Echo and Miller formed the band in the fall of 1998, citing a mutual love of old-school new wave, dance-punk energy and dark pop, with bassist Jeff Jaeger, drummer Scott Ellis (Mellowdrone, She Wants Revenge) and guitarist Mike Smith. The latter left during the recording of their debut album, Shakedown!, which was released on The Label, a sub-label of Geffen Records.
After returning from touring, the band found the label was closing its doors, and, after Scott Ellis' departure, released The 1234 EP independently. Following a 2002 summer tour supporting Scarling., the band gathered enough money to release theSTART EP on Smallstone Records. After a tour supporting AFI, the band was signed to Nitro Records. Stabilizing a new line-up with Erick Sanger and Billy Brimblecom, Jr., they recorded their next album, Initiation. In the meantime, theSTART EP was re-released on Nitro Records under the title Death Via Satellite. Unfortunately, on the day of Initiation's release, Brimblecom announced his departure. The band proceeded to tour with artists such as The Offspring, Auf Der Maur and Garbage with a number of fill-in drummers. Sanger was let go in 2006 for unclear reasons, paving the way for current rhythm section Lance Webber and Chelsea Davis. The band also parted ways with Nitro Records, and signed with Metropolis Records later that year, releasing Ciao, Baby in 2007.
BIG SHOT
theSTART Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's what the pundits say
Talk, talkin' sycophantically
You've gotten you your way
It's always you your way
Big shot
Yeah he got all the money
So many shiny things
Big shot
He ain't got anyone at all
Big shot
Said he got all that money
Big shot
So many pretty things
Big shot
He ain't got anyone at all
One drop is all it took for me
Bangin' another nail
Until you do right by me
All things you touch will fail
All things you touch will fail
Big shot
Yeah he got all the money
Big shot
So many shiny things
Big shot
He ain't got anyone at all
Big shot
Said he got all that money
Big shot
So many pretty things
Big shot
He ain't got anyone at all
No not at all...
You know you had to be a big shot
Didn't you?
Had to open up your mouth
You know you had to be a big shot
Didn't you?
All your friends were so knocked out
Big shot
Yeah he got all the money
Big shot
So many shiny things
Big shot
He ain't got anyone at all
Big shot
Said he got all that money
Big shot
So many pretty things
Big shot
You ain't got anyone at all
No, not at all.
The lyrics of theSTART's "Big Shot" speak of the consequences of one's selfish actions and how they may lead to an isolated existence. The song calls out "Big Shot," someone who has become arrogant and insensitive because of their wealth or power. The first verse suggests that Big Shot has left behind their old relationships and values as they pursue their own desires. The second verse implies that Big Shot's mistreatment of others will eventually come back around, and he will be left with nothing. The chorus emphasizes the emptiness and loneliness of the character's life, despite having all the material things they could want.
The line "one drop is all it took for me" appears to be a metaphor for some sort of betrayal, as banging another nail suggests revenge. However, the cause of this animosity towards Big Shot is unclear. It appears that the singer wishes to teach Big Shot a lesson and deprive them of their power, as they assert that all things Big Shot touches will fail. The repeated refrain of "Big shot, yeah, he got all the money," emphasizes the singer's scorn for the character's wealth, which has left them unable to maintain any real relationships.
In conclusion, "Big Shot" speaks to the hollowness of pursuing material possessions and desires without regard for others. The song implies that kindness and humility are essential to building meaningful connections and achieving happiness. Being a "big shot" may seem glamorous, but it ultimately leads to a lonely existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Big shot, have you forgotten me?
The singer questions if the person, who has become successful and wealthy, remembers them or their past relationship.
That's what the pundits say
The public opinion holds that the successful individual has moved on from their past relations and people they knew on the way up.
Talk, talkin' sycophantically
The singer accuses others of praising the successful individual in a way that is insincere or excessively flattering, with the motive of currying favor for their personal gain.
You've gotten you your way
The artist suggests that the successful individual only considers their own interests, ignoring or disregarding the needs of others.
It's always you your way
The artist reiterates the fact that the successful individual is self-centered and conveys the impression that this is a defining trait.
Yeah he got all the money
The singer acknowledges that the successful individual has amassed a large sum of money, indicating one of the measures of their success.
So many shiny things
The singer notes that the successful individual has amassed a lot of material possessions, which the singer dismisses as merely glittering or superficial.
He ain't got anyone at all
The artist implies that despite accomplishing material success, the individual has no meaningful relationships, leaving them unfulfilled.
One drop is all it took for me
The artist suggests that they have been wronged by the successful individual, with a single mistake leading to them being cast aside.
Bangin' another nail
The artist may be implying that they are suffering or struggling as a result of actions taken by the successful individual.
Until you do right by me
The singer's pain or struggle will persist until the successful individual corrects their past wrongdoing.
All things you touch will fail
The artist suggests that the successful individual incurs bad karma or misfortune upon themselves by causing harm to others.
You know you had to be a big shot
The singer implies that the individual has worked hard to become successful and may be enjoying the spoils of their labor despite the harm they have caused to others.
Didn't you?
The singer asks the question to highlight their point and to provoke recognition or reflection from the successful individual.
Had to open up your mouth
The singer suggests that the successful individual may have boasted about their accomplishments, leading to increased public scrutiny and negative opinions.
All your friends were so knocked out
The artist implies that the successful individual's friends may have been impressed by their accomplishments, which the artist dismisses as superficial or unfounded.
You ain't got anyone at all
The artist repeats the idea that the successful individual has nobody who truly cares or loves them, indicating the hollowness of their material accomplishments.
No, not at all.
The song ends with a final statement of the singer's position and the implication that the successful individual is still lacking something important in their life.
Contributed by Leah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.