Let's Talk About...SEVEN WONDERS

[Dodfather]

How are we all today?

Time to bring this thread back I think!

I LOVE this song and am praying it gets added to the setlist for the Eurpoe dates, especially since Tango was so huge in the UK. I doubt it will though.

I think this is the best song Stevie did with FM between 1987-2003, until Thrown Down on Say You Will. It's by far her best song on the Tango album and I actually think the best song on that album at all - a controversial call because that album has some great tunes on it!

Does anyone have any idea what this song is actually about though? I've never seen any interviews where she discusses it in any detail, just general stuff about the release of the album. I know it was recorded at the tail end of '86 just before she went into rehab so if it was written at the same time (and who knows how long she'd had the song in a lace adorned, scented box for) then perhaps it's about the rehab journey she knows she has to embark on...

That maybe makes sense when you think about how much she talks about making paths to the "rainbow's end"...is sobriety the pot of gold that will allow her to see the Seven Wonders? Maybe because it will help her to "live to match the beauty again"? Maybe this means the beauty of how things used to be, before it all got so crazy?

Another favourite thing about this song is the FANTASTIC backing vocals towards the end! Almost like a duet between Stevie and herself here. I know that when I'm singing it very loudly in the car (the entire Tango album is great driving music) I tend to just sing those parts. Just the massive ott delivery of them, it's great/

My favourite line has to be, sung very loudly..."You'll never live to see that beauty, that beauty, that same same beauty again"....YEAH!!

Thoughts?

[LukeA]

This is a Sandy Stewart song. The main thing Stevie is definitively known to have contributed (based on an interview or two, if I recall) was "...all the way down to Emmeline", because she didn't know what Sandy was singing on the demo (and didn't think to bother to ask her, apparently), which was "...all the way down you held the line"- or something like that.

Here's some additional SW info- http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?p=788749#post788749 Fannymac, is there anything else you can add? Your tidbits of info were very interesting.

[Dodfather]

This is a Sandy Stewart song. The main thing Stevie is definitively known to have contributed (based on an interview or two, if I recall) was "...all the way down to Emmeline", because she didn't know what Sandy was singing on the demo (and didn't think to bother to ask her, apparently), which was "...all the way down you held the line"- or something like that.

Here's some additional SW info- http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?p=788749#post788749 Fannymac, is there anything else you can add? Your tidbits of info were very interesting.

Oh my God!! So it is! I knew this all along but for some dumbass reason had completely forgotten and all that stuff in my post was ocurring to me as I was typing! Prize for classic schoolboy error of the day goes to me!!

[belladonnadream]

Oh my God!! So it is! I knew this all along but for some dumbass reason had completely forgotten and all that stuff in my post was ocurring to me as I was typing! Prize for classic schoolboy error of the day goes to me!! Too funny:lol:

[belladonnadream]

This is a Sandy Stewart song. The main thing Stevie is definitively known to have contributed (based on an interview or two, if I recall) was "...all the way down to Emmeline", because she didn't know what Sandy was singing on the demo (and didn't think to bother to ask her, apparently), which was "...all the way down you held the line"- or something like that.

Here's some additional SW info- http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?p=788749#post788749 Fannymac, is there anything else you can add? Your tidbits of info were very interesting.
Thanks for the link...Loved the video and interview with Sandy... I had never seen it!

[wheart]

I do love 7 Wonders. I actually performed to the 6 minute remix of this song at NOTS a few years back. But I digress. Her vocal on this song is obviously pre rehab, it's very raw... almost too raw, IMO. The band and the background vocals sound great and in sync and then there's Stevie. I dunno, she almost sounds like she's singing at a slightly higher tempo, or something. I love the line "I'll never live to see that beauty, that beauty, that same, same beauty again..." at the end. I can so relate.

[nailatixela]

I don't care for this song too much. It has a good beat, but I just don't get the lyrics. I don't understand what the 'I'll never live to see that beauty again' means, and whenever I think about what that means it just makes me feel depressed. I just can't get much of a connection to this song, and it is my least favorite song of stevie's from this album. Even though her other two are lacking something, I can at least connect with what she is talking about in WTTR and WISYA.

[Dodfather]

Too funny:lol:

I know! I made myself laugh with my own dumbass-ness (see, I'm making up words now and everything)...Glad I've amused fellow Ledgies today!

[David]

It has a good beat, but I just don't get the lyrics.
There is an excellent drum track on this -- it's probably the best drum track on the album. It sounds the most natural, & it has more of Mick's old style. Even those fills before the repeat of the 1st stanza are classic Mick Fleetwood. Those fills could have come right from Rumours. I also think the rest of the track is stellar. It jumps right out of the speaker at you, the way Go Your Own Way did. Mix & levels & everything are perfectly set, & the hooks are tasty.

The conga playing on the extended mixes is unnecessary -- clutter. The strength of the album mix is its leanness.

[FMlex]

Love this song!
However, I think that the Christine-led songs on Tango are what make the album.
Everywhere, Little Lies and Isn't It Midnight.

I also found the "Sara... Sara..." about two-thirds of the way through the album version quite different. Here's what I found on that:

Lori,
Random question: What is Stevie saying during the musical breaks in the album version of Seven Wonders? The fans have been dying to know, and a debate is on between: never, Sara, ever, Tara or pharoah. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Lori's answer:
I do believe that what Stevie is singing during the breaks in “Seven Wonders” is..... “Sara.”

Favorite lyric: "If I hope and I pray ooh it might work out someday"

While I'm not a fan of this little concert, here's the video:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rVfs6V38aAQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rVfs6V38aAQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[Dodfather]

Love this song!
However, I think that the Christine-led songs on Tango are what make the album.
Everywhere, Little Lies and Isn't It Midnight.

I also found the "Sara... Sara..." about two-thirds of the way through the album version quite different. Here's what I found on that:



Favorite lyric: "If I hope and I pray ooh it might work out someday"

While I'm not a fan of this little concert, here's the video:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rVfs6V38aAQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rVfs6V38aAQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Man - I had forgotten just how Godawful this concert video is. This is a case in point as to why I want Seven Wonders included on the European Unleashed dates. It's one of my favourite Stevie Mac songs and deserves a much better performance than what we see here! Stevie can do much better than this soporiphic mess and the band could rock this tune if Stevie pulls off the vocal...I live in hope!!

[flickersticked]

I was 13 years old when I became a Fleetwood Mac fan, right after The Dance came out. I went about collecting everything I could get my hands on, cds, demos, videos. When I saw this video it actually made me cry with it's awfulness. I hadn't seen it again until today. Thanks a lot lol

[wheart]

Love this song!
However, I think that the Christine-led songs on Tango are what make the album.
Everywhere, Little Lies and Isn't It Midnight.

I also found the "Sara... Sara..." about two-thirds of the way through the album version quite different. Here's what I found on that:



Favorite lyric: "If I hope and I pray ooh it might work out someday"

While I'm not a fan of this little concert, here's the video:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rVfs6V38aAQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rVfs6V38aAQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

the only good thing about that video is Stevie's outfit.

[golddustdrummer]

this song has a lot of meaning for me.

when I first saw Stevie in concert, it was at Riverbend in Cincinnati.
it was the second time I'd seen a concert there (first was the Spice Girls - yes, I'm a 90s kid)
- so the whole "certain place, certain time" lyric I just love.

then the "You touched my hand and you smiled...All the way back you held out your hand"
- I got to touch Stevie's hand at that concert.

and I'll probably never live to have that awesome of a personal experience with her again.
unless, you know...Stevie calls me up to do lunch.

"You touched my hand I played it cool
And you reached out your hand to me
But if our paths never cross
Well you know I'm sorry but...."

[michelej1]

I also found the "Sara... Sara..." about two-thirds of the way through the album version quite different. Here's what I found on that:



That's a great quote. I knew some people thought Tara, but I didn't know they thought pharoah. That's funny and it plays into the Great Pyramid Seven Wonders theme.

Michele

[gldstwmn]

It's the last of the great Stevie vocals of that era. I always assumed it was right after Betty Ford but I could be wrong about that.

[gldstwmn]

I do love 7 Wonders. I actually performed to the 6 minute remix of this song at NOTS a few years back. But I digress. Her vocal on this song is obviously pre rehab, it's very raw... almost too raw, IMO. The band and the background vocals sound great and in sync and then there's Stevie. I dunno, she almost sounds like she's singing at a slightly higher tempo, or something. I love the line "I'll never live to see that beauty, that beauty, that same, same beauty again..." at the end. I can so relate.
I suspect Lindsey may have sped the vocal up a bit as he is wont to do.

[gldstwmn]

I don't care for this song too much. It has a good beat, but I just don't get the lyrics. I don't understand what the 'I'll never live to see that beauty again' means, and whenever I think about what that means it just makes me feel depressed.

It's not about what the line means in genreal but what the line means to you as a way of connecting to the song. That's the trademark of good songwriting IMO, ambiguious and personal at the same time.

[Black_Moon]

I always thought the first time she sang in the gap between the verses it was 'Tara' (to fit with the "Gone with the Wind" theme of her songs on "Tango in the Night") and the second time it was 'Sara'.

[nailatixela]

It's not about what the line means in genreal but what the line means to you as a way of connecting to the song. That's the trademark of good songwriting IMO, ambiguious and personal at the same time.

Exactly, I agree with you. And the lyrics are so silly in this song that I can't connect with any of it.

I always hear her singing "if I work out some day" even though it's 'it might work out some day' But I just cant hear that part any differently. I guess that's just another part of why I can't connection with this song, and besides the fact that it has a good beat and is produced well, I don't care for it much. (my thoughts for this song are actually similar with my thoughts for "Sara")

[Black_Moon]

Exactly, I agree with you. And the lyrics are so silly in this song that I can't connect with any of it.

I always hear her singing "if I work out some day" even though it's 'it might work out some day' But I just cant hear that part any differently. I guess that's just another part of why I can't connection with this song, and besides the fact that it has a good beat and is produced well, I don't care for it much. (my thoughts for this song are actually similar with my thoughts for "Sara")

:shocked:

You don't care for "Sara" much? You blaspheme! ;)

[galestreet]

Thanks FMLex for the video! I love hearing the song again, maybe I'll buy Tango at the local Great Escape, sounds good, feels good.........:angel:

[BombaySapphire3]

It's the last of the great Stevie vocals of that era. I always assumed it was right after Betty Ford but I could be wrong about that.

It was the last Stevie Nicks vocal ever recorded before entering Betty Ford. It was recorded c. Halloween of 1986 so it was the end of the "coke and brandy " years.A very special song on it's own merits and even moreso when understood in that context IMHO.

[Musicman408]

It would make my day if this song was added to the European dates!!! Would love to hear it done soooo badly.

As for the song as a whole, even though Stevie didn't write it, I think it is classic- and does sound as though she could have written it!

[Dodfather]

It would make my day if this song was added to the European dates!!! Would love to hear it done soooo badly.

As for the song as a whole, even though Stevie didn't write it, I think it is classic- and does sound as though she could have written it!

Yes! I'm going to go with that to explain my brain feeze at the start of this thread! Haha.

[gldstwmn]

It was the last Stevie Nicks vocal ever recorded before entering Betty Ford. It was recorded c. Halloween of 1986 so it was the end of the "coke and brandy " years.A very special song on it's own merits and even moreso when understood in that context IMHO.

Wow. I get a tear in my eye just thinking about that.

[jannieC]

I didn't care much for this when it came out; learned to appreciate it many years later.

There is no way in HELL that Stevie could pull off these vocals live now, night after night.

[Musicman408]

Wow. I get a tear in my eye just thinking about that.

I was thinking "When I see You Again" was the last song she recorded before BF!

[petep9000]

Well you can totally tell it was her last song before BF. She's got the fragile, huffy, shuddery vibratto roar which I associate with the 83-86 Stevie.

Seven Wonders was my very first Stevie Nicks 'Reflections' segments I created for my blog. They went on in a different direction after this. Initially, they were going to be just the video and me typing all stuff about the song and what it means to me and the parts I like to hear. Then I started to record them in front of the camera, for good or bad. LOL.
Some are better than others. But this first posting 'Seven Wonders' is probably my wordiest.



http://planet-john.blogspot.com/2008/11/stevie-nicks-reflection-of-day-volume-1.html


:D

[vivfox]

I didn't care much for this when it came out; learned to appreciate it many years later.

There is no way in HELL that Stevie could pull off these vocals live now, night after night.

I disagree. I think she could sing it perfectly. I loved this song from the moment I heard it.

I used to perform it live back in the days when I performed as Stevie. A long, long, long time ago.

Someday when I transfer my VHS to DVD I will share my performances from 1985-1992 with all of you.

[Fannymac]

It's the last of the great Stevie vocals of that era. I always assumed it was right after Betty Ford but I could be wrong about that.

Right before....!!!

[jannieC]

I disagree. I think she could sing it perfectly.

If Silver Springs is too taxing, I can't imagine how she could manage Seven Wonders.
:shrug:

[GypsyBlueEyes]

I don't really know what to say about Seven Wonders. I love it...its one of those I like to turn up really loud in the car...oh wait...that goes for every FM song...oh well, you get my point :p I actually love the way her voice sounds on this one, but I'm one of those who has never been bothered by the way her voice has changed through the years. I love the way she sounds now. I don't know if she would be able to pull off the song on stage now...I don't really see why she couldn't. There's only one way to find out... ;)

[Nomad7]

I read the info at this link:

Here's some additional SW info- http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showth...749#post788749 Fannymac, is there anything else you can add? Your tidbits of info were very interesting.

