Big Star – September Gurls —Powerpop Friday

A great Big Star song and one of their most popular. It was one of the best pop songs that didn’t chart. September Gurls was rated #180 by Rolling Stone in the magazine’s top 500 songs of all time.

Released as a single, it did not chart despite receiving excellent reviews, due mainly to poor marketing and distribution. It was on their second studio album Radio City. The song was later covered by The Bangles on their album Different Light.

From Songfacts

This paean to “September Gurls” was penned by vocalist Alex Chilton for Big Star’s second album Radio City. 

Alex Chilton once said of his songwriting: “I really loved the mid-’60s British pop music, all two and a half minutes long, really appealing songs. So I’ve always aspired to that same format, that’s what I like.”

The Bangles covered this on their 1988 album, Different Light.

Alex Chilton died of a heart attack on March 17, 2010, aged 59. He had experienced shortness of breath and chills while cutting the lawn but did not seek medical attention, in part because he had no health insurance.

September Girls

September girls do so much 
I was your Butch and you were touched 
I loved you, well, never mind 
I’ve been crying all the time 
December boy’s got it bad 
December boy’s got it bad 

September girls, I don’t know why 
How can I deny what’s inside 
Even though I’ll keep away 
They we’ll love all our days 
December boy’s got it bad 
December boy’s got it bad 

When I get to bed, late at night 
That’s the time she makes things right 
Ooh when she makes love to me 

September girls do so much 
I was your Butch and you were touched 
I loved you, well, never mind 
I’ve been crying all the time 
December boy’s got it bad 
December boy’s got it bad 
December boy’s got it bad, woo ooo