Would Behind The Mask have been better with "Paper Doll" on it?

[mikebise]

I was just organizing my Stevie Master Reels and Maureen's Mystery Box CDs, and was surprised to find a Cd of Behind The Mask outtakes that I never listened to. I forgot that "Paper Doll" (and "Save Me") was an outtake from that album. Also enjoyed some alternate edits/mixes of "Affairs Of The Heart" as well.

So, I got to thinking: would Behind The Mask have been a stronger, better received album had "Paper Doll" not been dropped from the track listing?

I know "Paper Doll" gets a lot of flak from some, but I think it's a pretty cool, rockin' song! It would totally have fit into the soundscape of BTM. Also, I think it would have strengthened Stevie's presence on the album with a song that sounds like it could be a single. I know "Love Is Dangerous" was a rock radio single (and did pretty well), but Stevie's other three songs are clearly album cuts, not singles. "Paper Doll" is more Stevie-ish, IMO, and very singable and fun.

However, I really wouldn't cut any of her other songs to make room for "Paper Doll" (big surprise!).

"Affairs Of The Heart" ~ Stevie's "statement" on the album, written in part about her Betty Ford stay. Too important for Stevie.

"Love Is Dangerous" ~ Remember, the new Fleetwood Mac wanted to sound like a real band, all intertwined. Stevie & Rick deliver on that mission statement on this song.

"Freedom" ~ Stevie's fast-paced rocker. More mystique with this song.

"The Second Time" ~ The album closer, the Stevie ballad.

Nowadays, twenty one years later, there probably would have been 14 or more songs on the album, and "Paper Doll" would have made the album. I think it rounds out Stevie's image and outlook for the album and would have improved the whole package.

[michelej1]

Yes it would have.

Michele

[Christopher]

Mike, I agree that Paper Doll would have made BTM better. But I would argue, that as much as I liked The Second Time when the record was released, It hasn't exactly been a fan favorite and stood the test of time. So that said, in hindsight, I believe that they should have bucked the trend of ending with a ballad, and cut Second Time & in it's place ended with Paper Doll. That would have been a happy, joyous & jamboree way to end the record on a high note. It's such a sing along song-which could have been Stevie's single from the record. Yeah, it's not perfect, Stevie could have tried singing it a little better, but the chorus and instrumentation are infectious! Sorta like the circus just came to town.
When I 1st heard the song on the "The Chain" I thought it was insane that this outtake was never used on a proper album release. They could have put Joan Of Arc on the box set and I would have been just as happy. I sorta begrudgingly accept that that song did not fit the "upbeat" stylings that FM seemed to be aiming for on Tango, but at the same time you can argue that either did WTTRS (aside from Lindsey's obnoxious Island arrangement) or "When I See You Again, but I guess that one worked because of Stevie & Lindsey's never ending saga. Oh! ding a ling, It fun to speculate what could have been.

[SapphireSister]

Nothing could have saved this disaster of a record. Would Paper Doll have made it better? Yes but it still would have been the dud that it is. I seriously dislike all of Stevie's songs on there. The only one that is listenable is Love is Dangerous and that is not a compliment. Out of all of Stevie's amazing songs the fact that these 4 are on here is nauseating. What a waste of Stevie space!

*I also don't consider this a real Fleetwood Mac album with the addition of Billy and Rick to the line-up. That kills it for me. They are not Fleetwood Mac!

[Josh2003]

No.

Get rid of Rick/Billy, then we'll talk.

[cristochango]

I think it could have made it a little better.
Right now I honestly don't know any songs off of Behind the Mask... unless theres a song named Behind the Mask on it.

I feel like Paper Doll could've been the gateway drug for that album.

[Artemis]

It might have made it a little better, but, you can't shine a turd no matter how hard you try.

For me, the only worthwhile songs on that album are Save Me, Freedom, Love is Dangerous and When The Sun Goes Down (The latter is totally my guilty pleasure)

I really like the lyrics on Affairs of the Heart, but the music... blech.

[ejof17]

I adore BTM. Love Is Dangerous is fabulous! Desiree would have been great on this album and sure, Paper Doll too!!

[Christopher]

It might have made it a little better, but, you can't shine a turd no matter how hard you try.

For me, the only worthwhile songs on that album are Save Me, Freedom, Love is Dangerous and When The Sun Goes Down (The latter is totally my guilty pleasure)

I really like the lyrics on Affairs of the Heart, but the music... blech.

Agree, They sound like they rattled off the arrangement in a couple of hours and called it a day. This song deserved some more drama and atmosphere, considering the subject matter, and the fact that it was a decent composition. But at least Stevie's voice and lyrics shined towards the climatic build up.

[Silver Springs]

In my humble opinion, adding Paper Doll would have been like sprinking glitter on a Dog turd...

[wheart]

Nothing could have saved this disaster of a record. Would Paper Doll have made it better? Yes but it still would have been the dud that it is. I seriously dislike all of Stevie's songs on there. The only one that is listenable is Love is Dangerous and that is not a compliment. Out of all of Stevie's amazing songs the fact that these 4 are on here is nauseating. What a waste of Stevie space!

*I also don't consider this a real Fleetwood Mac album with the addition of Billy and Rick to the line-up. That kills it for me. They are not Fleetwood Mac!

I totally agree! Her songs on BTM are just plain bad...with the exception of The Second Time, I've always thought this was such a beautiful song but, as with the rest of the bunch, her lifeless vocal kills it. Paper Doll at least had a hint of some energy and commitment and could have easily replaced Affairs of the Heart or Freedom.

[OooMissionary]

I guess that I'm in the minority that loves 'Behind The Mask'... They worked with who they had... and in my opinion...it worked.

[soul_drifter333]

Paper Doll WAS released as a single and it flopped, so no it would not have helped BTM. I suspect that they used the original track anyway since Stevie was mad at Mick and they just added Lindsey. If I remember correctly that was the first (and only) song to include all members of the group.

[SapphireSister]

Paper Doll WAS released as a single and it flopped, so no it would not have helped BTM. I suspect that they used the original track anyway since Stevie was mad at Mick and they just added Lindsey. If I remember correctly that was the first (and only) song to include all members of the group.

I don't much like Paper Doll anyway. It's catchy and upbeat but kind of stupid at the same time. It's like a bad joke kinda.

[Garbo]

I really enjoy Affair of The Heart, however, I'm sure it could have been improved upon. It makes sense to me that Paper Doll could've fit on BTM as well as Desiree. Those songs sound stronger when they are listened to side-by-side.

[jbrownsjr]

I can't stand Second Time, but I love WISYA... I guess I'm weird .. :confused:

[seanthompson]

Here's my 'Behind The Mask' playlist on my IPOD. It includes Paper Doll. Love it!


Skies The Limit
Desiree
Save Me
In The Back Of My Mind
Behind The Mask
Love Is Dangerous
Do You Know
When The Sun Goes Down
Stand On The Rock
Hard Feelings
Freedom
When It Comes To Love
The Second Time
Intuition
Affairs Of The Heart
Paper Doll
Make Me A Mask
Love Shines
Heart Of Stone
No Questions Asked
As Long As You Follow
Fleetwood Mac - Rockline Interview 1988, parts 1-9

And there you go. :angel:

[louielouie2000]

I adore Paper Doll... like others have said, it's just infectious and fun (despite the dressing down Stevie is giving someone in the song). Speaking of the song being about dressing someone down, does anyone have any opinions as to whom Paper Doll is directed at? I've always considered it to be aimed squarely at Mick Fleetwood. But it could just as easily have been about a former lover... Jimmy Iovine comes to mind. The songs strikes me as being about someone who was in the music industry. Maybe that's just me.

Regarding whether or not it would improve Behind The Mask? I've actually never thought about that. I rather enjoy the song as a stand alone track. I suppose it would blend in quite well with Rick and Billy's folksy material, though. Perhaps it could have replaced Affairs Of The Heart... which is a lovely enough song, but doesn't add to the rest of the album stylistically.

[johnnystorms]

i'm a bit torn on Paper Doll... i loooove the bridge: "well i have forgotten you and your beatiful eyes..." but i find the verses a bit clunky. i also think the boy's voices on the chorus a bit too loud. it is a good song though. just not sure where it fits in Stevie's recorded ouvre.

[mitzo]

Paper Doll has a kind of comic feel to it, with the oom pa pa background and her vocals about being "off the wall' and so on. It was a different type of Stevie. Not a persona I would have loved to see her pursue, but kinda neat, really, in that one song. It was like she was having a good laugh at herself, maybe.

[chriskisn]

I adore BTM. Love Is Dangerous is fabulous! Desiree would have been great on this album and sure, Paper Doll too!!

Great to see some BTM love. It was (if I remember correctly) the second FM album that I bought after the Greatest Hits. I think I bought Time just afterwards - hence my love of both BTM and Time. I'd go as far as to say that BTM is the best FM album since Penguin/MTM/HAHTF trio of the early 70's. See elsewhere in the archives for my undying love for Penguin. ;)

Paper Doll is a great song (as was Desiree), and they would have only added to what was already an awesome album.

Freedom was perhaps the best Stevie song since her Tusk days.

[chriskisn]

Here's my 'Behind The Mask' playlist on my IPOD. It includes Paper Doll. Love it!


Skies The Limit
Desiree
Save Me
In The Back Of My Mind
Behind The Mask
Love Is Dangerous
Do You Know
When The Sun Goes Down
Stand On The Rock
Hard Feelings
Freedom
When It Comes To Love
The Second Time
Intuition
Affairs Of The Heart
Paper Doll
Make Me A Mask
Love Shines
Heart Of Stone
No Questions Asked
As Long As You Follow
Fleetwood Mac - Rockline Interview 1988, parts 1-9

And there you go. :angel:

Heart of Stone, Christine McVie's second best song IMO (second after "Isn't It Midnight") and it didn't even make it onto an album. :(

[mikebise]

I remember when Stevie gave that one interview, recalling when she did something (recorded a song?) that she really did not want to do, but she did it anyway, to keep the peace. Later, she regretted it, and she told her father, who said, "Well, you could have said 'No'."

So, I always think of Stevie's dad when I hear "Paper Doll", giving her a bit of advice.

[skuncles]

I like the "Behind The Mask" album, I mean it's no "Rumours" or even "Mirage", but as an album I like it. It's better than "Time" which to me is hands down the worst Mac album ever, but it is an ok pop album in general. As for the outtakes from "Mask", I think all of them would have only helped the album.
Because of this post I had to add "Behind The Mask" to my iPod, I even added "Kiln House" which is probably the MOST quirky of all the Mac albums (and another favorite of mine!).

[michelej1]

I remember when Stevie gave that one interview, recalling when she did something (recorded a song?) that she really did not want to do, but she did it anyway, to keep the peace. Later, she regretted it, and she told her father, who said, "Well, you could have said 'No'."

So, I always think of Stevie's dad when I hear "Paper Doll", giving her a bit of advice.

Stevie was talking about the BN album cover when she recounted her father's advice. I like that line in Paper Doll too. It makes me think she is saying, "Well, a simple 'no' would have sufficed. It didn't have to be WW3."

Michele

[aprilsrain]

Heart of Stone, Christine McVie's second best song IMO (second after "Isn't It Midnight") and it didn't even make it onto an album. :(

Heart of Stone is fabulous. To me, it's her second best song losing to "Why". :)