Big Star “Thirteen” released (March 1972)

Thirteen Big Star

Writer(s): Alex Chilton, Chris Bell (see lyrics here) Released: March 1972 First Charted: -- Peak: 29 CL, 19 CO, 3 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 5.76 video, 53.90 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Big Star was formed in 1971 in Memphis, Tennessee, by singer/guitarists Alex Chilton and Chris Bell with bassist Andy Hummel and drummer Jody Stephens. Despite never achieving any real commercial clout, they achieved cult status and “immeasureable” “influence on pop music” AM with their three album releases. “They were at once ahead of their time (witness '80s and '90s alternative rock) and behind it,” AM with their jangly pop serving as a bridge from the Byrds to artists like Tom Petty and R.E.M. The group’s first album, 1972’s #1 Record, featured “In the Street,” which became the theme song for That ‘70s Show on television in the 1990s. The album also spawned “Thirteen,” which was also showcased via That ‘70s Show on several episodes. The song has been covered by a variety of artists including the Lemonheads’ Evan Dando, Garbage, Elliott Smith, Wilco, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Alex Chilton “wrote this acoustic ballad about two kids in love with rock & roll and each other.” SF “Over gorgeous folk-pop acoustic guitars, Chilton's vulnerable-sounding voice shakes with the tentative insecurity of the 13-year-old narrator tenderly trying to gain the affection of his crush.” AM “The song has a Zen/haiku-like quality in its concise, yet powerfully evocative form.” AM AllMusic.com’s Bill Janovitz said, “There are few songs that capture the aching innocence of adolescence as well as the ballad Thirteen,’ and fewer that are as pretty as this song.” AM Rolling Stone described the song as “one of rock’s most beautiful celebrations of adolescence.” WK Resources: AM AllMusic.com song review by Bill Janovitz SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 7/9/2025.