Like or Dislike: Sable on Blond

[skcin]

I'm baaaaaaaaack. ;) Sorry to disappoint those of you who thought I'd finally stopped posting these threads.

So. I never liked this song very much until several months ago. It suddenly hit me, and hit me hard. I now love it, it's one of my favorites on The Wild Heart. It is quiet, yet so powerful - her vocal is really quite stellar on this one. Do I know what the hell she's talking about? No, of course not. I won't even try to speculate.

I do, however, still snicker and/or roll my eyes at this line:

In silence she says..."excalibur"

Can't help it. :shrug: Sounds silly to me. Don't know why.

BUT the rest - wow.

"Was it a thorn in your side
Something that you hide
Something you don't touch
Because it hurts too much
Ooo...

Well...have you come to see
That my face is not seen
Ooo...outside my frost covered windows
Oh and just how deep...
Do you hold that dream
In your hands each night...this time
In your hands each night...this time"

That last "In your hands each night" is spectacular. I love (attempting to) belt it out along with her. :p

Live - I think this would have been really awesome to hear on the 1983 tour. I do think she could still pull it off today, but it would have to be in place of Circle Dance or B&tB - she really pours everything she has into those two & she'd have to do the same for Sable on Blond.

[Dreammms]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this song. My favorite song on Wild Heart and in my top five. Has a total Fleetwood Mac feel. Beautiful vocals. Also love Sharon and Lori's backing vocals. Would be so great to hear live.

[ontheEdgeof17]

5 Stars.

It's perfection. 'Nuff said.



It should have taken the place of HSML at the Vegas shows.

[dissention]

5 Stars.

It's perfection. 'Nuff said.



It should have taken the place of HSML at the Vegas shows.

I agree, but she'd NEVER, and I mean NEVER, be able to pull it off nowadays. I'd like to hear her do it once and then never again because it's one of my favorite Stevie songs ever and I don't want it ruined.

[GypsySorcerer]

Five stars. Love it -- the vocal is heavenly. "Just how deep do you hold that dream in your hands each night" is one of my favorite Stevie lines ever.

[amber]

I'm sure it's very gorgeous, and I always try to listen to it, but it's so dull that my attention wanders, and then I forget how it goes and everything else about it. It's like....the "black hole" of WH to me. In all fairness, I've really only "heard" it about 10 times...maybe I'll like it more, or remember it, later. :) I only got WH last year, and it's definitely my least listened to album.

[wolfontherun]

OMG cant say enough how much I love this song. Always has been a top 5. I cant believe more people arent responding to this post.

The way her voice soars over Micks drums is perfection!

Love the openning drums too , the whole song to me sounds like an amped up solo tribute to Dreams.

Has anyone heard the demo? Its very cool, very different though, it sounds kinda punkish to me, the rolling drums remind me of Dreaming by Blondie. Its a real rough cut of the song and her vocals arent nearly as polished and it ends abruptly but still cool fpr any fans of the song.

[KateTheCursed]

Has anyone heard the demo? Its very cool, very different though, it sounds kinda punkish to me, the rolling drums remind me of Dreaming by Blondie. Its a real rough cut of the song and her vocals arent nearly as polished and it ends abruptly but still cool fpr any fans of the song.

There's a demo? I guess I should have known that. There's a demo floating around of almost every Stevie song. Would love to hear this one though.

Anyway, I always liked Sable On Blond. But in the last couple of years it's really become crystalized in my mind just how very perfect it is. Sure it's one of those songs that doesn't have linear thread of meaning, but the emotion and the vocal is sweeping and so perfect that it's really irrelevant. Stevie conveys all that needs to be conveyed while still maintaining a wonderful mystery and aura open-ended interpretation. Five stars all the way. :)

[GateandGarden]

So. I never liked this song very much until several months ago. It suddenly hit me, and hit me hard. I now love it, it's one of my favorites on The Wild Heart.Same here. :nod: I wasn't into it at all at first. I was craaazy for that. Now it's my favorite song on WH. It's one of my favorite Stevie songs, period. :nod:

[golden braid]

I absolutely love this song too. It's one of my favorites on the Wild Heart. The vocals are awesome and the song just has a neat vibe to it. I would love to hear it live but I know that will never happen.

[SuzeQuze]

I'm sure it's very gorgeous, and I always try to listen to it, but it's so dull that my attention wanders, and then I forget how it goes and everything else about it. It's like....the "black hole" of WH to me. In all fairness, I've really only "heard" it about 10 times...maybe I'll like it more, or remember it, later. :) I only got WH last year, and it's definitely my least listened to album.

"I think you may need to relax." :laugh: Turn down the lights, light a candle, simma down, and put it on... I love Mick's drumming on this too. He's a hard hitter.

[rbs3676]

A gem of a tune. One of the highlights of WILD HEART and certainly in my top 5 favorite Stevie songs. Pure perfection..."in your hands each night..."

LOVE IT!

rbs

[Ghost_Tracker]

I could go on and on about this song . . . .

So I WILL! . . . :laugh: :o


I think this song is literally genius.

NOT, "OMG Stevie's so great holy cow gosh we all just LOVE her

so let's exaggerate and call her songs 'genius!'"

I literally for real think this song is Genius.

"LEARN to be a stranger" - she's so used to being close to Our

Mystery Man, who ever could it possibly be, that it's hard to accept that

things have changed. She has to learn to be "distant" and "uncaring"

with someone who she still feels a lot of love for.

"Blonde on Blonde" - STILL working on this line! :lol:

But maybe, "the outside may look like just an act to you, but it's

only covering up something which is actually pretty similar - and not

really all that bad a person, if I do say so myself!. . . "

"In silence she says, 'Excaliber.'"

OMG. THIS IS GENIUS!!!

Obviously this is a reference to "The Sword in the Stone" - but -

there's SO many attractive, aggressive, A-list guys courting her -

but who is the ONE who can pull that sword out??? Everyone's so

selfish and preoccupied with partying and the fast lane that they don't

even hear her crying out, "Where ARE you, Mr. Right!???"

