Big Star’s debut album, #1 Record, didn’t make much of a splash when it was released in 1972 — in fact, it sold fewer than 10,000 copies — but it eventually found favor with a generation of indie rock acts. Band leader Alex Chilton, who died five years ago at only 59, has been cited as an influence by many of my favorite artists.
I bought this album, along with the band’s sophomore effort, Radio City, in a 2-for-1 package a year or so back, but I haven’t listed to it enough to give it a spot on my list of the best albums of 1972.
I’m more than happy to highlight it this week, though, as one of the albums from that year I’d like to know better. The good thing is it’s sitting on my hard drive waiting for me.
Years ago, my heart was set to live
And I’ve been trying hard against unbelievable odds
It gets so hard in times like now to hold on
But guns they wait to be stuck by, at my side is God
[Chorus 1]
And there ain’t no one goin’ to turn me ’round
Ain’t no one goin’ to turn me ’round
There’s people around who tell you that they know
And places where they send you and it’s easy to go
They’ll zip you up and dress you down and stand you in a row
But you know you don’t have to, you can just say, “No”
[Chorus 1 (2x)]
I’ve been built up and trusted, broke down and busted
But they’ll get theirs and we will get ours if you can
[Chorus 2]
Just to hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on
[Verse 1]
[Chorus 1 (2x)]
[Chorus 2]
Never heard of them. Interesting that they were such an influence on other artists you like. Nice sound.