Your Favorite Song Stevie Did NOT Write

[SapphireSister]

What is your top song (released on a Stevie solo album, no live or FM songs) Stevie did not write? Mine is by far Some Become Strangers. I have loved that song from the first time I ever heard it and listen to it repeatedly to this day, sometimes 2-3 times in a row. I recently discovered a demo/alternate version to so that's exciting. It's such a rockin', feel good song and I adore the RAL vocals (BABY, YO!), harmonies by the girls, and over-all pop feel. This song should have been released as a single although I guess it wouldn't have made sense since she didn't write Talk To Me either and that was a single. Now keep in mind I would choose to have a Stevie-penned song any day over one she didn't write and have a hard time understanding why there are any of those on her albums but if I had to pick one it would be Strangers, as she referrers to it.

*An honrable mention goes out to Seven Wonders but technically she wrote one word and it's a FM song so it doesn't qualify.

[Artemis]

It's a tie for me between Talk To Me, and... Every Day.

Talk To Me is just so fun and I think her voice is great on this song. Plus, it's my Go-To Stevie song when I'm drunk (along with wailing Rhiaaaaannooooon)

Every Day... I know it gets a huge bashing here, but, I LOVE it. It's just so romantic, the video is totally stunning, and I think Stevie gives a great vocal on the song! Plus, the chorus is totally infectious.

[Jondalar]

Midnight Wind probably. She did not sing lead vocal on this but her harmony vocal is just about as important as the main vocal. She makes the song work. My other choice would be talk to me.

[RickRobert]

Midnight Wind probably. She did not sing lead vocal on this but her harmony vocal is just about as important as the main vocal. She makes the song work.

YES! :blob2::blob2::blob2: My favourite Stevie vocal performance ever. As for Stevie songs she didn't write... I guess Cry Wolf.

[gjack5404]

Some Become Strangers is one of my all time favorites also. I also included it on a goodbye Cd to my ex-wife after being married for 22 years. It seemed appropriate because I certainly did not know her anymore. Stevie helped me get through that time. Enough about gloom, I can't wait to see her in Atlanta and more exciting things to come from her this year! We are all gonna be blessed with her new music, I know I will be.

[SapphireSister]

YES! :blob2::blob2::blob2: My favorite Stevie vocal performance ever. As for Stevie songs she didn't write... I guess Cry Wolf.

I love love love Cry Wolf! It was the second song that came to mind after Strangers. Have you heard Laura Branigan's version? It's actually pretty good but of course doesn't compare to Stevie's. Laura actually recorded it before Stevie according to this. It's so sad though, Laura died of a brain aneurysm in 2004. So tragic...
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HqxQI59Z8fY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[GypsySorcerer]

I love Stevie's interpretation of "It's Only Love." One of my favorite songs on TISL. In fact, I was amazed at the vocal she pulled off. :nod:

[dreamer78]

I love the song I dont know why so many dont like it and the video
is PERFECTION -she looks so good i think its her best video.
I always say to myself I wish she wrote it :angel:

[CreepingDeath]

Some Become Strangers or Talk to Me.

[GoldDustOrphan]

I love the live version of "Insider" from Tom Petty's "Packin' Up the Plantation."

[Bandon]

Midnight Wind probably. She did not sing lead vocal on this but her harmony vocal is just about as important as the main vocal. She makes the song work. My other choice would be talk to me.

I agree with Midnight Wind and Talk to Me in that order.:thumbsup:

[michelej1]

Some Become Strangers.

I also like one that is considered a dud cover: I Still Miss Someone.

Michele

[SapphireSister]

Some Become Strangers.

I also like one that is considered a dud cover: I Still Miss Someone.

Michele

Seems like you've been posting more often in this forum as of late and I like it! :wavey:

[Musicman408]

Some Become Strangers!

[KarmaContestant]

Encompassing Stevie's entire career, I'd choose Seven Wonders.

Choosing from solo works only, I'd have to go with I Will Run To You.

If duets are excluded, then my choice is Some Become Strangers.

[TerraRhiannon]

Definitely without a doubt "Talk To Me!" :)

[markolas]

Some Become Strangers has always been a favorite. But It's Only Love is spectacular, too. Hmm.

[Christopher]

More love for Some Become Strangers :xoxo: Groovy song and tantalizing vocal and lyrics. It's sad that this song or If I Were You were not the 2nd or 3rd singles from RAL. Major missed opportunity.

Honorable mention: Talk To Me, Cry Wolf & It's Only Love.

[amberlemegan]

Talk To Me is by far my favorite, but I also really like Some Become Strangers.

[David]

Every Day... I know it gets a huge bashing here, but, I LOVE it. It's just so romantic, the video is totally stunning, and I think Stevie gives a great vocal on the song! Plus, the chorus is totally infectious.That may be my favorite, too. Or maybe Imperial Hotel.

[Christopher]

That may be my favorite, too. Or maybe Imperial Hotel.
Stevie co-wrote Imperial Hotel with Mike Campbell. Stevie wrote the melody and lyrics on top of his music track.

[SapphireSister]

Or maybe Imperial Hotel.
Sorry, disqualified! She co-wrote it. :p

[johnnystorms]

gotta go with some become strangers! although i do reallly like seven wonders.

[CreepingDeath]

Encompassing Stevie's entire career, I'd choose Seven Wonders.

Choosing from solo works only, I'd have to go with I Will Run To You.

If duets are excluded, then my choice is Some Become Strangers.

Damn, I should have chosen I Will Run To You. I adore that song. It's my favorite duet she's done with Petty after Insider.

[Dodfather]

For me it has to be Seven Wonders. I don't count that as a Stevie penned track because she literally only wrote one word!

[Jondalar]

For me it has to be Seven Wonders. I don't count that as a Stevie penned track because she literally only wrote one word!

It most definitely is not a Stevie penned track. That was ridiculous and her extra lyrics sorta hurt the song.

[Jondalar]

I love love love Cry Wolf! It was the second song that came to mind after Strangers. Have you heard Laura Branigan's version? It's actually pretty good but of course doesn't compare to Stevie's. Laura actually recorded it before Stevie according to this. It's so sad though, Laura died of a brain aneurysm in 2004. So tragic...
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HqxQI59Z8fY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That version is a lot better than Stevie's, but it doesn't seem there is definitive version of this song. No one really nailed it and it deserved to be a hit.

[nightbird28]

I'd have to say my favorite songs that Stevie did not write would have to be "Reconsider Me" and "Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind" not the released take though but the alternative mix.

[Kena]

Definitely Talk to Me.

Because Stevie didn't write it I don't hang onto every word wondering what Stevie meant and who exactly she wants to talk to her... It's just a fun upbeat tune that gets me moving. It comes in handy sometimes to...How many times have you said "You can talk to me" to someone?

Maybe I'm thinking about it to much but there's no sense in dancing round the subject so I must set my secrets free and tell yall I get disappointed when I hear a beautiful, heartfelt song, with lyrics that just break my heart and then come to find out the lyrics were wrote by someone else...it's the slower songs that get me- Examples being Bette Midler's The Rose or Wind Beneath my Wings. I guess sometimes you must just enjoy the beauty of the singers voice and also the beauty in knowing that the person who penned the song was able to use someone else as a vessel to have their words heard.

[ontheEdgeof17]

I Will Run To You.

...then Every Day

.......then Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind

[vivfox]

I Will Run To You.

...then Every Day

.......then Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind


Everybody's favorite songs.:p
P.S. I couldn't resist.

[seekerj]

Too Far From Texas.

It's actually the ONLY one that I like (that she didn't write) out of all the albums.

Now I guess I better get "too far from the ledge" because I know how much everyone hates that song!

[michelej1]

Too Far From Texas.

It's actually the ONLY one that I like (that she didn't write) out of all the albums.

Now I guess I better get "too far from the ledge" because I know how much everyone hates that song!

When I first heard TISL, that's the only song that I did like. Of course, as my appreciation for the rest of the album grew, then I didn't think TTFT held a candle(bright) to the rest, but I remember liking it a great deal back then.

Michele

[ontheEdgeof17]

Everybody's favorite songs.:p
P.S. I couldn't resist.

My Stevie Nicks is very different than everyone else's. :laugh:

[chiliD]

Without hesitation or doubt:

Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind (either version, love 'em both)

other than that....to quote someone kinda famous:

"you write your songs yourself!"

[UCYOURGYPC]

Inspiration, or God's Garden, and Smiling Islands, her vocal is soooo effective at the end, and I do like, Magnet & Steel & Whenever I call u friend...But When Inspiration came out as the flip side of that single, I played that on repeat all day!!!!!!!!

[Phoenix]

Inspiration, or God's Garden, and Smiling Islands, her vocal is soooo effective at the end, and I do like, Magnet & Steel & Whenever I call u friend...But When Inspiration came out as the flip side of that single, I played that on repeat all day!!!!!!!!

I love INSPIRATION. And I also love EVERYDAY.

[bleudenim]

Because I post every 5 years... I'm gonna cheat. My faves are:
Whenever I Call You Friend
Midnight Wind
Smiling Islands
Seven Wonders
Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind
Sometimes It's A Bitch
Some Become Strangers
Talk To Me
Just Like A Woman

Least Faves:
Love's A Hard Game To Play
Every Day

[SapphireSister]

Because I post every 5 years... I'm gonna cheat. My faves are:
Whenever I Call You Friend
Midnight Wind
Smiling Islands
Seven Wonders
Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind
Sometimes It's A Bitch
Some Become Strangers
Talk To Me
Just Like A Woman

Least Faves:
Love's A Hard Game To Play
Every Day

Ha ha you're totally aloud and thanks for sharing your picks. Come back more often, we won't bite!

[BombaySapphire3]

Stop Dragging my Heart Around..I guess because it's her highest charting solo song people feel it will diminish their "hardcore" fan cred but still can't believe not even one person cited it.If you remove all the baggage and let the song stand alone it is still her best song that she did not write IMHO.

[louielouie2000]

Add another vote for Some Become Strangers :thumbsup:. I was just listening to Rock A Little earlier while making dinner. That's such a d@mned good album. It's interesting, I consider Some Become Strangers an excellent album track... but it could have easily been a hit itself. Most anything from that album could have been.

[baboles]

'Some Become Strangers' and of course, 'Talk to Me'.

[StevieNicksfann]

Don't get me started on the singles Rock A Little should have had. I think it could have had 6 or 7 bonafide hits (Sister Honey, If I Were You, Some Become Strangers, No Spoken Word) if she wasn't so out of it and marketing was better, timing, videos, etc...

I'm gonna cheat too since I don't post that often - these 6 are almost all equal to me - I think they are brilliant in their own ways.

1) Whenever I Call You "Friend"
2) Seven Wonders
3) Every Day
4) Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind
5) Talk To Me
6) Some Become Strangers

But I do like I Still Miss Someone (Blue Eyes) too. I also like I Will Run To You but would easily kick it off if we could have had All The Beautiful Worlds instead on that album.

And that's why I don't understand why she recorded some of them when she has so many of her own songs to record yet. Like shoot me if I ever hear Docklands again.

[windbecame]

i will go with Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind...
as far as Seven Wonders goes.... i thought that somewhere here or on the rumours thread there was an interview with Sandy Stewart where she said Stevie changed SO MANY words on the song that she was pi--ed off for a while..not just one word..hence the writers credit. there was something else about the song being named "Aaron" which is what Stevie's saying between verses... and whoever her manager was told Sandy she could pull the song but would lose out on a lot of money. So Sandy let the song stay "rewritten" by Stevie:shrug:

[APerfectLie]

Seven Wonders, Some Become Strangers, and Sometimes It's A Bitch!

[DestinyRules]

I'm gonna cheat big time, but I'll also give you reasons why I had to mention these songs:

"Whenever I Call You Friend" (Mostly on its own merits, but I used to sing this song at karaoke with a friend who is also a Stevie fanatic. We didn't just *sing* the song when we were on stage, we *felt* it.)
"Midnight Wind" (Just love the vocal, and that song literally saved my grade in a class one semester)
"Face The Promise" (I always loved this song from the moment Bob Seger put out the CD. I'd sing along to the song imagining Stevie singing it or even doing her kinda moves. Then when SHE sang it, it blew my mind.)
"It's Only Love" (I'm normally into Stevie's rockers, not her ballads. Having said that, the imagery Sheryl created when she wrote this song tapped into Stevie like few other writers have. It's just a gorgeous song with a great vocal.)
"I Need To Know" (I thought it was a blah song when I heard Tom Petty do it. The first time I heard Stevie do it, I fell in love. When I sing this one at karaoke, I HAVE TO do it a la Stevie.)
"You Wreck Me" (I guess I always thought Stevie should have tried this song and I'm glad she finally did.)
"Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind" (This song was a part of my life in my early 20s. I loved it so much and I still enjoy the images the song brings out in my mind.)
"Seven Wonders" (This is another of those place in my life songs. It takes me back to those days when I was a young teenager and I was trying to figure out my way through the world.)

I do kinda like "Too Far From Texas". I frickin' HATE "Every Day".

[WildHearted]

Seven Wonders takes the cake for me.

Just under that, I'd say Talk To Me and Whenever I Call You Friend

[jcalzaretta]

Clearly Stop Draggin My Heart Around. That is by far her best song she did not write. I think people just forget that she did not write it.

Second for me is Reconsider Me.

[BombaySapphire3]

Clearly Stop Draggin My Heart Around. That is by far her best song she did not write. I think people just forget that she did not write it.

Second for me is Reconsider Me.

