Big Star – “The Ballad Of El Goodo”

"The Ballad Of El Goodo" (Alex Chilton & Chris Bell) Copyright 1972 Ardent/Koala Music Inc/Birdees Music Corp./Irving Music Inc USA

Sometimes, when times are tough and it seems like the world’s against you, a song like this can keep you going. A stunning mix of jangling guitars, sparkling harmony vocals, and a heart-wrenching lead vocal by Alex Chilton, this is my favorite song from my favorite album by the band often referred to as “the greatest band you’ve never heard”.

“The Ballad Of El Goodo” (Alex Chilton & Chris Bell) Copyright 1972 Ardent/Koala Music Inc/Birdees Music Corp./Irving Music Inc USA

— This show is one of many great music-related podcasts on the Pantheon podcast network. Check ’em out!

The Replacements – “Alex Chilton”

"Alex Chilton" (Paul Westerberg, Tommy Stinson & Chris Mars) Copyright 1987 Done To Death Music (ASCAP), Nah Music (ASCAP) and Chris Mars Publishing Inc.

Every artist wants to pay tribute to the people who inspired them.  No one’s ever done it better than The Replacements’ tribute to Alex Chilton.  This song has a great hook and a chorus that stays with you… It’s stayed with me so long that I named this podcast after it.  

“Alex Chilton” (Paul Westerberg, Tommy Stinson & Chris Mars) Copyright 1987 Done To Death Music (ASCAP), Nah Music (ASCAP) and Chris Mars Publishing Inc.