Like or Dislike: Edge of 17

[skcin]

I adore this song. I always have. I remember it clearly when I was little & it was first released & I thought it was "one wing dove" :D . I love everything about it - the pulsing guitar, the percussion, the power vocal of the century. I love it so much I want to marry it. It may be my #1 favorite Stevie solo song, if I was forced to pick one.

The music is phenomenal, it's hard & heavy. It's not a "pretty" song, it just rocks. That guitar riff is now classic. Live is even better, I have never, EVER heard a version that disappointed me. Well, she has forgotten a verse more than once, so I don't like when that happens, but other than that, none. Some are better than others, but they're never boring. I do prefer one long growl (ala recent performances) as opposed to the chattering nonsense yell (ala Red Rocks.) Storytellers version is particularly great. This tune live is just electric. I wouldn't mind a shortened drum/guitar intro, but I figure it gives her time to change shawls & catch her breath.

The lyrics - where do I begin? They are sad & painful & desperate & beautiful. One minute they make me hopeful, the next minute my heart aches. I wouldn't change a single word, phrase, verse - nothing. It is perfect.

"And the days go by, like a strand in the wind, in the web that is my own, I begin again"

"the music there was hauntingly familiar"

"so with the slow graceful flow of age"

"so I went searching for an answer
up the stairs & down the hall
not to find an answer, just to hear the call
of a nightbird,
saying come away
COME NOW"
^
My.God. The pain, fear, mourning & hope (all at once) in that verse & the way she's singing it just blow me away.

[DrummerDeanna]

Well I do love the song - but I wouldn't say it's one of my favorites.

I love the John Lennon factor "with the words of a poet and the voice of a choir...and a melody....nothing else mattered"

But over the years I've grown a little bit weary of the song - hearing it so much etc - but I still keep it on the radio when I catch it - and it's fun as hell to dance around to!!!

[golden braid]

I LOVE this song! Definitely in my top 5 favorite solo songs, maybe even my favorite solo song (I just hate to pick one). The song rocks and kicks ass. And I never get tired of it live.

[Dreammms]

I LOVE this soung. Everything about it is amazing. I also love Sharon on background vocals!

[nickslover2071]

Another gr8 song from Bella Donna...

[HejiraNYC]

This is definitely not easy listening music that you just keep on in the background. This song commands your attention from the very first line and transports you to this dark, mystical, urgent place. I can't think of many songs that can do that.

[Elizabeth]

I love this song and I never get tired of hearing it. I think I went through 3 copies of the Bella Donna record. For those of you who are too young to remember a record is a vinyl disc with grooves that we listened to prior to CDs and they were very easily worn out! :lol: :cool:

[mylittledemon]

I dont think you can be a Stevie "fan" and not like this song. I think its classic. It's one of those radio-tunes when you hear it you always turn the radio up and tell your backseat drivers to can it.

[GardenStateGirlie]

I would say probably in my top ten but there are songs that rank above Edge -- at least for me. Some of her lesser known songs pack more of a punch even though solo-wise, Edge and Stand Back are what she's known for.

[catinthedark]

This is one of the songs I've just grown a little tired of, I think. I never listen to it by choice anymore, but I do love hearing it live. But it is an amazing song, and it does contain one of my favourite lines ever:

"Well, I see you doing what I try to do for me -
With the words of a poet... and the voice of a choir... and a melody..."

I also love "so with the slow, graceful flow of age."

She definitely has a way with words sometimes. And "so with the sloooow graceful floooow of age" is an example of what I'm always trying to describe to people about who she uses the rhythm and sound of words to convey a feeling. "Sings a song, sounds like she's singing..." does it, too.

And one more: I always found this line, "in a flood of tears that no one really ever heard fall at all" to be very sad. Conveys such aloneness.


I guess I'd put Edge in the Stevie Nicks epic category. It introduced the "white winged dove." It is one of her greatest songs ever - it will always be hot live - and it does contain some of her best writing, IMO.

[wondergirl9847]

Hearing it live and in person Sunday was awesome!! Added on to the fact that I got to touch her and she talked to me....yeah, kicks a$$. That riff is world famous by now and it has a great energy to it. And the wail....yeah, rocks.

It's my fave solo song of hers. :nod:

[TheBlueLamp]

It's a great song, but it wouldn't be in my top 20. The Enchanted version is a bit blah though. Too long. As it appears on Bella Donna, it's just right.

[SapphireSister]

Definitely not a favorite but I have so much love for it none the less. How can you be a real fan and not? Just a little tid bit of info which some of you may not know - that famous guitar riff was taken from a Police song according to Waddy. They just changed the beat. I was fascinated when I heard that!

[Rickypt]

I thought it was "one wing dove"

Until I read the lyrics, I thought it was "just like the one we know".

This song is perfect. It will be known and adored by many generations to come. I haven't heard anything like it since it was released.

I prefer the live version because I like the "I hear the call....of a nightbird", and I can't get enough of the side kicks on the HBO concert.

[witchy_woman13]

belladonna was one of my daughters first records.........does anyone remember records ? lol she would use a hairbrush as a mic and sing her little heart out eo17 was one of her faves ......... so yeah i really love this song and all the wonderful memories i have of it :o

[CrystalVisions]

I love the John Lennon factor "with the words of a poet and the voice of a choir...and a melody....nothing else mattered"


I was just going to say that, too. :nod: I've always loved the song, but it became even more special to me when I discovered Stevie had partly wrote it about John Lennon. I remember being so glad that Stevie had wrote and sang something special for John...

I love Waddy's guitar on this song, and I think vocally, Stevie sounds fabulous. And I think this song also really showcases the unique and beautiful harmonies Stevie has with Lori and Sharon.

I have always loved the lyric: 'and the clouds never expect it...when it rains...but the sea ~ changes colours, but the sea ~ does not change...' Good stuff. :)

[eric51078]

This is my favorite song off of Bella Donna...it has been since I was like 6.

[skcin]

belladonna was one of my daughters first records.........does anyone remember records ? lol she would use a hairbrush as a mic and sing her little heart out eo17 was one of her faves ......... so yeah i really love this song and all the wonderful memories i have of it :o


Great story & welcome to the board!

BTW - who are the 2 that voted "doesn't even make the list"? Just curious why?

[Dreammms]

Great story & welcome to the board!

BTW - who are the 2 that voted "doesn't even make the list"? Just curious why?


Can't you set up the polls to see who voted for what? I never made a poll but I have seen others who have done that.

[rhiannon948]

It's one of those radio-tunes when you hear it you always turn the radio up and tell your backseat drivers to can it.

amen to that!!

[skcin]

Can't you set up the polls to see who voted for what? I never made a poll but I have seen others who have done that.


I think you have to set it up that way at the beginning when you first post the poll. Plus, I'm not really interested in who voted for what, more their reasoning why. I'm a curious girl. :)

[dudden22]

Until I read the lyrics, I thought it was "just like the one we know".



I had an argument with a woman who thought it was "just like the ones we love" even after I told her the correct lyrics she refused to believe me.

[darklinensuit]

It's in my Top Ten all-around, but lyrically it's Top Five.

- Jake

[DrummerDeanna]

Great story & welcome to the board!

BTW - who are the 2 that voted "doesn't even make the list"? Just curious why?


:wavey: I was one - I didn't think it through all the way - upon further thought I think it would make the top 20 - but because I am a little tired of it :sorry: I have other songs I love more than EO17....

[SapphireSister]

I have always loved the lyric: 'and the clouds never expect it...when it rains...but the sea ~ changes colours, but the sea ~ does not change...' Good stuff. :)

I especially love when she adds "no it does not change, it does not change it it doesn't!". I always say that now even when she doesn't :). It's like a little rap!

[StevieNicksEO17]

I never knew who Stevie was until this song. I first fell in love with her when I heard this song. I remember me and my mom were in the car BLASTING it and I went online and typed in the lyrics (I also thought it was one wing dove!!) and found out it was white wing dove. I went out that night and bought Timespace.

Everytime I listen to this it makes me want to get up and dance. Especially the live versions. I cannot tell you how many times I've gotten yelled at by the neighbors that I have the music so loud they can heard it through the house.

The music is amazing and so are the lyrics. So deep and so powerful. This is definitely my favorite Stevie solo song. :blob1:

[SapphireSister]

My ex thought it was "Just like the wild ranger" and the "white winged duck" one is good too.

[TheBlueLamp]

Great story & welcome to the board!

BTW - who are the 2 that voted "doesn't even make the list"? Just curious why?

I was the other one. I chose that because even though I like it, I'm tired of it too, and there's a lot more songs I'd rank ahead of it.

[amber]

I never don't want to hear this song. Every single time it comes on the radio, (which is a lot) or my playlist, I get excited when I hear the first riffs. Every time. I adore it like no other.

[skcin]

I was the other one. I chose that because even though I like it, I'm tired of it too, and there's a lot more songs I'd rank ahead of it.

:wavey: I was one - I didn't think it through all the way - upon further thought I think it would make the top 20 - but because I am a little tired of it :sorry: I have other songs I love more than EO17....


Thanks, you guys! As long as I know you don't have some sort of severe disdain for it, I can deal. :laugh:

BTW - just listening to the Pittsburgh boot & I've in love with "I know what it feels like, and I know what it SOUNDS like, I know what it sounds like, it sounds like YOU!"

[AliceLover]

Paula are you gunna go through the whole Bella DOnna album with these threads? :)

[skcin]

^ Yes. Yes I am. Then I'm gonna do another album. And another. And another....

[AliceLover]

^ Yes. Yes I am. Then I'm gonna do another album. And another. And another....

Good I am enjoying them, just didnt know where you were going lol!

[CrystalVisions]

My ex thought it was "Just like the wild ranger" and the "white winged duck" one is good too.

My husband thought it was 'just like the one-winged dove,' for years, lol! He still calls it that now, just to be a smart-ass. :p

[Wild_Heart03]

Oh, most definitely in my top 5, it was the first solo work of Stevie's I ever heard. I can never get tired of this song, every time I hear it I just have to sing along. Of course, sometimes it comes on at work and I get a few looks..... :laugh:

[darklinensuit]

My husband thought it was 'just like the one-winged dove,' for years, lol! He still calls it that now, just to be a smart-ass. :p

I used to think she said "Sings a song, stand back she's singing."

- Jake

[witchy_woman13]

just had to post this sillyness , this thread reminded me of silly stuff me and my best friend ( r.i.p. jessie tilll we meet again ) used to do wayyyyyyyyyyy back when? after hitting the bong we would make up fav. song titles exap. "stop draggin my dog around " "life in the vaseline" " there's a bath room on the right " c.c.r ..... omgds! :eek: drug free now thank the gods ! ...............LOVE & LIGHT

[CreepingDeath]

Edge of Seventeen is greatness. Period.

[GypsySorcerer]

Great song, though I must confess I wasn't immediately captivated by it. :shocked: Lyrically, it's definitely one her best.

[diamondsnake]

I love this song live because of the hand shakes! And this tour the song was great! It is also special to me beause it is the one song that my friends actually like of Stevie's entire career. So, I can actually get away with playing this song all the time and they don't get mad. But, it is not my favorite by any means, if only because it is so overplayed.

[Beachwood Mac]

This song has been a favorite at different times. I loved it when it first came out and I use to play the 45 over and over with the studio version on one side and the live version on the other. It sort of became a back burner favorite for awhile but once she really started expanding on the "I know what it sounds like" verse it became a favorite again. The only bad part of the song is that it usually signals that it is getting close to the end of the concert so while excited to see and hear it, it is bittersweet.

[amber]

just had to post this sillyness , this thread reminded me of silly stuff me and my best friend ( r.i.p. jessie tilll we meet again ) used to do wayyyyyyyyyyy back when? after hitting the bong we would make up fav. song titles exap. "stop draggin my dog around " "life in the vaseline" " there's a bath room on the right " c.c.r ..... omgds! :eek: drug free now thank the gods ! ...............LOVE & LIGHT
:lol: :lol:
yes, a lady after my own heart... :wavey:

[strandinthewind]

I love this song (HELLO STRAND IN THE WIND :cool: )

I also love the almost a capella version posted at www.inherownwords.com - click on Edge of Seventeen. Kudos to this site, which is just great!!!!! :wavey:

[Hawkeye]

#1 Favorite :nod: And I guess that means I love it quite a bit :laugh: But really its just her perfect song, and unlike many of her other songs that were once great live, EO17 is STILL AMAZING Live, almost more amazing at times. The Live versions are definitely my favorite, and Im glad she decided to put a live version on her box set. The weird thing is the studio version is GREAT, and even that would probably still be my #1 favorite solo song, but it really pales to the live version. The song has great lyrics on top of everything, and still is probably the most played female song on Classic Rock stations (next to maybe Baracuda) This and Stand Back are her 2 huge freaking hits, and I adore every version of Edge of 17 ever, while Stand Back I dont care for half the time.

[Hawkeye]

I have to add that its great live now WITHOUT the Danmed handshakes!!! I'm THRILLED I got to shake her hand and that she does what she does, but seriously, I cant stand when all people focus on with this song live is that she walks around shaking hands. Without that its still the best live song she does these days and such a killer. I know this doesnt apply to everyone, but I just read Chris saying "I love it live because of the handshakes" Thats a Stevie Pet peeve with me. I dont have many.

[SapphireSister]

If my memory serves me correctly according to the solo favorites thread from a little while ago Edge was #1 (although it's not for me) so the fans have spoken!

[Stephanie]

love it!! Top ten at least.

[golddustwoman77]

Edge of 17 is one of my favorites. It is in my top 5.

[xxxmx]

a) yesterday i was driving my work truck (huge ass 350) out of the Home Depot parking lot and Edge came on, of course i had to shriek along. shrieeeeeek along...

b) i have always loved this song, always... who doesn't?

c) the live versions are so mind blowing, i'm loving the current venomous "sometimes, deepinthemiddleofthenight babyistillthinkabouchu" and "it sounds like youuuuu"

d) the handshakes just make it even better. now, when i hear Edge i kind of see her in front of me with her hands out peering deep into my soul... definitely makes the song better. it would still be awesome live without the handshakes though...

[1934mission]

This is such a rock song and I love that she wrote it. It and SDMHA really made her a rock star. SDMHA never comes off as well live, although I've never seen her do it with Petty.........Sometimes To Be Near You Is To Be Unable To Hear You.........I Know What It Sounds Like ..........It's Great

[sarafield]

Sometimes To Be Near You Is To Be Unable To Hear You.........

I like that line but was always confused as to why it followed "I hear you in the morning, I hear you at nightfall." Is she hearing... or not? :shrug:

[LikeAWillow]

Edge is my favorite solo song easily, it was what first got me hooked on Stevie! My mom's biggest dream was always to be a background singer for someone, and her favorite background vocal has always been Sharon's on this song, so I grew up harmonizing with her on it. It also contains my favorite Stevie verse evah

And then suddenly there was no one
left standing in the hall
and in a flood of tears that no one
ever really heard fall
well I went searchin' for an anwer
up the stairs and down the hall
not to find an answer
just to hear the call...
of a nightbird
singin' come away...come away...come away

Aahhh, I'm swept up in the emotion every time. I must admit though, when I first heard this song, I was like five and thought the words were "Just like the one we heard..."

[camchristo]

Yes, I know this is an old thread, but I was just wondering about your interpretation of the lyrics. I know she says it is about both John Lennon and her uncle Jonathon passing away. And I can get that from some of the lyrics, mostly those toward the end.


But before I knew what the song was about, I always thought it was about her singing to her young, maybe forbidden, lover and toward the end it was about the relationship not working out.

For example, "said to my friends, nothing else matters, well he was no more than a baby then" "from the moment that I first laid eyes on him" "my love, I'm a few years older than you"... Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

[Musicman408]

I always knew this song, even before I even knew who Stevie was.