Stop Dragging my Heart Around was my pick as well.Like I mentioned earlier in this thread I think it was an unpopular choice(no one else even mentioned it)by virtue of the fact that it was so popular and her biggest solo hit,much in the way that I suspect "Dreams " does not rate as high as it should amongst many hardcore fans.IMHO it is pretty much a perfect song.

[PenguinHead]

i will go with Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind...
as far as Seven Wonders goes.... i thought that somewhere here or on the rumours thread there was an interview with Sandy Stewart where she said Stevie changed SO MANY words on the song that she was pi--ed off for a while..not just one word..hence the writers credit. there was something else about the song being named "Aaron" which is what Stevie's saying between verses... and whoever her manager was told Sandy she could pull the song but would lose out on a lot of money. So Sandy let the song stay "rewritten" by Stevie:shrug:

I always had the perspective that Stevie didn't determinately mean to change the words on Seven Wonders. I recall an interview where she said she didn't have the proper lyrics with her, so she remembered what she could (and we all know what a sharp memory Stevie has!) and ad-libbed the rest. She wanted to re-record the vocals with Sandy's lyrics, but Lindsey said that the vocal was so good he didn't care about the lyrics.

It was one of my favorite songs on the album when it came out. Since then, I'm on the fence with it. Lyrically it's not very cohesive, with a somewhat clunky premise that never reaches its potential, or the the vibe of the music. I suspect Sandy's lyrics, would have made it a stronger song. I can understand how Sandy would have been upset over the butchered version of the song as it came to be.

[BombaySapphire3]

I always had the perspective that Stevie didn't determinately mean to change the words on Seven Wonders. I recall an interview where she said she didn't have the proper lyrics with her, so she remembered what she could (and we all know what a sharp memory Stevie has!) and ad-libbed the rest. She wanted to re-record the vocals with Sandy's lyrics, but Lindsey said that the vocal was so good he didn't care about the lyrics.

And Lindsey was correct..The Seven Wonders vocal was unrepeatable by that time being as it is the very last recorded vocal of the pre-Klonopin and pre-rehab Stevie Nicks .Recorded over Halloween Weekend in 1986 just days before her admission to Betty Ford.To hear that song is to truly hear the last gasp of an era.

[tabruns]

"Seven Wonders" (Stevie's only good song on that album, unfortunately), "Stop Dragging My Heart Around" and "Talk To Me" are my favorite non-penned Stevie songs.

Going off on a tangent here.....how is it that Stevie could have really good songs in her vault like "Annabel Lee", "Planets of the Universe", "Smile At You", and "Sorcerer" and yet songs like "Welcome to the Room...Sara" and "When I See You Again" end up on Tango In The Night and all the songs of hers on Behind the Mask (which to me are all pretty pedestrian efforts). I understand that "Secret Love" basically was 'lost' and never offered to Mac but they never took any of the other ones. Any speculation why?

[Artemis]

"Seven Wonders" (Stevie's only good song on that album, unfortunately), "Stop Dragging My Heart Around" and "Talk To Me" are my favorite non-penned Stevie songs.

Going off on a tangent here.....how is it that Stevie could have really good songs in her vault like "Annabel Lee", "Planets of the Universe", "Smile At You", and "Sorcerer" and yet songs like "Welcome to the Room...Sara" and "When I See You Again" end up on Tango In The Night and all the songs of hers on Behind the Mask (which to me are all pretty pedestrian efforts). I understand that "Secret Love" basically was 'lost' and never offered to Mac but they never took any of the other ones. Any speculation why?

I think that, with each project, they wanted "new" songs, or songs that would fit that album's sound, otherwise I reckon she would have fought for Silver Springs to be on Tusk.

Also, Stevie might have withheld her best demos for her solo career.

[daniellaaarisen]

"Midnight Wind" and "It's Only Love" :)

[Jondalar]

Midnight Wind has the most perfect, haunting, Stevie vocal on all time. She made that song work. It's her best vocal ever I think.

[BombaySapphire3]

Midnight Wind has the most perfect, haunting, Stevie vocal on all time. She made that song work. It's her best vocal ever I think.

I bought the record when it was released but I have to say that when she echos John Stewart's "Miranda" in her drawn out wail after the first verse it still gives me the chills.

[michelej1]

Midnight Wind has the most perfect, haunting, Stevie vocal on all time. She made that song work. It's her best vocal ever I think.

And though it's a much different type of song, without her back up vocal, I don't think Gold would have been a hit either.

Michele

[Jondalar]

I have two versions of the song. A slower version I downloaded from itunes. It was like a concert they did and her vocal is still just as powerful. She made that song. I almost wish that should remake that song and sing Stewarts part just to get some type of credit. This haunting vocal is one of the reasons why I became a Stevie fan.

[johnb84]

I really love Some Become Strangers too!

