"Battle of the Dragon" lyrics

[joe]

This version is a different mix that I've never heard. I can hear things like the front vocal a lot better than the cd. Am also hearing subtle differences in the music instrumentation as well.

Anyway, wanted to post because at 4:47 she says "it's a battle" and then what I think is "now comes the battle"??? It's hard to tell with the other backing vocals going on.

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[mikebise]

"Battle of The Dragon" was remixed by Chris Lord-Alge for TimeSpace, and this remix was a b-side in 1991 on several releases, like the UK "Sometimes It's A Bitch" and the Japanese CD-EP A Hard Game To Play. That's why it sounds so much better than the 1986 release.

I always thought Stevie said at that part: "It's a battle of a fury..." or "It's a battle, it's a fury..."

[vivfox]

It's interesting that you've come up with the questioning of the lyrics. I've been thinking about starting a thread on this song lately. There has been a few changes in the lyrics that have been spoken about in another thread as well. The song takes on a whole new meaning to me now.

In the 1980's when this song was new I related it to being written about Stevie and her relationship to the other members of Fleetwood Mac. Nowadays I realize that the song has another meaning. That of her drug addiction.

I always thought she said, "this is not preplanned, but after some cause, I decided to go to the other side of the world"

I always thought she said, "and the reason that I paint you in my paintings, and the reasons I record the sounds of your voices"

I always thought she said, "straight among the living"

she actually said, "but after some calls"

she actually said, "the reasons I recall the sounds"

she actually says," stay among the living"


In my original interpretation, she had a cause to go to Australia to be onstage with Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, but then I recently was informed this song was written pre-1986.
She writes so many songs about Lindsey, Christine and Mick so I figured she was recording the "sounds" of their voices. In other words, the actual words they have spoken.
And then her saying she got the message straight among the living really had no special meaning. It simply was a misheard lyric.

[starshine]

All I know is that I love this song ... its such a great song!!!!!!!!!!!!! In my top 5 for sure!!!!:thumbsup:

[ragrsrocalot]

It's interesting that you've come up with the questioning of the lyrics. I've been thinking about starting a thread on this song lately. There has been a few changes in the lyrics that have been spoken about in another thread as well. The song takes on a whole new meaning to me now.

In the 1980's when this song was new I related it to being written about Stevie and her relationship to the other members of Fleetwood Mac. Nowadays I realize that the song has another meaning. That of her drug addiction.

I always thought she said, "this is not preplanned, but after some cause, I decided to go to the other side of the world"

I always thought she said, "and the reason that I paint you in my paintings, and the reasons I record the sounds of your voices"

I always thought she said, "straight among the living"

she actually said, "but after some calls"

she actually said, "the reasons I recall the sounds"

she actually says," stay among the living"


In my original interpretation, she had a cause to go to Australia to be onstage with Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, but then I recently was informed this song was written pre-1986.
She writes so many songs about Lindsey, Christine and Mick so I figured she was recording the "sounds" of their voices. In other words, the actual words they have spoken.
And then her saying she got the message straight among the living really had no special meaning. It simply was a misheard lyric.

I always heard it as " the reason I record the sound of your voices ".
I always thought she meant Lori, and Sharon, because she records their voices on her demos and albums.

[ragrsrocalot]

This version is a different mix that I've never heard. I can hear things like the front vocal a lot better than the cd. Am also hearing subtle differences in the music instrumentation as well.

Anyway, wanted to post because at 4:47 she says "it's a battle" and then what I think is "now comes the battle"??? It's hard to tell with the other backing vocals going on.

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Awesome tune.
I hear the lyrics as " it's a battle, now this is a battle ". :wavey:

[APerfectLie]

I always heard it as " the reason I record the sound of your voices ".
I always thought she meant Lori, and Sharon, because she records their voices on her demos and albums.

She does say "the reason I record the sound of your voices" not "recall".

[fringed n fab]

I just go by the lyrics posted on Nicksfix to some of her more complicated songs. And they're usually what I've been singing along to.

[Ghost_Tracker]

"Battle of The Dragon" was remixed by Chris Lord-Alge for TimeSpace,


I think Stevie should recommend to Fleetwood Mac that Chris Lord-Alge be the engineer for their next record. Just on General Principle. And so that we can watch THEM fight it ouuuut! :nod: ......... ;)


By the way, not to detract from the Stevieness, but there actually was a co-writer on this song. So maybe not all of the lyrics are hers.

[mikebise]

The lyrics, all of them and more, come from Stevie's journals, dated 1984.

[louielouie2000]

Interesting, thanks for sharing! I always love hearing new/different mixes of my fave songs :D. I have to say, I prefer the original... the more echoey/distant sounding vocal was so much more spooky sounding.

[Phil]

Which version of "Battle Of The Dragon" is on the "Enchanted" box set - the American Anthem original or the 1991 remixed version from the b-side of "Sometimes It's A Bitch"?

[mikebise]

The CLA remix is on Enchanted, although it's not labeled as such for some reason.

[APerfectLie]

The lyrics, all of them and more, come from Stevie's journals, dated 1984.

And more? Do you have these???

[mikebise]

Yes. No one's posted them before? I will have to dig through my Book of Miracles to find them. Oh, the tortuous task of spending a day off of work going through Stevie Stuff... ;)

Nothing better! :)

[mikebise]

"Battle of The Dragon" (1984)
Written by Stevie Nicks

It was night... read my eyes
Without love... no cause...
I decided to go to the other side of the world...
Ooooh....
I see something... I see a handsome soldier...
I see myself remain when all of them are gone
And the reasons men are afraid of you
(Why)
And my painting...
(Why)
And the reasons I recall them without talking of them

No one knows then - nothing - of the battle of the dragon
Or the dark side of your fury
You keep the fury deep inside...
(Who's gonna wear this crown)
No witnesses to it
(Who's gonna do it for you)
Your friends aren't
I'll tell you why
Ooooh, you just pretend
(Who's gonna wear this crown)
You're beautiful, and you're sensitive
And oh so very young
We are adapting to your silence
I can live here without you
You reach out your hand
But I cannot live without your songs...
No...

You pretend you're me
And you tell your friends
Oh that you should need them more
So have you been writing
(What)
Oooh, you say it's harder now
(I didn't say nothing... who's gonna do it to ya now...)
Baby, you're everything
It don't matter now, I need to be held
You say... alone... that you're no good for me
Nothing is wrong
(Never say nothing...)
Ooooh, you can and you will be gone...

No one can walk away
from this battle
(Baby...)
Still a storm...
Like a fury...
Ooooh, if I sit still I will be calm
(Who said this battle is over...)

[starshine]

I recall Mike this is the song I'd mentioned & you posted it in Mirror,Mirror issue one time...it was awesome cause I so loved this song too......Thanks for that!!! :D