Big Star is often cited as a prime example of power pop. Drawing upon pop music traditions — especially The Beatles, The Byrds, The Kinks, The Zombies, Badfinger, The Who, Moby Grape, The Beach Boys and Free — Big Star's music was lyrical, powerful, and at times melancholic pop for the post-1960s generation. Their approach not only recalled the British Invasion groups but the spare, relaxed style of Stax Records, the Memphis soul label, as well as the edgy rockabilly of early Sun Records. In an era of singer-songwriters and heavy-metal groups, they played melodic, concisely written songs. Their reputation, negligible in 1974 beyond a small coterie of admirers, has steadily grown, and they are today considered one of pop's classic groups.
Big Star was formed in 1971 in Memphis, Tennessee, United States by guitarist/vocalist Chris Bell, bassist Andy Hummel, drummer Jody Stephens, and guitarist/vocalist Alex Chilton. All four at times contributed to the songwriting and lead vocals, with Chilton and Bell singing and writing the majority of the early songs as a team modeled after Lennon and McCartney's collaborative style. Chilton, a former teen pop idol, and Bell had a musically fruitful but difficult relationship. The band's first two albums had a string of great reviews but sold almost nothing, not helped by Stax's struggle to know how to sell a bunch of white guys playing retro rock. The failure to break through was a huge blow to Chilton and Bell, and their relationship deteriorated, and by the time their third album Third/Sister Lovers came around, Bell had left to pursue a solo career that was cut short by his untimely death.
Chilton and Stephens have toured since 1993 under the Big Star name with Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow of The Posies in the band. This lineup released the album In Space in 2005.
After the EP Live Tribute to Alex Chilton was released in June 2011, Stephens wrote on the Ardent blog that the tribute performance in May 2010 was the last performance for Big Star as a band.
On March 17th, 2010, Alex Chilton passed away in a New Orleans hospital at the age of 59. Big Star was scheduled to play at SXSW that week. Andy Hummel died of cancer in Weatherford, Texas, on 19 July 2010 .
Big Star has gained more recent exposure with bands like Superdrag, Weezer, R.E.M., The Replacements, Primal Scream, the Posies, Bill Lloyd and the dB's citing them as an influence. Three of Big Star’s albums, Radio City, #1 Record, and Third/Sister Lovers were included in Rolling Stone magazine’s "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" in 2003.
Big Star's biggest champions have been Teenage Fanclub who have been involved in re-issuing some of their work and even named one of their albums after one Big Star's most affecting songs, "thirteen". It was a song covered live on occasion by Elliott Smith who was clearly influenced by Chilton's vocal style (the similarities in the higher vocal register are notable there and on Give Me Another Chance and I'm in Love with a Girl). The Bangles also scored a hit in the 80s with their cover of "September Gurls". Cheap Trick have recorded several covers of "In The Street" for use as the theme song for the sitcom That '70s Show.
Paul Westerberg wrote and recorded ( with his band, The Replacements) the song "Alex Chilton", which contains the line, "I never travel far, without a little Big Star." Westerberg lists Chilton as one of his greatest influences, and has covered "September Gurls" live, both solo and with his band.
All I See Is You
Big Star Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You baby
I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
You
All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need
Won't you please bring my baby to me
Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want him for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
All I want for Christmas is you baby
All I want for Christmas is you baby
The song "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Big Star is a heartfelt and simple declaration of love and desire during the holiday season. The lyrics express a longing for a special someone to be present on Christmas, emphasizing that their presence is the only gift the singer truly desires. The song captures the essence of Christmas not being about material possessions, but about being with loved ones.
In the first verse, the singer states that they don't want a lot for Christmas, indicating that their desire is singular and focused. They don't care about the presents under the Christmas tree; all they want is their loved one. They express the intensity of their longing by saying that this person is more important to them than they could ever know.
The second verse continues to emphasize the singer's indifference towards material gifts. They mention that they don't need stockings or toys from Santa Claus. Again, their sole desire is to be with their loved one. They convey their willingness to wait patiently, even under the mistletoe, without making any specific requests or sending letters to Santa. All they want is their loved one to be there, holding them tight.
The chorus repeats the sentiment from the first verse, reiterating that all the singer wants for Christmas is their loved one. They express a sense of purity and simplicity in their desire, emphasizing that their love surpasses any material possessions. The song creates a warm and romantic atmosphere, capturing the essence of the holiday season and the joy of being with someone you love.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want a lot for Christmas
I desire something simple and meaningful this Christmas
There's just one thing I need
There is only one thing that truly matters to me
I don't care about the presents
Material gifts hold no significance to me
Underneath the Christmas tree
Regardless of what is wrapped up in festive packages
I just want you for my own
Having you close to me is my ultimate desire
More than you could ever know
The depth of my longing for you surpasses your understanding
Make my wish come true
Grant my heartfelt desire
All I want for Christmas
This is the only thing I truly desire this holiday season
Is you
I long to have you by my side
I don't need to hang my stocking
Decorating or receiving traditional stocking gifts holds no value to me
There upon the fireplace
On the mantelpiece of warmth and comfort
Santa Claus won't make me happy
The mythical figure of Santa Claus cannot bring me true joy
With a toy on Christmas day
Being gifted with material possessions on this day has no lasting effect on my happiness
I won't ask for much this Christmas
I have modest desires for this holiday season
I won't even wish for snow
I don't long for the traditional snowy scenery
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Patiently anticipating the arrival of what truly matters to me
Underneath the mistletoe
I will remain in the symbolic place of love and affection
I won't make a list and send it
I won't compile a list of desires and send it off
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't rely on the mythical figure of Santa Claus to fulfill my wishes
I won't even stay awake to
I won't force myself to stay awake
Hear those magic reindeer click
To listen for the sound of the imaginary reindeer on the rooftop
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Because all I truly desire is to have you here with me tonight
Holding on to me so tight
Embracing me with a firm and loving grip
What more can I do
There is nothing else I can do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
My heart's sincere wish is to have you as my Christmas gift
All the lights are shining
The illumination and brightness fill the surroundings
So brightly everywhere
Easily seen and spread throughout all places
And the sound of children's
The joyful noise created by the laughter of children
Laughter fills the air
Permeates the atmosphere with joy and mirth
And everyone is singing
The collective voices of all resonating in song
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
The bells attached to the sleigh can be heard chiming
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need
Santa, I implore you to fulfill my heart's desire and bring me the one I truly yearn for
Won't you please bring my baby to me
I sincerely beseech you to deliver my beloved to my presence
Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
I have no extravagant wishes for this holiday season
This is all I'm asking for
My request is simple and singular
I just want to see my baby
The only thing I yearn for is to lay eyes upon my beloved
Standing right outside my door
Being present directly outside the entrance to my abode
Oh I just want him for my own
Having him solely and exclusively as my own
More than you could ever know
The depth of my longing exceeds what you can comprehend
Make my wish come true
Actualize and fulfill the desire within my heart
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
My only genuine Christmas wish is to have you as my beloved
All I want for Christmas is you baby
My sole desire and aspiration for this festive season is to have you, my love
All I want for Christmas is you baby
Having you, my dearest, is the only thing that truly matters to me this Christmas
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Mariah Carey, Walter N. Afanasieff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wildmercuryfilms
Prince wrote this song.
I think everyone is simply reminded of when Sinead & Prince fought.
Sinead O’Connor & Prince - The Fight They Had In Los Angeles
This is from Far Out Magazine in 2021.
While most young and impressionable singers would likely do anything to impress Prince, O’Connor has always been an outlier, and her fiery Irish nature stops her from being submissive. “We tried to beat each other up,” O’Connor told Good Morning Britain in 2019. “This is not a joke, it was a really frightening experience. It was in LA, he summoned me to his house and foolishly I went along. He was uncomfortable that I wasn’t his protégé and he wanted me to be. He was wanting me to be a protégé of his and ordered that I don’t swear in my interviews. I told him where he could go”.
According to O’Connor, the mood changed after this comment, and then the situation descended into violence: “He went upstairs and got a pillow and he had something hard in the pillow. I ran out of his house, hiding behind a tree,” she claimed. “We meet on the highway in Malibu at five in the morning – I’m spitting at him, he’s trying to punch me. I had to go ring someone’s doorbell, which my father always told me to do if I was in a situation like that”.
@thevibeguide
Rest in peace Sinead
@Grubbly10
She was a nutjob
@memoriesmarmymind...5587
OMG what's wrong with you you also commented on Tina turner videos
@Grubbly10
@@memoriesmarmymind...5587 no I didn’t..
@Ramblin-Man
@@memoriesmarmymind...5587 She's dead, aged 56. Irish Times were the first to report it...
@editek5992
@@memoriesmarmymind...5587 She died...what is wrong with you?
@robertthompson5908
I saw her in concert with my wife , about 35 years ago. We were both big fans. My wife passed away about 10 years ago. RIP Sinead and RIP my wife.
@yevhenukrainianer4781
Keep strong. I hope you have a friend you can share your memories with.
@merkudo258
I am sorry to hear. Lets hope they jam togheter now
@KH_FYM
I'm sorry my guy. Hopefully one day you'll be with your wife again.