[windbecame]

I always had the perspective that Stevie didn't determinately mean to change the words on Seven Wonders. I recall an interview where she said she didn't have the proper lyrics with her, so she remembered what she could (and we all know what a sharp memory Stevie has!) and ad-libbed the rest. She wanted to re-record the vocals with Sandy's lyrics, but Lindsey said that the vocal was so good he didn't care about the lyrics.

It was one of my favorite songs on the album when it came out. Since then, I'm on the fence with it. Lyrically it's not very cohesive, with a somewhat clunky premise that never reaches its potential, or the the vibe of the music. I suspect Sandy's lyrics, would have made it a stronger song. I can understand how Sandy would have been upset over the butchered version of the song as it came to be.

i agree with what you say totally. my post was to question all the people who say she only added the word emmiline and didn't write the lyrics? ad-libbed or not they are Stevies words and so wouldn't this song then basically fall under co-written and not be a choice on this thread?? so many people somehow missed the thread where stevie indeed wrote more than "emmiline" in this song... sorry it just bugs me...lol:lol:

[KarmaContestant]

Going off on a tangent here.....how is it that Stevie could have really good songs in her vault like "Annabel Lee", "Planets of the Universe", "Smile At You", and "Sorcerer" and yet songs like "Welcome to the Room...Sara" and "When I See You Again" end up on Tango In The Night and all the songs of hers on Behind the Mask (which to me are all pretty pedestrian efforts). I understand that "Secret Love" basically was 'lost' and never offered to Mac but they never took any of the other ones. Any speculation why?

Well...I think it's got a lot to do with what was going on in her life. Welcome To The Room...Sara was a jab at her management and the people in her life who basically forced her into rehab when she wasn't ready to make that step for herself. Mikebise has expresseed some great insight regarding this song on other threads.

When I See You Again is a very beautiful song I think, relaying Stevie's fears about giving up drugs and knowing that she will not be the same person when she's back from Betty Ford.. Will it be the same? Will it be over? And in fact, it proved to be a great premonition of things to come with Lindsey walking out on Fleetwood Mac to find the means to settle his own demons.

Stevie could have taken the easy route and used old demos for Tango, but I think she made the right choice by offering us songs that told the story of what was happening at that time in her life.

[Christopher]

Well...I think it's got a lot to do with what was going on in her life. Welcome To The Room...Sara was a jab at her management and the people in her life who basically forced her into rehab when she wasn't ready to make that step for herself. Mikebise has expresseed some great insight regarding this song on other threads.

When I See You Again is a very beautiful song I think, relaying Stevie's fears about giving up drugs and knowing that she will not be the same person when she's back from Betty Ford.. Will it be the same? Will it be over? And in fact, it proved to be a great premonition of things to come with Lindsey walking out on Fleetwood Mac to find the means to settle his own demons.

Stevie could have taken the easy route and used old demos for Tango, but I think she made the right choice by offering us songs that told the story of what was happening at that time in her life.

Nice post. You see, I never looked at "When I See You Again" as being Stevies re-emerging into her life again after Betty Ford. I always looked at it as simply a mournful lost love song. But it makes total sense! Duh! ding ding ding *light bulb moment* "There are many doors in the hallway. And she stares at the stares...Ooh there are many things to stare at these days"

I always knew WTTRS & Affairs Of The Heart (all the set of doors "in the long hallway"-reference appears again) specifically deal with her rehabilitation inside her different perceptions. Also, Two Kinds Of Love touches on her addictions with its subtle but direct drug references.

And you also bring up an important reference point. We see WTTRS & WISYA get bashed a lot around these boards. But it's important to remember that Stevie always wants to bring something current to the project she is working on at that moment in time. Remember that was why it was so important for Stevie to bring 4 new songs into the fold of the SYW project.

So especially for Stevie or FM fans who became so after many releases already out there, it's an important reminder, that Stevie's lyrics, music and albums are a journal of where her heart and mind was at during those years. This post alone, makes me re-appreaciate these songs even more, even though I was already well past major fandom at the time of TITN. And in 1987 I loved all of Stevie's Tango songs.:) Thanks KarmaContestant for reminding me again why I loved these songs.:angel:

Sorry for being off topic....But I just couldn't resist responding to this post.

[HejiraNYC]

Nice post. You see, I never looked at "When I See You Again" as being Stevies re-emerging into her life again after Betty Ford. I always looked at it as simply a mournful lost love song. But it makes total sense! Duh! ding ding ding *light bulb moment* "There are many doors in the hallway. And she stares at the stares...Ooh there are many things to stare at these days"

I always knew WTTRS & Affairs Of The Heart (all the set of doors "in the long hallway"-reference appears again) specifically deal with her rehabilitation inside her different perceptions. Also, Two Kinds Of Love touches on her addictions with its subtle but direct drug references.

And you also bring up an important reference point. We see WTTRS & WISYA get bashed a lot around these boards. But it's important to remember that Stevie always wants to bring something current to the project she is working on at that moment in time. Remember that was why it was so important for Stevie to bring 4 new songs into the fold of the SYW project.

So especially for Stevie or FM fans who became so after many releases already out there, it's an important reminder, that Stevie's lyrics, music and albums are a journal of where her heart and mind was at during those years. This post alone, makes me re-appreaciate these songs even more, even though I was already well past major fandom at the time of TITN. And in 1987 I loved all of Stevie's Tango songs.:) Thanks KarmaContestant for reminding me again why I loved these songs.:angel:

Sorry for being off topic....But I just couldn't resist responding to this post.

Was that a typo or was that really the lyric, i.e., stares=stairs? :shrug: I always thought it was stairs, which never seemed to make sense to me in that metaphor. But "stares at the stares" sounds like a spooky way to describe all the people she must have encountered in rehab- the blank stares of people trying to get better, as well as the stares of people gawking at her from the open doors in the "hallway." I think I like "stares" better than "stairs!"

[Christopher]

Was that a typo or was that really the lyric, i.e., stares=stairs? :shrug: I always thought it was stairs, which never seemed to make sense to me in that metaphor. But "stares at the stares" sounds like a spooky way to describe all the people she must have encountered in rehab- the blank stares of people trying to get better, as well as the stares of people gawking at her from the open doors in the "hallway." I think I like "stares" better than "stairs!"

No, it wasn't a typo. It was intentional:cool:. Because, like you mention "stairs" makes absolutely no sense. And I'm very sure that Stevie's lyric was a typo - probably a cruel inside jab - by some hack who hated Stevie *ahem... l i n d s e y*. The line "Stares at the stares", as you so eloquently stated above, is just so stark. You feel Stevies nakedness and vulnerability in that line, and how it must have felt/seemed while she was in rehab.

[michelej1]

No, it wasn't a typo. It was intentional:cool:. Because, like you mention "stairs" makes absolutely no sense. And I'm very sure that Stevie's lyric was a typo - probably a cruel inside jab - by some hack who hated Stevie *ahem... l i n d s e y*. The line "Stares at the stares", as you so eloquently stated above, is just so stark. You feel Stevies nakedness and vulnerability in that line, and how it must have felt/seemed while she was in rehab.

I don't think Lindsey had much control over the lyric sheets, but I like your interpretation, because I thought of it in a similar way, even though I used "stairs."

When she mentions stairs there, I think of stairs in EO17 and stairs in SOTM and both times they are referenced in those iconic songs, they mean fear and vulnerability. Darkness, emptiness, no help, no answers to be found when you go searching for them.

If you take SOTM on its face, you don't necessarily get that, but in interviews, Stevie has described what she meant when she wrote that song, how she was feeling. The endless tour. The exhaustion. The weight loss. Used up, being used. The feeling that you're living a fishbowl life and people are clawing at you. I think that matches your stare a bit. Curious eyes looking at you, when you're stripped bare and most in need of privacy.

Michele

[Christopher]

I don't think Lindsey had much control over the lyric sheets, but I like your interpretation, because I thought of it in a similar way, even though I used "stairs."

When she mentions stairs there, I think of stairs in EO17 and stairs in SOTM and both times they are referenced in those iconic songs, they mean fear and vulnerability. Darkness, emptiness, no help, no answers to be found when you go searching for them.

If you take SOTM on its face, you don't necessarily get that, but in interviews, Stevie has described what she meant when she wrote that song, how she was feeling. The endless tour. The exhaustion. The weight loss. Used up, being used. The feeling that you're living a fishbowl life and people are clawing at you. I think that matches your stare a bit. Curious eyes looking at you, when you're stripped bare and most in need of privacy.

Michele, I was j/k about Lindsey sabotaging the lyric sheet. It wasn't meant to be literal, just a stab at slight humor, considering the heightening tension in their relationship during Tango. But you may be on to something about the symbolism and metaphor - if Stevie truly did intend her lyric to be "Stairs".

Stairs in dreams generally mean that you are coming to a conclusion about some issue. The ground floor in dreams symbolises the reality in any given situation - the facts. The upstairs symbolises the higher consciousness or conclusions surrounding some issue. It means that you have come to a decision.

But the one thing that still throws me off, is why then, would she follow the lyric "And she stares at the stairs" with "There are many things to stare at these days"? It still doesn't fit.:shrug:

So still (until I get to ask Stevie for confirmation one of these days), in my little world, I like to believe she intended it as "stares", which also recalls a lyric in yet another one of Stevie's addiction/disillusion songs - Space Needle: "I remember the loss of enchantment. In everyone I'd meet. Seeing my own face, in each one of their faces. Looking back at me.":nod:

[drzubritsky]

Well...I think it's got a lot to do with what was going on in her life. Welcome To The Room...Sara was a jab at her management and the people in her life who basically forced her into rehab when she wasn't ready to make that step for herself. Mikebise has expresseed some great insight regarding this song on other threads.

When I See You Again is a very beautiful song I think, relaying Stevie's fears about giving up drugs and knowing that she will not be the same person when she's back from Betty Ford.. Will it be the same? Will it be over? And in fact, it proved to be a great premonition of things to come with Lindsey walking out on Fleetwood Mac to find the means to settle his own demons.

Stevie could have taken the easy route and used old demos for Tango, but I think she made the right choice by offering us songs that told the story of what was happening at that time in her life.

I think you're correct that she wanted to include material that spoke to her life at that time. I think this is generally true of all her FM and solo albums...she generally includes a fair amount of newly written songs.

But while her contributions to TITN may have fulfilled her desire to express her then-current concerns, I wish she had exercised more judgment and QA before submitting some of these songs. An album (and ultimately a singer/writers's reputation and legacy) lives or dies by the quality of its songs. An older, well-written composition should trump a new, poorly written song. And IMO, her contributions on TITN are poorly written, heartfelt though they may be.

[Artemis]

I'm loving the interpretation of "she stares at the stares" it only serves to add to my new-found appreciation for WISYA!

I'll never ever ever ever ever understand why WTTR...S is on the album instead of Joan Of Arc. I really won't. That song was (at the time) new, and infinitely better. It would have made a good album closer, I think.

Back on topic, I love Stevie's cover of Free Fallin', far more than the original. And I love her singing Face The Promise.

[michelej1]

Stairs in dreams generally mean that you are coming to a conclusion about some issue. The ground floor in dreams symbolises the reality in any given situation - the facts. The upstairs symbolises the higher consciousness or conclusions surrounding some issue. It means that you have come to a decision.

But the one thing that still throws me off, is why then, would she follow the lyric "And she stares at the stairs" with "There are many things to stare at these days"? It still doesn't fit.:shrug:



In dreams, stairs can also mean success (ascending) and lack thereof (descending) and I think that staring at the stairs can be interpreted as stagnation and fear of a slide, a descent from which there is no recovery. I think the reason that there can be so many things to stare at these days is just an expression of the static emptiness of her life at the time. No forward movement.

However, I don't disagree with your "stare." I'd never thought of it before and when your post and Hejira's made me try to interpret it that way, the meaning I got went nicely with the "stair" meaning I had too. I don't contradict you. I was thinking of your stare as expanding my thoughts on her words, not opposing them.

Michele

[sorcerer999]

My favorite song that she did not write is "Sit On My Face, Stevie Nix" by The Rotters!

Oh wait. Were we supposed to pick something SHE actually sings on? ;)

[michelej1]

[Since there was talk of SDMHA, thought I'd put this in from a July 1981 interview Petty did with Dave Marsh in Musician magazine]

MUSICIAN: How did you happen to give Stevie Nicks 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around' for her solo album? And aside from the fact that Iovine produces both of you, how did you wind up singing a duet on 'The Insider' on your album?

PETTY: It's funny, you get such preconceived ideas about artists. I knew Stevie, but not real well, and she'd been asking me for a long time for a song. I thought that 'The Insider' would be the thing for her, because it's acoustic, it has that kind of feel. She really liked the song, so we went to do the vocal and she started to sing harmony every time. Because my track was playing in her headphones as a guide. So she said, "Just let me sing the harmony one time." So she did, and when it was over, I just sat there, in awe. She walked back in and said, "How was it?" I said, "It's amazing." She said, "I can tell by the look on your face, you don't wanna give me this song. I'm giving it back to you right now." I really thought a lot of her for that.

Then I went through this terrible guilt. Jimmy and I thought, we can't take it back, because we promised it to her. So we went to her and said, "Stevie, what if we trade you another song for 'Insider'?" She said, play it for me, and we played her 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around'. She says, "Wow! That's why I wanted you to write me a song – it's rock 'n' roll, that's what you do. 'The Insider' sounds like what I do." And I thought, how dumb of me, to think that she'd want me to write like her. We've got some videotapes of those sessions that are very funny.

[skcin]

^Every once in a while, the alternative/underground classic rock station in Buffalo (107.7 The Lake) plays the Petty-only version of SDMHA from his Playback box set. It freaks me out - me no like. :( He defintely made the right decision in giving it to her for BD & making it a duet. :nod:

I love Stevie's interpretation of "It's Only Love." One of my favorite songs on TISL. In fact, I was amazed at the vocal she pulled off. :nod:

I agree. Fantastic. Far better than Sheryl's own version.

I love the live version of "Insider" from Tom Petty's "Packin' Up the Plantation."

Me too. I love every version of this song. The 2006 live ones were shockingly good!

Too Far From Texas.

Now I guess I better get "too far from the ledge" because I know how much everyone hates that song!

No, not everyone. :wavey:

Without hesitation or doubt:

Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind (either version, love 'em both)

other than that....to quote someone kinda famous:

"you write your songs yourself!"

Really? Doesn't strike me as a "ChiliD" song. Not sure why. Too "pop?"



My picks, in addition to the ones mentioned above:

Album:

Reconsider Me
Talk To Me
Whever I Call You Friend

Live/rare/bootleg (hmmmm...just realized these are all duets.)

Needles & Pins w/Petty
New York Minute w/Henley
Red River Valley w/Isaak
Solitary Man w/Isaak
Strong Enough w/Sheryl from Storytellers

[StandbackStevie]

Stop Draggin My Heart Around
Talk To Me
Reconsider Me
Magnet and Steel
Gold
Midnight Wind
Some Become Strangers
Unconditional Love
Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind
Everyday
Whenever I Call You Friend
Love's a Hard Game to Play
Insider
Needles and Pins
Inspiration
It's Late
I Still Miss Someone (Blue Eyes)
I Need To Know
God's Garden
Docklands
Cry Wolf

[Jondalar]

[Since there was talk of SDMHA, thought I'd put this in from a July 1981 interview Petty did with Dave Marsh in Musician magazine]

MUSICIAN: How did you happen to give Stevie Nicks 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around' for her solo album? And aside from the fact that Iovine produces both of you, how did you wind up singing a duet on 'The Insider' on your album?

PETTY: It's funny, you get such preconceived ideas about artists. I knew Stevie, but not real well, and she'd been asking me for a long time for a song. I thought that 'The Insider' would be the thing for her, because it's acoustic, it has that kind of feel. She really liked the song, so we went to do the vocal and she started to sing harmony every time. Because my track was playing in her headphones as a guide. So she said, "Just let me sing the harmony one time." So she did, and when it was over, I just sat there, in awe. She walked back in and said, "How was it?" I said, "It's amazing." She said, "I can tell by the look on your face, you don't wanna give me this song. I'm giving it back to you right now." I really thought a lot of her for that.

Then I went through this terrible guilt. Jimmy and I thought, we can't take it back, because we promised it to her. So we went to her and said, "Stevie, what if we trade you another song for 'Insider'?" She said, play it for me, and we played her 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around'. She says, "Wow! That's why I wanted you to write me a song – it's rock 'n' roll, that's what you do. 'The Insider' sounds like what I do." And I thought, how dumb of me, to think that she'd want me to write like her. We've got some videotapes of those sessions that are very funny.

I have never heard this and it makes me think soo much better of the situation. I always thought Tom was duped out of the song. Not so. Everything happened honestly. I did hear on interview before say, that when he heard Stevie's vocals on that song, he about kicked himself. He knew it was going to be a mega hit, but it was too late to get it back. In my opinion, Tom made a mistake, but that was his mistake. He sorta blamed Jimmy. Well, Tom wasn't even going to record Stop Dragging. He didn't like it that much. Can't blame Jimmy or Stevie.

[mitzo]

When Somebody Stand By Me appeared on the Boys on the Side soundtrack I immeditaely loved it - a new song by Stevie after the Street Angel disappointment and during a time when she was out of sight. The song was really well produced and her vocals hit the sweet spot, full of the old Stevie pathos and feeling. A kind of hidden gem. I'd say it is one of my faves of hers that she did not write.

[Villavic]

Seven Wonders, even though it doesn't technically qualify

[Jondalar]

Seven Wonders, even though it doesn't technically qualify

Why doesn't it technically qualify?

[windbecame]

probably because at the beginning of the thread wasn't something mentioned about solo only???
and to beat a dead horse...because she pretty much cowrote it...not just the word emmiline...see my previous post!!!!:laugh:

[Jondalar]

probably because at the beginning of the thread wasn't something mentioned about solo only???
and to beat a dead horse...because she pretty much cowrote it...not just the word emmiline...see my previous post!!!!:laugh:

cowrote it! blah, she was lucky someone wrote it for you