Desert Angel

[DavidMn]

This is probably my second, and very close to #1 favorite Stevvie solo song, behind Kind Of Woman. The reason is, for me I look at is as she wrote this kick ass song with so much passion and feeling at a time when she herself was going through a terrible time in her personal life. Every time I listen to it, I can feel her incredible passion and caring for our american soldiers. I want to make it clear that this is not a commentary on any political aspect of why she may have written it, but the thing I like is she really doesn't take a political side on the matter. Stevie just wants our troops to do their job and come home safe, which is what we all want. I'm curious to hear people's response to this. Thanks

[SuzeQuze]

This is probably my second, and very close to #1 favorite Stevvie solo song, behind Kind Of Woman. The reason is, for me I look at is as she wrote this kick ass song with so much passion and feeling at a time when she herself was going through a terrible time in her personal life. Every time I listen to it, I can feel her incredible passion and caring for our american soldiers. I want to make it clear that this is not a commentary on any political aspect of why she may have written it, but the thing I like is she really doesn't take a political side on the matter. Stevie just wants our troops to do their job and come home safe, which is what we all want. I'm curious to hear people's response to this. Thanks

To me Stevie's voice kind of drones on this song and it isn't one of my favorites. However, now that we are in another war I think of it often and keep meaning to play it. I always found it very moving despite not being crazy about its sound.

[JazmenFlowers]

This is probably my second, and very close to #1 favorite Stevvie solo song, behind Kind Of Woman. The reason is, for me I look at is as she wrote this kick ass song with so much passion and feeling at a time when she herself was going through a terrible time in her personal life. Every time I listen to it, I can feel her incredible passion and caring for our american soldiers. I want to make it clear that this is not a commentary on any political aspect of why she may have written it, but the thing I like is she really doesn't take a political side on the matter. Stevie just wants our troops to do their job and come home safe, which is what we all want. I'm curious to hear people's response to this. Thanks

I know some don't care for this song, but I agree with you in that it is so full of emotion. I never really grasped the idea of singers approaching a song as an actor would a role, but to me Stevie totally convinces me she is longing for her father, husband, son to come home safely. I think the vocals are awesome too. Desert Angel definitely doesn't get the love it deserves, IMO.

[skcin]

I love this song all the way up until the "Operation Desert Shield!" part.

[JazmenFlowers]

I love this song all the way up until the "Operation Desert Shield!" part.

that's one of my favorite parts...lol

just goes to show you how music touches people differently

[DavidMn]

that's one of my favorite parts...lol

just goes to show you how music touches people differently
Amen. I mean if we all agreed on everything, what fun would that be? :D

[ELIUD]

I think Desert Angel is awful and pales in comparison to Battle of the Dragon. The only thing that I actually like about the song is the imagery of the "stars falling into pieces". She's so good with lyrics - but I prefer when she uses metaphors and only alludes to dark or sad realities of life like she did with Illume. Another song of her's that I love.

[Johnny Stew]

I love this song all the way up until the "Operation Desert Shield!" part.Same here! I even made an edit of it, omitting the "Operation Desert Shield! Operation Desert Storm!" lines... and that's the version I listen to now.

Otherwise, I love it.

[DavidMn]

I think Desert Angel is awful and pales in comparison to Battle of the Dragon. The only thing that I actually like about the song is the imagery of the "stars falling into pieces". She's so good with lyrics - but I prefer when she uses metaphors and only alludes to dark or sad realities of life like she did with Illume. Another song of her's that I love.
Hey that's totally cool. I see where youre coming from on Illume and Battle Of The Dragon though, another 2 in my top 10 for sure :]

[AliceLover]

Another song that I love. I thought this was so great when I first heard it and it will be a favorite for a long time.

Its funny I like SIAB and DA so much more than LAHGTP. I actually have LAHGTP.

[ontheEdgeof17]

Well...I dunno if I still hate this song as I used to. It's growing on me a bit, but damn, it's still my least favorite song of hers. It will always be, probably. :cool:

[SuzeQuze]

Amen. I mean if we all agreed on everything, what fun would that be? :D

I'm falling asleep just thinking about that!

[Rickypt]

for me I look at is as she wrote this kick ass song with so much passion and feeling at a time when she herself was going through a terrible time in her personal life.

That's a nice way to look at it. I've come to appreciate her intent with this song.

I still think it's the worst Stevie-penned song she's ever recorded, though.

[JazmenFlowers]

That's a nice way to look at it. I've come to appreciate her intent with this song.

I still think it's the worst Stevie-penned song she's ever recorded, though.

wow - it's amazing the extremes on this song. or maybe I'm just a Stevie lush.

I remember the first time I heard this song, I got chills and still do. I agree that it's not as good as Battle of the Dragon, one of my all-time favs, but I think it is a great song and her lyrics, to me, are so moving.

[amber]

I like it up to the part where she says: "I was born in the desert, so I know how it feels there"

[Johnny Stew]

I like it up to the part where she says: "I was born in the desert, so I know how it feels there"I mean this with the utmost love and affection....

Jackass. :p :laugh:

[Rickypt]

I like it up to the part where she says: "I was born in the desert, so I know how it feels there"

:lol: :lol:

Actually I don't even like that much. I think the music is awful.

[amber]

I mean this with the utmost love and affection....

Jackass. :p :laugh:
right back atcha! Sorry, I'm suprised anyone likes this song! To all who do, might I say, with love and affection....Jackasses. :laugh: :wavey:

[The Tower]

I like it up to the part where she says: "I was born in the desert, so I know how it feels there"
:lol: :laugh: :lol: :laugh: :lol:

I really like this song (except for the bridge).

[amber]

:lol: :laugh: :lol: :laugh: :lol:

I really like this song (except for the bridge).
really? Damn, who would've guessed that? Not me. I still don't quite believe it. :xoxo:

[CreepingDeath]

Well...I dunno if I still hate this song as I used to. It's growing on me a bit, but damn, it's still my least favorite song of hers. It will always be, probably. :cool:

I feel the same way. :] <-- an underused smiley

[The Tower]

really? Damn, who would've guessed that? Not me. I still don't quite believe it. :xoxo:
Yeah, freeeeky huh?

Seriously! I love the two verses... the "in the deserrrrrtt" part.... the "well, I live below" part..... The "operation desert _______ " is kinda cheezy, but I can handle it.

You can really hear the klonopin on "Ooh, angels in waitinnnnnng.... just the fa-ces-of-yooo-ou" (boy is that labored or what?).

Benmont's piano is awesome.

Compare this to "Sometime's It's a Bitch" (which I actually listened to the other day :eek: ). My gawd, that song sucks ass.

[amber]

Yeah, freeeeky huh?

Seriously! I love the two verses... the "in the deserrrrrtt" part.... the "well, I live below" part..... The "operation desert _______ " is kinda cheezy, but I can handle it.

You can really hear the klonopin on "Ooh, angels in waitinnnnnng.... just the fa-ces-of-yooo-ou" (boy is that labored or what?).

Benmont's piano is awesome.

Compare this to "Sometime's It's a Bitch" (which I actually listened to the other day :eek: ). My gawd, that song sucks ass.
Ah, I love Sometimes It's a Biatch. I tried to listen to DA again, but I couldn't. I just couldn't get through. I felt imminent suffocation with each passing moment of the song. Very weird. It's nice some people like it, though, I guess. Unless it somehow encourages STevie to make more like it. :D

[Kelly]

God I really hate it. It is not the worst thing she has ever done but it is up there. I hate the "OPERATION DESERT ANGEL..." part so much!

I was pretty shocked she included it on Enchanted. What was she thinking? :( Sorry.

[skcin]

Ah, I love Sometimes It's a Biatch. I tried to listen to DA again, but I couldn't. I just couldn't get through. I felt imminent suffocation with each passing moment of the song. Very weird. It's nice some people like it, though, I guess. Unless it somehow encourages STevie to make more like it. :D


I, too, love the Bitch. Maybe it was leftover from my Bon Jovi obsession in 8th grade? :shrug:

[amber]

God I really hate it. It is not the worst thing she has ever done but it is up there. I hate the "OPERATION DESERT ANGEL..." part so much!

I was pretty shocked she included it on Enchanted. What was she thinking? :( Sorry.
If that's not the worst thing she's ever done, I'm really curious as to what you think is the worst thing. Seriously. :)
I, too, love the Bitch. Maybe it was leftover from my Bon Jovi obsession in 8th grade?
Yeah, maybe. I know a lot of people don't like it, though. But it fits right in with the STevie-ness of Stevie, for me. I mean, you can totally scream it when you're upset, and it works. Because, lot's of times, it is a Bitch. :shrug:

[David]

I think it's one of the pinnacles of Stevie's art. It's masterly from top to bottom & from side to side. I find it totally compelling & musically awe-inspiring. It's essentially the same chord progression as "Dreams," but it creates an entirely different atmosphere. My favorite moment is the descending instrumental cascade underlying the "faces of you" verse. The vocal harmonies in the 'Operation Desert Angel' bridge are chilling -- a combination of Stevie's own harmonies & Sharon's singing.

One flaw: it ends on the tonic rather than on the major 6th.

[diamondsnake]

I love this song. I get chills whenever I hear the "Where is my father, and where is my son?" part. I just adore this song. I almost like the fact that only a few people appreciate the song. A lot of people don't "get it" or feel that it "sucks" but I think it is a masterpiece.

And I don't see how anyone could say this is the worst song she has ever written. It has lots of meaning and substance...

[GarboSpeaks!]

Don't LOVE it, don't despise it. Don't skip it when it plays, rather I think, hmmm, I haven't heard this for a while. Yea, that was ok. Then it doesn't get played again for months.

"Scuse me while I whip this out." I mean the single for a re-listen. :shocked:

[JazmenFlowers]

I think it's one of the pinnacles of Stevie's art. It's masterly from top to bottom & from side to side. I find it totally compelling & musically awe-inspiring. It's essentially the same chord progression as "Dreams," but it creates an entirely different atmosphere. My favorite moment is the descending instrumental cascade underlying the "faces of you" verse. The vocal harmonies in the 'Operation Desert Angel' bridge are chilling -- a combination of Stevie's own harmonies & Sharon's singing.

One flaw: it ends on the tonic rather than on the major 6th.

same way I feel - too bad others don't feel the same, but that's ok

I guess you and I will hold hands, skip down the road singing "Operation Desert Shield! AHHHHUHHHAHHH Operation Desert Storm!"

......or, maybe not :P

[JazmenFlowers]

I love this song. I get chills whenever I hear the "Where is my father, and where is my son?" part. I just adore this song. I almost like the fact that only a few people appreciate the song. A lot of people don't "get it" or feel that it "sucks" but I think it is a masterpiece.

And I don't see how anyone could say this is the worst song she has ever written. It has lots of meaning and substance...

yup...we should start our own DA fan club, lol. I just love the part you quoted here. It's amazing to me.

As far as worst song, hmm, me thinks not. Has anyone heard This Is My Cross To Bear...I think DA is a little higher on the totem pole.

[ontheEdgeof17]

yup...we should start our own DA fan club, lol. I just love the part you quoted here. It's amazing to me.

As far as worst song, hmm, me thinks not. Has anyone heard This Is My Cross To Bear...I think DA is a little higher on the totem pole.


There's a difference between demos and released material. Released material means it went to full completion....Demos can suck because they are unfinished work. Released material should be up to par. So, for me, demos can't be horrible. Desert Angel can be...BECAUSE SHE GAVE THE FINAL GO AHEAD....ugh.

[JazmenFlowers]

There's a difference between demos and released material. Released material means it went to full completion....Demos can suck because they are unfinished work. Released material should be up to par. So, for me, demos can't be horrible. Desert Angel can be...BECAUSE SHE GAVE THE FINAL GO AHEAD....ugh.

Thanks for the distinction - but I fully understand the difference.

I was referring to the comment of this being Stevie's worst-penned song ever recorded; I wasn't aware it we were sticking to only "released material".

[diamondsnake]

yup...we should start our own DA fan club, lol. I just love the part you quoted here. It's amazing to me.

As far as worst song, hmm, me thinks not. Has anyone heard This Is My Cross To Bear...I think DA is a little higher on the totem pole.
We should start a DA fan club!

The lines are so beautiful, how can someone not love this line:

Where is my father, where has he gone? What is this that's happened here? Is this real? This war, it can't be happening...

I love that part. I think it is one of her most important songs. Certainly better then SIlver Girl, Rock a Little, Love's a Hard Game to Play, Jane, It's Only Love, Destiny, etc. There are tons of songs that are "worse" in my opinion.

[ontheEdgeof17]

I was referring to the comment of this being Stevie's worst-penned song.


I was, too. And it is. :)

[diamondsnake]

I was, too. And it is. :)
That would go to Silver Girl. (Which isn't a horrible song either. Most of her songs are great but there are a few mediocre... SG being one of them)

[JazmenFlowers]

I was, too. And it is. :)

we'll just agree to disagree :)

[JazmenFlowers]

That would go to Silver Girl. (Which isn't a horrible song either. Most of her songs are great but there are a few mediocre... SG being one of them)


see, I like SG too! I do agree, though, that it is probably more on the mediocre side. There are times when I have an urge to listen though. I love the chorus.

[diamondsnake]

see, I like SG too! I do agree, though, that it is probably more on the mediocre side. There are times when I have an urge to listen though. I love the chorus.
Even though I love almost every Stevie song, I would say that this is one of my least favorites. I still listen to it though. The only songs I really do not like and can't get to the skip button fast enough are Destiny and It's Only Love. Just because those songs are pretty bland and there are no "Stevie quirks" in them.

[sparky]

how can someone not love this line:

Where is my father, where has he gone? What is this that's happened here? Is this real? This war, it can't be happening...


How ? Having studied English Lit and having read real poetry, that's how.

Dreadful lyrics, semi interesting musical interludes, sleep inducing pace, and about one minute of top notch vocal. Great intentions, disastrous product. I put it right down there with Silver Girl. Actually, below Silver Girl.

Good that it does something for someone though !

[JazmenFlowers]

Even though I love almost every Stevie song, I would say that this is one of my least favorites. I still listen to it though. The only songs I really do not like and can't get to the skip button fast enough are Destiny and It's Only Love. Just because those songs are pretty bland and there are no "Stevie quirks" in them.


yep, I can see that. I think It's Only Love could've worked with a better arrangement. And Destiny is a cute song, but it is a little snozworthy.

[JazmenFlowers]

having read real poetry


Stevie's lyrics are real poetry; you don't have to like them. I'm not particularly fond of Denise Levertov, but I appreciate her and consider her to be a real poet.

Just keeping it real.

[sparky]

Stevie's lyrics are real poetry; you don't have to like them. I'm not particularly fond of Denise Levertov, but I appreciate her and consider her to be a real poet.

Just keeping it real.

Some of it is exquisite poetry, some of it is pretty pedestrian rambling. :wavey:

[DavidMn]

God I really hate it. It is not the worst thing she has ever done but it is up there. I hate the "OPERATION DESERT ANGEL..." part so much!

I was pretty shocked she included it on Enchanted. What was she thinking? :( Sorry.
Hey, I got no problem with that. I'm glad you shared your opinion :)

[Johnny Stew]

Some of it is exquisite poetry, some of it is pretty pedestrian rambling. :wavey:No one hits a homerun every time.

[Serendipity]

About this song, whilst I can truly appreciate the sentiment of it and the meaning of Stevie's words. I usually either skip it or wander of to do something else, I'm pretty indifferent. Dont really hate it, but I definately dont love it.

~Nicki

[GODDESS6]

I like it up to the part where she says: "I was born in the desert, so I know how it feels there"
:lol: that part is so funny~ actually i love most of the lyrics but don't care to much for the music~

[WildInTheWind]

I can't stand DA. I haven't listened to it since like, 1996, and probably never will again. Just having it run through my head makes me cringe. :sorry:

[amber]

:lol: that part is so funny~ actually i love most of the lyrics but don't care to much for the music~
Bless your tolerant heart. :xoxo:

I can't stand DA. I haven't listened to it since like, 1996, and probably never will again. Just having it run through my head makes me cringe.
Exactly how I feel. I literally can't listen to it. Sesly.

[sparky]

No one hits a homerun every time.

So let's just pretend !

Or maybe, maybe we can call the strikes base hits ? Can we ? Can we ? :blob1:

[storms]

I think this song is very touching. I think I have shed a tear or two to this song. I love the piano in it.

[amber]

So let's just pretend !

Or maybe, maybe we can call the strikes base hits ? Can we ? Can we ? :blob1:
Only if we include Ghostrunners. "My ghost crappy stevie song is on third, now it is a good song!" etc.

[Johnny Stew]

So let's just pretend !

Or maybe, maybe we can call the strikes base hits ? Can we ? Can we ? :blob1:Oh, mop it up. :p

[dudden22]

This is probably my second, and very close to #1 favorite Stevvie solo song, behind Kind Of Woman.

Kind of Woman is one of my all time favs also and very underrated IMO it is right up there with Landslide and Edge. :blob1: :blob2: I am not a fan of Desert Angel though.

[sparky]

Oh, mop it up. :p

Mop it up ? Hmmm. There is so much I could do with that.

Quit spilling it. How about that ? :woohoo:

[Johnny Stew]

Mop it up ? Hmmm. There is so much I could do with that.

Quit spilling it. How about that ? :woohoo::laugh:

I have to give you something to work with, no? :laugh:

Back to the comment regarding "exquisite poetry" versus "pedestrian rambling." The truth of the matter, is that I don't at all disagree that some of Stevie's lyrics don't live up to the rest of her work. It's just that, for my money, Stevie's "pedestrian ramblings" are still entertaining to me, even if they're not necessarily brilliant. So it doesn't taint anything for me.

About six or seven clunkers in a body of 130+ released songs, isn't too bad.
We're talking a 95.7% success-rate in a career spanning 32 years. :nod: :D

[AliP]

All I know is that Michael Campbell + Stevie Nicks = disaster.

There's the stinker that is Desert Angel and there's the stinker that is Whole Lotta Trouble (any others I'm missing? I'm too lazy to go look).

Sometimes I wonder what Michael thought about these songs, I wonder if he actually thought they were good or he just was being a good friend in helping Stevie out.

Sorry to trash on Desert Angel. I'm glad that there are some people who like it. :wavey:

[sparky]

:laugh:

I have to give you something to work with, no? :laugh:

Back to the comment regarding "exquisite poetry" versus "pedestrian rambling." The truth of the matter, is that I don't at all disagree that some of Stevie's lyrics don't live up to the rest of her work. It's just that, for my money, Stevie's "pedestrian ramblings" are still entertaining to me, even if they're not necessarily brilliant. So it doesn't taint anything for me.

About six or seven clunkers in a body of 130+ released songs, isn't too bad.
We're talking a 95.7% success-rate in a career spanning 32 years. :nod: :D

And I think the ratio of bad to good is more like 40% bad to 40% good to 20% brilliant. And that the bad is at times spectacularly humiliating. What you call lyrics that "don't live up to the rest of her work" I frequently consider to be at the level of a 12 year old with a crayon. And we have argued about it before and it's really all a waste of typing and time, isn't it ? I criticize, you apologize for her and defend her.

"I thought we already DID that. Have fun tell the world."

