What Stevie song has the biggest gap between quality of music and quality of lyrics?

[darklinensuit]

I think I Sing for the Things needs much better lyrics. The music deserves better, IMO.
On the other hand, Alice has better lyrics than music.

What are your picks?

- Jake

[Johnny Stew]

I love "I Sing For The Things" just the way it is, but I think Stevie could have done a better job with the lyrics for "Two Kinds Of Love."
The music is pretty, and the chorus is terrific... but the verse lyrics aren't my favorite.

But you know how I feel about that... I hate criticizing someone else's art. If I've written something and it's exactly the way I want it to be, and it makes the point I wanted it to make, then I wouldn't take too kindly to someone telling me I could "do a better job." So I hate to do that to someone else.

[The Chain]

I think that Silver Girl needs much better lyrics, as well as Insider.

Music wise... I don't like the music to Kind Of Woman, The Nightmare

Fire Burning- Both Categories... They Lyrics ecspecially:eek:

[strandinthewind]

Originally posted by The Chain
I think that Silver Girl needs much better lyrics, as well as Insider.

Music wise... I don't like the music to Kind Of Woman, The Nightmare

Fire Burning- Both Categories... They Lyrics ecspecially:eek:

I agree - but think "Insider" is one of the most beautiful things nusically and lyrically I have ever heard. :cool:

[cliffdweller]

I'd have to say "Angel"--- I always thought that bass line was a bit cheesy. Sorry John McVie fans!!

[joe]

Originally posted by The Chain
I think that Silver Girl needs much better lyrics, as well as Insider.

Music wise... I don't like the music to Kind Of Woman, The Nightmare

Fire Burning- Both Categories... They Lyrics ecspecially:eek:

i agree about "Silver Girl" although i do like the chorus lyrics...the rest of it is weak. I really do like the music though even though many of you have dissed it.

off with your heads!!!

yeah, "Fire Burning" is another one, but i'm not wild about the music either.

....and we must not forget about "Docklands"....i really only like the music during the chorus and ending but i can deal with the rest....the lyrics MUST GO! Same thing with "Jane".

[dissention]

Kick It- Needs much better lyrics, they're laughable.

Thousand Days- Needs much better music, it's uninteresting and sounds like cheesy corporate rock from 1989.

[Cristian]

I love "I Sing For The Things", just as it is, too. It's one of the highest points in that album, IMHO. "Alice" is also good as it is now, too. :) I think the lyrics to "Whole Lotta Trouble" are probably good, but I completely dislike the arrangement. "The Nightmare" should also have better music and it would have better results.

Oh, and "Kind Of Woman" might as well be my favorite Stevie solo song ever. It's so haunting and beautiful! :)


Song of the moment - I Sing For The Things

[Livia]

I agree - but think "Insider" is one of the most beautiful things nusically and lyrically I have ever heard.

I love Insider! But, Tom Petty wrote it, not Stevie.

Kick It gets a "skip it" whenever I listen to Street Angel..

[Pisces Queen]

I love the lyrics for "Touched by an Angel" but I wish it had better music. I always ask myself what Lindsey could do with a particular solo song of Stevies ie: "It's Only Love" or "Rose Garden"

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by Johnny Stew
I love "I Sing For The Things" just the way it is, but I think Stevie could have done a better job with the lyrics for "Two Kinds Of Love."
The music is pretty, and the chorus is terrific... but the verse lyrics aren't my favorite.

But you know how I feel about that... I hate criticizing someone else's art. If I've written something and it's exactly the way I want it to be, and it makes the point I wanted it to make, then I wouldn't take too kindly to someone telling me I could "do a better job." So I hate to do that to someone else.

To me the worst parts of Two Kinds of Love are the vocals & keyboard- heavy production.
As for your last paragraph, remember that recent quote where Stevie said she wrote no decent songs in this period. I doubt she thinks this song is the way it should sound, either. Therefore I don't think we're disrespecting her here.

- Jake

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by The Chain
I think that Silver Girl needs much better lyrics, as well as Insider.

Music wise... I don't like the music to Kind Of Woman, The Nightmare

Fire Burning- Both Categories... They Lyrics ecspecially:eek:

I like all of these songs, especially Kind of Woman. It does seem that most posters hate Fire Burning.

- Jake

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by strandinthewind
I think "Insider" is one of the most beautiful things nusically and lyrically I have ever heard. :cool:

:nod:

- Jake

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by cliffdweller
I'd have to say "Angel"--- I always thought that bass line was a bit cheesy. Sorry John McVie fans!!

Too weird. I listened to this on the way to work today & thought the same thing.

- Jake

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by joe
....and we must not forget about "Docklands"....i really only like the music during the chorus and ending but i can deal with the rest....the lyrics MUST GO! Same thing with "Jane".

I almost mentioned these, but figured, Hell, somebody else will list these in no time.:laugh:
Of the two, Jane has the bigger gap. The music is much better than the lyrics, though I'd still prefer the piano (like on the demo) to the keyboards.

- The Forgotten Jake-anzee

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by dissention
Kick It- Needs much better lyrics, they're laughable.

Thousand Days- Needs much better music, it's uninteresting and sounds like cheesy corporate rock from 1989.

Both of these songs are just-misses with me. They coud be really good with better arrangements.

- Jake

[chiliD]

I've always liked "Thousand Days" just fine, as is. One of Stevie's "lost gems", I've always thought. :shrug:

Same with "Touched By An Angel"...I thought it was criminal to leave it off of TISL (especially when "Too Far From Texas" DID make it). :mad: I consider "Touched By An Angel" to be on the same level as "Landslide".

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by Cristian
I think the lyrics to "Whole Lotta Trouble" are probably good, but I completely dislike the arrangement. "The Nightmare" should also have better music and it would have better results.

Song of the moment - I Sing For The Things

WLT reminds me of U2's Angel of Harlem. Trendy sound at the time.
It's one of the few songs that is better on TimeSpace than on the original album, IMO. I don't like it at all without the echo.

The Nightmare has grown on me --- at this point my only complaint is that the last thirty seconds of repetition should be cut out.

- Jake

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by Livia
I love Insider! But, Tom Petty wrote it, not Stevie.

Oh yeah. Good point.

- Jake

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by Pisces Queen
I love the lyrics for "Touched by an Angel" but I wish it had better music. I always ask myself what Lindsey could do with a particular solo song of Stevies ie: "It's Only Love" or "Rose Garden"

IMO all of these have excellent music.
Different strokes.

- Jake

[dissention]

Originally posted by Livia
Kick It gets a "skip it" whenever I listen to Street Angel..

That whole album gets a "skip it" from me. It's unbearable. :laugh:

[dissention]

Originally posted by chiliD
I've always liked "Thousand Days" just fine, as is. One of Stevie's "lost gems", I've always thought. :shrug:

Same with "Touched By An Angel"...I thought it was criminal to leave it off of TISL (especially when "Too Far From Texas" DID make it). :mad: I consider "Touched By An Angel" to be on the same level as "Landslide".

Touched By An Angel is superb; great stuff.

I can't stand TD, though. It's Stevie at her most incoherent. :laugh:

[chiliD]

Originally posted by dissention
That whole album gets a "skip it" from me. It's unbearable. :laugh:

Pretty close to how I feel about TOSOTM.

I really like "Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind" (one of my all-time favorites of Stevie's solo career) & the title cut of Street Angel, though.

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by chiliD
Pretty close to how I feel about TOSOTM.

I really like "Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind" (one of my all-time favorites of Stevie's solo career) & the title cut of Street Angel, though.

I see where you're coming from. To me SA doesn't sound as unhappy as TOSOTM, even when Jane is up against her wall.

Maybe Love is one of my least favorites on the album, though. I love most of Stevie's Sandy S. songs, but this one doesn't do it for me. Of course, my favorites are Destiny and Rose Garden, and they probably make you want to puke.:wavey:

- Jake

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by dissention
Touched By An Angel is superb; great stuff.

I can't stand TD, though. It's Stevie at her most incoherent. :laugh:

You've just got something against the initials. Thousand Days, Thrown Down.....:)

- Jake

[strandinthewind]

chiliD - I agree "Touched by an Angel" is one of my faves. ever.

I know many think it is about a FM reunion of sorts. I do not. I believe Stevie when she says it is her AIDS tribute. I think she is talking about going into the room (perhaps hospital room) of a former friend (every one was friendly for the first time in years), and she sees this person suffering and in great anguish and she calls on or prays to that Angel she believes in (the "Passageway Angel" ) to come and get her friend so her friend's "life will once more be a celebration . . . ."

I could cry as I am typing it is so heartwrenching to me.

That Stevie sure can be vivid in imagery when she takes a notion to :laugh:

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by strandinthewind
chiliD - I agree "Touched by an Angel" is one of my faves. ever.

I know many think it is about a FM reunion of sorts. I do not. I believe Stevie when she says it is her AIDS tribute. I think she is talking about going into the room (perhaps hospital room) of a former friend (every one was friendly for the first time in years), and she sees this person suffering and in great anguish and she calls on or prays to that Angel she believes in (the "Passageway Angel" ) to come and get her friend so her friend's "life will once more be a celebration . . . ."

I could cry as I am typing it is so heartwrenching to me.

That Stevie sure can be vivid in imagery when she takes a notion to :laugh:

And like I said, the music is perfect. That music box. It's like when you're feeling down you open your box of Stevie-ness for healing.

- Jake

[strandinthewind]

Originally posted by darklinensuit
And like I said, the music is perfect. That music box. It's like when you're feeling down you open your box of Stevie-ness for healing.

- Jake :nod: :nod: :nod:

[joe]

Originally posted by chiliD
Same with "Touched By An Angel"...I thought it was criminal to leave it off of TISL (especially when "Too Far From Texas" DID make it). :mad: I consider "Touched By An Angel" to be on the same level as "Landslide".

I think "Touched..." is a great song...it should definately have been on TISL or even The Dance. It's a beautiful song.


Originally posted by chiliD
Pretty close to how I feel about TOSOTM.


Sappy to say it but i loved OSOTM and i still do...i don't listen to it all the time....i hadn't listened to it for a long time till the summer of 2002...then i couldn't stop playing it....i really liked it when it first came out too...i think it's the only other Stevie record aside of Bella Donna that i can really listen to all the way through (although i tend to skip over "Fire Burning" and "I Still Miss Somone" - no disrespect to Mr.Cash) and i'm not a big synth fan...Maybe it had to do with the time the record came out or something...i just feel that there's more emotion on that record than RAL or SA.

To each his own!

[strandinthewind]

Originally posted by joe
I think "Touched..." is a great song...it should definately have been on TISL or even The Dance. It's a beautiful song. :nod: :nod: I mean she chose to remove that greatness and instead warbled "he said you write your songs yourself," which was a great sentiment that just to me laid there and died amongst the guitar loops. Can you say skiparoo over that tripe :laugh:

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by strandinthewind
:nod: :nod: I mean she chose to remove that greatness and instead warbled "he said you write your songs yourself," which was a great sentiment that just to me laid there and died amongst the guitar loops. Can you say skiparoo over that tripe :laugh:

Knowing Stevie, I suspect it had to do with the album concept. This great song just didn't fit with the others, I guess.

- Jake

[Hawkeye]

I HAVE to come defend Kick It. It's probably in my top 5 all time favorite Stevie solo songs. It's perfect to me. Especially the guitar at the beginning. There's ALOT on SA i love including the title song, and DOCKLANDS a song that many despice, I find Docklands a masterpiece. And get this I despise Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind and Rose Garden. So as far as Street Angel goes I'm backwards. But Street Angel is one of my favorites. My Stevie album I hate and use Mr. Skippy the most is Rock a Little. Horrible album.

