Stevie said "well" 30 times in the 'Juliet' demo

[petep9000]

I realize this song isn't everyone's cup o' tea. This is, as far as I know, the demo of Juliet that was presented to Fleetwood Mac for the 'Tango' sessions. It sounds to me like this demo was put together maybe on a break during her RAL tour, though I suppose it could just as easily be post-release from Betty Ford. Her voice is very 'true' to that RAL-era, all barking and bellowing, totally singing the wrong way with her throat (yet, it's music to my ears) and in general: a funky mess. So, I used to listen to this on cassette n my old car, and would try to count the number of times she bleats out a "well". I always came up with a different number, probably because I was busy trying to concentrate on traffic. I told myself that one day I'd sit down and try to count them on paper. So, tonight I finally did. I hope I got them all. This was a labor of love, as this is one of my favorite demos from her. Believe it or not.

Oh, and if I put an asterix next to it, that means I consider that "well" to be extra special and full of well-ness. Click the Youtube vid, and listen along and let me know if I got them all. That is, if you can sit through it. As I mentioned, this era of Stevie isn't for everyone...
(p.s, bravo to YouTube user 'Geminicusp82' for assembling this slideshow and putting this kooky tune online for everyone to hear)

The "well" count in 'Juliet', 1987

1. 00:20
2. 00:36
3. 01:04 *
4. 01:22
5. 01:24
6. 01:28
7. 01:29
8. 01:33 *
9. 01:35
10. 01:42
11. 01:47
12. 01:57
13. 02:01
14. 02:06
15. 02:18
16. 02:35
17. 02:40 *
18. 03:09
19. 03:13
20. 03:19 *
21. 03:23
22. 03:35 *
23. 03:45
24. 03:50 *
25. 03:53
26. 03:56
27. 03:58
28. 04:04
29. 04:10
30. 04:12 *


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[wolfontherun]

I just love a funky mess! :-)

[Tango]

Stevie overuses the word "well." The Webster on line dictionary lists about 58 uses of the word well. Stevie uses well mostly as an interjection. A lot of people on this board begin their threads/posts using the word Well or So, as if interjecting into a conversation: "So, I went to the store today." (My immediate mental response is, "So what?") The post could have stated, "I went to the store today." So is not necessary, any more than many of Stevie's wells. It's an odd habit, but not uncommon in Stevie's live performances. There's a strong well in The Dance's "Sweet Girl" that seems to call the listener to attention.

[DeeGeMe]

Stevie overuses the word "well." The Webster on line dictionary lists about 58 uses of the word well. Stevie uses well mostly as an interjection. A lot of people on this board begin their threads/posts using the word Well or So, as if interjecting into a conversation: "So, I went to the store today." (My immediate mental response is, "So what?") The post could have stated, "I went to the store today." So is not necessary, any more than many of Stevie's wells. It's an odd habit, but not uncommon in Stevie's live performances. There's a strong well in The Dance's "Sweet Girl" that seems to call the listener to attention. I overuse the word "well" too. I think it's from hearing too many Stevie demo & outtake tracks.

[Tango]

I overuse the word "well" too. I think it's from hearing too many Stevie demo & outtake tracks.

:laugh: That makes sense. Another odd opening interjection used on The Ledge is the word Alright. I don't mean Stevie's song, "That's Alright." Some posters start their threads with several of these interjections strung together, "Well, alright then, so I went to the store last night." ;) Another example, "Alright, what do you think of The Mets?" English teachers grab your pens. ;) The use of these words are amusing when one observes them, as pete9000 points out.

[petep9000]

I can't say that I overuse 'well' much, but I definately use 'so' and I use it exactly the way 'Tango' describes. I was just thinking of that the other day, in fact. If anyone has ever looked at that two Stevie Nicks commentaries I did on my blog, you'll notice the use of 'so'. I think I use it out of nervousness, as a way of starting a sentence. I wish I could improve my spoken and written English at my late age, I know I use non-standard and lazy grammar. Possibly a product of my working class Long Island/Brooklyn upbringing, as this is a not-so-uncommon speach pattern where I come from. I can't quite shake it, and if I make an effort it almost seems like an affectation.

Back to 'Juliet', 30 'wells' is just so over-the-top! I'm going to try and find another recorded Stevie song where she uses 'well' nearly as much. Certainly her stage shows during the RAL tour were peppered with a milion 'wells'. Maybe that's what I'll do, dissect one of her songs and count the 'wells' from my favorite boot, her Jones Beach 1986 RAL stop. I think EO17 features the most.

[Musicman408]

I like this demo. I've always liked listening to demos after I hear the finished product of the song. Interesting comparison. Thanks for the work guys!!

[michelej1]

Well, Tango I'm guilty. So, what now?

Michele

[chiliD]

Stevie overuses the word "well." The Webster on line dictionary lists about 58 uses of the word well. Stevie uses well mostly as an interjection. A lot of people on this board begin their threads/posts using the word Well or So, as if interjecting into a conversation: "So, I went to the store today." (My immediate mental response is, "So what?") The post could have stated, "I went to the store today." So is not necessary, any more than many of Stevie's wells. It's an odd habit, but not uncommon in Stevie's live performances. There's a strong well in The Dance's "Sweet Girl" that seems to call the listener to attention.

Ok...who wants to count the number of "you know" (or "ya know") in just about ANY live interview subject within the last 5-10 years?

At least, "well" is rarely misspelled, which considering the number of misspelled words here on the Ledge, is remarkable.

[priestofnothing]

All the "wells" used to irk me, but not as much as the

"he said"
"she said"

lyrics that started happening all over the OSOTM album.

Then when you combine the two things together

well he said its alright baby
well she said I'm doing fine
well the angel said

Stevie pushed me right over the edge. Awful klono-writing.

[Tango]

Well, Tango I'm guilty. So, what now?

Michele

You've taken the first step in the program. ;)

[Tango]

Ok...who wants to count the number of "you know" (or "ya know") in just about ANY live interview subject within the last 5-10 years?

At least, "well" is rarely misspelled, which considering the number of misspelled words here on the Ledge, is remarkable.

You have previously mentioned one of your most favorite Fleetwood Mac songs is OH Well. Perhaps that song is why all the "wells" don't bother you as much! :laugh:

[petep9000]

All the "wells" used to irk me, but not as much as the

"he said"
"she said"

.


LOL! But, I sort of liked it in 'Mirror, Mirror' where she barked out
"she says, I think you walk a thin line, walk a thin line!!!"

but, I'm not sure if you are counting 'says' along with the 'saids'.

But you're right, once she started dropping the little blue pill imprinted with 'K', her use of 'said' increased.

[nailatixela]

Wow that's a lot of wells! Thanks for counting them for us, quite funny. :D I love the RAL era - but just can't get into this demo. I really like the finished product more this time.

[Zombie]

The plethora of "wells" in Stevie's lyrics has always amused me - I think my favorite examples of it have to be from the Red Rocks performance of "Edge," though. It's the perfect blend of "well" and funky mess. Pure love.

I just did a quick run-through to see how many there actually were, and I came up with 23. 25 if you count Sharon's 2.

And if the psychedelic freakout at the end is a string of "welllll-wellllll-welllll!", which it sounds like it might be, then we're at 28.

She wastes no time when, after the first 2 "wells," she socks in a quick three-shot at 3:25. I like the one at about 5:06 best because it is, to borrow a phrase from Pete there, extra special and full of well-ness. And you gotta love the "WELL, I know what it sounds like....WHEN DOVES CRY! OW!" homage to the Purple One, whom I expect also understands the importance of being well.

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Well, she said you get down wit' yo' bad self, Miss Stevie.

