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Thirteen (Big Star cover) Lyrics
Won't you let me walk you home from school?
Won't you let me meet you at the pool?
Maybe Friday I can
Get tickets for the dance
And I'll take you
Oh, oh, oh
Won't you tell your dad to get off my back?
Tell him what we said about "Paint It Black"
Rock and roll is here to stay
Come inside now, it's ok
And I'll shake you
Oh, oh, oh
Won't you tell me what you're thinking of?
Would you be an outlaw for my love?
If it's so then let me know
If it's no then I can go
And I won't make you
Oh, oh, oh
Won't you let me meet you at the pool?
Maybe Friday I can
Get tickets for the dance
And I'll take you
Oh, oh, oh
Tell him what we said about "Paint It Black"
Rock and roll is here to stay
Come inside now, it's ok
And I'll shake you
Oh, oh, oh
Would you be an outlaw for my love?
If it's so then let me know
If it's no then I can go
And I won't make you
Oh, oh, oh
Song Info
Submitted by
planes On Apr 13, 2002
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I dont know what it is about this song, but I really really like it. I think it sounds alot about first love, and falling for somebody, and how you can like somebody so much and with so much passion that it almost seems silly.
yea I agree with the people stating it is about the innocence of being in love for the first time. I also think this song is longing for something as well. Maybe this guy didn't have the opportunity of experiencing what he talks about in the song. Who knows. We don't, but it is cool cause we can have our own interpretations. When I listen to it I feel the person might have been missing something because the song to me is really sad. I hear a person asking himself questions "can i walk you home from school", won't you let me meet you at the pool" but that is all they are and he never could have the opportunity to actually do this. He is emotionally expressing his sorrow in a sort of painful way of how he felt but did not act upon. This is my take. To me the song is just a dream. It is a girl he thought was beautiful but never felt right or was in the position to act upon these lines he sings in the song.
The sweet simplicity of this song kills me every time. Elliott's voice is so wistful, and the guitar accompanying reminds me of early summer in the most nostalgic way possible.
I agree with LuckCharm, it does sound like first love (at the age of 13 perhaps?) ... and yet it's hard to get away from the raw yearning (repeated questions convey so much insecurity) even when middle school is a distant memory.
it reminds me of the simple love adults just aren't capable of. like love and friendship without the finacnes or expectations or responsiblities or all that shit that fucks up love and our lives. like when there is a break up and all you can think of, after the anger, are the reasons why you loved them in the first place and you just miss them, you want to try again, but it's lost. like in Eternal Sunshine.i agree with paleblueeyes (by the way, into the Velvet Underground?) and to me this will always be Elliott's song.
elliott smith does to this song what big star, wilco, garbage, etc never could. <3
i love this song.
I concur with it being about a first love. With the reference to Rolling Stones (paint it black, rock n' roll) it seems like a vintage young love.
Come inside now it's ok and I'll shake you
Strikes me as talking about virginity
Beautiful song alright, but then again, is there a single Elliott Smith song that isn't brilliant? i don't think so....the greatest loss to music since lennon died.
i think this song is about being in love at thirteen
i think this song is about being in love at thirteen