And I'm wondering...is she actually singing

"Aaron" at the breaks?

Sounds a lot like "Tara" and "Sara"

M.

[vivfox]

And I'm wondering...is she actually singing

"Aaron" at the breaks?

Sounds a lot like "Tara" and "Sara"

M.

I don't think Lori Nicks knows what she's talking about. I mean I can totally hear Stevie singin' Tara.

[silvasprings]

I don't think Lori Nicks knows what she's talking about. I mean I can totally hear Stevie singin' Tara.

That would tie in with the whole "well it's not home, and it's not tara.." thing in Welcome To The Room Sara,

But it sounds so close to both sara and tara.... maybe it is :lol:
Who knows what Stevie was thinking

[David]

If Silver Springs is too taxing, I can't imagine how she could manage Seven Wonders. :shrug:It would sound stately & sedate, the way it did in 1987. It wouldn't be the stormy style of the album. The band would probably play it slower, too.

[jannieC]

It would sound stately & sedate, the way it did in 1987. It wouldn't be the stormy style of the album. The band would probably play it slower, too.

Do you have a recording of it?

[jrpjr]

if this responce has already been addressed then i appologize..i just looked and looked and found it nowhere...i had read somewhere on the ledge via a sandy stewart discussion OR seven wonders discussion that the song "seven wonders" which was written by sandy was originally called "aaron." sandy was "upset" that name was changed to "seven wonders" and the word "aaron" which sounds like "tara/sara" was omitted.. so stevie decided to leave the lyrics as they were..that part anyway.. i kno the "emaline" part has been discussed. thoughts? opionions? i really like this story of that the best!! LOL!! afterall it does make sense..she is talking about somebody..as all the way down (whoever "they" were) they "held the line."

[petep9000]

It seems 'right' for her to be singing 'Sara' in that bridge. Because she once had a song named Sara, of course, but also because she had another track on the album Welcome To The Room...Sara. I thought she was trying to be continuous. Oh, and she had a great-aunt Sara who she once described as being something of a muse to her.
I wish she'd do another song where she sings the name Sara.

"You know where Sara lives, the Imperial Hotel"
"Sara has a real Long Way To Go, to say goodbye"
"Sara's alone now, with her thoughts, how she would make it, how she would get out..."
"She thinks that is the meaning of love, and Sara prefers to Kick It"
"She was a Sara Girl, immersed in a hard-core world..."

[Fannymac]

I read the info at this link:

Here's some additional SW info- http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showth...749#post788749 Fannymac, is there anything else you can add? Your tidbits of info were very interesting.

And I'm wondering...is she actually singing

"Aaron" at the breaks?

Sounds a lot like "Tara" and "Sara"

M.

Yep, she's definitely singing "Aaron:......did it to make Sandy happy!

[michelej1]

I never thought she said Aaron, but since her grandpa's name is Aaron, if she said that, it would be a fitting tribute, since he's the one who got her started as a performer.

Michele

[David]

I wish she'd do another song where she sings the name Sara.

"You know where Sara lives, the Imperial Hotel"
"Sara has a real Long Way To Go, to say goodbye"
"Sara's alone now, with her thoughts, how she would make it, how she would get out..."
"She thinks that is the meaning of love, and Sara prefers to Kick It"
"She was a Sara Girl, immersed in a hard-core world..."A keeper post ^

[watchdevil17]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWx8wIOG-hw
...has anyone seen this?
love it!

[LikeAWillow]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWx8wIOG-hw
...has anyone seen this?
love it!

Fergie singing Seven Wonders :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

[Nomad7]

Yep, she's definitely singing "Aaron:......did it to make Sandy happy!

The more I listen the more I'm sure she IS singing "Aaron"...amazing after all these years of thinking it was "Sara...Tara..." wow

I'm sad to see the SW demo gone from YouTube... does anyone have it?

M

[sjpdg]

There is an excellent drum track on this -- it's probably the best drum track on the album. It sounds the most natural, & it has more of Mick's old style. Even those fills before the repeat of the 1st stanza are classic Mick Fleetwood. Those fills could have come right from Rumours. I also think the rest of the track is stellar. It jumps right out of the speaker at you, the way Go Your Own Way did. Mix & levels & everything are perfectly set, & the hooks are tasty.

The conga playing on the extended mixes is unnecessary -- clutter. The strength of the album mix is its leanness.

Agreed 100% and well said!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: