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.
Give Me Another Chance
Big Star Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm sorry, I'm sorry
Things I said made things seem bad
But don't worry
'Cause it's gonna be alright now
Be okay
You know I just don't think before I speak
Something to believe in my mind
And I thought it was you
All this time since you've been mine
I've been angry, so angry
Made it known I could make it alone
But I'm changing
And I'm gonna be alright now
Be okay
You know I just woke up and I see the way
Don't give up on me so fast
I see it's me that's wrong at last
Give me another chance
It's so hard just to stay alive each day
I really can't go on this way, oh no
Oh no
Hey, hey, eh, eh, eh, ah
Don't give up on me so fast
I see it's the end, it's wrong at last
Give me another chance
The lyrics to Big Star's song Give Me Another Chance express regret and apology for the things that the singer said and did that hurt the person they are addressing. The singer acknowledges their own fault in the situation and asks for forgiveness and another chance to make things right. The song is about redemption, self-discovery, and the desire to improve oneself.
The opening lines, "You feel sad 'cause I got mad / And I'm sorry, I'm sorry," set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is aware of how their actions have affected the other person and is genuinely apologetic. They go on to explain that they tend to speak before thinking and that they realized too late how much their words hurt.
The chorus, "Don't give up on me so fast / I see it's me that's wrong at last / Give me another chance," is the heart of the song. The singer is begging for forgiveness and a chance to make things right. They are aware that they messed up but are willing to change and become a better person for the sake of the relationship.
Overall, Give Me Another Chance is a vulnerable and honest portrayal of the journey towards self-improvement and making amends. It's a song that many people can relate to, and its message of redemption and hope resonates with audiences to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
You feel sad 'cause I got mad
You're sad because I got angry
And I'm sorry, I'm sorry
I apologize, I'm sorry
Things I said made things seem bad
I said hurtful things that made the situation worse
But don't worry
You don't need to worry
'Cause it's gonna be alright now
It's going to be okay now
Be okay
Everything is going to be fine
You know I just don't think before I speak
I apologize for speaking without thinking
I've been looking for to find
I've been searching for
Something to believe in my mind
Something to have faith in
And I thought it was you
I believed it was you
All this time since you've been mine
All this time that we've been together
I've been angry, so angry
I've been very angry
Made it known I could make it alone
I wanted you to know that I could do it without you
But I'm changing
I'm changing now
And I'm gonna be alright now
I'm going to be okay now
You know I just woke up and I see the way
I realized my mistakes and I understand now
Don't give up on me so fast
Don't abandon me too quickly
I see it's me that's wrong at last
I see that I am the one who is wrong
Give me another chance
Please give me one more opportunity
It's so hard just to stay alive each day
It's difficult to continue living everyday
I really can't go on this way, oh no
It's unbearable to continue living like this
Hey, hey, eh, eh, eh, ah
Non-lyrical sounds
Don't give up on me so fast
Please don't abandon me this quickly
I see it's the end, it's wrong at last
I now understand that it's the end and that I was wrong throughout
Give me another chance
Please give me one more opportunity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alex Chilton, Christopher Bell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brianna Bush
Lyrics
You feel sad 'cause I got mad
And I'm sorry, I'm sorry
Things I said made things seem bad
But don't worry
'Cause it's gonna be alright now
Be okay
You know I just don't think before I speak
I've been looking for to find
Something to believe in my mind
And I thought it was you
All this time since you've been mine
I've been angry, so angry
Made it known I could make it alone
But I'm changing
And I'm gonna be alright now
Be okay
You know I just woke up and I see the way
Don't give up on me so fast
I see it's me that's wrong at last
Give me another chance
It's so hard just to stay alive each day
I really can't go on this way, oh no
Oh no
Hey
Don't give up on me so fast
I see it's me that's wrong at last
Give me another chance
Justin Beck
Just discovered these guys today. Already listened to eery album. Absolutely incredible music
Dan Dugan
#1 record(1972)from Big Star is a heck of an album Mister Beck.Probably already heard it though.
thefeelcompany
...that must’ve been a hell of a day!
Raul Monzon
I just got "Sister Lovers" in the mail. Finding such musical gems is like fulfilling a bucket list. I own a lot of music and people ask me if I play. I say, "No, I'm just an avid listener. There are a lot of us and there a lot who can play some. Then there musicians, and then there the "Gifted". Those precious few whose songs and albums endure year after year. I cling to those albums. This song is a beautiful thumbnail sketch of this ensemble's works. So many make it big, but their works loose the luster so quickly. How does one explain the increasing appeal of a particular band? It continues to the point that we miss them so much, but are grateful for their contributions. My life may not be better for listening to such a band as Big Star, but I will say that my life is fuller for having listened to them and will to continue to appreciate their canon of melodies. Their songs touch deeply and I am better for that. Thank you so much for putting this out and thank you Big Star.
Autumn Childhood
Even after years, sometimes you don't know a song is about you until it is. Every word rings true, cuts like a knife. Thank you, Chris and Alex.
Sam Lawrence
This band does not get the attention they deserve :(
KissMySuccotash
Although I've been listening to my favorites cover their songs for decades, I really just found this band yesterday thanks to Youtube. Now I'm obsessed with them and their music. Anyone who wants the background on this incredible underrated band should watch the documentary "Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me."
Todd Kolod
Big Star can be incredibly proud of this tune!
Anthony Hunt
Chris and Alex were the perfect foils for each others music. Beautiful on so many levels......
Andrew Moore
I'm currently obsessed with this band. Its amazing they didn't make it big back then. The irony in a band name. Now i see why I like Wilco.