Formed in 1990 while the members were students at the University of Notre D… Read Full Bio ↴Formed in 1990 while the members were students at the University of Notre Dame, Chisel later relocated to Washington D.C., and was one of the first revivalist bands of the denim-clad mod/punk movement that would inspire the likes of the Mooney Suzuki and the Delta 72. Under the indomitably energetic songwriting of singer/guitarist Ted Leo, the trio included bassist Chris Norborg and drummer John Dugan. Chisel built a strong fan base before they had a sizable discography by touring with a host of popular indie bands -- including Blonde Redhead, Karate, and Fugazi -- through the early '90s. Their first official single releases -- Sunburn, Nothing New, and The Guns of Meridian Hill -- were released on Gern Blandsten records and were critical successes, combining the legendary garage sound of the '60s with Ted Leo's complex, melodic ideas. In 1996, Chisel's debut full-length, 8 AM All Day, took these combinations further and solidified their underground cult following. Following the 1997 release of Set You Free (also on Gern Blandsten), Chisel disbanded. Leo went on to record solo and with Ted Leo and The Pharmacists.

Your Star Is Killing Me
Chisel Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Here, it hits home. Even when I'm alone.
With you in my headphones. How cool it would be...
But if every kid was me, then we'd all stand starstruck, and all go home alone.
And when it's near, then I'm prone to dig in the taste and decide that it's good.
But we'll stick with what we're used to and I'll maybe think about it, but leave all the talking to you.
You make me feel that I'm vaguely in touch with the scene I'm throwing on you.
But you keep me out just that much, 'cause you don't give me anything to hold on to.
And I'll always be thrilled, and you'll always be the one who's thrilling me.

But if I die unfufilled, I want you to know that your star is killing me.

Overall Meaning

In Chisel's song "Your Star Is Killing Me," the lyrics seem to deal with the idea of idolizing someone to a degree where it becomes detrimental to oneself. The singer talks about listening to this person in their headphones, feeling cool and connected, but ultimately realizing that if everyone were like them, they'd all be starstruck and lonely. The concept of proximity seems to play a role as well, with the singer being more likely to accept what's in front of them ("dig in the taste and decide that it's good"), even if it's not necessarily what they want or need.

However, despite this yearning and attachment towards this person ("thrilling me"), there remains a sense of distance between the two, as the singer is never given anything to hold onto. This distance is what ultimately leads to the singer feeling unfulfilled and the titular star "killing" them. It's a poignant portrayal of the dangers of putting too much stock into an image or person and neglecting one's own self-worth.

Overall, "Your Star Is Killing Me" is a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of idolization and the toll it can take on a person.

Line by Line Meaning

Here, it hits home. Even when I'm alone.
I feel the impact of your absence even when I'm by myself.

With you in my headphones. How cool it would be...
Having your presence in my life through music would be amazing.

But if every kid was me, then we'd all stand starstruck, and all go home alone.
If everyone were like me, we would all be mesmerized by you but still end up lonely.

And when it's near, then I'm prone to dig in the taste and decide that it's good.
When you're around, I tend to enjoy and appreciate your company.

But we'll stick with what we're used to and I'll maybe think about it, but leave all the talking to you.
We'll remain in our comfort zones while you take charge of the situation.

You make me feel that I'm vaguely in touch with the scene I'm throwing on you.
Being around you gives me a sense of connection to the culture that surrounds us.

But you keep me out just that much, 'cause you don't give me anything to hold on to.
You keep your distance from me because you don't give me anything tangible to hold onto.

And I'll always be thrilled, and you'll always be the one who's thrilling me.
I'll always be excited around you, and you'll always be the one who creates that excitement for me.

But if I die unfulfilled, I want you to know that your star is killing me.
If I never achieve my desires, I want you to know that your unattainable greatness is causing my demise.

Contributed by Sebastian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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