[dudden22]

Stevie's lyrics are real poetry; you don't have to like them. I'm not particularly fond of Denise Levertov, but I appreciate her and consider her to be a real poet.

Just keeping it real.I think they were back in the 70's, early 80's, but, silver girl, EFO, and the entire Street Angel album is less than amateur
at the very best. It is a nothing but a shell of her former self. It is sad. :distress:

[desertangel]

In 1998, I adopted DA as a screen name, user id and email addy. I chose it, at first, because so many people hate the song and I'd learned how much it meant to Stevie. I used to skip over it too, but then I quit skipping and discovered there are parts that I truly love. The AAUUHHHS in the background are very haunting. Mostly, I love the lyrics because they expose the caring nurturer that Stevie can be. It's her soft spot and one of the reasons I cherish her as a writer. The production of this song left a lot to be desired and I really don't think that's Stevie's fault. Vocally, it does tend to drone in places, not sure if that was intentional somehow or if that was the beginning of the Klonopin downfall.


Laura

[Kelly]

If that's not the worst thing she's ever done, I'm really curious as to what you think is the worst thing. Seriously. :)

Yeah, maybe. I know a lot of people don't like it, though. But it fits right in with the STevie-ness of Stevie, for me. I mean, you can totally scream it when you're upset, and it works. Because, lot's of times, it is a Bitch. :shrug:


Actually it might be the worst thing she has ever officially released. I was thinking of Lily Girl as the "worst thing I have ever heard come out of Stevie's mouth". Another released song that I hate is Docklands. Jane, too. Oh, and That Made Me Stronger is pretty awful but it has some very redeeming lyrics... "I tell the shadows of my soul to stay back" keeps it off the bottom of the list. (it is still in the bottom five though) My bottom five songs all sort of run together..lol

[Johnny Stew]

I criticize.
You defend.That definitely defines our roles here. :nod:

For the record, the "homerun" comment was meant as a little lighthearted throwaway, and not to start yet another debate. You've made it abundantly clear how you feel, and I've certainly done the same.
The rest is silence.

[strandinthewind]

. . .

About six or seven clunkers in a body of 130+ released songs, isn't too bad.
We're talking a 95.7% success-rate in a career spanning 32 years. :nod: :D

Oh stop being a blind defender of her's - the ONLY songs that matter are those seven clunkers :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[ontheEdgeof17]

About six or seven clunkers in a body of 130+ released songs, isn't too bad.
We're talking a 95.7% success-rate in a career spanning 32 years. :nod: :D


I want names of these so-called "clunkers". I only see one in her work.

[Johnny Stew]

I want names of these so-called "clunkers". I only see one in her work.Hush, Curtie... that was a (failed) attempt at conciliation. ;)

Really though, I think she has some clunky lines in what are otherwise great songs ("Two Kinds Of Love," "That Made Me Stronger," "Jane," "Desert Angel"), but, in my opinion, it's nothing all that serious.

[DavidMn]

I love this song. I get chills whenever I hear the "Where is my father, and where is my son?" part. I just adore this song. I almost like the fact that only a few people appreciate the song. A lot of people don't "get it" or feel that it "sucks" but I think it is a masterpiece.

And I don't see how anyone could say this is the worst song she has ever written. It has lots of meaning and substance...
U hit the nail right on the head :)

[DavidMn]

You know, I've read alot of responses to my original post, and the bottom line for me is this. While I respect other's opinions that dont like Desert Angel, It has been and will always be one of my favorite Stevie songs, and I frankly dont really care if anyone likes that or not :)

[SapphireSister]

I like it up to the part where she says: "I was born in the desert, so I know how it feels there"

I love you for this ha ha!
:lol: :lol: :lol:

And I happen to absolutely love this song. The passion in her voice is undeniable. Given some of the lyrics are a bit cheesy it has such an awesome sound musically and a great message. It's so sweet of her to think of other people when she was going through such a difficult time in her life. Shows her true spirit. And I also love the fact that it's something different for her. Not a typical Stevie song and that in itself is a treat for me.