Big Star - Thirteen (Live)

[nummzy123]

That 70's show finale.. *cries*

[Luciferays]

Beautifull. Alec Chilton touches the teenage love nerve and transcends time and space. We are all made more special because. Thank you Alex. You are so missed

[rcamarinha1]

the best

[jonmayo15]

It makes me sad I'll never see Alex Chilton live.

[Zepster77]

@jonmayo15 Me, too. But at least we've got these vids to marvel at.

[Rotateitbaby]

Mozart, Gogh, Chilton.

[Xerodude]

Thanks for putting this up.

[MylesRodgers]

Elliott's cover of this song was amazing.

[astroboirap]

@MylesRodgers no it wasnt

[MylesRodgers]

@astroboirap 

[acadx]

@astroboirap yes it was

[sunflowertheory]

RIP Alex....

only good bands can cover his music; Wilco, Yo La Tengo... Jeff Tweedy's rendition of this song is beautiful also....

[lowfatalbob]

i loved the way he sang "friday"

[jackhillty]

shake you - as in, you'll never be the same (thank God) thank you alex.

[BrokenMannequin]

I played this for my friends and we all talked about how beautiful this song is a few weeks ago. After they left, I got on the computer and saw he had died that night. RIP Alex, you'll always be my hero.

[DW8807]

RIP

[FaFaFoFoBawth]

is there a sweeter song in existence? RIP Alex...

[northstop]

RIP Alex

[crazedmule]

Bloody shame. Inspired stuff.

[NorthLightPress1]

REst in Peace Alex.

[jentitymusic]

Such an inspiring and under-appreciated band. R.I.P. Alex Chilton.

[alwaystheway]

rip alex gutted!!

[Leutnantschmidt]

Alex Chilton R.I.P.

[cartoonfreak505]

RIP Alex Chilton

[revup67]

RIP Alex - you will be missed :(

[sayid11111]

RIP Alex Chilton

[sejrec56]

Thanks for the great music ALEX...R.I.P.

[wilsoroll]

I agree with guitarlad89.

In addition, the "take you/ shake you/ I won't make you" rhyme all have a bit of a double entdre reference to sex...

And the whole song is about an immature take on romance/intimacy, so it fits perfectly!

[vanishingspy]

punch to the gut

[LetsNotBeL7]

Thanks Alex. See you again on the other side.

[thevoid99]

r.i.p. alex

[KKKDowner]

so so sad :( thank you for the amazing music

[hobocakes]

i miss you, alex. you are amazing. i am so sad you are gone.

[waitingtoderail]

R.I.P. Alex.

[capsuleboy]

Please, somebody can send me a message and explain me the part:

"Come inside now it's okay

And I'll shake you. " What is to shake somebody? , who says "come inside now its ok?" I dont get how it fits the rest..!

Thanx.

[guitarlad89]

it could be shake as in to have sex with someone. example, "you shook me all night long" by AC/DC "shake me" by cinderella and "you shook me" by led zeppelin

[capsuleboy]

I am not sure, it doesnt fit the rest of the lyrics...

[amusia111]

It's a beautiful way to say he'll get her all shakey. He's 13...

RIP, Alex..........

[Fazolina]

@amusia111 yep, that's how i see it as well

[surfercrow]

Well, "Shake" was a hit song (and dance move) by Sam Cooke in '64.(also covered by Otis R, Animals, Small Faces) For that line, lyrically, I always thought of it like him being in a garage band, "rock n roll is here to stay, come inside well it's ok and I'll shake you" meaning, come check out the band, it'll make you move. or shake you up. It's a little awkward, but that's why i like it. It's real...

[vaughntrapp]

"and i'll shake you" = sex.

any 13 year old can tell you that ;)

[surfercrow]

@vaughntrapp Possibly. That's your interpreation. Same as mine abive. Unless someone interviewed Alex and asked him, we'll never know.I persoanlly think Alex was just rhyming a third word, using poetic licence. (Take you, shake you, make you) Like Dylan has always said, it doesn't matter what HE thinks it's about, it's what YOU think it's about, the listener. So you can go on thinking it's about sex and I'll have my interpretation. It's the wonder of the arts. Free thought.

[LerafoLuap]

@vaughntrapp He's talking about dancing. The whole song is about innocence, hence you've entirely missed the point.

[tpfilms]

aw man, im trying to find a live version, but not when they're old geezers.

[stubbypeeps]

@tpfilms Man, me too!! One of the best bands....ever!!

[tomartstone]

Love this song and Big Star

[isabellefjall]

If you search for "Håkan Hellström 13" on Youtube, you'll find it in swedish. Love that rendition, and I love the original!

[kc768]

Alex Chilton looks great in that video. I bet he's aging gracefully. Full of class

[born4soccer09145]

That '70s show finale

[Chortleclips]

he would look like a complete paedo if he just wrote this.. great song

[lumpagogo]

Big Star never understood this song had to have big percussion----it's about a beautiful thirteen year-old girl and Rock'n'Roll! Rock'n'Roll is not acoustic.

[AgainWithThis]

Big Star wrote the song, this is the original version. I thought that the lack of percussion is what made this song so great; it has a haunting feeling to it, intimate with just a guitar and minimal backing.

[lumpagogo]

Maybe there's been a miscommunication.13 year-old kids of the time were not interested in acoustic stuff. No guy trying to impress a 13 year old girl was gonn say: "I have a great acoustic tape." One doubts very much that anything has changed in that regard. The song could have been one of the GOAT.

[AgainWithThis]

I always got the impression that this song wasn't meant to appeal to 13 year-olds of the time, but was a reminiscent memory written in present-tense. It's actually a song about nostalgia, the adult-age singer remembering what it was like when he was 13.

[lumpagogo]

I should possibly agree with your analysis if I were I. Of course, I am I. In addition, I should confess the obvious hatred of acoustic music which I am displaying. Might you be willing to listen to the Sleepyheads' cover of this song? It's on YouTube, Again/WT. And it provides a glimpse of what could have been (the Garbage cover has drumming but is otherwise dreadful).

[lumpagogo]

Of course, it never SAYS it's about a girl. Hmmm.

[journeythruthepast]

The quintessential 70s rock band, with great pop sensibilities... yet for various reasons they sold barely any records. But they'll be remembered long past most of the mainstream acts who outsold them in their time.

[shinydoug]

I live in Tucson now, but man, I miss the Fillmore, I miss SF. At least I can borrow Big Star CDs from the library. Kepp teh City nice and funky....

[nap1056]

That 70's Show...I can't watch the last episode because i end up crying from this song :(

[emgirl1239]

i cried when i saw this song on that 70's show....sniff

[Jedi4531]

@emgirl1239 what episode of that 70s show was this on? I never knew they used Big Star's song for their theme song until i heard of the Replacements' song "Alex Chilton".

[emgirl1239]

@Jedi4531 no it wasn't the theme song. it was just a song they usually play in those eric donna scenes

[mlusby]

@Jedi4531 they used it for sure in the final episode

[taylorswiftrox1698]

@Jedi4531

The song was used in the series finale when Eric comes back and in the 6th season finale "The Seeker" at the end when Eric comes into Donna's room. There may be more but that's where I know it from.

[skathious1]

who is elliot... i just found big star and on every video i read somethin about elliot.

[buxmont1110]

he was a singer/songwriter from portland and he has a cover of thirteen that's pretty popular. big star was a major influence of his and he also covered nighttime a good bit. people like to debate who is better even though there's no point to it cause big star and elliott are both amazing.

[xGhostoftheRiverx]

It's a shame you don't know Elliott =/

Go look for him on this site!!

[lumpagogo]

Elliot Smith was an acoustic machine. Certain Sam always asked Elliot why but the answer was always the same: "All you need is 'cou." Certain Sam knew that Elliot was wrong.

[childpear]

elliott smith did a cover of this

[kenreturns]

So did Garbage, Love the song

[adorablejaney]

acoustic? you are knowledgeable

[aaandyymusic]

okejj?

[Stevestatief]

one of the best songs ever

[Mercury91]

Ditto!!

[buxmont1110]

no use fighting over who's is better. big star's is amazing as is elliotts. elliott is my absolute 100% favorite, and since he covered thirteen (as well as night time)then he must have held it in high respect. big star and elliott are two essential artists in music history, along with nick drake, jeff buckley and many others, but that's irrelevant

[lougolato]

ooo i like your taste in music jeff buckley and elliott smith are my favorite musicians ever

[JulielovesTandS]

this song makes me cry and gives me the shivers everytime i listen to it.

[sucramnormark]

really?

[JulielovesTandS]

yeah :P I'm a sucker for acoustic guitar songs..

[ceterceter]

Hard to believe he this was his first song he wrote, yet so perfect that it was.

[hheartbeats]

Elliott Smith does it better...

[zeikoru]

have you heard the actual recording of this song? its way better than elliot smith's

[hheartbeats]

actually I have, and I still think Elliott Smith's version is better;)

[MizzoBilyardK0la]

This song is so beautiful.. : )

[LYNYRDSKYNYRDFAN15]

dammn this nixmuxicblog guy sure does delete a lot of coments.

its just someones opinion dude pull the stick out of your ass

oh and this live version sucks ass

delete that

[creepske]

wtf my comment was deleted, all i was saying was i love elliotts version, this is still ok im just saying it, jeez this is where you COMMENT the picture retards, a comment is my judgement on the video.. retard

[plattform5163]

Thanks for sharing nice song!

[frankdewayne]

i heard this on that 70s show (best show ever) its a great song

[SouljaBoysmom]

this is where i heard it two

[jerkthezerk]

Correction, everyone with a soul likes Elliott.

hehe,

[jerkthezerk]

And would you bet your soul on that one friend?

[heyeverybod48y]

i was at this show!

[tonyisgrendel]

I like both versions, I do understand what you mean, espically when talking about rock and roll, this version progresses through it like a story. elliot's sounds nice but it seems like the same story when he's tlkn bout rock and roll, but it's not. the first part., elliot does very nice

[deanbigstar]

'Resigned boredom;' jeez, that's harsh criticism. On some he sounds depressed, not bored, and usually upfront about it like on 'Big Black Car.' I would define the music on 'Radio City' (really, a fine album) as edgy and exciting; the lyrics express excitement and sexuality, are involving, not nearly as idealistic and remembered as 'Thirteen.' You'd have to listen to Big Star's 'Radio City' to know.

[blasticpuddhas]

I didn't mean it as a criticism, I meant that

i thought that, that was the attitude for that particular song. I have the first two albums so I've heard and like their other stuff. That song just struck me as having a dark undertone, that's all. The murder thing may have been a liitle too extreme.

[deanbigstar]

I couldn't find 'September Gurls' on youtube to sum that up, but here's 'Thank You Friends,' which combines a shimmering melody and guitar, a band which knows how to keep time, but just lets up ever so slightly and unhinged vocals by Chilton:

watch?v=JC0Wa3

P_dO0&feature=related

[blasticpuddhas]

What is meant by the lyric,

and I'll shake you?

[deanbigstar]

"Fuck." Or, I'll "shake" your world.

[deanbigstar]

And considering the song is about innocence, then "shake" means, "I'll show you what it means to love you." Something like that.

[blasticpuddhas]

I allways took the song as a story about bored teenagers and the shake you line always made me think that the kid was recalling the events that led to the girl's murder; either accidential or on purpose.

[deanbigstar]

That's an inventive interpretation, but Alex Chilton doesn't write songs like that, unless overt. Even a cynical song like Loudon Wainwright's 'Motel Blues' on Big Star's 'Live' is given a softer, purer tone, of post-adolescence. Big Star's 'Thank You Friends' is definately a cynical and ironic song.

[blasticpuddhas]

I can't say that I'm that familiar with Chilton's POV but the impression I get from his tone in that song and a few others, is a kind of resigned boredom. How would you define the kinds of songs he writes?

[onelasssttime]

It's Alex Chilton/box Tops.. What can you not find? you found him.

[trevorvalentine]

Kinda sad that Elliot Smith gets more hits than the original. Even to the "indie" crowd, Big Star still doesn't get the recognition they need. They are one of the best bands to ever grace this earth.

[zoarces]

I genuinely believe Big Star was the best pop band that ever walked the face of this earth.

In my opinion the Chilton/Bell songs even beat those of Lennon/McCartney.

Chris Bell you were brilliant! May you rest in peace.

[wwekane2468]

Lennon/McCartney have a huge collection of above average songs. They wrote hit songs at will.

[Ashwin42]

yeah allmemphismusic and Big Star!!

[benmeltzer]

Elliott is great. Big Star is great. I love them both. I own everything ever released by Big Star except Lost In Space, and recommend every single release very highly. And if you are unfamiliar with Elliott, go get his first three albums immediately.

[freshwaterplimpy]

i miss elliot smith.

[tutani]

me too, but it has basically nothing to do with this performance.

[cartographersband]

Other than he covered the song! Yay... great songwriters... nothing to bicker about!

[capoeira26]

For the band Big Star who sings this song in the album Chris Bell or Alex Chilton?

[timbueter]

alex

[Antifrodis]

Elliott Smith was obviously a big fan of Big Star as he also covered "Night time". The original recording by "Big Star" is my favorite (not this clip) but Elliott did a very nice job with the song, as well as every other song he ever recorded.

[brianpwnsjustin]

wow i thought they were younger.

