Top tracks — play these first
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Thirteen — This track exemplifies the band's ability to blend youthful innocence with poignant melancholy, capturing the bittersweetness of adolescence beautifully.
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The Ballad of El Goodo — With its lyrical depth and melodic hooks, this song stands out as a defining anthem of hope amidst despair, showcasing Big Star's songwriting prowess.
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In the Street — This track reflects the band's knack for catchy melodies while also serving as an early prototype for future power pop songs, displaying their innovative spirit.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic exploration through varied mixes
- heartfelt introspection in melodic waves
- peaks of energy and emotion
- for long listening sessions
- hidden gems for detail seekers
Maybe skip if you
- prefer concise, standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2009, Keep an Eye on the Sky serves as a posthumous compilation showcasing Big Star's influential legacy following their disbandment in 1974. This album arrives nearly four decades after their last studio release, featuring early versions and alternate takes from their revered catalog, highlighting the band's innovative approach to power pop.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Teenage Fanclub· Big Star· R.E.M.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Thirteen
The shift from childhood simplicity to complex emotions is captured as the lyrics vividly recount youthful experiences tinged with longing.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Psychedelic Stuff (original mix) 3:04
- 2 All I See Is You 3:29
- 3 Every Day as We Grow Closer (original mix) 2:27
- 4 Try Again (early version) 3:37
- 5 Feel 3:33
- 6 The Ballad of El Goodo 4:19
- 7 In the Street (alternate mix) 3:02
- 8 Thirteen (alternate mix) 2:36
- 9 Don’t Lie to Me 3:08
- 10 The India Song (alternate mix) 2:24
- 11 When My Baby’s Beside Me (alternate mix) 3:28
- 12 My Life Is Right (alternate mix) 3:18
- 13 Give Me Another Chance (alternate mix) 3:27
- 14 Try Again 3:32
- 15 Gone With the Light 2:44
- 16 Watch the Sunrise (single version) 3:11
- 17 ST 100-6 (alternate version) 0:55
- 18 The Preacher (excerpt) 0:57
- 19 In the Street (alternate single mix) 3:01
- 20 Feel (alternate mix) 3:34
- 21 The Ballad of El Goodo (alternate lyrics) 4:30
- 22 The India Song (alternate version) 2:10
- 23 Country Morn 3:13
- 24 I Got Kinda Lost (demo) 4:03
- 25 Back of a Car (demo) 2:47
- 26 Motel Blues (demo) 3:03
Disc 2
- 1 There Was a Light (demo) 3:43
- 2 Life Is White (demo) 3:19
- 3 What’s Going Ahn (demo) 2:13
- 4 O My Soul 5:38
- 5 Life Is White 3:18
- 6 Way Out West 2:51
- 7 What’s Going Ahn 2:41
- 8 You Get What You Deserve 3:06
- 9 Mod Lang (alternate mix) 2:47
- 10 Back of a Car (alternate mix) 2:48
- 11 Daisy Glaze 3:49
- 12 She’s a Mover 3:14
- 13 September Gurls 2:48
- 14 Morpha Too (alternate mix) 1:28
- 15 I’m in Love With a Girl 1:49
- 16 O My Soul (alternate version) 5:09
- 17 She’s a Mover (alternate version) 3:18
- 18 Daisy Glaze (rehearsal version) 3:53
- 19 I Am the Cosmos 3:43
- 20 You and Your Sister 3:10
- 21 Blue Moon (demo) 2:08
- 22 Femme Fatale (demo) 2:51
- 23 Thank You Friends (demo) 2:47
- 24 Nightime (demo) 2:14
- 25 Take Care (demo) 1:36
- 26 You Get What You Deserve (demo) 3:20
Disc 3
- 1 Lovely Day (demo) 1:52
- 2 Downs (demo) 1:27
- 3 Jesus Christ (demo) 2:29
- 4 Holocaust (demo) 3:36
- 5 Big Black Car (alternate demo) 4:41
- 6 Manana 0:46
- 7 Jesus Christ 2:20
- 8 Femme Fatale 3:29
- 9 O, Dana 2:35
- 10 Kizza Me 2:44
- 11 You Can’t Have Me 3:18
- 12 Nightime 2:53
- 13 Dream Lover 3:34
- 14 Big Black Car 3:37
- 15 Blue Moon 2:06
- 16 Holocaust 3:48
- 17 Stroke It Noel 2:06
- 18 For You 2:44
- 19 Downs 1:52
- 20 Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On 3:23
- 21 Kanga Roo 3:47
- 22 Thank You Friends 3:06
- 23 Take Care 2:49
- 24 Lovely Day 2:08
- 25 Till the End of the Day (alternate mix) 2:13
- 26 Nature Boy (alternate mix) 2:38
Disc 4
- 1 When My Baby’s Beside Me 3:28
- 2 My Life Is Right 3:24
- 3 She’s a Mover 4:06
- 4 Way Out West 2:41
- 5 The Ballad of El Goodo 4:20
- 6 In the Street 2:50
- 7 Back of a Car 2:40
- 8 Thirteen 3:01
- 9 The India Song 2:24
- 10 Try Again 3:19
- 11 Watch the Sunrise 4:01
- 12 Don’t Lie to Me 4:09
- 13 Hot Burrito #2 3:49
- 14 I Got Kinda Lost 2:56
- 15 Baby Strange 4:10
- 16 Slut 3:34
- 17 There Was a Light 3:24
- 18 ST 100/6 3:55
- 19 Come On Now 1:53
- 20 O My Soul 5:40
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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