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.
The Ballad Of El Goodo
Big Star Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I've been trying hard against unbelievable odds
It gets so hard in times like now to hold on
The guns they wait to be stuck by
At my side is God
And there ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
There's people around who tell you that they know
The places where they send you, and it's easy to go
They'll zip you up and dress you down
And stand you in a row
But you know you don't have to
You could just say no
And there ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
I've been built up and trusted
Broke down and busted
But they'll get theirs and we'll get ours
Just if we can
Just, ah, hold on
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
Years ago, my heart was set to live, oh
And I've been trying hard against strong odds
It gets so hard in times like now to hold on
Well, I'll fall if I don't fight
And at my side is God
And there ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
"The Ballad Of El Goodo" by Big Star is a song about resilience, fighting against the odds, and holding on to hope in difficult times. The lyrics talk about the challenges the singer faced in pursuing their dreams and how they have been built up and broken down in their journey. The mention of guns waiting to be stuck by and the singer’s statement that at their side is God suggest a struggle for survival.
The second verse of the song is a commentary on conformity and societal pressure to adhere to a certain way of life. The singer warns against following the crowd blindly and instead encourages individuality and standing up for oneself. The chorus, "Ain't no one going to turn me 'round" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the message of determination and resilience.
Overall, the song is about maintaining faith and hope in the face of challenges and not giving up on oneself or one’s dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Years ago, my heart was set to live, oh
I had a strong will to live, once upon a time
But I've been trying hard against unbelievable odds
But with the odds against me, life is difficult
It gets so hard in times like now to hold on
Times are tough and it's challenging to persevere
The guns they wait to be stuck by
Dangers loom large and I must remain vigilant
At my side is God
I have faith that a higher power is guiding me
And there ain't no one going to turn me 'round
I won't let anyone discourage or deter me
There's people around who tell you that they know
There are those who claim to have all the answers
The places where they send you, and it's easy to go
They'll direct you where to go and it may seem simple
They'll zip you up and dress you down
They'll try to mold you into their image
And stand you in a row
And make you conform to their standards
But you know you don't have to
But you have the power to resist and choose your own path
You could just say no
You could stand up for yourself and refuse
I've been built up and trusted
I have experienced success and earned people's trust
Broke down and busted
But I have also experienced failure and disappointment
But they'll get theirs and we'll get ours
Those who wronged us will face justice, and we will be rewarded for our perseverance
Just if we can
If we can just hold on
Just, ah, hold on
We must persevere and stay strong
Hold on
Don't give up
Hold on
Keep holding on
Hold on
Don't let go
Hold on
Stay strong
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alex Chilton, Christopher Bell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@flyertown9893
Years ago, my heart was set to live, oh
And I've been trying hard against unbelievable odds
It gets so hard in times like now to hold on
But guns they wait to be stuck by, at my side is God
And there ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
There's people around who tell you that they know
And places where they send you, and it's easy to go
They'll zip you up and dress you down and stand you in a row
But you know you don't have to, you could just say no
And there ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
I've been built up and trusted
Broke down and busted
But they'll get theirs and we'll get ours if you can
Just-a hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
Years ago, my heart was set to live, oh
Though I've been trying hard against strong odds
It gets so hard in times like now to hold on
Well, I'll fall if I don't fight, and at my side is God
And there ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
Traduire en français
@kkirkpatrick2130
We played this song at the funeral of my beloved husband of 40 years. Big Star was one of his favorite groups, and this song of course is a standout. He had a hard life and fought hard to live it as well as possible. Words can't describe how deeply he's mourned, but this song gives me comfort. Thank you, Big Star. Say hi to him for me.
@urosmilosevic6003
Otis and Maeve 🌠❤️
@andrejissitt1635
I was looking for a fellow fan :) Such a bittersweet ending
@hadiofficiel9755
Yes !!!💔😓
@chaturvediakbarsanthosh34
Such heart touching sense
@kristellbryson
Yesss
@claytonradford1194
You know your shit aha
@jackspry9736
RIP the three members of Big Star
Alex Chilton (December 28, 1950 – March 17, 2010), aged 59
Chris Bell (January 12, 1951 – December 27, 1978), aged 27
Andy Hummel (January 26, 1951 – July 19, 2010), aged 59
You will always be remembered as legends.
@thekidfromiowa
Dang. Alex and Andy died the same year at the same age. :(
@mikeknowles8017
I got to work with Andy a little in his later career in Aerospace and I can tell you he was highly regarded by many people including me. He came down on my side of an argument with company leadership one time and I owed him one. RIP Andy - A legend indeed.