Big Cheese

Album: Cult (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Bayside open their Cult album with this reflective cut which finds Anthony Raneri reflecting, "And there will be a day when I sadly outlive all my useful traits, and when I look back I want to know we were more than just a fad." It is one of several tracks on the record that finds Raneri singing about the hard matters of life and death, having recently lost his grandfather, stepfather and stepbrother. "[Cult] is pretty different because it's not about broken relationships as much as other records; on a personal level, my relationship has been great, my marriage is good and I've started a family. Instead a lot of this record deals with mortality, without it being morbid," he said.

    "I lost a lot of people who were close to me, and it really just started making me think a lot about what my legacy was going to be," Raneri continued. "What am I going to leave behind and what is my entire generation going to leave behind? What are they going to be saying at funerals 40 years from now? It's wondering if life is about leaving a legacy. Is that what we're all here for: living a life worth remembering?"
  • The phrase "Big Cheese," meaning an important senior person originated in the early 20th century. It's of doubtful origin but may be from the Persian and Urdu word, "Chiz" meaning "thing."
  • The B-side to Nirvana's first single, "Love Buzz," was also titled "Big Cheese." It has been speculated in that instant that the titular 'Big Cheese' was Sub Pop Records co-owner Jonathan Poneman.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining Victims

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining VictimsSong Writing

Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?