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.
Femme Fatale
Big Star Lyrics
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She's going to break your heart in two, it's true
It's not hard to realize
Just look into her false colored eyes
She builds you up to just put you down, what a clown
[Chorus:]
'Cause everybody knows
The things she does to please
(She's a femme fatale)
She's just a little tease
(She's a femme fatale)
See the way she walks
Hear the way she talks
You're put down in her book
You're number 37, have a look
She's going to smile to make you frown, what a clown
Little boy, she's from the street
Before you start, you're already beat
She's gonna play you for a fool, yes it's true
[Chorus]
The song "Femme Fatale" by Big Star is evocative of the dangerous, seductive figures of film noir. The lyrics describe a woman who appears magnetic and irresistible, but ultimately is a heartbreaker. The singer warns the listener to be cautious in their affections toward her, noting that her intentions are not pure. The phrase "femme fatale" itself is French for "fatal woman", which creates a sense of foreboding and danger.
The opening lines suggest that the woman is someone to be feared, as she will "break your heart in two." However, the singer acknowledges that it is not difficult to see through her facade, as he describes her eyes as being "false colored." The chorus further solidifies her reputation as a dangerous woman, stating that "everybody knows" what she is capable of. Even when she is trying to please, she is simply teasing those who fall under her spell. The verse about being "put down in her book" reinforces the idea that the woman is calculating and manipulative.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a woman who is both alluring and perilous. The singer advises the listener to be wary of her charms, as becoming involved with her will inevitably lead to heartbreak. Through its use of vivid, film noir-inspired language and a catchy pop-rock sound, "Femme Fatale" captures the seductive danger that has come to define this iconic character in pop culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Here she comes, you better watch your step
Be careful, because she is coming and might ruin everything
She's going to break your heart in two, it's true
She will hurt you emotionally, and it's true
It's not hard to realize
It's easy to see and understand
Just look into her false colored eyes
Her deception is evident in her eyes that seem fake
She builds you up to just put you down, what a clown
She makes you feel good about yourself only to bring you down later. It's ridiculous
'Cause everybody knows
Everyone is aware that
(She's a femme fatale)
She is a woman who seduces and ruins men
The things she does to please
The actions she takes to satisfy her desires
(She's a femme fatale)
She is a dangerous woman
She's just a little tease
She flirts and plays with men for her own amusement
(She's a femme fatale)
She has a tendency to thoroughly destroy people's lives
See the way she walks
Observe how she moves
Hear the way she talks
Listen to how she speaks
You're put down in her book
She writes you off as insignificant
You're number 37, have a look
In her order of priorities, you rank low
She's going to smile to make you frown, what a clown
She will use her charming smile to hurt and upset you. It's ridiculous
Little boy, she's from the street
Don't be fooled by her appearance, she is from the wrong side of the tracks
Before you start, you're already beat
You're going to lose before you even begin
She's gonna play you for a fool, yes it's true
She is going to take advantage of you and make you look foolish. That's the truth
(Chorus)
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lou Reed
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind