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.
Motel Blues
Big Star Lyrics
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What can a lonely rock 'n' roller do?
Bed so big, the sheets are clean
You're girlfriend said you were nineteen
The Styrofoam ice bucket's full of ice
Come up to my motel room and treat me nice
I don't wanna stare at those ugly grass mat walls
Chronologically I know you're young
But when you kissed me in the club you bit my tongue
I'll write a song for you and put it on my next LP
Come up to my motel room and sleep with me
There's a Bible in the drawer, don't be afraid
I'll put up a sign to warn the cleanup maid
There's lots of soap and lots of towels
Never mind those desk clerk scowls
I'll buy you breakfast, they'll think you're my wife
Come up to my motel room and save my life
The song "Motel Blues" by Big Star tells the story of a lonely rock 'n' roller who is seeking companionship in a small town where the TV shuts off at 2 am. The singer is stuck in a large bed with clean sheets and is tempted to reach out to someone by inviting them to his motel room. He recalls an encounter in a club where he was bitten on the tongue by a young girl who he believes is chronologically young. He offers to write a song for her and put it in his next album if she agrees to come to his room and spend the night with him.
The song paints a picture of a rock star who is alone and craving intimacy. The lyrics focus on the small, mundane details of life on the road, such as the Styrofoam ice bucket that is full of ice in the motel room. In contrast, the singer is offering to make a big gesture, such as writing a song for his potential lover. The song has an underlying sense of desperation, with the singer offering breakfast and even pretending that his lover is his wife to save his life.
The song captures the loneliness and longing for connection that many musicians, especially those who tour often, experience. The lyrics are straightforward but capture the emotions of the singer clearly.
Line by Line Meaning
In this town, television shuts off at two
In this place, the television stops broadcasting after 2 am.
What can a lonely rock 'n' roller do?
What options does a solitary rock and roll musician have?
Bed so big, the sheets are clean
The bed is quite large, and the linens are immaculate.
You're girlfriend said you were nineteen
Your partner claimed that you were 19 years old.
The Styrofoam ice bucket's full of ice
The foam ice container is brimming with ice cubes.
Come up to my motel room and treat me nice
Come to my room in the motel and show me kindness.
I don't wanna make no late night New York calls
I don't want to make any phone calls to New York in the middle of the night.
I don't wanna stare at those ugly grass mat walls
I don't want to look at those ugly walls covered in woven grass mats.
Chronologically I know you're young
In terms of age, I know you're relatively young.
But when you kissed me in the club you bit my tongue
But when you kissed me in the club, you accidentally bit my tongue.
I'll write a song for you and put it on my next LP
I will compose a track in your honor and integrate it into my next long-playing album.
Come up to my motel room and sleep with me
Come to my motel room and stay the night with me.
There's a Bible in the drawer, don't be afraid
There is a Bible in the compartment, so don't be fearful.
I'll put up a sign to warn the cleanup maid
I'll put a sign out to alert the housekeeper.
There's lots of soap and lots of towels
There are plenty of towels and soap accessible.
Never mind those desk clerk scowls
Don't pay attention to the displeased expressions from the clerk at the front desk.
I'll buy you breakfast, they'll think you're my wife
I will provide you with breakfast, causing others to believe you are my spouse.
Come up to my motel room and save my life
Please come to my motel room and rescue me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Loudon Snowden Wainwright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Written by Loudon Wainwright III