This is hard-core 80s Stevie to the bone, i m o.

"What was it that fell? Was it:

One fallen leaf -

like the feather that it was -

was it freedom by choice -

or baby, WAS it love."

W T F just HAPPENED to me!??? Was it really love??? The feather -

something really fragile - was that what fell? Or was it different than

she thought. Why did we break up? To be "free to see others?"

WAS it REALLY love???

"Was it a thorn in your side
Something that you hide
Something you don't touch
Because it hurts too much."

Is it his pain that f'd up what seemed so perfect?
Why can't she GO there?
This hurts him SO much,
that he won't even let HER go there.
Perhaps she can relate. . . .

"Well...have you come to see
That my face is not seen
Ooo...outside my frost covered windows
Oh and just how deep...
Do you hold that dream
In your hands each night...this time..."

Has he learned that the coldness is just an exterior one?
She's HIDING - who she really is, how she really feels -
But who can break through all the b.s.?
Somebody who TRULY loves her.
Okay, so he CLAIMS he loves her - but so did Mr. X.
Does he love her THAT much???
Reminds me of "Jesus Christ Superstar," where they suddenly go
"HEY hey, J. C., would you DIE for me!?" and suddenly He's
like "hey WAIT a minute now!!!..." Again - who can pull that sword out?
I think the "this time" is a reference to "cycles" - reincarnation, etc -
a feeling of deja vu - this uhhh, seems FAMILIAR, "pal!"
The "in your hands each night line" - well,
either you get it or you don't :lol:
Okay it FEELS great - but IS it Love?

"Did I force you to remember
In the sacred name of love...
To be brave save the stranger
Sable on blond...
Dark upon light..."

I always hear this as "AND i force you to remember."

But anyway, maybe she's saying, "this love is SACRED to me -

and so BECAUSE I love you - i'm going to FORCE you to face this pain -

CAN you handle that? WILL our Big Love survive?

'cause "You SAID that you LOVED me," babe, and that you "ALWAYS will."

SABLE
on
BLONDE

DARK
UPON
LIGHT

Because it HURTS to much."

Sable is black - Stevie's hair color is uhhh - blonde! YEAH,
BLONDE! :shocked:

Just as she wears black on top of her blonde self,
hiding the beauty underneath,
she has a very dark, gloomy exterior - some ignoramuses used the
word "evil" back in the 80s -
covering up the brightness, the light, that childlike wonder -
because when she wrote the song she felt that she had been hurt
SO badly that it just hurt too much to take a chance any more and
reveal her true self to the world - to the people in the environment
she was in.

And then perhaps a final, petulant slap across the face -
"Well, maybe it was YOU who fell in love (BABE) -
This time."

Back to the toughness - a brief glimpse of how she was really feeling,
and then back to the Life in the Fast Lane Rock Star.
Cause that's how she feels -
this time. . . . .

Anyway those are my thoughts, personally - I've thought about this
song more than any other Stevie song because I think it's HUGELY
underestimated and contains much more depth than first meets the
eye - and, of course, it's BEAUTIFUL! :laugh:

By the way, another part to the "Excaliber" legend is that the Sword
was presented to Mr. All That by the Lady of the Lake, who
selected him personally.
For those of you who may not know,
"Lynn" means "by the lake."

in my opinion?

This song is absolute proof-positive that Stevie's a genius.

And I haven't even mentioned the music itself, just the lyrics.

[nickslover2071]

I love sable on blonde..wish there was "full" alternate version out there...but anywho...great WH era song... :angel:

[amber]

"I think you may need to relax." :laugh: Turn down the lights, light a candle, simma down, and put it on... I love Mick's drumming on this too. He's a hard hitter.
Okay. I tried, but then...my mind just blanks out, it's really weird. It's...tooo bland... :shocked: Like I tell myself.."okay, pay attention, a bunch of people like this song" and then i'll space out anyway, and then I'll come back, and listen, and I'll be like "why does everyone like this song?"
so....it may be a hard sell. I'll give it another go, though, for you....and me... ;)

[TheBlueLamp]

Five Stars definitely. One of my top five Stevie songs. I love the way she sings on this, it's literally perfection. Of course I have no idea of what she's talking about, but then again half the time I don't anyway. :laugh: I'm not sure I'd want to hear it live though.

[SuzeQuze]

Okay. I tried, but then...my mind just blanks out, it's really weird. It's...tooo bland... :shocked: Like I tell myself.."okay, pay attention, a bunch of people like this song" and then i'll space out anyway, and then I'll come back, and listen, and I'll be like "why does everyone like this song?"
so....it may be a hard sell. I'll give it another go, though, for you....and me... ;)

Yeah, that's not gonna work, you can't force it. Its the imagery that gets me. I used to listen to this walking and biking around my home town as a teen, certain songs stood out early and this was one of the songs on WH I liked right away. Put it on repeat and see if it grabs your attention after a few listens. If not then it just may not be your cup of tea, so to speak.

[totallycait]

I could go on and on about this song . . . .

So I WILL! . . . :laugh: :o


I think this song is literally genius.

I'm glad you did! :laugh: This is one of my favorite Stevie lyrics, with the literary references and the descriptiveness of it. It's one of her most visually vivid songs, I think. I love it.

WH is my favorite Stevie album. I think I'd give every song five stars, except maybe "Enchanted." I think I'm just burned out on that one.

[trackaghost]

LOVE this song, one of the best on The Wild Heart.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned (have they?) Mick's magnificent drumming which totally makes the track for me.
"Outside my frost covered windows..."
Winter is my favourite season and TWH is definitely a winter album I think.

[WildInTheWind]

I listened to this song 3 times in a row today in my car. I've always liked it, but today it really hit me how fantastic of a song it is. Her voice is absolutely amazing on it.

[Ghost_Tracker]

Wanted to add this quote that I coincidentally just happened to come

across. This is from an interview Stevie did right before her "Wild Heart"

tour, which was in the October 1983 issue of "Rock Magazine."

The interviewers were Vicky Greenleaf and Stan Hyman. - - -

"Nicks: 'Sable on Blond' is my serious statement on The Wild Heart. It fits into a particular group of my songs; 'Rhiannon,' 'Beautiful Child' and 'Sara.' It reflects the mood I was in when I moved into my new house last year. It was a time when I was learning how to live with myself. 'Sable on Blond' meant to learn how to be a stranger, to learn to be with yourself, to learn to be one color. In the legend of Excalibur, the sword is there for protection, but you don't call upon it unless it's absolutely necessary. During that period in my life, I was learning how not to call on the sword."

So, there you GO - right from The Stevie's mouth! :)

[amber]

Yeah, that's not gonna work, you can't force it. Its the imagery that gets me. I used to listen to this walking and biking around my home town as a teen, certain songs stood out early and this was one of the songs on WH I liked right away. Put it on repeat and see if it grabs your attention after a few listens. If not then it just may not be your cup of tea, so to speak.
Okay, I figured it out. First, I hate the way it starts, with those "oo ooo oooo's"
and then, I don't like the notes chosen. It's too major key, but it's not totally major key, and it's definitely not minory, because I love minor. It's the bland in between of music. There's also no real dramatic parts. It's not very dynamical, although there is moments where the vocal is unusual. Honestly, I mainly don't like the notes used, they are flat and bland. Neither major, minor, or jazz chords. Blergh.
It's "the Nightmare" of the Wild Heart album...only not as good... :laugh:
I have to say, though, it's not bad, either. To me, it's filler. Although I'm sure some of the lyrics are good. :)
Wow, I actually don't like this song much, and I'm not sure I ever will. Although I also won't hate it. It's the Bill Clinton of songs.... :laugh: :sorry:

[DavidMn]

I dont really care for it, although I dont hate it either.Boy I'd make a great politician..... :lol:

[amber]

I dont really care for it, although I dont hate it either.Boy I'd make a great politician..... :lol:
:lol:
see? The bill clinton of songs!!!

[dissention]

Winter is my favourite season and TWH is definitely a winter album I think.

Totally.

I think Sable On Blonde has her best vocal, personally. It's all over the map and you can hear her putting her entire being into it. And the way it builds into that last third is amazing; she lets loose. One of my very favorite songs by her; it reeks so much of Stevie Nicks.

[GateandGarden]

There's also no real dramatic parts.
"Well this time I think that it was you, BAYBEH!!! Whoa! Whoa!"

[JazmenFlowers]

I agree, but she'd NEVER, and I mean NEVER, be able to pull it off nowadays. I'd like to hear her do it once and then never again because it's one of my favorite Stevie songs ever and I don't want it ruined.


DISS - I just wanted to say you stole my idea for a sig with Kathy Griffin! :) She is a hoot and I really really really want to be her best friend. I am addicted to her show.

I love SOB so much. The vocals are amazing and the lyrics are really cool.

[dissention]

DISS - I just wanted to say you stole my idea for a sig with Kathy Griffin! :) She is a hoot and I really really really want to be her best friend. I am addicted to her show.

I love SOB so much. The vocals are amazing and the lyrics are really cool.

Kathy Griffin kicks ass. I want to hang out with that loudmouthed, salty bitch so badly. :laugh: I posted over on Perez that God is old hat, we should all worship at the Altar of Kathy every Sunday morning for the rest of time, and that when I'm emperor, I will make it law.

It's true, I will.

[amber]

"Well this time I think that it was you, BAYBEH!!! Whoa! Whoa!"
Meh. :shrug: Wrong notes for me to like. She sounds fine, the notes are just very dull to me. :wavey: I'll keep trying, though. :laugh:

[dissention]

Meh. :shrug: Wrong notes for me to like. She sounds fine, the notes are just very dull to me. :wavey: I'll keep trying, though. :laugh:

She hits some of the highest notes of her career in that song. :shrug:

[Rickypt]

I never thought much of this song until I came to this board and read the constant raves from dissention. So I put it on recently, listened with new ears, and found the magic. It's simply lovely with fantastic vocals and I'm mad at myself for not getting it until 20+ years later.

[amber]

She hits some of the highest notes of her career in that song. :shrug:
and? Just cause the note is high, doesn't mean it's one I like. The song reminds me of how I don't like flat jazz chords. It doesn't use them specifically, but the notes chosen do remind me of that. I don't like the music, and the vocal goes with the music, and though it's a good vocal, I don't like the notes. They are dull to me.

[Hawkeye]

5 star song for sure. The song just flows out like honey. It heavenly. The only song on WH I prefer is Nothign Ever Changes just because it rocks so much. But her voice is so good on SOB and Micks drumming just makes that much better.

[SapphireSister]

I have to agree with Amber here. Musically, this song is completely bland and dull. It actually bores me. There is nothing exciting about it and it doesn't grab me emotionally at all when I hear it...HOWEVER lyrically it is Stevie at her best. These lyrics are beyond genius and the whole concept of the song is brilliant and the vocals are stellar. Is is so deep and personal and really great for the album. Too bad the music doesn't live up to the lyrics. If these lyrics had gone with some great music it would have been one of her best songs ever. It only gets 2 stars because musically it bites. Not awful, but far from great.

[amber]

I have to agree with Amber here. Musically, this song is completely bland and dull. It actually bores me. There is nothing exciting about it and it doesn't grab me emotionally at all when I hear it...HOWEVER lyrically it is Stevie at her best. These lyrics are beyond genius and the whole concept of the song is brilliant and the vocals are stellar. Is is so deep and personal and really great for the album. Too bad the music doesn't live up to the lyrics. If these lyrics had gone with some great music it would have been one of her best songs ever. It only gets 2 stars because musically it bites. Not awful, but far from great.
Finally, someone understands!!! :xoxo: :laugh:

[trackaghost]

You guys are crazy, Sable On Blond is one of Stevie's best songs :p
I think you just don't like mid-tempo numbers :)

[SapphireSister]

You guys are crazy, Sable On Blond is one of Stevie's best songs :p
I think you just don't like mid-tempo numbers :)

I don't think soooo....Nightbird is one of my favorite Stevie songs evah. SOB has nothing memorable about it musically. I don't know how to analyze music other than to say the notes and the melody are boring. There is nothing exciting or pivitol happening musically throughout the whole song. At least have a catchy hook or bridge, but no there is nothing.

[trackaghost]

Well.... music is a subjective thing. I guess I was talking about Amber more than you as I don't know you or your music tastes really. I know Amber likes Stevie to rock a little..
But anyway I think there's a lot musically going on in that song: the almost tribal drumbeat that acts as a contrast to the soft music; the slinky guitar work; the sensual harmonies; the passionate way it builds up in the middle so powerfully ("do you hold that dreamer in your hands in each night") before becoming almost a repetitive groove at the end ("oo well I think it was you, baby, this time") before fading out. I just think it's a very sexy song.
But I don't need a hook or catchy chorus myself - I'm not really a big pop music fan, I just like how the song feels and the mood it creates :)

[The Tower]

There's also no real dramatic parts. It's not very dynamical, although there is moments where the vocal is unusual.
Hey Amber, you need to lay off the hash pipe....

"Well, have you come to see
That my face it is not seeeeeeen
Oooo, outside my frost covered windows"

That is drama personified and it gives me shivers just typing it.

[skcin]

I don't think soooo....Nightbird is one of my favorite Stevie songs evah. SOB has nothing memorable about it musically.


And Nightbird does? :shrug: What - the synthesizers?

Ah, so we finally disagree on a somg. I knew this day would someday come. :distress:


:D

[amber]

Well.... music is a subjective thing. I guess I was talking about Amber more than you as I don't know you or your music tastes really. I know Amber likes Stevie to rock a little..
But anyway I think there's a lot musically going on in that song: the almost tribal drumbeat that acts as a contrast to the soft music; the slinky guitar work; the sensual harmonies; the passionate way it builds up in the middle so powerfully ("do you hold that dreamer in your hands in each night") before becoming almost a repetitive groove at the end ("oo well I think it was you, baby, this time") before fading out. I just think it's a very sexy song.
But I don't need a hook or catchy chorus myself - I'm not really a big pop music fan, I just like how the song feels and the mood it creates :)
All that might be true, too bad they didn't PICK DIFFERENT NOTES to put all that great stuff in.... :laugh:
Mid tempo can be okay. And slow. For instance, I like the song RAL a lot. and ISFTT. yeah, it's not really the tempo.
The thing is, SOB doesn't really create any mood with me - so that's a problem...

[amber]

Hey Amber, you need to lay off the hash pipe....

"Well, have you come to see
That my face it is not seeeeeeen
Oooo, outside my frost covered windows"

That is drama personified and it gives me shivers just typing it.
Dear Tower - I have no hashpipe.
Also - I DON'T LIKE THE NOTES, OKAY?! THE NOTES SOUND BLAND TO ME!
as a matter of fact, I bet a hash pipe would make that song sound better.

[ontheEdgeof17]

The thing is, SOB doesn't really create any mood with me - so that's a problem...


Maybe because you live in Cali and never have seen "one falling leaf" or a "frost covered window"......... :rolleyes:

[amber]

Maybe because you live in Cali and never have seen "one falling leaf" or a "frost covered window"......... :rolleyes:
I grew up in the foothills. We had four distinct seasons. :rolleyes: In fact, most places in California do have seasons. Exceptions are mainly the down south coastal cities. Thankyouverymuch.
Besides, it doesn't matter what the words in the song SAY, THE MUSIC doesn't create any mood for me. I don't care how good the lyrics are, if I don't like the music, then I won't like it.

[SapphireSister]

Besides, it doesn't matter what the words in the song SAY, THE MUSIC doesn't create any mood for me. I don't care how good the lyrics are, if I don't like the music, then I won't like it.


I got your back, Sister. The music on SOB is inferior to a lot of Stevie's work. And regardless of if it has a catchy hook or not I just don't feel it or connect with it emotionally. It's doesn't make the cut. It's flat out BORING!! Can we say, boring children? Profound lyrics can only take a song so far. If the music is mediocre I will NEVER love the song. End of story.

[amber]

I got your back, Sister. The music on SOB is inferior to a lot of Stevie's work. And regardless of if it has a catchy hook or not I just don't feel it or connect with it emotionally. It's doesn't make the cut. It's flat out BORING!! Can we say, boring children? Profound lyrics can only take a song so far. If the music is mediocre I will NEVER love the song. End of story.
:laugh: :xoxo:
what's bugging me is I can't figure out why everyone else likes it. Besides the lyrics, if they are lyrics people. Very mysterious. :D

[SapphireSister]

And Nightbird does? :shrug: What - the synthesizers?


You'd better come up with something better than the synthesizers against Nightbird or guess we can just say there's nothing memorable about Stand Back either? ;)

[SapphireSister]

:laugh: :xoxo:
what's bugging me is I can't figure out why everyone else likes it. Besides the lyrics, if they are lyrics people. Very mysterious. :D


I have no clue as to why people like this song so much. :confused: It's so NOT memorbale. I would never play it for a casual fan either because they'd probably never want to listen to Stevie again.

[dissention]

:laugh: :xoxo:
what's bugging me is I can't figure out why everyone else likes it. Besides the lyrics, if they are lyrics people. Very mysterious. :D

I like it because the music is lush, the lyrics are flakey Stevie at her best, and the vocal is phenomenal.

[dissention]

or guess we can just say there's nothing memorable about Stand Back either? ;)

There really is nothing all that memorable about Stand Back. Not a bad song at all, but it's one of her fluffy throwaways, much like Enchanted.

[SapphireSister]

There really is nothing all that memorable about Stand Back. Not a bad song at all, but it's one of her fluffy throwaways, much like Enchanted.

Yeah you're right, those opening notes to Stand Back are not memorbale at all. You haven't had that song stuck in your head ever and wanted to sing along. Whatever!

[strandinthewind]

I like it because the music is lush, the lyrics are flakey Stevie at her best, and the vocal is phenomenal.


I totally agree. I think thios song (SOB) is one of those Stevie songs that you have to think about before her meaning is apparent. The whole "in silence she says 'Excaliber'" line is brilliant. At first, its meaning is obscure - but when you get it and its urgent plea for magic to stay strong - it becomes a lambent visual that - at least to me - she alone cleverly can conjure.

Great song - BRILLIANT vocal - possibly her best ever.

[dissention]

I totally agree. I think thios song (SAB) is one of those Stevie songs that you have to think about before her meaning is apparent. The whole "in silence she says 'Excaliber'" line is brilliant. At first, its meaning is obscure - but when you get it and its urgent plea for magic to stay strong - it becomes a lambent visual that - at least to me - she alone cleverly can conjure.

Great song - BRILLIANT vocal - possibly her best ever.

Yay, you're back. :xoxo:

I've always wished that there were more outtakes/alt. versions floating around out there; I can just picture the song having many more interesting lyrics to it. She should've opened her Wild Heart shows with it, too; can you just imagine her striding out onstage to those opening drumbeats and those lush backing vocals? I'd squeal. It's so pretty and warm.

[dissention]

Yeah you're right, those opening notes to Stand Back are not memorbale at all.

And the bombastic opening to Sable On Blonde isn't memorable? It all depends on your personal preferences. I'll take the drums on that song to the dated synth sounds that open Stand Back.

You haven't had that song stuck in your head ever and wanted to sing along. Whatever!

I wouldn't say never, but I also wouldn't say often.

[amber]

Yeah you're right, those opening notes to Stand Back are not memorbale at all. You haven't had that song stuck in your head ever and wanted to sing along. Whatever!
He always likes the boring songs. :laugh: See, if someone doesn't like SB that much, but loves Sable on Blond, I know there is something not quite right. And, did you see how he wrote that it would be great if she started her WH tour with it, and he called the beginning "oooo,oooo,oooo" or whatever, "lush backing vocals" :laugh: That was my least favorite part of the song, I cringed when those cheesy voices came on.... :shocked: <===== - like that, that was my face when the song started....

[amber]

And the bombastic opening to Sable On Blonde isn't memorable? It all depends on your personal preferences. I'll take the drums on that song to the dated synth sounds that open Stand Back.



I wouldn't say never, but I also wouldn't say often.
Bombastic Opening??! It has like, 4 cool drum beats, and then that nasty "aahahahahahah" starts in....*shudder* :confused: yep, I'm listening to it right now...yep. nope. Okay, the notes are okay for the "in your hands each night" part....god, those backing vocals are terrible...
okay, there are like, 2 kind of good short parts in the song.

[dissention]

Bombastic Opening??! It has like, 4 cool drum beats, and then that nasty "aahahahahahah" starts in....*shudder* :confused: yep, I'm listening to it right now...yep. nope. Okay, the notes are okay for the "in your hands each night" part....god, those backing vocals are terrible...
okay, there are like, 2 kind of good short parts in the song.

You love Sister Honey, I Sing For the Things, and Rock A Little, for cripes sake. And you complain about boring notes and terrible backing vocals in Sable On Blonde?! :laugh:

[amber]

You love Sister Honey, I Sing For the Things, and Rock A Little, for cripes sake. And you complain about boring notes and terrible backing vocals in Sable On Blonde?! :laugh:
They sound like lounge music singers. Those are lounge music notes they are singing. They are cheesy in a bad way, not a good way. ;) Meet you at the piano bar??? :laugh: At least ISFTT uses real notes....

[trackaghost]

The backing vocals are luscious!
I guess we're just going to have to disagree here :)
To me the song reminds me of cold days and dark clear skies. It's melancholy but hopeful, and the vocals are so sensual, not a million miles away from something Kate Bush would do.
Wow, listening to it now - those drums!

[dissention]

They sound like lounge music singers. Those are lounge music notes they are singing. They are cheesy in a bad way, not a good way. ;) Meet you at the piano bar??? :laugh:

I don't hear any of that in it, but if you do, more power to ya. :xoxo:

At least ISFTT uses real notes....

Real notes?

That song sucks so much ass that to call it "unlistenable" is a cliche by now. :laugh:

[amber]

The backing vocals are luscious!
I guess we're just going to have to disagree here :)
To me the song reminds me of cold days and dark clear skies. It's melancholy but hopeful, and the vocals are so sensual, not a million miles away from something Kate Bush would do.
Wow, listening to it now - those drums!
I listened to it again and found 2 kind of okay parts.
Those backing vocal notes make me sick, sorry. :xoxo: They really sound excessively cheesy to me, those notes.
meh - it's okay.

[amber]

I don't hear any of that in it, but if you do, more power to ya. :xoxo:



Real notes?

That song sucks so much ass that to call it "unlistenable" is a cliche by now. :laugh:
That song is simple and pretty. The only thing about it that might be considered to suck a little bit is one tiny lyric. But, I like that lyric, too.

[SapphireSister]

That song is simple and pretty. The only thing about it that might be considered to suck a little bit is one tiny lyric. But, I like that lyric, too.

Don't be going back on your words now darlin! You're on my side remember? And it's the side that perfers NOT to hear SOB. The song has a lot of sucky parts! It's a sleeper.

[KarmaContestant]

Wow...way interesting to read everyone else's comments on this particular song. I love it - alot - and always have. I don't, however, agree with Dissention when he said that Stevie could never pull it off live these days....I think it would be incredible with her current vocal range....just like Kind Of Woman and How Still My Love...It may not come out like the LP version, but a live song should never sound just like the album cut anyway. :shrug:

My favorite lyric is the Excalibur reference... :o .....it's just such a very....masculine.....reference, and I certainly can relate to what she was feeling when she wrote it, at least from my perspective....though there are very few men that I have known who are worthy of this moniker.

I would say this is probably Stevie's most sexual and erotic song ever.

Amber and SapphireSister? Are you there? How can you not love this song? I read all of your comments, but I guess I just don't understand! :laugh: Oh well, to each their own.

[amber]

Don't be going back on your words now darlin! You're on my side remember? And it's the side that perfers NOT to hear SOB. The song has a lot of sucky parts! It's a sleeper.
I was talking about I sing for the things, dear. Because Diss said it sucked, and I like it.

[Dreammms]

Well.... music is a subjective thing. I guess I was talking about Amber more than you as I don't know you or your music tastes really. I know Amber likes Stevie to rock a little..
But anyway I think there's a lot musically going on in that song: the almost tribal drumbeat that acts as a contrast to the soft music; the slinky guitar work; the sensual harmonies; the passionate way it builds up in the middle so powerfully ("do you hold that dreamer in your hands in each night") before becoming almost a repetitive groove at the end ("oo well I think it was you, baby, this time") before fading out. I just think it's a very sexy song.
But I don't need a hook or catchy chorus myself - I'm not really a big pop music fan, I just like how the song feels and the mood it creates :)

Very well said :xoxo:

[Dreammms]

:laugh: :xoxo:
what's bugging me is I can't figure out why everyone else likes it. Besides the lyrics, if they are lyrics people. Very mysterious. :D

It's more than just the lyrics. It's just everything. The way she sings the song, the backing vocals, the music. I just love the whole mood of the song. I find the whole song moving and emotional. It can bring me to tears. The way the drum beats begins the song..to the ahhhhs all the way to the "what was it that fell" ending..is just so amazing.

[Dreammms]

I have no clue as to why people like this song so much. :confused: It's so NOT memorbale. I would never play it for a casual fan either because they'd probably never want to listen to Stevie again.

Would you play Alice or Two Kinds of Love for the casual fan?

Sorry Jimmy :xoxo:

[GateandGarden]

I got your back, Sister. The music on SOB is inferior to a lot of Stevie's work. And regardless of if it has a catchy hook or not I just don't feel it or connect with it emotionally. It's doesn't make the cut. It's flat out BORING!! Can we say, boring children? Profound lyrics can only take a song so far. If the music is mediocre I will NEVER love the song. End of story.This actually reminds me of what people say about "Gate and Garden" when explaining why they don't like it, either. I still think those two songs are very similar.

[littlecricket2]

When I first heard this song, the music didn't really grab me...but I guess one day the album was playing and I was in the right mood, and I started to actually notice the vampy feel of the whole thing...the way the thumping drums interact with Stevie's sexy vocal in a repetitive way... :o . I'm sorry, what was I talking about? LOL I need to put this song on, I haven't heard it in a while.

[GateandGarden]

I wanted to add that I agree with Josh. I think SOB is worlds better than "Stand Back." "Stand Back" is pretty exciting when you first hear it, like, Wow, this is really fun!, but I don't think it has staying power, really. I still love it for what it is but I think that SOB is just a classic. I'm truly ashamed that I went for two years thinking it was just boring. I went from never, ever listening to it to playing it all the time!

And I'll also add that I do love "Sister Honey" to death, but I'd say that's one of my guilty pleasures.

[amber]

Stand Back always sounds sexy to me. I can't see myself getting tired of it for any significant length of time. So, it has staying power with me. And? I remembered it for like...7 years only having heard it once or twice. I just listened to SOB a couple hours ago, and I can't remember it, except for a sense of how the yucky backing vocals sound.

[Stevie_Buck]

1 a : the color black
b : black clothing worn in mourning

Which would it be in this song? :shocked:

I've actually never even heard the song. :eek: :sorry:

[GateandGarden]

I've actually never even heard the song. :eek: :sorry::eek::eek: You must pop it in and listen! :nod: Then tell us what you think. :)

[wolfontherun]

To the 2 who are bashing this song I think you do protest too much! It sounds more like your baiting! I respect your opinion to not like a song but to go on and on and on is rather like beating a dead horse. Esp on this thread where its more like an appreciation thread.

Many people really love this song and there is a reason, it is brilliant. I wonder if those who dont get it are listening with an open mind?

It perfectly captures all things Stevie.

[GateandGarden]

To the 2 who are bashing this song I think you do protest too much! It sounds more like your baiting!I'm willing to bet that does go on here often enough, but from what I know about those two, I have to say that I don't think they're being insincere. I think they really can't bring themselves to like the song and were trying to explain why they don't like it. I would probably be doing the same thing if people continued to tell me that I'm crazy for not liking a song.

Not that I understand why they don't like it. :laugh:

[amber]

To the 2 who are bashing this song I think you do protest too much! It sounds more like your baiting! I respect your opinion to not like a song but to go on and on and on is rather like beating a dead horse. Esp on this thread where its more like an appreciation thread.

Many people really love this song and there is a reason, it is brilliant. I wonder if those who dont get it are listening with an open mind?

It perfectly captures all things Stevie.
We're not baiting, we just don't like it. Also, the thread is called "Like or Dislike Sable on Blond" which leaves room for all opinions. I'm glad people like it a lot, I just don't get it. To me the song is "ok". Before you accuse us of baiting, or not listening with an open mind, you should realize that most people on here like songs others don't like as much. It's the natural way.

[Stevie_Buck]

Okay... I listened to it...

I have to say the lyrics are very, very spectacular.
The backing vocals are good... the opening is kind of cheesy...
The drumming is way cool.
It sounds just like another song... and I'm tired right now... so I can't think. lol
I'm pretty sure it sounds just like a mac song... but I'm lost right now.

Overall, it's good, but kind of simplistic.
I could learn to love it. :thumbsup:

On edit: DREAMS! lol :blob2:

[GateandGarden]

Okay... I listened to it...

I have to say the lyrics are very, very spectacular.
The backing vocals are good... the opening is kind of cheesy...
The drumming is way cool.
It sounds just like another song... and I'm tired right now... so I can't think. lol
I'm pretty sure it sounds just like a mac song... but I'm lost right now.

Overall, it's good, but kind of simplistic.
I could learn to love it. :thumbsup:

On edit: DREAMS! lol :blob2:Thanks for going ahead and listening to it. :) I have to agree with the "Dreams" comparison. I also think that "Outside the Rain" sounds a lot like "Dreams" (and SOB).

[wolfontherun]

I realize the thread is called like or dislike. It is not called Like or Dislike and if you dislike go on and on about it, I mean we get it you dont like it. I guess I feel like some are trying to rain on our parade (those of us who think its ultimate Stevie material) I just dont get the continued negativity.

Oh and its nothing personal, really, im sure you are a very charming individual and I do value a diverse perpective in all things.

[ontheEdgeof17]

Thanks for going ahead and listening to it. :) I have to agree with the "Dreams" comparison. I also think that "Outside the Rain" sounds a lot like "Dreams" (and SOB).


Yup. It's exactly the same formula.



How I yearn for an OTR/Dreams/SOB morphing on tour. :cool:

[amber]

I realize the thread is called like or dislike. It is not called Like or Dislike and if you dislike go on and on about it, I mean we get it you dont like it. I guess I feel like some are trying to rain on our parade (those of us who think its ultimate Stevie material) I just dont get the continued negativity.

Oh and its nothing personal, really, im sure you are a very charming individual and I do value a diverse perpective in all things.
:lol: :laugh: :lol:

seriously? :shocked: :laugh:

:lol: :lol:

[WildInTheWind]

Okay... I listened to it...

I have to say the lyrics are very, very spectacular.
The backing vocals are good... the opening is kind of cheesy...
The drumming is way cool.
It sounds just like another song... and I'm tired right now... so I can't think. lol
I'm pretty sure it sounds just like a mac song... but I'm lost right now.

Overall, it's good, but kind of simplistic.
I could learn to love it. :thumbsup:

On edit: DREAMS! lol :blob2:

The drumming is very cool. I was thinking that earlier when I was listening to it. I love the opening drums....but yes, the opening vocals are a bit on the cheesy side.

[WildInTheWind]

I realize the thread is called like or dislike. It is not called Like or Dislike and if you dislike go on and on about it, I mean we get it you dont like it. I guess I feel like some are trying to rain on our parade (those of us who think its ultimate Stevie material) I just dont get the continued negativity.

Oh and its nothing personal, really, im sure you are a very charming individual and I do value a diverse perpective in all things.

Well it is called like or dislike, yes. It isn't called If you like it go on and on about how great it is, and if you dislike it shut up. I love the song personally, but I can see how some wouldn't. I didn't like it for years. In fact it just hit me recently how great it is. It doesn't bother me if people don't like it. :shrug: To each there own.

[KarmaContestant]

Okay... I listened to it...

I have to say the lyrics are very, very spectacular.
The backing vocals are good... the opening is kind of cheesy...
The drumming is way cool.
It sounds just like another song... and I'm tired right now... so I can't think. lol
I'm pretty sure it sounds just like a mac song... but I'm lost right now.

Overall, it's good, but kind of simplistic.
I could learn to love it. :thumbsup:

On edit: DREAMS! lol :blob2:


Well, of course! Outside The Rain and Sable On Blonde are Dreams, parts two and three, respectively. :nod:

[wolfontherun]

Well it is called like or dislike, yes. It isn't called If you like it go on and on about how great it is, and if you dislike it shut up. I love the song personally, but I can see how some wouldn't. I didn't like it for years. In fact it just hit me recently how great it is. It doesn't bother me if people don't like it. :shrug: To each there own.

Cept sharing positive thoughts on a pleasurable experience is oh so much more entertaining. Try it you might like it.

And I didnt go on and on about it like your tirade did through-out this thread, basically repeating the same thing over and over.

Last time on this thread so a response on your part would be futile.

[ThruTheFog]

SOB is my fav song on this CD. Absolutely love it. Wish there were demos, and wish she did it live.

:(

[skcin]

YES! THIS is the kind of stuff I've been waiting for!

THIS is why I started doing these polls - to have people discuss their like or dislike for individual songs and specify WHY! Not just "I love it" or "I hate it." I want substance & I'm finally getting it from many different people.

Keep going, people, argue your points. :nod: Attack or defend away!


You'd better come up with something better than the synthesizers against Nightbird or guess we can just say there's nothing memorable about Stand Back either? ;)


:eek: Stand Back is a powerhouse song, it fills the room with energy, especially live. Nightbird's lyrics and vocals are overpowered by the synth throughout the entire song - I don't hear anything else. On Stand Back I hear the beat & Ms. Nicks way more than the synth, other than at the very beginning.


So, yes, Sable On Blond...carry on. :D

[skcin]

SOB is my fav song on this CD. Absolutely love it. Wish there were demos, and wish she did it live.

:(


Welcome to the board! I like your screen name. :wavey:

I think there is a demo or two around, or an outtake or something. Not sure, someone else will know.

EDIT: I found one demo. Amber you'd love it, I promise. VERY rockin'. It cuts off though - anyone have a complete alternate Sable on Blond?

[dissention]

I realize the thread is called like or dislike. It is not called Like or Dislike and if you dislike go on and on about it, I mean we get it you dont like it. I guess I feel like some are trying to rain on our parade (those of us who think its ultimate Stevie material) I just dont get the continued negativity.

Oh and its nothing personal, really, im sure you are a very charming individual and I do value a diverse perpective in all things.

It also isn't called "if you like it, go on and on about it." They have just as much right to express their dislike as you and I do to express our love for it. If I dislike a song and there's a discussion going on about it, I'll say whatever I feel like saying about it as often as I see fit. Same goes for if I love another song greatly. This place would be duller than bathwater if we all had to bite our tongues about what we liked and didn't like. I, personally, enjoy discussing a song I like with others who don't like it; it's much more interesting than a bunch of people gushing over it without original thoughts and opinions to bounce off of each other.

[Kelly]

I can understand why Amber doesn't like SoB, the song might be an acquired taste for some. I adore it. First reason is the vocals. Holy cow, she sings with so much passion, intensity and emotion...you can practically feel her pain. Second is the lyrics. I am a lyrics person. If I don't like the lyrics, I usually won't like the song, no matter how great the music is. I like to try and make sense of the lyrics, they reach me much more deeply if I feel like I can begin to understand what she is writing about, or trying to say. These lyrics are clearly passionate, dramatic, intense Stevie at her best. She says a whole Hell of alot in this song. It is interesting that no one commented on Stevie's quote grouping this song with BC, Rhiannon and Sara. Once I heard that quote by her, I understood the meaning behind the lyrics to SoB more clearly..uh...I think....ya never really can be sure with Stevie.
Lastly, the music. At first I was not crazy about the music, it seemed sort of droning to me. However, it fits in perfectly with the mood of the song. Sort of dark, brooding, heavy. Excellent song overall that captures the essence of Stevie moreso than most songs. (completely unlike Stand Back..which is one of her most popular songs. Her lyrics are superb, in that they reveal alot about her pain and insecurity and anxiety about marrying Kim but she covers those feelings up with the rocking music, which masks the truly sad, distraught feelings that the lyrics alone would convey..This is why I dont feel SB captures the full essence of Stevie like SoB does) Note...I love Stand Back and live it rocks my world...it is just different from SoB and the punch of the lyrics get lost in the fluffy, rocking music, twirling and hype.

[SapphireSister]

I can understand why Amber doesn't like SoB, the song might be an acquired taste for some. I adore it. First reason is the vocals. Holy cow, she sings with so much passion, intensity and emotion...you can practically feel her pain. Second is the lyrics. I am a lyrics person. If I don't like the lyrics, I usually won't like the song, no matter how great the music is. I like to try and make sense of the lyrics, they reach me much more deeply if I feel like I can begin to understand what she is writing about, or trying to say. These lyrics are clearly passionate, dramatic, intense Stevie at her best. She says a whole Hell of alot in this song. It is interesting that no one commented on Stevie's quote grouping this song with BC, Rhiannon and Sara. Once I heard that quote by her, I understood the meaning behind the lyrics to SoB more clearly..uh...I think....ya never really can be sure with Stevie.
Lastly, the music. At first I was not crazy about the music, it seemed sort of droning to me. However, it fits in perfectly with the mood of the song. Sort of dark, brooding, heavy. Excellent song overall that captures the essence of Stevie moreso than most songs. (completely unlike Stand Back..which is one of her most popular songs. Her lyrics are superb, in that they reveal alot about her pain and insecurity and anxiety about marrying Kim but she covers those feelings up with the rocking music, which masks the truly sad, distraught feelings that the lyrics alone would convey..This is why I dont feel SB captures the full essence of Stevie like SoB does) Note...I love Stand Back and live it rocks my world...it is just different from SoB and the punch of the lyrics get lost in the fluffy, rocking music, twirling and hype.

Great post Kelly! I really enjoyed reading it. It's funny, you are a total lyrics person and won't like the song if you don't like the lyrics. I am the total oppiste - if I don't like the music I wont like the song, no matter how great the lyrics are and SOB is a perfect example. Sometime I wish I was more of a lyrics person because I would probably be open to a lot more songs but we are what we are and in a way it's just how our brains work.

[WildInTheWind]

Cept sharing positive thoughts on a pleasurable experience is oh so much more entertaining. Try it you might like it.

And I didnt go on and on about it like your tirade did through-out this thread, basically repeating the same thing over and over.

Last time on this thread so a response on your part would be futile.


:laugh: :lol: :laugh: :lol:

[SapphireSister]

To the 2 who are bashing this song I think you do protest too much! It sounds more like your baiting! I respect your opinion to not like a song but to go on and on and on is rather like beating a dead horse. Esp on this thread where its more like an appreciation thread.

Many people really love this song and there is a reason, it is brilliant. I wonder if those who dont get it are listening with an open mind?

It perfectly captures all things Stevie.

First of all, I'm not bashing the song. I'm simply stating my opinion and in case you haven't noticed that's what we do around here - share opinions. And last time I checked this was not an appreciation thread - it is a thread to share our thoughts on a particular song and that is precisely what I have done. Whether or not you agree with me is neither here nor there. I completely respect other people's opinions if they love a song or hate it and I expect others to do the same for me.

I listen to all Stevie songs with an open mind. If I don't feel a song, I don't feel it. Please try to understand that and not accuse me of not listening to a Stevie song with an open mind.

Edit: In response to your additional post on the matter of beating a dead horse - people around here know when I love a song I tend to go on and on about it and the same goes for songs that I dislike. I am a very passionate person and am not going to limit myself to only expressing only postive views and from what I can see people appriciate hearing why we don't like songs as well.

[skcin]

Man, just when it starts getting good around here, the thread dies. :(

Oh well. Guess it's time for another like/dislike.

[amber]

Man, just when it starts getting good around here, the thread dies. :(

Oh well. Guess it's time for another like/dislike.
It seems seven pages would be quite enough for everyone to convey their thoughts on this particular song, no? (I'm french now.)