[f3ck4r]

Agree!!

[brilliantcolors7]

they were in their very early 20s when they recorded it in the early 70s

[stacklestahl]

i am a huuuge elliott smith fan and his cover is awesome and it does suit his soft voice. but give me a break he didn't write the song and I'd rather hear chilton sing it since he wrote the lyrics and the lyrics are what REALLY make the song.

big star buries, but elliott's cover is one of the great covers of all time i think.

"why should i care, drivin's a gas, it ain't gonna lassssssssst" (big black car)

[10050cielo]

No, I will NOT stop typing.

ALEX CHILTON.

ALEX CHILTON.

ALEX CHILTON.

How's that grab your liberal, tolerant ass?

[weavingspidersclub]

Come on guys. Just stop typing and enjoy both versions...

[pusikurcevic]

A genius!

[grassxstains]

this is one of the best love songs ever.

me being the biggest beatles fan, i think this is even better than something.

:]

i love this song.

it's so easy and relate-able.

this is achieving simplicity to perfection.

:]

[nawanilakgaP]

tough decision but i think something and this song and probably wonderful tonight are three of the best love songs of the 20th century

[grassxstains]

hmm, i'd say i'd have to agree. and as for greatest love songs of the 21st century, listen to question by the old 97's.

[nawanilakgaP]

i listened to the song! very nice and beautiful melody

[davefranklinmartin]

I just read Claptons' autobiography - apparently Wonderful Tonight was written in about 10 minutes, and it's about how his wife Patty wouldn't hurry the hell up when they would get ready to go out. The sentiment when it was written was a flustered "You look GREAT, let's Go already!". And it turned into a beautiful, loving ballad and one of his biggest hits! Hilarious. Still, a great love song despite it's ornery origins.

[vivaissy]

i love this song

[Joeyplein]

its sucks when its live

[jalapenio]

Im not exactly a romantic type of guy but i love this song.

I believe it should be in the 5 best romantic songs ever made.

[Dawn1959]

Isnt that Alex Chilton?

[dickmcballs]

one of the best songs ever made! so beautiful!

indeed bummer you cut out the solo and especially the passage back to the main course...

[DSilvergun]

Elliot Smith's version is decent but nowhere near as good as the Big Star original. Smith never could and never did write a song as good as Thirteen.

[harryD714]

yea i think elliot has a more defined emotional range, but this one doesnt make me as sad. Still i dig elliot's version more

[schweent]

redbloodsky said it as well as anyone could. i have to wonder how familiar you actually are with elliott.

[cockbonerpants]

yeah dude you're retarded

[hollies65]

Right on! He best known for his inferior cover of a Alex Chilton penned song.

[Anerneq]

No, Smith is most well known for his Oscar nominated song "Miss Misery". This song is great though.

[moorlock2003]

I was there. Drove up from L.A. just for this show.

[hollies65]

I'm running into you all over the place! I'm sure you agree that of course Big Star's version is definitive. Half these kids think Smith wrote it.

[moorlock2003]

Elliott who?

[jamjargod]

i lol'd

[fishmanfromfaar]

Elliott Smith's version of this song is better I think... This is good but Elliott pwns all!

[hollies65]

Elliott Smith covered a great song written by Chilton. Big Star's version buries Smith's nice version.

[ABasementOnTheHill]

What?! "Big Star's version buries Smith's nice version."! No way, man; this song belongs to Elliott Smith now, and I say without hesitation that Elliott's version "buries" Big Star's. Easily.

[TripNDazy]

i definately have to agree!!

Elliott Smith was brillant!

[lawinnn]

Hey, what kind of guitar is he playing?

[oskrjunior]

double cutaway gibson les paul junior... i think

[jeffkahl]

Les Paul Special

[crazylady01364]

this is the best song ever, i can never get tired of it

[dooovde]

how come you cut out the best part?

[bassthing26]

this song means a lot to me. thanks for the post.

[sstamb]

I love elliott smith's cover of this.

[TrixieFilms]

Seeing Alex Chilton and Jody Stephens playing a concert in the mid-90s was really a dream-come-true. I never thought I'd see them live singing these songs.

[steveguion]

There was a period of about 15 years, mostly in 80's when the idea of ever seeing Chilton onstage doing this song was just a dream seeing as that version of Chilton had been abducted by aliens at some point during the mis to late 70's. It's just too bad none of these live performances have never made it to legit video yet. And once again it seems as though Chilton has again been abducted...

[mattrohasvideos]

awesome

[jsalgado00]

i love this song!

=D

great job!