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.
COME ON NOW
Big Star Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on, let the music get you movin'
Let 'em see that you're not losin'
See the clock, it's gettin' late now
Get you coat and fix your face
So, come on now
(Baby, come on now)
Well, it's getting late and we better go
(It's getting late and we better go)
Come on now
Come on now, while we still got time
Come on, baby, the sun is shinin'
Put your coat on and stop your whinin'
Oh, baby, oh, it's all right
So come on now
(Baby, come on now)
Well, come on now
Well, it's getting late and we better go
(It's getting late and we better go)
Come on now
Come on now, honey, and let me see
Just how much you do for me
I'm not waiting all night long
You told me to love you and that's all wrong
So come on now
(Baby, come on now)
Well, come on now
Well, it's getting late and we better go
(It's getting late and we better go)
The song "Come On Now" by Big Star is a song about seizing the moment and enjoying life while you still can. The lyrics encourage the listener to let loose, let the music move them, and not be afraid of looking like a "loser." The line "see the clock, it's getting late now" reminds us that life is finite and time is slipping away, so we should make the most of the time we have.
The chorus repeats the phrase "come on now" as if to urge the listener to join in the fun and not be left behind. The lyrics also seem to address a particular person, urging them to stop whining and complaining and to live in the moment. The line "you told me to love you and that's all wrong" hints at a relationship that has gone sour, but the singer is not dwelling on it and is instead urging the listener to come out and have a good time.
Overall, "Come On Now" is a fun, upbeat song that encourages the listener to let go of their worries and enjoy the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on now
Encouraging someone to act quickly and join the party
Come on, let the music get you movin'
Suggesting that the music will provide the energy for dancing and having fun
Let 'em see that you're not losin'
Advice to be confident and show others that you're enjoying the moment
See the clock, it's gettin' late now
Pointing out that time is running out to enjoy the night
Get you coat and fix your face
Preparing to leave and making sure to look good before doing so
Come on, baby, the sun is shinin'
Urging someone to take advantage of the good moment and enjoy the sunshine
Put your coat on and stop your whinin'
Encouraging someone to get ready and stop complaining
Oh, baby, oh, it's all right
Trying to reassure someone that everything is going well
Come on now, honey, and let me see
Requesting to see the effort and love put into the relationship
Just how much you do for me
Wanting to see how much the partner cares and contributes to the relationship
I'm not waiting all night long
Implying that there is a limit to how much waiting is acceptable
You told me to love you and that's all wrong
Expressing disappointment that the previous expectations were not met
Well, it's getting late and we better go
Stating that it's time to leave and go home before it becomes too late
Contributed by Brooklyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.