Sadly Beautiful Song Series, Songs #9 and #10

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We have a special "double feature" for this Sadly Beautiful Song Series entry. Two songs from one of America's great "unknown" bands: Big Star.

Big Star was fronted by Alex Chilton. Some oldies fans may remember Chilton as the voice of the '60s group The Box Tops. The Box Tops had a mega-hit titled "The Letter" ("Buy me a ticket for an airplane/I ain't got time to take a fast train/Lonely days are gone/My baby, she wrote me a letter"). That growling baritone lead vocal was none other than a 17-year-old(?!) Alex Chilton.

I couldn't decide which of my two absolute favorite Big Star songs would be most appropriate for the Sadly Beautiful Song Series. In the end I opted for both. The opening line to each song nail it perfectly and made me realize that they should be presented in tandem. The two songs are like "now and then" bookends.



. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. .. . . .. . .. . . . . . . . (thirteen)

THIRTEEN
(Big Star)

Won't you let me walk you home from school
Won't you let me meet you at the pool
Maybe Friday I can
Get tickets for the dance
And I'll take you

Won't you tell your dad, get off my back
Tell him what we said about Paint It, Black
Rock 'n' roll is here to stay
Come inside where it's okay
And I'll shake you.

Won't you tell me what you're thinking of.
Would you be an outlaw for my love
If it's so, well, let me know
If it's no, well, I can go.
I won't make you.

please listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pte3Jg-2Ax4



. . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . (fifty-five)


BALLAD OF EL GOODO
(Big Star)

Years ago, my heart was set to live, oh
But I've been trying hard against unbelievable odds
It gets so hard at times like now to hold on
My guns they're waiting to be stuck by
At my side is God

And there ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Ain't no one gonna 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
Stand you in a row
But you know you don't have to
You can just say no

And there ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Ain't no one gonna 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
But I've been trying hard against strong odds
It gets so hard at times like now to hold on
Well, I'll fall if I don't fight
And at my side is God

Ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Ain't no one gonna turn me 'round

Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on

Years ago I was all set to go
And I've been trying hard against long odds
It gets so hard at times like this to even hang around
I can either stand or fall
And I believe I'm gonna stand tall.


please listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn1t6l7UUPc


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