No Questions Asked and other under-appreciated gems [Archive]

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louielouie2000

11-10-2009, 09:01 PM

I thought I'd bring this song up for discussion because it's almost never mentioned. This really is one of my very favorite little Fleetwood Mac songs. I know at first glance it might seem like another piece of '80s pop fluff, but I think it's so much better than that. I suppose technically it should be in the Post Rumours section, but it is on a Greatest Hits album containing solely Rumours era material.

I can't pinpoint exactly why I love this song so much. I guess a big part of it is my appreciation for the lyrics. It's about the ups and downs of relationships, something certainly we can all relate with. Maybe that's why I like "Not Make Believe" so much too... they both chronicle wrestling the positives and negatives of relationships, and why we stay in them. I just love how both of these little songs are about not necessarily happy material, but are eternally optimistic. I even like the bubbly, effervescent production of "No Questions Asked." I think Billy and Rick's harmonies are just beautiful.

I got Greatest Hits from my favorite Aunt in 1994, and I probably associate this song with her, and a simpler time. I really love "As Long As You Follow" from Greatest Hits too... another forgotten, underrated little gem. It's also another full circle relationship song... I guess there's no hidden irony as to why both of these songs were included on Greatest Hits, given the events of the prior year. The production style on both of these songs might be a bit heavy handed and polished, but they still remain beautiful little songs. Seems there was a lot of missed potential with the Rick-Billy-Stevie-Christine-Mick-John lineup. Anyone else share my love for these songs?

Lala

11-10-2009, 10:28 PM

You know what makes NQA (IMHO)...the guitar hook (bum-bum-bum-bum-bum-bum...I'd post a clip but I don't have the mp3 on my computer).

I agree with you about Not Make Believe. I feel like NMB is kind of like The Chain, but from an older, wiser perspective. I wish it had made it to the original SYW instead of being just a bonus track on the limited edition.

TrueFaith77

11-10-2009, 10:51 PM

I agree with you about Not Make Believe. I feel like NMB is kind of like The Chain, but from an older, wiser perspective. I wish it had made it to the original SYW instead of being just a bonus track on the limited edition.

OMG - it just hit me. Replace Silver Girl with NMB! PerfecT!!!

Lala

11-10-2009, 11:43 PM

OMG - it just hit me. Replace Silver Girl with NMB! PerfecT!!!

I couldn't part with it!

Why does everyone hate Silver Girl? I guess it could have been the bonus track though.

louielouie2000

11-10-2009, 11:54 PM

You know what makes NQA (IMHO)...the guitar hook (bum-bum-bum-bum-bum-bum...I'd post a clip but I don't have the mp3 on my computer).

You're right... that little riff is great, and I love it! There's nothing else like it. :thumbsup:

TheWILDheart

11-11-2009, 04:47 AM

I love love love LOVE "No Questions Asked" and "Paper Doll" - those 2 seem to go very unappreciated.

DoubtfulMiracle

11-11-2009, 05:43 AM

I love these two little songs as well.

Unfortunately I think a large part of my love for NQA came from a misheard lyric:

Well it's hard to be civil, and it's real hard to be nice
But you can get my love every time

I honestly thought that was brilliant. It seemed to me like a joyful recognition that, sure, our relationship isn't going to be harmonious but that doesn't mean there isn't love. I can't say how disappointed I was when I realised that wasn't it at all. But anyway, we're left with the fact that I was wrong, and yet I still love the song. I think it is, as you said, its sense of eternal optimism. That, and it's just so damn catchy.

I think there's a similar optimism in As Long As You Follow too. I can't quite put my finger on what it is specifically, but it feels uplifting to me, in a soothing kind of way. To be perfectly honest, when I listen to it, I feel this sense of calmness and contentedness wash over me, no matter where I am or how my day has been. And I don't even think that necessarily comes from the lyrics, but the song as a whole just seems to work for me.

And that intro? Perfect.

HejiraNYC

11-11-2009, 08:29 AM

I am a total sucker for "As Long as You Follow"- perhaps Christine's finest accomplishment. Much like "Songbird," this is vulnerable Christine giving you a big, warm bearhug. But too bad about the suck-ass production! The mind can only dream up what Lindsey could have done with this song.

From the demo I heard, it's amazing what they were able to do with "No Questions Asked" since it didn't seem like much of a contender in its raw form. Talk about making a silk purse from a sow's ear! :eek:

GypsySorcerer

11-11-2009, 09:21 AM

I like "No Questions Asked." As Louie said, it's something most can relate to. I especially like how she begins with "Night after night...no questions asked" then goes to "I need you now, no questions asked."

I don't care so much for "Not Make Believe." I cannot stand the lines: "It hurts my self esteem, it hurts my everything. I am reeling, oooh it hurts my feelings!" Then she tosses in the cliche, "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Yuck.

I like "As Long as Your Follow." Pretty little tune.

Lala

11-11-2009, 10:08 AM

I think there's a similar optimism in As Long As You Follow too. I can't quite put my finger on what it is specifically, but it feels uplifting to me, in a soothing kind of way. To be perfectly honest, when I listen to it, I feel this sense of calmness and contentedness wash over me, no matter where I am or how my day has been. And I don't even think that necessarily comes from the lyrics, but the song as a whole just seems to work for me.

Agreed, it just makes you feel good. I disagree HejiraNYC, about the production "sucking," but I think it brings up a valid point. After Lindsey left, they lost a big part of their "Fleetwood Mac Sound". The BTM era stuff I think sounds really good...but it's not Fleetwood Mac like Rumours or Tusk or even Tango In The Night are Fleetwood Mac. But still, nice sounding songs. I've recently developed a great appreciation for Save Me...and I KNOW comment like that belongs in "Post-Rumours," but since we're talking about it...

petep9000

11-11-2009, 10:11 AM

I love these two little songs as well.

Unfortunately I think a large part of my love for NQA came from a misheard lyric:
.

Ha! I also have a misheard lyric in NQA.

I always sang along with:

"Well it's hard to be civil
and it's real hard to be blind
but you did it my love
everytime..."

TheWILDheart

11-11-2009, 10:15 AM

Ha! I also have a misheard lyric in NQA.

I always sang along with:

"Well it's hard to be civil
and it's real hard to be blind
but you did it my love
everytime..."

I used to sing

"when I see him
I feel him
there's an intenseness
In his arms
In his eyes"

Opps. :rolleyes:

Lala

11-11-2009, 10:19 AM

I used to sing

"when I see him
I feel him
there's an intenseness
In his arms
In his eyes"

Opps. :rolleyes:

Um...that's what I thought the lyric WAS...until now. What is it actually?

TrueFaith77

11-11-2009, 10:29 AM

I couldn't part with it!

Why does everyone hate Silver Girl? I guess it could have been the bonus track though.

I don't hate Silver Girl at all. I think it's lovely. I am haunted by that line: "...if she lets you, see her soul..."

I just meant, for me, that that three-song Stevie break in the middle of the album portrays the arc of her experience: break up with Lindsey (SAY), dealing with heartache with drugs (RTTG), mature awareness and insight (SG). What you wrote about NMB as a kinda update of The Chain made me realize that it would fit into that trio of songs in place of Silver Girl, which fine though it is, kinda turns that trio of songs into a drag, while Not Make Believe would re-energize the listener for the final lap of that album.

TrueFaith77

11-11-2009, 10:31 AM

(a bit too extreme a digression. i deleted this, but we should start underappreciated gems in other threads!)

vivfox

11-11-2009, 10:46 AM

I have always loved No Questions Asked from the moment I heard it. Funny, I knew all the correct words from the get go, which is rare for me, for a sN song. Ten years after its release FM's Greatest Hits lived in my then boyfriends CD player. He only listened to the hits and always skipped over the two new tracks. One day I told him he needed to listen to NQA because it was written about "us." I then played it for him and sang it at the same time so he could understand the words. I don't know if he ever listened to the song after that, but he sure did agree those words described our relationship quite well.

TheWILDheart

11-11-2009, 11:16 AM

Um...that's what I thought the lyric WAS...until now. What is it actually?

I think it's:

"There's an intenseness
In it all
In his eyes"

But NicksFix has it listed as:

"There's an intenseness
In him, in his eyes"

...that can't be right! :confused:

nailatixela

11-11-2009, 12:57 PM

I think it's:

"There's an intenseness
In it all
In his eyes"

But NicksFix has it listed as:

"There's an intenseness
In him, in his eyes"

...that can't be right! :confused:

In him, in his eyes is correct. But I did have to check the lyrics to after that post, since I wasn't exactly sure. And I can hear it as "in him, in his eyes". I love this song.

Fannymac

11-11-2009, 03:45 PM

Lindsey Jr.

