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.
Watch The Sunrise
Big Star Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Open your eyes
Fears begone, it won't be long
There's a light in the sky
It's okay to look outside
The day, it will abide
And watch the sunrise
We are one in its hand
Come inside and light my room
Like the heart of every man
It's okay to look outside
The day it will abide
And watch the sunrise
I can feel it, now it's time
Open your eyes
Fears begone, it won't be long
There's a light in the sky
It's okay to look outside
Your love, it will abide
And watch the sunrise
The song "Watch The Sunrise" by Big Star is about discovering hope and coming to terms with fear. The opening verses suggest a sense of anticipation and a fear of the unknown, urging the listener to open their eyes and embrace the illumination of a new day. The rest of the song is a meditation on the restorative power of the sun, likening its light and warmth to love, and emphasizing the universality of its effects. The final verses are a reminder to the listener to trust in their own capacity to weather life's difficulties and be uplifted by the simple but powerful experience of watching the sunrise.
Lyrically, the song is ultimately an ode to hope and resilience, offering a message of encouragement and inspiration. The musical accompaniment perfectly captures this mood, with gentle acoustic guitar strumming and soothing vocal harmonies creating a relaxing and calming atmosphere. The structure of the song is simple and repetitive, with the main chord progression returning throughout, helping to emphasize the message of reassurance and continuity.
Line by Line Meaning
I can feel it, now it's time
I have a sense that something wonderful is about to happen, and it's time to experience it.
Open your eyes
Be awake and alert so you don't miss the beauty that's around you.
Fears begone, it won't be long
Don't let your fears hold you back, because the moment you've been waiting for is almost here.
There's a light in the sky
Something is beginning, and it shines like dawn breaking on the horizon.
It's okay to look outside
Don't be afraid to explore the world beyond your comfort zone.
The day, it will abide
Time passes, and this moment will stay with us, no matter how short lived it feels.
And watch the sunrise
Be present in the moment as the world comes to life.
Sun, it shines on all of us
The sun is an equalizing force that shines on everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from.
We are one in its hand
We are all connected by the sun's light, and we should appreciate the unity that it brings us.
Come inside and light my room
Let the sun's light warm your heart and illuminate your soul.
Like the heart of every man
The sun's warmth and light reflects the universal feelings of love and hope that are present in all of us.
Your love, it will abide
Your love and passion will remain with you, even as the world around you changes and evolves.
And watch the sunrise
Be present in the moment as the world comes to life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alex Chilton, Christopher Bell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brianna Bush
Lyrics
I can feel it, now it's time
Open your eyes
Fears be gone, it won't be long
There's a light in the sky
It's okay to look outside
The day it will abide
And watch the sunrise
Sun, it shines on all of us
We are one in it's hand
Come inside and light my room
like the heart of every man
It's okay to look outside
The day it will abide
And watch the sunrise
I can feel it, now it's time
Open your eyes
Fears be gone, it won't be long
There's a light in the sky
It's okay to look outside
Your love it will abide
And watch the sunrise
tropicwave1
Watch the Sunrise
Big Star
Produced by John Fry
Album #1 Record
[Verse 1]
I can feel it now it's time
Open your eyes
Fears be gone it won't be long
There's a light in the sky
[Chorus]
It's okay to look outside
The day it will abide
And watch the sunrise
[Verse 2]
Sun, it shines on all of us
We are one in its hands
Come inside and light my room
Like the heart of every man
[Chorus]
It's okay to look outside
The day it will abide
And watch the sunrise
[Verse 1]
I can feel it now it's time
Open your eyes
Fears be gone it won't be long
There's a light in the sky
[Chorus]
It's okay to look outside
Your love it will abide
And watch the sunrise
Written by: Chris Bell & Alex Chilton
Release Date: June 1972
Rat Bomber
most underrated band of all time
mlle b
Together with Prefab Sprout (no comparison between the two)
Squirrel Butler
What about Johnny Crapper and the Craptones? Now, THAT was an underrated band!!
Shane O'Mahony
Undertated ! The most overused word on YouTube.
OH_I _Will
To you two, they may have been. To most of us who know music from this era…hardly “under-rated”
R.E. Lopez
My brother had just been killed in Vietnam....such an ugly and senseless war. Aren't all wars that way? I had a football coach that would always say "shake it off." I would think of my brother and carry on with more vigor and energy. The pain in my father's eyes and my mom crying for weeks, even years afterwards. Some things you just can't shake off...and the memory of him being sent away to die is one I can't. Big Star helps ease the pain.
Squirrel Butler
@R.E. Lopez Good stuff. Gives your life meaning. Well done.
R.E. Lopez
Yes, we all did. My father, two brothers, and myself.
Squirrel Butler
@R.E. Lopez ah, good for him, then. He committed himself to something he believed in. Most of us never commit ourselves completely to anything.
R.E. Lopez
@banjoboy01 He joined