View Full Version : Melacine.
The Chain
05-24-2003, 10:55 PM
:eek:
Do NOT GET ME WRONG
Stevie Nicks is like, a musical hero to me, and she is one of my favorite Fleetwood Mac members.
But this witch Rumor....
the lyrics to Melacine?
I mean, it's kind of wierd.
Johnny Stew
05-24-2003, 11:34 PM
"Melacine (The Witch)" seems to be a favorite for many fans... but definitely not this fan!
As hard as I've tried, I've just never developed an appreciation for this one.
Stevie sings the lyrical melody with a terrific rhythm, but beyond that it just doesn't do anything for me.
The Chain
05-24-2003, 11:49 PM
Thanks for your reply. But I actually meant, that It was a weird song, and just makes it harder on Stevie with the witch Rumor. It adds on
jwys_soapbox
05-25-2003, 12:01 AM
haveing never heard this one, could you post the lyrics?
John
wondergirl9847
05-25-2003, 12:18 AM
"Melacine is insane," they said
They burned your body and they wished you dead
"You're a witch," they cried
They feared the silence in your cat-green eyes
Melacine lives alone by the sea
She was not lonely, she was not lonely
She lived on herbs and as such were her dreams
And such a beauty was Melacine
Melacine, beauty...
THANK YOU BuckinghamNicks.net!!
jwys_soapbox
05-25-2003, 12:33 AM
thank you wondergirl. the lyrics don't seem very threatening to me (if i was correct in assuming that that is what people were complaining about). no more threatening than the people who leave flowers at the graves in Salem of women who were burned by puritans as witches.
John
wondergirl9847
05-25-2003, 12:45 AM
I think I'm right in assuming that Chain was saying the lyrics to Melacine only spur on rumours of Stevie actually BEING a witch. Am I right, Chain? I mean, Rhiannon started the whole "Stevie is a witch" crap, right? People ASSUMED/ASSUME that she is because she has a certain persona. People think...candles....black outfits....sister of the moon....and immediately go...WITCH!!!!! LOL It's so absurd!! :rolleyes:
I think Chain's saying, she's not helping DISPEL those rumours by writing such a song.
The Chain
05-25-2003, 12:52 AM
Your right wondergirl
In my oppinion, Stevie's stage personality is a must for her fans. It is what makes her Stevie Nicks. Without it, there would be no fun in watching. But, I'm only currious, have anyone ever sat down, listened to Stevie's lyrics, ond gone, wow, that is convincing, (for the rumor)
Does anyone know who started the Stevie Nicks Witch thing. It is kind off odd how her song and Rhiannon the ledgend share a meaning, but It's definantly not something to go nuts about.
tamaraluvsFM
05-25-2003, 01:27 AM
Wow I have never heard this...is this a demo?
Tamara
SaraRhiannon
05-25-2003, 02:55 AM
This song is probably in reference to the mythological character Melusine:
"The figure of MELUSINE (or Melusina), is truly an archetypal image that can be found in mythologies and legends the world over. Her ancient Greek counterpart would be the Sirens of the Odyssey. She can also be detected in the legend of Undine as recounted by the Swiss Paracelsus. There are also stories of water-sprites, or nymphs in both Gallic and Celtic mythology. She later appears in a Danish fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson as "a little mermaid". And she eventually attains superstardom in a full-length, animated Disney cartoon in 1989.
The name "Melusine" is related to the ancient priestesses of Demeter who were called "melissae". In fact, Selene, the moon (as mistress of water), was also known by the name "Melissa". Furthermore, the name for the fish-woman in German is "Meerfrau" or "Meriminni", and in Danish she is "Maremind". The Irish knew her as "Merrow" and the Breton peasantry called her "Marie-Morgan".
In the legendary lore of all these people, there are tales of the enchantment of mortal men by a magical, water-sprite or mermaid....MELUSINE."
We all know how Stevie is inspired by literary and mythological characters. It makes sense: "Melacine/Melusine lived alone by the sea." Melusine = water sprite. I'm sure this is what Stevie had in mind. (Well, not *sure*, but you know what I mean. ;)
SaraRhiannon
05-25-2003, 03:07 AM
Originally posted by The Chain
Does anyone know who started the Stevie Nicks Witch thing.
I think she did. ;)
[DJ: You used to think you were a witch. ] Yes
~Stevie Nicks, WEGQ FM Eagle 93.7 - May 21, 1998
She also said in an interview (maybe that same one) that she lied. I think Stevie probably just outgrew the whole airy-fairy witchy thing. She still has a very "mystical" sort of style, and I think that's probably just an honest part of who she is, but I think the whole witchiness factor was just for show, or maybe a phase. Who knows.
estranged4life
05-25-2003, 04:07 AM
Maybe if Stevie were a witch she could cast a spell and turn Jonathan "Duh" Todd into a heapin' steamin' pile of ....
Brian "I'm knitting with only 1 needle...Unravelling fast it's true..." j.
Gypsy-Rhiannon
05-25-2003, 05:33 AM
Originally posted by estranged4life
Maybe if Stevie were a witch she could cast a spell and turn Jonathan "Duh" Todd into a heapin' steamin' pile of ....
Brian "I'm knitting with only 1 needle...Unravelling fast it's true..." j.
LMAO!
darklinensuit
05-25-2003, 10:21 AM
Originally posted by estranged4life
Maybe if Stevie were a witch she could cast a spell and turn Jonathan "Duh" Todd into a heapin' steamin' pile of ....
To quote SaraRhiannon, "I think she did."
- Jake
DrummerDeanna
05-25-2003, 11:32 AM
LOL...I've thought about things like this before, simply because it makes my life hell when some non-fan comes to me with the whole, "Stevie Nicks is a witch, I know it for sure!" thing....but her mysticism is one the things I LOVE most about her...
Sorcerer386
05-25-2003, 12:09 PM
Originally posted by DrummerDeanna
LOL...I've thought about things like this before, simply because it makes my life hell when some non-fan comes to me with the whole, "Stevie Nicks is a witch, I know it for sure!" thing....but her mysticism is one the things I LOVE most about her...
Me too. There's something very alluring about the "witchiness" she exudes. And it's funny, because just yesterday at work I made the other workers listen to a live Dance show while we were closing, and the one worker said, "Justin, I have a question. Is Stevie Nicks really a witch? Because, she hasn't aged in the past 30 years." As Karen from Will and Grace would say, "That's funny because it's true." She's aged so well it's almost scary, ESPECIALLY after being so hardcore with cocaine, alcohol, and tranquilizers. I know she's not a witch and it's ridiculous, but I don't find it stupid...I think it's funny. I mean, how many people can say, "My favorite rock star is rumored to be a witch"?
gldstwmn
05-25-2003, 12:16 PM
I like Melacine. The melody reminds me of Angel. It was probably written in the time period with alot of the other "witch" songs. And while I think Stevie bought into the whole image for a long time, I don't think it suits her anymore. I think her music has evolved to a higher level of spirituality.
belladonnamoon
05-25-2003, 02:44 PM
Originally posted by tamaraluvsFM
Wow I have never heard this...is this a demo?
Tamara
Yes, it is.
I have an mp3...if you'd like to have it I can email it to you (as long as your mailbox can handle it).
~Renae
strandinthewind
05-25-2003, 03:03 PM
I think this is one of those songs that SN heard/read the name Melacine (probably from the story mentioned earlier in this thread) and then wrote a song about it a la Annabel Lee. In fact she has repeatedly said that that is how her songs that are titled with names come into being. She hears a name like Rhiannon, etc., and then writes a song about it. Having said that and rather scarily (sp?) Rhiannon was written before she knew the legend. Imagine if the same was true about Melacine.
I think this demo could have been a hit with a little FM/LB or even JI magic.
Also, my impression was SN jokingly said she was a witch in that 1998 interview in a tingue in cheek Q&A session.
ERigby818
05-25-2003, 03:21 PM
That's one of my favorite demos. It's a sweet little ditty that always makes me smile. I wouldn't be surprised if she wrote it in reaction to the rumours about her being a witch (kinda like how the Beatles reacted to the "Paul is dead" rumour with songs like "Glass Onion" and picturing Paul barefoot on the Abbey Road cover). I bet the rumours about Stevie probably started as soon as she put on that black dress and gave haunting performances of Rhiannon and Gold Dust Woman in the 70's.:D
When people say Stevie is a witch, I just play dumb and go "Really? Well, good for her." :laugh:
BTW I thought the Annabel Lee lyrics came directly from the Poe poem. :confused:
-Sonia
strandinthewind
05-25-2003, 03:33 PM
Originally posted by ERigby818
BTW I thought the Annabel Lee lyrics came directly from the Poe poem. :confused:
-Sonia
I think the lyrics from Annabel Lee are very similar if not the same in some instances to the poem. But, like she did in RTTG, I think she added some to tell her story of that N. Hawthorne story. In any event, I love all three songs mentioned :;
Also, here is a snippet from a March 1982 article from high Times magazine (full text in on the nicksfix) where SN discusses the whole witch thing. I know there are many articles on this topic, but I thought I would haul this old one out to show that this rumor has been around a long time despite her vocal denial, etc. :]
Also, I know her stage wardrobe smacks of witchcraft, but it also is very Edwardian and prior to then a la Dickens. So, who knows. Personally, I think she emphatically denies the denies the rumor and then perpetuates it even if just a little to keep people guessing. I think this helps her aura of mystery.
__________________________________
HIGH TIMES: Where does your fascination with witches come from? Did you dream about things like that when you were a little girl?
STEVIE NICKS: I dreamed only about giving a little fairy tale to people. That’s what the outfit is on my album cover, that’s what that bird is. (Reaches for the album jacket.) That bird belongs to my brother, that’s the only reason I could work with a wild animal. That’s Max on the front. With my clothes and the things that I wear, I have so much fun with them. I was talking to a lady today and were talking about dress-up and about how much fun dress-up used to be. And if there was a trunk in the attic, I was in it looking. And I would rather wear that drape than anything you could sell me from Bloomingdale’s. I don’t like all that stuff. I love the Muppets. Miss Piggy on the front of the TV Guide kills me with her portable TV, and Kermie in the back sitting, and with her little shoes. I just adore Miss Piggy to death. I collect marionettes and dolls so I have an incredible collection and I carry these things all over the world. They’re so real. See, that’s a fantasy. The Muppets are no different from my fantasy. My fantasy is giving a little bit of the fairy princess to all the people out there that maybe don’t have the Hans Christian Andersen books, and the Grimm’s fairy tales. If that’s the only thing I can do for them, well, that’s fine.
HIGH TIMES: I couldn’t imagine you as a type that sits around and puts black spells on people.
STEVIE NICKS: I don’t do that. That’s silly and stupid, and anyone that does that is making up their own character and has nothing to do with me. I love good witches. I like the good witch of the north, Glinda. Glinda is my friend, not the other one. And I don’t want them around. My love of that fantasy fairy-tale thing is the good part, and I’m a coward and I get very scared. I don’t go see any of those scary movies. I just watch old movies and good sad movies, but I don’t want to be scared and frightened.
ERigby818
05-25-2003, 03:42 PM
OMG, Stevie is soooo cute! I love her answers to those questions. Thanks so much for posting that, strandinthewind.
:D
-Sonia
The Chain
05-25-2003, 03:54 PM
"Glinda is my friend"
someone had a little too much in their pipe :laugh:
gldstwmn
05-25-2003, 04:03 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by strandinthewind
[B]
Also, I know her stage wardrobe smacks of witchcraft, but it also is very Edwardian and prior to then a la Dickens. So, who knows. Personally, I think she emphatically denies the denies the rumor and then perpetuates it even if just a little to keep people guessing. I think this helps her aura of mystery.
__________________________________
QUOTE]
Very true. No one is calling Mick Jagger the devil because he strutted around in that Harlequin cape and sang Sympathy For The Devil. It simply added an aura to the show. It enhanced the mytique. And rock and roll is nothing without the mystery.
gldstwmn
05-25-2003, 04:06 PM
Originally posted by gldstwmn
[QUOTE]Originally posted by strandinthewind
[B]
Also, I know her stage wardrobe smacks of witchcraft, but it also is very Edwardian and prior to then a la Dickens. So, who knows. Personally, I think she emphatically denies the denies the rumor and then perpetuates it even if just a little to keep people guessing. I think this helps her aura of mystery.
__________________________________
QUOTE]
Very true. No one is calling Mick Jagger the devil because he strutted around in that Harlequin cape and sang Sympathy For The Devil. It simply added an aura to the show. It enhanced the mystique. And rock and roll is nothing without the mystery.
wondergirl9847
05-25-2003, 07:06 PM
http://www.buckinghamnicks.net/bootleg.html
Melacine (The Witch) is up for download at BN.net!! :)
Livia
05-27-2003, 11:25 AM
All those years of Stevie introducing Rhiannon by saying, "this is a song about a Welsh witch," certainly helped perpetuate the witchy-ness. And how many stoned/drunk audience members probably heard something different, and they told 2 friends, and they tell 2 friends, and so on, and so on, and so on. And if you're as old as me, you'll know I just made a reference to that old shampoo commercial from the 70's. :)
gypsysara
05-27-2003, 03:19 PM
Thanks for posting the link Wondergirl!:wavey:
sulamith
05-27-2003, 03:33 PM
I think Stevie is tapped into the ancient wisdom of all these wonderful women, and she identifies with it.
As has been done down through the centuries, if anything is different, or doesn't fit into a category, human beings must label it as evil and attempt to stamp it out.
I think Stevie has a beautiful spirit, and she, any other women like her, have helped me to discover a part of myself that I didn't even know was there!
You can call it what ever you want, but I think there are going to be some very pious "religious" people who are going to look around in Heaven and be shocked at who is (and isn't) there.
-Sharon
strandinthewind
05-27-2003, 03:55 PM
Originally posted by sulamith
As has been done down through the centuries, if anything is different, or doesn't fit into a category, human beings must label it as evil and attempt to stamp it out.
. . .
You can call it what ever you want, but I think there are going to be some very pious "religious" people who are going to look around in Heaven and be shocked at who is (and isn't) there.
-Sharon
Amen to that sister - woman. We must be channelling each other as I was just borderline lecturing someone on tolerace just about 30 minutes ago!!!!!
On a lighter note, I am doing everything I can not to speng the $$$ and go to the Nashville show this weekend. Are you going to multiple shows?
/jason
sulamith
05-27-2003, 06:09 PM
Hey, and maybe we are breaking down some stereotypes ourselves! lol!
Hey look!
No, everybody from Georgia doesn't drive a '79 pick-up with a Rebel flag plastered on it while running 'shine outta the backwoods and whistling Dixie through their missing front teeth while holding hands with their 13 year-old cousin/wife on their way to a KKK meeting!
;)!
And to answer your question, no, I'm just going to the one show, and I had to juggle my schedule like mad to make that one!
I'll PM ya later, strandie!
-Sharon
gldstwmn
05-30-2003, 12:01 AM
Originally posted by Eagles Mac
Hey Don't Mess with Stevie if she is a witch !!!!
I always thought she was the one that put a whammy on Don H & Co. (The Eagles) for all those messed up love affairs and thus the Lawsuits occured !!!!!:mad: :eek:
:laugh: :] :shocked:
Don't forget the plane crash!:eek:
PenguinHead
05-30-2003, 01:41 AM
I'm amazed that there is actually a serious discussion about Stevie's status as a witch.
My God, that was a silly little rumour in the 1970s. Such old, second hand news! Anyone who even speculates on it must be very naieve and simplistic.
Yes, she borrowed liberally---lyrically and image-wise-- from that theme. But come on! Has anyone ever met a real witch? If someone wears a clown outfit...does that make them "a real clown?" lol
The only people who really took any of that seriously --in the 1970s, when Stevie was first emerging into public awareness --were idiot religous zealots trying to prove that rock and roll was indeed "the devil's music." Stevie was an easy target.
While, sadly, idiot religous zealots still exist to this day, I would hope that Stevie Nicks fans are sophisticated enough to know better.
gldstwmn
05-30-2003, 02:28 PM
Originally posted by PenguinHead
I'm amazed that there is actually a serious discussion about Stevie's status as a witch.
My God, that was a silly little rumour in the 1970s. Such old, second hand news! Anyone who even speculates on it must be very naieve and simplistic.
Yes, she borrowed liberally---lyrically and image-wise-- from that theme. But come on! Has anyone ever met a real witch? If someone wears a clown outfit...does that make them "a real clown?" lol
The only people who really took any of that seriously --in the 1970s, when Stevie was first emerging into public awareness --were idiot religous zealots trying to prove that rock and roll was indeed "the devil's music." Stevie was an easy target.
While, sadly, idiot religous zealots still exist to this day, I would hope that Stevie Nicks fans are sophisticated enough to know better.
I was joking.
rainy_sunday
01-22-2015, 03:50 PM
I love this song, the version I listened to seemed like an unfinished demo tho.
I wonder if Ryan Murphy heard it because it fits the Misty Day character in Coven so perfectly. But I also think she (Misty) could be a reimagining of Rhiannon...
Anyway, about the "witch" rumors, if Stevie were one I'd say all power to her. I admire real contemporary pagan women.
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