[dissention]

Originally posted by strandinthewind
:nod: :nod: I mean she chose to remove that greatness and instead warbled "he said you write your songs yourself," which was a great sentiment that just to me laid there and died amongst the guitar loops. Can you say skiparoo over that tripe :laugh:

Skiparoo! :nod: :laugh:

[diamondsnake]

I have to say that Alice is my all time favorite Stevie song, but you are right: the lyrics are what I love about it!

[GateandGarden]

Welllllllllll, isn't this a cool thread that could've benefitted from more responses? At least I think so, anyway. :o My picks are "I Miss You," which I think has some great music that could use better lyrics, and "Some Become Strangers," which I think has some pretty nice lyrics but could've had better music.

[ontheEdgeof17]

Nightmare: Music is bearable...lyrics are deadly

Wild Heart: Great Lyrics....the framework of the music needed extra work

Say You Will: More Lyrics would have made it much much better

Sanctuary: the music just draggggggs...love the lyrics

[GateandGarden]

Nightmare: Music is bearable...lyrics are deadly

Wild Heart: Great Lyrics....the framework of the music needed extra work

Say You Will: More Lyrics would have made it much much better

Sanctuary: the music just draggggggs...love the lyricsGood points. :nod: I had never thought that before about "Wild Heart" but I think you're right.

[ontheEdgeof17]

Good points. :nod: I had never thought that before about "Wild Heart" but I think you're right.



Bella Donna also has points in the song where the lyrics are good and the music isn't and vice versa. Sometimes I am like "Get on with it already!" Still a great song, though. :D

[GypsySorcerer]

"Illume" -- I detest the music; most of the lyrics are good.

[catinthedark]

So funny to find this thread here tonight... Just tonight I was listening to Cecilia on the way home from work, thinking, man, I hate the lyrics to this song - but I love the vibe. Too many "Suffah yoz...."

Also - Joan of Arc. Love the music. But all those "Up against the walls" have my mind going to weird and slightly obscene places.

And... an honourable mention to My Heart. Love the words. Loathe the music.

[ontheEdgeof17]

How do you guys feel about Doing the Best..... The music is a little sluggish, but the lyrics are some of her best. I can't decide. Sometimes I love it....sometimes I skip it.

[catinthedark]

How do you guys feel about Doing the Best..... The music is a little sluggish, but the lyrics are some of her best. I can't decide. Sometimes I love it....sometimes I skip it.

Love it all the way around. Agree - I adore the lyrics. When push comes to shove, the lyrics can always win me over. I can listen to lousy music if the lyrics speak to me.

Witness the fact that My Heart is on so many of my collections. :o

[glitter_fades]

Thousand Days: music has to go
Welcome to the Room Sara: beautiful music, lyrics suckaroo

:blob1:

[CreepingDeath]

How do you guys feel about Doing the Best..... The music is a little sluggish, but the lyrics are some of her best. I can't decide. Sometimes I love it....sometimes I skip it.

I? Adore it. The lyrics and music are fab. :nod:

[dissention]

And... an honourable mention to My Heart. Love the words. Loathe the music.

The music is so melodramatic and Streisand-esque on that song.

A good contender would be Love Changes. Some of the lyrics are really spectacular, but the music is blah.

[GardenStateGirlie]

Nightmare: Music is bearable...lyrics are deadly

Wow...blast from the past. I thought Jake actually posted again and nearly fell off my chair :laugh:

I actually really like the song except toward the end where all the backing vocalists come in at the same time.

My pick is Silver Girl. Before we heard the song, I was in love with the lyrics. I heard the music that went with it and the way she sang the song and was totally turned off. It's the only track on SYW that gets skipped.

[dissention]

My pick is Silver Girl. Before we heard the song, I was in love with the lyrics.

Says in best Yoda voice:

"A brave soul to admit that you are, Marissa."

:xoxo: :wavey:

[High Priestess]

Most of OSOTM & Street Angel are forgettable..OH THE KLONOPIN YEARS!!!!!

[dudden22]

Everybody finds out. The lyrics are awful. :distress:

[Dark Angel]

Better Lyrics: Jane, Docklands, Silver Girl, Welcome To The Room...Sara
Better Music: Whole Lotta Trouble, Greta, Thousand Days

[Dark Angel]

How do you guys feel about Doing the Best.....

I really like the song altogether. I think the lyrics are very emotional, and the music fits the mood of the song very well.

[dudden22]

Better Music: The Highwayman (just a little to twangy, love the lyrics though), crystal, candlebright

Better Lyrics: silver girl, that made me stronger, love changes, EFO, the entire street angel album

[Dreammms]

How do you guys feel about Doing the Best..... The music is a little sluggish, but the lyrics are some of her best. I can't decide. Sometimes I love it....sometimes I skip it.

I love it! I think it's one of her best!

[Dreammms]

Everybody finds out. The lyrics are awful. :distress:

i love them :laugh:

[GODDESS6]

I agree - but think "Insider" is one of the most beautiful things nusically and lyrically I have ever heard. :cool:
i TOTALLY agree w/ u on this!!!~

[SapphireSister]

I have to say that Alice is my all time favorite Stevie song, but you are right: the lyrics are what I love about it!

I wouldn't go as far to say that it's my favorite song...I actually did not like this song until I heard it live. Then I was in love. The keyboard intro they do in the beginning is beautiful and I especially love the part where she calls out "Aliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice" (if anyone knows what I'm talking about).

[SapphireSister]

Re: Doing the Best that I Can - I love the music and those are actually some of my favorite Stevie lyrics EVER. This song is very personal to me. You know how some songs speak to you, like you can apply exactly what she is saying directly to your own life? Well this is one of those songs to me. I have specific memories of it and times when I've said those lyrics to myself in my head. She is definitely speaking to me on this one. And the conviction in her voice is simply divine. These lyrics get me every time:

In my distress...well I wanted someone to blame me
In my devastation...I wanted so to change
In my way...disaster was the only thing that I could depend on...
*melts*

[chiliD]

I'd have to say "Angel"--- I always thought that bass line was a bit cheesy. Sorry John McVie fans!!

Come to think of it, it DOES sound like he stole the bass line from Paul McCartney's "Silly Love Songs".

[dudden22]

I just discovered One More Big Time Rock and Roll Star.

I was into it right up until Undercover Music Lover, Oh undercover music lover and an art lover like me. :distress: She may as well of just farted right in the middle of the song. It ruined it.

[ontheEdgeof17]

I just discovered One More Big Time Rock and Roll Star.

I was into it right up until Undercover Music Lover, Oh undercover music lover and an art lover like me. :distress: She may as well of just farted right in the middle of the song. It ruined it.


That's my favorite part of the song! I listen to it just for that alone....

"Ewwwwwww Undercova Music lova and art lova like me......."

[SapphireSister]

I just discovered One More Big Time Rock and Roll Star.

I was into it right up until Undercover Music Lover, Oh undercover music lover and an art lover like me. :distress: She may as well of just farted right in the middle of the song. It ruined it.

I LOVE this song, it's a favorite. I could listen to it over and over. Especially after she says "just what I neeeeeed" and the electric guitar kicks in. The "undercover music lover and art lover like me" is the BEST line in the whole song. I can't believe you don't see the poetry in that and the irony in what she is saying! Ahhh oh well. :distress:

[dudden22]

I LOVE this song, it's a favorite. I could listen to it over and over. Especially after she says "just what I neeeeeed" and the electric guitar kicks in. The "undercover music lover and art lover like me" is the BEST line in the whole song. I can't believe you don't see the poetry in that and the irony in what she is saying! Ahhh oh well. :distress:

I like the song and I do see the irony in what she is saying. It just didn't do it for me. I just seemed kind of cheesy to me. Oh well cheers :wavey:

[SapphireSister]

I like the song and I do see the irony in what she is saying. It just didn't do it for me. I just seemed kind of cheesy to me. Oh well cheers :wavey:

Cheers! That's what makes this place so great - we all have our own opinions and thank God they are not all the same :) And as far as the cheesiness factor goes I see where you are coming from but the thing about me is that there is rarely anything to cheesy for me. I take cheesy to a whole new level lol.

[catinthedark]

I also love One More Big Time Rock and Roll Star... I've read a lot through the past through months from people who loathe and detest it. But I love the sarcasm of it.

I love when she says, "Yes, you did send me flowers. But that was a long time ago...It sounded good on a delicate white ribbon card... 'one more big time rock and roll star.' Just what I need.."

It just SCREAMS Don Henley - and I LOOOOOVE it!! :lol:

[ontheEdgeof17]

I also love One More Big Time Rock and Roll Star... I've read a lot through the past through months from people who loathe and detest it. But I love the sarcasm of it.

I love when she says, "Yes, you did send me flowers. But that was a long time ago...It sounded good on a delicate white ribbon card... 'one more big time rock and roll star.' Just what I need.."

It just SCREAMS Don Henley - and I LOOOOOVE it!! :lol:


This song goes great right after Long Way To Go. :nod:

[catinthedark]

This song goes great right after Long Way To Go. :nod:

Is that about Don, too?? I always pictured Joe Walsh... or even Lindsey...

[ontheEdgeof17]

Is that about Don, too?? I always pictured Joe Walsh... or even Lindsey...


I picture Joe, too, but it has a theme to it. I like to put songs together on mixes that are along the same vein.

[catinthedark]

I hear ya!

"The I'm so much better than you - you will never deserve me - and by the way, I am SO over you - theme."

I? Love it.

[ontheEdgeof17]

I hear ya!

"The I'm so much better than you - you will never deserve me - and by the way, I am SO over you - theme."

I? Love it.


:lol:

I have a Stevie B**Ch mix. It's fab.

[catinthedark]

And one of my faves in that aforementioned theme:

Whole Lotta Trouble: "Sometimes I hear you crying... and I wake up and I get through it."

Reeeeeeee-ow!!!!!!!!!

Again.... Love. It.

[catinthedark]

:lol:

I have a Stevie B**Ch mix. It's fab.

REALLY??? What is it? I want to recreate. Will you share?? This sounds like a playlist right up my alley.

[ontheEdgeof17]

REALLY??? What is it? I want to recreate. Will you share?? This sounds like a playlist right up my alley.


1. Long Way To Go
2. Everybody Finds Out
3. Planets of the Universe (extended)
4. Smile At You
5. Kind of Woman
6. Silver Springs (Rumours Reissue)
7. Stop Dragging My Heart Around
8. Nothing Ever Changes
9. Freedom
10. Love Is Like A River
11. Fall From Grace
12. Edge of 17 (boxset)

[catinthedark]

1. Long Way To Go
2. Everybody Finds Out
3. Planets of the Universe (extended)
4. Smile At You
5. Kind of Woman
6. Silver Springs (Rumours Reissue)
7. Stop Dragging My Heart Around
8. Nothing Ever Changes
9. Freedom
10. Love Is Like A River
11. Fall From Grace
12. Edge of 17 (boxset)

Goes and gets herself a blank Cd.....

[ontheEdgeof17]

Goes and gets herself a blank Cd.....


:laugh:

I have many more where that came from:

I Want You Back/Still Love You Mix
Mystical Stevie Mix
Classic Stevie Mix
Lotsa Guitar Mix
Up Tempo Mix
.....and two ballad mixes