"Thirteen" | ||||
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Song by Big Star | ||||
from the album #1 Record | ||||
Released | April 1972 | |||
Recorded |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 2:34 | |||
Label | Ardent | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | John Fry | |||
#1 Record track listing | ||||
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"Thirteen" is a song by the American rock band Big Star. Rolling Stone describes it "one of rock's most beautiful celebrations of adolescence", and rated it #406 on their list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. It was written by Alex Chilton and Chris Bell.
Bill Janovitz of Buffalo Tom writes in his Allmusic review of the song, "There are few songs that capture the aching innocence of adolescence as well" and calls it a "perfect melancholy ballad". The song encompasses folk and pop characteristics with its use of simple lyrics and the acoustic guitar.
The song was originally featured on the 1972 album #1 Record. It was never released as a single by Big Star.
"Thirteen" has been covered by several notable musicians. They include:
When asked if there was a Big Star cover he was especially fond of, lead singer Alex Chilton mentioned Garbage's version of this song.