate to your family that rock and roll isn't just a phase, and it won't harm you, and I will provide comforting support.
Won`t you tell me what you`re thinking of?
Can you confide in me and share your innermost thoughts?
Would you be an outlaw for my love?
Would you be willing to defy societal norms and conventions just to be with me?
If it`s so then let me know, If it`s no then I can go, And I won`t make you, ooo ooo ooo.
Please tell me honestly if this relationship isn't what you want, and I'll accept it without pressuring you.
Contributed by Lila N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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