Starpower (song)

"Starpower"
Single by Sonic Youth
from the album Evol
B-side	"Bubblegum" and "Expressway to yr Skull"
Released	July 1986
Format	7", 10", 12", Cassette Single, CD Single
Genre	Alternative rock, noise rock
Label	SST Records
Producer	Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth singles chronology
"Halloween II" (1986) "Starpower" (1986) "Into the Groove(y)" (1986)

"Starpower" redirects here. For the educational game, see StarPower (game). For the gameplay mechanic called "Star Power" in the Guitar Hero video game series, see Guitar Hero (series)#Common gameplay elements.

"Starpower" was the first and only single from Sonic Youth's album Evol. It was released in July 1986 on SST Records.

Tracklisting

1. "Starpower" (edit) - 2:50
2. "Bubblegum" (Kim Fowley) - 2:45
3. "Expressway to yr Skull" (edit) - 4:30

Both versions of "Starpower" and "Expressway to yr Skull" are edits. Mike Watt plays bass on "Bubblegum", a Kim Fowley cover which was also the bonus track on the Evol CD. Only the 7" version features the first two songs, all other releases have all three.

Trivia

• Though Kim sings the studio version, the lyrics were written by Thurston and he sings on all live versions.
• First pressing of 7" included EVOL poster + pendant.
• 10" issued on various colors of vinyl, including grey & purple.
• A live version of this song has Thurston referring to it as "Watt Power" - referring to bass guitar icon, Mike Watt.
• The Gossip Girl episode "Rufus Getting Married" features a live version of this song (Kim on vocals). Kim also acts in a small speaking role. Before the performance, Lee and Thurston are shown (de-)tuning their guitars.
• Welsh band Manic Street Preachers bassist Nicky Wire loved this song so much, it inspired him to write their B-Side "Star Lover".