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.
Back Of A Car
Big Star Lyrics
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Music so loud, can't tell a thing
Thinking 'bout what to say
And I can't find the lines
You know I love you a lot
I just don't know, should I not?
Waiting for a brighter day
I'll go on and on with you
Like to fall and lie with you
I love you, too
Wo, wo, wo
Baby, I'm too afraid
I just don't know if it's okay
Trying to get away
From everything
Won't you take me home?
It's gone too far inside this car
I know I'll feel a whole lot more
When I get alone
I'll go on and on with you
Like to fall in love with you
I love you too
Wo, wo, wo
Sitting in the back of a car
Music so loud, can't tell a thing
Thinking 'bout what to say
And I can't find the lines
The lyrics to Big Star's song Back Of A Car seem to describe a couple sitting in the backseat of a car, listening to music so loud they can't hear anything else. The singer is struggling with his feelings towards his partner, unsure whether he should express his love for them or not. He seems to be waiting for the right time or a "brighter day" to say something, but can't find the courage or the words. He loves them "a lot," but is "too afraid" to take things further.
The singer's internal conflict creates a sense of tension and makes the listener feel the weight of unspoken words. This tension is echoed in the music, which builds throughout the song until it reaches a climax towards the end. The repetition of "I'll go on and on with you, like to fall in love with you, I love you too," creates a sense of longing, as if the singer is trying to convince himself as well as his partner of his feelings.
Overall, this song is a bittersweet reflection of the complexities of love and relationships. It captures the feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability that come with falling in love and the struggle to communicate those feelings to the ones we care about.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting in the back of a car
The singer is sitting in the backseat of a car.
Music so loud, can't tell a thing
The music in the car is very loud and the singer can't hear anything else.
Thinking 'bout what to say
The singer is thinking about what they want to say to someone.
And I can't find the lines
The artist is struggling to find the right words to express themselves.
You know I love you a lot
The artist is expressing their love for someone.
I just don't know, should I not?
The singer is uncertain about whether or not they should express their love.
Waiting for a brighter day
The singer is hopeful that things will get better in the future.
And I can't find a way
The artist is struggling to find a path forward.
I'll go on and on with you
The artist is willing to continue their relationship with someone.
Like to fall and lie with you
The artist enjoys being close to this person.
I love you, too
The singer repeats their expression of love.
Baby, I'm too afraid
The artist admits to feeling scared.
I just don't know if it's okay
The singer is uncertain about whether or not their feelings are acceptable.
Trying to get away
The singer is contemplating how they can distance themselves from their current situation.
From everything
The singer wants to escape from every aspect of their current situation.
Won't you take me home?
The artist is asking someone to take them back to their own home.
It's gone too far inside this car
The artist feels that things have escalated too much within the confines of the car they're in.
I know I'll feel a whole lot more
The singer believes that they will be more comfortable and at ease once they are alone.
When I get alone
The singer looks forward to being alone.
Sitting in the back of a car
The song's opening line is repeated as a closing line.
Music so loud, can't tell a thing
The song's second line is repeated as a closing line.
Thinking 'bout what to say
The song's third line is repeated as a closing line.
And I can't find the lines
The song's fourth line is repeated as a closing line.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEX CHILTON, ANDY HUMMEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind