No Questions Asked-thoughts?

[bwboy]

I was disappointed when I bought FM Greatest Hits and heard this song. I loved As Long As You Follow and I was hoping this new song by Stevie, her first with Rick and Billy, would be a strong single, but I knew right away radio wouldn't play it. Later, I came to like it, but still felt it was an odd choice for the album. When I learned Paper Doll was originally supposed to be on the album, I was really shocked, because PD is an even odder song choice!

However, I now recognize No Questions Asked is a great song. The lyrics are awesome "When I see him, I feel him..." but that music- it's incredible! Musically, I can't tell the difference between a flute and a saxophone, but the guitar playing is so unique and catchy. The part I'm specifically curious about is, right after the words "you feel..." and before "pushed up against the wall." Is that Billy or Rick, and is it a particular kind of guitar? It's such an unusual sound.

Thanks for the help, and I'd love to hear thoughts on the song in general.

[Jondalar]

Huge disappointment. Did not belong on a greatest hits. As Long As You Follow was great. No Questions was a throwaway.

[Macfan4life]

I love No Questions Asked. Its raw and a big step up from anything Stevie did on Tango or RAL. The group appeared on Rock line in Nov or Dec. 1988 and Stevie spoke extensively about this song. Its written about some guy that was living at her house. I forget the context about the name of the song but she tells it. Its obvious that Stevie contributed a new song instead of one of her vault classics. I am sure she did not want one of her better songs hidden on a Greatest Hits package. In addition she was in the middle of finishing TOSOTM when asked to contribute this song. It sounds like it was a rough cut from her demo. There is a reason for this. She was busy recording her own album to really spend time in the studio with the Mac. Remember that the band and especially Stevie HATE greatest hits packages. Its the record company that makes them do them.
I like the song and how Stevie outwardly sings. Love hearing Christine play keyboards again. Its sad for me to have to say that but her playing took a back seat to Lindsey's programming on Tango.
I was surprised what a dud As Long As You Follow was. Usually a greatest hits package is promoted with a big hit song. The video was good but mainstream radio had no interest in Rick and Billy. It did well on Adult Contemporary stations though.
Funny story: There was a shady bar I used to frequent and there was a jukebox and had Fleetwood Mac's greatest hits. I once played No Questions asked. It really had people interested. I would see so many go up to the jukebox and look what song was playing. They were like " Wow, what Stevie Nicks song is this?"
In any event, I think the quality of the song is consistent to what we got from her and the band on Behind the Mask.

[bwboy]

Thanks for the info, macfan4life. I see the song was co-written by Kelly Johnson, who was (is?) Steve's personal assistant at one time, so maybe she knew the person Stevie was writing about, as well.

I can see why it's considered a throwaway song, since it's so not radio friendly. But Sleeping Angel, Battle of the Dragon, and Blue Lamp have also been called throwaway songs, so No Questions Asked is in good company. While I would agree Stevie kept songs she might have thought could be hits for her own solo album, especially after Rock a Little, I'm sure she recorded No Questions Asked with the hope that it would chart. After all, a hit is a hit.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by bwboy

Thanks for the info, macfan4life. I see the song was co-written by Kelly Johnson, who was (is?) Steve's personal assistant at one time, so maybe she knew the person Stevie was writing about, as well.

I can see why it's considered a throwaway song, since it's so not radio friendly. But Sleeping Angel, Battle of the Dragon, and Blue Lamp have also been called throwaway songs, so No Questions Asked is in good company. While I would agree Stevie kept songs she might have thought could be hits for her own solo album, especially after Rock a Little, I'm sure she recorded No Questions Asked with the hope that it would chart. After all, a hit is a hit.

I never heard anyone say Sleeping Angel is a throw away song
Maybe the rockline interview is somewhere you can listen. She talks a lot about the song and how many people live or were living in her house. I think she does also talk about the co-writer. The song does not have much of a melody but I love when Stevie sings outwardly almost yelling throughout the song. I wish the Greatest Hits package had ALL their hits. They should have left off a new song and included Love In Store, Think About Me and Seven Wonders. The song just sounds like a polished demo with no intricate workings. I see Stevie sending over a demo and the band recording it quickly and putting it on the record. The only way anyone was going to hear this song is if As Long As You Follow charted big and there would be a second single.

[mitzo]

I have always loved this one, and As Long as You Follow. I am one of the traitors who wishes Rick and Billy had stayed and, well, you know.

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by bwboy

Thanks for the info, macfan4life. I see the song was co-written by Kelly Johnson, who was (is?) Steve's personal assistant at one time, so maybe she knew the person Stevie was writing about, as well.

I can see why it's considered a throwaway song, since it's so not radio friendly. But Sleeping Angel, Battle of the Dragon, and Blue Lamp have also been called throwaway songs, so No Questions Asked is in good company. While I would agree Stevie kept songs she might have thought could be hits for her own solo album, especially after Rock a Little, I'm sure she recorded No Questions Asked with the hope that it would chart. After all, a hit is a hit.

You're not understanding. The song does not belong on a greatest hits. Stevie has a history of putting of putting low level songs such NQA, Desert Angel, Loves A Hard To Play on greatest hits. When you buy a greatest hits the songs shlould not be skippable. She weakens her packages.

[FuzzyPlum]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

I love No Questions Asked. Its raw and a big step up from anything Stevie did on Tango or RAL. The group appeared on Rock line in Nov or Dec. 1988 and Stevie spoke extensively about this song. Its written about some guy that was living at her house. I forget the context about the name of the song but she tells it. Its obvious that Stevie contributed a new song instead of one of her vault classics. I am sure she did not want one of her better songs hidden on a Greatest Hits package. In addition she was in the middle of finishing TOSOTM when asked to contribute this song. It sounds like it was a rough cut from her demo. There is a reason for this. She was busy recording her own album to really spend time in the studio with the Mac. Remember that the band and especially Stevie HATE greatest hits packages. Its the record company that makes them do them.
I like the song and how Stevie outwardly sings. Love hearing Christine play keyboards again. Its sad for me to have to say that but her playing took a back seat to Lindsey's programming on Tango.
I was surprised what a dud As Long As You Follow was. Usually a greatest hits package is promoted with a big hit song. The video was good but mainstream radio had no interest in Rick and Billy. It did well on Adult Contemporary stations though.
Funny story: There was a shady bar I used to frequent and there was a jukebox and had Fleetwood Mac's greatest hits. I once played No Questions asked. It really had people interested. I would see so many go up to the jukebox and look what song was playing. They were like " Wow, what Stevie Nicks song is this?"
In any event, I think the quality of the song is consistent to what we got from her and the band on Behind the Mask.

Are you sure they hate Greatest Hits packages??? They've certainly done extremely well out of them financially. I'd reckon Mick in particular loooooves GH's.

As Long As You Follow...a dud??? Each to their own. Perhaps you are referring to its chart placings rather than the quality of the song. Over the years I'd suggest its become a real Fleetwood Mac fan favourite in a way No Questions Asked really hasn't. In my opinion As Long As You Follow is an absolute gem that deserved much greater recognition.

[SpyNote]

Originally Posted by FuzzyPlum

Are you sure they hate Greatest Hits packages??? They've certainly done extremely well out of them financially. I'd reckon Mick in particular loooooves GH's.

As Long As You Follow...a dud??? Each to their own. Perhaps you are referring to its chart placings rather than the quality of the song. Over the years I'd suggest its become a real Fleetwood Mac fan favourite in a way No Questions Asked really hasn't. In my opinion As Long As You Follow is an absolute gem that deserved much greater recognition.

I don't agree that "As Long As You Follow" was dud either. Fleetwood Mac was way past their prime at this point, so as long as they were appealing to their base, which they were, that should have been the measure of their success. In this case, their base was on the AC chart, and the song hit #1 and GH went on to sell 10 million copies worldwide, 8 million alone in the US. So "As Long As You Follow" did its job.

[bwboy]

Originally Posted by SpyNote

I don't agree that "As Long As You Follow" was dud either. Fleetwood Mac was way past their prime at this point, so as long as they were appealing to their base, which they were, that should have been the measure of their success. In this case, their base was on the AC chart, and the song hit #1 and GH went on to sell 10 million copies worldwide, 8 million alone in the US. So "As Long As You Follow" did its job.

I'm with you and fuzzyplum- As Long As You Follow is in my top 10 list of favorite FM songs. Absolutely beautiful song, and the video is beautifully shot, with the whole band looking beautiful and dignified. Wow, I used the word beautiful 3 times here! Anyway, it should have charted higher, and man, how I wish Christine would have sang this on their Behind the Mask tour. The song is also, lyrically, such a great Valentine to the fans. I've always felt like Christine wrote this as a thank you to the fans for sticking with them. If Christine and Lindsay had performed this on their current tour, I think I would have passed out! But the album selling 10 million+ copies is probably due more to the album being a greatest hits album rather than As Long As You Follow.

Back to No Questions Asked, though- glad to hear this little gem has a following, too. Stevie tried something different for her, lyrically and vocally, and it works, despite being a little jarring at first. But can anyone tell me what type of instrument is being played in the section I mentioned?

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by FuzzyPlum

Are you sure they hate Greatest Hits packages??? They've certainly done extremely well out of them financially. I'd reckon Mick in particular loooooves GH's.

As Long As You Follow...a dud??? Each to their own. Perhaps you are referring to its chart placings rather than the quality of the song. Over the years I'd suggest its become a real Fleetwood Mac fan favourite in a way No Questions Asked really hasn't. In my opinion As Long As You Follow is an absolute gem that deserved much greater recognition.

You had me go back and re-read my post OF COURSE I was referring to the charts since I said "I was SURPRISED what a dud it was...." When I heard the Mac was releasing new music in late 1988 I was thrilled. YAY! The new world will finally hear the new Mac with Rick and Billy. WRONG! The song never even cracked the top 40 in the USA and did even worse on your side of the pond. So it surprised me. I was in my teens and would frantically listen to all the top 40 countdowns waiting desperately to hear the song on the top 40. Well it never happened
Another bummer was the video was a mainstay on Vh1 but not really MTV. But in those days VH1 was sort of the adult contemporary and oldies video channel. I loved the video and being winter made it even more romantic.
Did I mention I was SHOCKED the song was basically never played on the radio? I was like...what gives? Its a great song with a great video from a famous group but a flop (meaning not a hit, not my personal preference).
When I first heard the song, I was like. OMG the Mac is going to get a #1 song!!!!
As far as Greatest Hits packages...I am sure Mick loves the sales but since he was not a writer of any of the songs, his cut is not as big as the song writers. Stevie hated when they wanted her to release a greatest hits package and only agreed if it was not called greatest hits and she could add other songs like Beauty and the Beast, etc to make it not sound like a greatest hits album. There is no creativity what so ever and its money for the record label. I am sure Lindsey hated it too. They used to say when a group does a Greatest Hits album their career is over and it means they cant get anymore hit songs. Sounds harsh but since the Mac's Greatest Hits release they have never even cracked the top 20 with any song

[FuzzyPlum]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

You had me go back and re-read my post OF COURSE I was referring to the charts since I said "I was SURPRISED what a dud it was...." When I heard the Mac was releasing new music in late 1988 I was thrilled. YAY! The new world will finally hear the new Mac with Rick and Billy. WRONG! The song never even cracked the top 40 in the USA and did even worse on your side of the pond. So it surprised me. I was in my teens and would frantically listen to all the top 40 countdowns waiting desperately to hear the song on the top 40. Well it never happened

Thanks for clearing that up. I was surprised by what I thought you meant.