Introducing: X/Z Song Trader

A Gen X Rocker Discusses Music With His Gen Z Daughter

Mar 08, 2024

About X/Z Song Trader: Steve is a music journalist, author and musician. Lucy is a diehard music fan and college student. They have always enjoyed a father/daughter bond over music. Each week one of them picks a song and they both share their perspectives. These are casual conversations based on musical connections. Opinions are their own. Keeping it positive.

That’s the simple idea for this series. We’ll start with four and see how it goes…

Steve’s Song Choice: “September Gurls”

I wanted to kick this series off with a track you’ve heard me play a million times in the car, although I’m not sure we ever really discussed it.

I'm guessing most Gen Xers (and diehard guitar pop fans of any age!) will know “September Gurls” because of the rock and roll redemption mythology that has built up around the band Big Star and this song in particular over the last 50 years, but I wonder: Do any of those romantic associations translate to Gen Z in any way?

Big Star was an early ‘70s Memphis pop rock band originally featuring Chris Bell, Alex Chilton, Andy Hummel and Jody Stephens. Bell left the band before “September Gurls” and the album Radio City were recorded.

They were critical darlings in the U.S. and a cult act in the U.K. who made three albums featuring different line ups, but never had any real mainstream success—until their music was “rediscovered” in the ‘80s and praised by college rock bands like REM and The Replacements. (One or both of those will likely turn up later in this series!)

Reissues of their albums led to a version of Big Star reuniting in the ‘90s and eventually releasing new music in 2005. They are widely considered to be among the godfathers of power pop, a genre I love.

That’s a quick snapshot, but there’s a great documentary called Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me, and Bruce Eaton’s 33 1/3 book about Radio City is a fun read.

“September Gurls” is one of my favorite songs because of the chiming mando-guitar intro; the mid-tempo drum/bass groove; Chilton’s evocative vocals; the heartbroken lyrics, and ear-worm choruses.

I think I first heard it sometime in the ‘80s on a mixtape a friend made for me. It’s impossible to guess how many times I’ve listened to this song over the years, but I somehow never get tired of it. I even like some of the cover versions, especially this one by The Bangles.

Because of that, “September Gurls” is part of the core soundtrack to my life, one that I associate with many important memories and experiences including road trips, camping adventures and vacations I’ve taken with you and the family over the years.

You’ve heard me play this song countless times, so let’s kick this series off with something familiar. I’m curious to know what you think of "September Gurls," if it’s something you’ve listened to on your own, shared with friends…or if you even like it.

Lucy’s Perspective

I mean, right off the bat I appreciate that you picked a song I’ve at least heard once or twice rather than a band named after a movie based on a book I’ve never read (I know we’ll get there, though).

I was immediately excited when I saw the title of our first conversation. Out of all of the millions of songs and bands you’ve played on those long road trips and camping weekends, Big Star is one of my favorites. Although it still has a sort of rock vibe to it, I love how mellow I feel while listening to their music.

I don’t know of any Gen Zers who know Big Star—not that I’ve asked around much—but the romance of this song and the lyrics would definitely resonate with any fan of current bands such as Big Thief.

The sort of intricately placed lyrics and sounds throughout this song match the energy of a lot of the current indie rock music that I have grown to love over the last few years. Several times I have fallen down an indie rock rabbit hole and ended up listening to songs by Big Star.

“I loved you, well, never mind” is one of my favorite lyrics from this song.

It really captures the feeling of losing hope in this love you’ve had for so long, but no longer feels reciprocated. It’s a perfect ending to the story I imagine, reassuring the listener that even though this “September Gurl” doesn’t feel the same way, this “December boy” still tried his best to make her fall in love. Now that he has given up, the listener feels that loss along with him.

I really love the way the vocals layer with the music. I’m often annoyed by how much louder a voice is than the music playing behind it, but in this song I think you really get the best of both worlds—you can hear the music very clearly, but still hear Chilton’s vocals and make out the lyrics well enough to follow along.

I think you know that my favorite types of songs tell a story of some sort and evoke a feeling that can’t be found elsewhere.

That's why I lean toward artists such as Taylor Swift, Noah Kahan, and Phoebe Bridgers. This song really tells a story in a unique way that I find myself drawn to. It encapsulates the feeling of an unreciprocated crush—or maybe a little something more—perfectly, in my opinion.