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.
Jesus Christ
Big Star Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stars shone bright above
Royal David's city
Was bathed in the light of love
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Fine and pure of voice
And the wrong shall fail
And the right prevail
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
And we're gonna get born now
The song "Jesus Christ" by Big Star is a beautiful and poetic representation of the birth of Jesus. The song starts with "Angels from the realms of glory", which refers to the appearance of angels announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds nearby. The stars shining bright above represent the guiding star that led the wise men to Bethlehem to witness the birth of the Messiah.
"Royal David's city was bathed in the light of love" refers to the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem, which was also the birthplace of David, the great king of Israel. The light of love represents the divine presence that filled the city at the time of Jesus' birth.
The lyrics "Lo, they did rejoice, fine and pure of voice, and the wrong shall fail, and the right prevail" acknowledges the celebration of Jesus' birth by the angels and the wise men. The message of the song is clear: with the arrival of Jesus, good will triumph over evil, and the world will be a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
Angels from the realms of glory
The divine beings from the highest places of existence
Stars shone bright above
The celestial bodies sparkled magnificently
Royal David's city
The place where King David once ruled
Was bathed in the light of love
The city was illuminated with the warmth of affection
Jesus Christ was born today
The Savior of humanity arrived into the world on this day
Jesus Christ was born
The birth of the Redeemer of mankind took place
Lo, they did rejoice
Behold, they exulted in delight
Fine and pure of voice
They sang beautifully and cleanly
And the wrong shall fail
Evil will be defeated
And the right prevail
Goodness will triumph
Jesus Christ was born today
The day of the Messiah's birth has arrived
Jesus Christ was born
The world witnessed the coming of the Christ
And we're gonna get born now
We will be reborn through Him
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alex Chilton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leannmeixner8073
Never understood why the hipper radio stations never played this around Christmas.... its genius.
@elisecliftonklitz
Not many hip radio stations left I guess. I was Alex's friend he wrote this at my bandmates home on Vinton
@elisecliftonklitz
It may have been Carr Ave. (One street over). Wow the 70s were so long ago. Thank you friends! Didn't realize musical history was being recorded at that time right in Overton Square @ Ardent Studios.(which is a story in itself).
@elisecliftonklitz
@jenkinscrowe pajama party on Saturdays at Wevl🧁
@23Dakini
WXCI in Danbury, CT played it at Christmas on their annual Xmas Show with Daryl Ort!
@menglund08
agreed
@jchis9852
The beauty and simplicity of the song makes it my fav Big Star tune.
@natelately8932
Praise the Lord! "Now we're gonna get born (again)!" through faith in Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose again for our justification!
@elisecliftonklitz
Rip Alex. You wrote this right on Vinton Ave in Midtown Memphis! I love you Alex and Jesus too❤❤❤ 🎶 ❤❤❤❤❤❤
@averyadrian1534
Amazingly sweet heavenly earthy tune... Jesus approves❣❣❣