11-11-2009, 04:02 PM

Lala

11-11-2009, 05:04 PM

I think it's:

"There's an intenseness
In it all
In his eyes"

But NicksFix has it listed as:

"There's an intenseness
In him, in his eyes"

...that can't be right! :confused:

I like my version better

michelej1

11-11-2009, 05:25 PM

Hate to disagree with you all, but I've always considered "No Questions Asked" one of Stevie's weakest songs.....BY FAR!!!!!
Weak lyrics, weak vocal, AWFUL production......I just DO NOT like this song!!!
"As Long As You Follow" and "Paper Doll", though.....now THERE are two underappreciated gems!!!:blob2:

I'm way into Paper Doll. Although I loved the video and was feeling so nostalgic when it was released. Those factors probably contributed a great deal to my reaction to the song. Michele

louielouie2000

11-11-2009, 05:36 PM

I'm way into Paper Doll. Although I loved the video and was feeling so nostalgic when it was released. Those factors probably contributed a great deal to my reaction to the song. Michele

I like Paper Doll a lot too. It's a breath of sober air compared to the airy fairy hot mess of material she recorded during the same time :laugh:. I like any song of Stevie's where she's not nice too... I'm guessing her aggression was aimed at Mick for this tune. :D

StreetAngel86

11-25-2009, 06:02 AM

I don't care so much for "Not Make Believe." I cannot stand the lines: "It hurts my self esteem, it hurts my everything. I am reeling, oooh it hurts my feelings!".

that's my favorite line :lol:

Villavic

11-25-2009, 06:42 AM

I really love "As Long As You Follow" from Greatest Hits too... another forgotten, underrated little gem.

Sorry NQA is a gem I never liked. But I do agree ALAYF is beauuutiful

billwebster

12-02-2009, 03:13 PM

They should consider playing "Twisted" in concert. This song is really moving.

PenguinHead

12-02-2009, 07:51 PM

They should consider playing "Twisted" in concert. This song is really moving.

I thought of that too! Twisted is a rare duet between the two-- aside from I Don't Want to Know, which I love and find perculiar that they have never performed it, except during their Buckingham Nicks days. You think it would be no-brainers. To include a few Buckingham Nicks songs would nice too. But that kind of thinking, sadly, is too far out of the box for them.

holidayroad

12-03-2009, 09:23 AM

Well...

I don't want to know
Seven wonders
Thrown down
Steal your heart away
Everbody finds out

Just a few of my under-rated gems, feel free to attack me lol.

I still don't understand why they chose "Come" and why he played "What's the world coming to" without the solo.

I still don't understand why 'Thrown Down' wasn't a hit single. It's the best song on the album! (and preferring Lindsey,I rarely would say that about a song by Stevie)

vivfox

12-03-2009, 09:41 AM

I still don't understand why 'Thrown Down' wasn't a hit single. It's the best song on the album! (and preferring Lindsey,I rarely would say that about a song by Stevie)

Because it was released in December to the stations that concentrate on Christmas music at that point. It never got any airplay to make it a potential hit. Don't worry though. I'm sure on their next greatest hits album it will be included.:)

tilthefirefades

12-15-2009, 06:07 PM

I couldn't part with it!

Why does everyone hate Silver Girl? I guess it could have been the bonus track though.

Now i'm almost scared to say it, but Silver Girl is honestly one of my favorite FM songs!

vivfox

12-15-2009, 11:50 PM

Now i'm almost scared to say it, but Silver Girl is honestly one of my favorite FM songs!

"You better run for your life," said the mad hatter!

louielouie2000

12-15-2009, 11:57 PM

I still don't understand why 'Thrown Down' wasn't a hit single. It's the best song on the album! (and preferring Lindsey,I rarely would say that about a song by Stevie)

To me, it was because of the goofy radio version of the song. It employed too many dated Lindseyfied weird synthesized noises. I only heard the song on the radio a couple of times, but even I didn't like the radio mix. So why should the average radio listener? It just sounded cheesy. :sorry:

holidayroad

12-16-2009, 01:07 PM

To me, it was because of the goofy radio version of the song. It employed too many dated Lindseyfied weird synthesized noises. I only heard the song on the radio a couple of times, but even I didn't like the radio mix. So why should the average radio listener? It just sounded cheesy. :sorry:

I've never heard the 'radio' version. Why mess with something fine to begin with?

BellaDonna

12-16-2009, 06:59 PM

"No Questions Asked" "Paper Doll" are two of my favorites!! I love thoes songs.. they just put me in a good mood. :D

jaycee

12-17-2009, 09:47 AM

Hmm... time for a quick list:
As Long As You Follow
No Questions Asked
Skies The Limit
Paper Doll
Love Shines
Heart Of Stone
The first four songs can fluctuate wildly about my list of song preferences. It kinda depends on how I feel about the band not having Lindsey in it. :lol:
I enjoy "Love Shines", but I love Heart of Stone. However, with Heart of Stone, I don't think the audio quality's that great - I keep hearing what seems to be some sort of problem with the guitar strings squeaking like a mouse. :confused: Otherwise, a beautiful song, even without Lindsey. :)

holidayroad

12-17-2009, 10:24 AM