[jannieC]

I will never get tired of this song. This and BATB (live) are my alltime favorite solo songs by Stevie. This song has perfect energy, bite, harmony, and lyrics
(so...with the slow [sad] graceful flow..
of age
I went forth
desire...to please).
And not only all of THAT- when this song is done live, homegirl comes down and touches us!

[ontheEdgeof17]

Wow. I've never responded to this thread.


For me, it's a great song....better live....much better live. The one thing I don't like is the echo "just like the white-winged dove" in the studio version. However, even though this song never tires, it's just a Top 20 song for me.....I have a ton of other favs.

[michelle2677]

The one thing I don't like is the echo "just like the white-winged dove" in the studio version.
oh man i love that part. My fav echo is the the last verse though "well i hear you (i hear you) in the morning" etc. I think the only part of the song i DON'T like is the way she says "my love" (2end time only) right after "i'm a few years older than you"

[michaelD]

This in one of my top 5 favorites... LIVE for sure! For several reasons...

You "rush" the stage when it starts
It rocks!
I love the ending when she would wail I KNOW WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE...!
At the show a couple of years ago at Red Rocks, the guy next to me told me to "chill out" during the song... I laughed told him to **** off, and he left!
I was screaming, singing, dancing... so **** that guy!
The part where she sings... no the sea it does not change, it does not change does it... is great!

I too have never heard a version of this song that I disliked... and when the "classic rock" stations play it... you bet I turn it up to 11 and jam!

[camchristo]

Yes, I know this is an old thread, but I was just wondering about your interpretation of the lyrics. I know she says it is about both John Lennon and her uncle Jonathon passing away. And I can get that from some of the lyrics, mostly those toward the end.


But before I knew what the song was about, I always thought it was about her singing to her young, maybe forbidden, lover and toward the end it was about the relationship not working out.

For example, "said to my friends, nothing else matters, well he was no more than a baby then" "from the moment that I first laid eyes on him" "my love, I'm a few years older than you"... Anyone else have any thoughts on this?



Does anyone quote themselves except a total dork? I was just curious on thoughts regarding the lyrics and whether anyone else thinks that parts of the song sound like she is singing about her young lover. Or I am just crazy. I know what she says the song is about, but... :shrug:

[Johnny Stew]

Does anyone quote themselves except a total dork?Don't worry -- most of us have done that!

I was just curious on thoughts regarding the lyrics and whether anyone else thinks that parts of the song sound like she is singing about her young lover. Or I am just crazy. I know what she says the song is about, but... :shrug:Not sure if you already know this or not, but Stevie has said that the title came from a comment made to her by Jane Petty (Tom's now ex-wife). Jane had told Stevie that she met Tom at the "age of seventeen," but Jane has a thick Southern accent and Stevie thought she said "at the edge of seventeen."

Jane corrected her, but Stevie said "edge of seventeen" was just so evocative she had to write a song with that title as the starting point.

So I've often thought that the first verse was about Tom and Jane's first meeting (with Stevie perhaps putting herself in Jane's shoes), the second verse was about Lennon ("I see you doing what I try to do for me -- with the words of a poet, the voice of a choir, and a melody"), and the third verse is about John Nicks' death.

That's my interpretation at least. :)

[danax6]

That's my interpretation at least. :)Obviously, you're wrong:

"The white-winged dove is the spirit leaving. The nightbird is the one that calls, the good nightbird, the good… like in Rhiannon, the good lord of death and darkness who takes away for pain’s sake, as opposed to just murder and killing. So somewhere in between that was the dove, you know, the peace dove and the blackbird. Whenever I hear those chords I think of everything we can do and everything we can’t do."

:wavey:

[Johnny Stew]

Obviously, you're wrong:

:wavey:;)

That's what the "white-winged dove" in the choruses represents (by the way, should I be frightened that I understood the gist of what Stevie meant there?). I was offering my interpretation of the verses. :D

[danax6]

^^
I know, I was just messin' with ya.

And really, the peace dove? The blackbird? Come on now.