Silver Springs
 

I'm sorry if something like this has been posted several times before but this just came up on shuffle and I really started thinking about how amazing this song is. I think, objectively, this is probably Stevie's greatest creation. Because not only is it an incredible song, it's an EFFECTIVE song. In my opinion, this song, especially the end of it, accomplishes the same type of "thing" that Eric Clapton accomplished with Layla. It's hard to put it into words, but it just has this power and quality to it that doesn't happen too often.

And I know people mostly talk about the version from the Dance which is epic, no doubt about it. But I don't think anything compares to the original vocal. The little growl in her voice when she goes "from the SOUND" at the end.

Effects of Songs on People
 

I find it interesting how music affects people - for me it is usually live versions of songs that I get that sense of power or emotion. On the Wembley (1980) live version of The Chain, the raw energy, passion and emotion that Lindsey and Stevie poured into that song really comes through the speakers (seems too "rehearsed" on recent tours). And I am amazed at the number of people that comment how Lindsey's Out of the Cradle helped them through difficult times. While it seemed to be cathartic for Lindsey and many others, his relationship with Richard Dashut ended at that time (perhaps during the two to three year production). Richard seemed to break down when he acknowledged listening to it during his blog. Music can be a powerful instrument, both positively and negatively.

My favorite Stevie/FM song. :thumbsup: I first heard and fell in love with the version on The Dance when I was in college...later heard the version that on Crystal Visions and love that too. Wonderful song.

The Dance version is so spot on. They actually don't have to act in that version because I can see Stevie feeling it. Also, Christine's piano, harmony and Lindsey's guitar give the song magic.

Those six concerts at Wembley during 1980 were magical. Each live version is fantastic. They were in their prime.

Silver Springs is probably Stevie's greatest creation? You've heard Sara and Gypsy, right?

The Dance version of Silver Springs is really good, but the backup singers ruined the chorus, way too many voices singing in that performance.

Silver Springs is one of my favourite tunes both by Stevie and FM; my favourite version is this one with the epic long coda that gradually builds up, it's the closest we have to the almost 7 minutes one Stevie said was initially envisioned. In my opinion in this form it's one of the best power ballads ever written.

The Dance version is good and I do agree with backup singers ruined the chorus for sure...nothing beats the studio release.

Thanks for posting Sisternight, what an amazing version. Recorded when Stevie was at her prime, I've always felt Silver Springs was the biggest hit Fleetwood Mac never had. The song is perfect in every way and this version is the best I've heard by far. It is without a doubt Stevie's best written and performed song. While outstanding in the Dance form, Silver Springs preserved in all its original glory is hard to beat. I've waffled on its inclusion on Rumours but gotta say it was almost criminal to relegate it to a b-side.

You're welcome. Richard Dashut said Silver Springs is "The best song that never made it to a record album" and I absolutely agree. After hearing this version, that I believe is from the 2004 reissue, the one on the album striked me as too short. If the price to pay for Silver Spring's inclusion on the album would have been to cut the song so much, I think it's better to have left it out altogether.

personally I love the vocals they went with on the B-side. The youtube version above is I think closer to what Stevie wanted her vocals to be-- more upfront in the mix (they way she would eventually get them on her solo albums). She's a bit more blended in the mix on the single version and they went with a little less of the rocking edge vocals at the end (they are woven in with the softer vocal take as well). So this is interesting coz I think it's more what she would have wanted but wasn't powerful enough in the band to demand at the time, and the released version is closer to what the producers (including Lindsey) envisioned for her voice. :shrug: That said, I do like the released one better.

Thanks very much for this thread. Silver Springs is a great old song. :p:)

The pure raw emotion in this is UNREAL!

^^^^ That's a great version!

Haunting! I can't even imagine an alternate future in which Rumours somehow had more of a lasting impact than it already does... But with this song on there, I believe it would!