PS - Tango, I advise you to never come 'round Western PA. Not only do folk here overuse the "well," they pronounce it like "wool." My mother broke me of the habit by shouting, "Do you see any sheep around here?!" or "NO WOOL!" every time I said it as a child.

Alas, I still say "crick" for "creek."

[Tango]

PS - Tango, I advise you to never come 'round Western PA. Not only do folk here overuse the "well," they pronounce it like "wool." My mother broke me of the habit by shouting, "Do you see any sheep around here?!" or "NO WOOL!" every time I said it as a child.

Alas, I still say "crick" for "creek."


:laugh: You're too late Zombie. My best buddy in college was from Windber, PA, near Johnstown. I'm very familiar with the crick! ;) You're from a great area!

[Zombie]

:laugh: You're too late Zombie. My best buddy in college was from Windber, PA, near Johnstown. I'm very familiar with the crick! ;) You're from a great area!

It's a small world after all! I grew up in Windber, right down in Scalp Level. I live more north now, but still in Western PA. And I agree it's great area, even if our language quirks can sometimes run towards the weird (i.e. "Quit jaggin aroun', ya jaggoff." wherein the usage of "jagg" should not be confused with the usage of "jagg" in a word like "jaggerbush.") :laugh:

[LukeA]

Stevie's right up there with Ronald Reagan in the "Overuses The Word 'Well'" pantheon.

[jld92]

Ok...who wants to count the number of "you know" (or "ya know") in just about ANY live interview subject within the last 5-10 years?

The "you know" thing drives me crazy. I'm always thinking "No, actually we don't know," whenever I watch an interview with her. Don't get me wrong. I love Stevie but that starts getting annoying in a 10 minute interview. Or my favorite combo--"well, you know"

[UndoingTheLaces]

I've had a few different versions of this recording but have never heard one this clear. They usually sound like they're being taped off of a tv with a little GE tape recorder with someone holding the mic across the room

(not that I've ever done that... like when I was eight years old. well...) :blob2:

[CADreaming]

The "you know" thing drives me crazy. I'm always thinking "No, actually we don't know," whenever I watch an interview with her. Don't get me wrong. I love Stevie but that starts getting annoying in a 10 minute interview. Or my favorite combo--"well, you know"

Well, well, well...:lol:

[AliceLover]

All the "wells" used to irk me, but not as much as the

"he said"
"she said"

lyrics that started happening all over the OSOTM album.

Then when you combine the two things together

well he said its alright baby
well she said I'm doing fine
well the angel said

Stevie pushed me right over the edge. Awful klono-writing.

She wasn't on Klonopin when she wrote the songs for OSOTM. She said that in an article recently about how she loved how "those songs" came out and how she still does.

[StreetAngel86]

I overuse the word "well" too. I think it's from hearing too many Stevie demo & outtake tracks.

i do it too
and it's embarrassing
because im really aware of it
and dont know how NOT to use it LOL

well, i was doing this
and well, this happened
and yeah well, you know how it is

[PenguinHead]

All the "wells" used to irk me, but not as much as the

"he said"
"she said"

lyrics that started happening all over the OSOTM album.

Then when you combine the two things together

well he said its alright baby
well she said I'm doing fine
well the angel said

Stevie pushed me right over the edge. Awful klono-writing.

The he said she said very confusing! Also her use of the word "You." You never know whether it's meant as first or second person, which makes songs hard to follow. The same as is when she changes tenses in the middle of a verse. Any clarity of what she is expressing gets completely lost.

Also, regarding imagery, she has a curious occupation with spacial settings...stairways, walls, hallways, houses....lol

I've come to accept the unusual liberties she takes with grammer. It's just one of her oddities that makes Stevie Stevie!

[Sahara]

Inserting 'well' into Silent Night was my personal favourite :)

This thread made me laugh so much! It reminds me of counting the number of times our geography teacher used the word 'OK' in class ... I think the record was 78 in 35 minutes or something like that.... :o