So my girlfriend turned me on to a documentary on a little known band called Big Star from the 70s. Big Star never made it on mainstream radio, but were loved by critics. Bands like REM, Wilco, and Elliot Smith have all cited them as a major influence, so definitely check them out, and if you dig what you hear, check out the documentary! It’ a good use of your time, I promise you.
Anyways, one of the founders, Chris Bell, made a solo album after creating the first album with Big Star (arguably their best album). His solo album was tragically never released until after he died at the infamous age of 27. “I am the Cosmos” is from this post-humous album and it just really hit me hard. There is so much pain behind the lyrics. The song starts off with: “Every night I tell myself I am the cosmos, I am the wind. But that don’t get you back again”.
I don’t know what it is but I just love that line so much, which is why this is the song spotlight! I think its the realization of how we are so important and a “miracle” yet sometimes you have to grapple the fact that even so, there are things beyond your control.
Anyways, here’s the link. Listen, and let me know what you think: