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.
Morpha Too
Big Star Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I might call (might call) and I might need some help
I'm an old shoe and I don't know what to do
I'm in love with you
Kitty asked me to read her stars
I had liked her (liked her) from afar
Going to play with your heart
But there you are
The lyrics to "Morpha Too" by Big Star are an enigmatic expression of the singer's deep fondness for someone who might put themselves in harm's way if they don't act carefully. The first line is a warning that the object of affection is "too small" and they could "hurt themselves" if they don't watch out. This might be interpreted as an allusion to the person's stature or fragility, or perhaps to their tendency to take dangerous risks. The singer then hints that they might need to ask for help at some point but are unsure whether they should. The following line is more cryptic: "I'm an old shoe and I don't know what to do." This may be a way of saying that the singer feels worn out and useless, but it could also be interpreted as a metaphor for an old, comfortable relationship that doesn't know how to evolve beyond its established patterns. The chorus is a simple yet powerful declaration of love: "I'm in love with you."
The second verse introduces a character named Kitty, who asks the singer to read her stars. It is revealed that the singer has had feelings for Kitty from afar, but "knew not to start" playing with her heart. However, despite this caution, the singer confesses that they are still drawn to Kitty, and she is there in front of them. The lyrics do not spell out what happens next, leaving the listener to ponder whether the singer takes a chance on love or continues to admire Kitty from afar.
Line by Line Meaning
Morpha too small, you're going to hurt yourself
Your capabilities and ambitions are bigger than what you can handle, and you might end up causing harm to yourself.
I might call (might call) and I might need some help
I might reach out to you for assistance in dealing with the difficulties that come with pursuing what I desire.
I'm an old shoe and I don't know what to do
I feel outdated and uncertain about how to navigate this situation.
I'm in love with you
I am deeply infatuated with you.
Kitty asked me to read her stars
Kitty requested that I interpret her horoscope.
I had liked her (liked her) from afar
I had been attracted to Kitty from a distance before this interaction.
Going to play with your heart
I am afraid that my actions or intentions might hurt you emotionally.
I knew not to start
I knew that getting involved with you could potentially cause harm or complications.
But there you are
Despite my reservations, you are still present and affecting my emotions.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEX CHILTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ambientideas1
One of my favourite songs on the record, such understated beauty.