Annabel Lee

[saintvox]

http://www.sgfallssd.org/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=1400&PHPSESSID=65f3aacc7a41c9780f2c29d72a8f63fc

I wasn't sure if I could post the actual text of the poem, but this is a link to it.

Some people said they didn't know what parts of the song were Stevie and which were Poe, so now you can tell. :laugh:

[HejiraNYC]

http://www.sgfallssd.org/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=1400&PHPSESSID=65f3aacc7a41c9780f2c29d72a8f63fc

I wasn't sure if I could post the actual text of the poem, but this is a link to it.

Some people said they didn't know what parts of the song were Stevie and which were Poe, so now you can tell. :laugh:

I have to admit that I was originally not an "Annabel Lee" demo fan. But the IYD version is epic and a thing of beauty. And I just love Stevie to bits for doing this- taking a haunting ode to a lost (female) love and putting it to music without compromising the original spirit of the work. I'm sure this song will not do anything to quell the rumors about Stevie occasionally swimming in the lady-pond, but it's obvious she doesn't much care about the consequences- it's the most romantic song ever sung from one woman to another.

[jcalzaretta]

I think Annabel Lee can be the next Rhiannon in concert. I can see her doing something really special with the end of the song when she sings it live.

[UndoingTheLaces]

I agree. It has become really epic. I loved the original a lot and I'm so happy that Dave left in those magical guitar chords in the chorus and at the very end. I find myself singing this all the time, even more so since the Rolling Stone preview. The full song really is everything I had hoped for and more. And the little tinkly keyboard part at the beginning is so beautiful. A lot of my musical tastes go more towards goth, punk and alternative music, and even though Stevie fits more in the rock and roll category her stuff has always been so poetic that it's my favorite out of everything I listen to. But I do have to admit that I get a little thrill over the fact that she's made a song about a guy who's so distraught over the death of his lover that he crawls into her crypt and lays down beside her, and on top of that she doesn't change the pronouns. That, in my opinion, makes her alternative, punk and goth all in one. In a very pure sense of the terms.

I've never heard the "lady pond" rumors but I did have a lesbian friend once who took great pleasure in the Tango In The Night tour booklet with all the photos of Stevie and Christine holding hands and embracing. She'd look longingly at the photos and say "I know they're not a couple but I can dream can't I?" It was very sweet.

[BombaySapphire3]

Like the Rolling Stone critic put it the words may have been written in 1849 but Stevie Nicks is the only person who should sing them.

[Bandon]

Someone on another thread was complaining about the length of Annabel Lee. I think it's a perfect length and could easily be edited for a single release. :nod:

[tabruns]

Someone on another thread was complaining about the length of Annabel Lee. I think it's a perfect length and could easily be edited for a single release. :nod:

I think the length makes it epic. I only dislike song length when it seems like the song is just meandering, which "Annabel Lee" doesn't do.

[Christopher]

I think the length makes it epic. I only dislike song length when it seems like the song is just meandering, which "Annabel Lee" doesn't do.

I agree. By the end I'm left pumping my fist into the air!!:thumbsup: "I lie down by the SIDE!!!!! My favorite part of the great new gothic Stevie anthem!! This is her modern day Rhiannon :nod:. I love how true to Stevie's demos Dave was. No wonder Stevie LOVES him, or just another reason to.

[David]

I have to admit that I was originally not an "Annabel Lee" demo fan. But the IYD version is epic and a thing of beauty. I dig this one. It's fearsome. And unless I'm mistaken, that's Mick Fleetwood on drums, sounding better than he has (to me) in about twenty years. It's like a 38-year-old Mick Fleetwood keeping time, even engaging in some of those little accents he used to use on Fleetwood Mac albums, like the double grace notes ahead of the downbeat. (Think of the start of the second verse of "Dreams" on the Oakland 10.20.82 soundboard.)

[paleshadow]

I really like the song, but as I suspected I'm disappointed in the writing credits

Words by Stevie Nicks, Words adapted from the Edgar Allan Poem "Annabel Lee", interlude by Waddy Wachtel.

:rolleyes:

[darklinensuit]

I really like the song, but as I suspected I'm disappointed in the writing credits

Words by Stevie Nicks, Words adapted from the Edgar Allan Poem "Annabel Lee", interlude by Waddy Wachtel.

:rolleyes:

Somewhere Poe is rolling in his grave. Premature burial, you know. ;)

- Jake

[Fiver]

I like the change from 'And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes ' to 'And the sun never shines but I see the bright eyes'. Reminds me of Gypsy.

[Meowi]

I really did not like it that much from the snippet,
But now it is AWESOME!

[paleshadow]

Somewhere Poe is rolling in his grave. Premature burial, you know. ;)

- Jake


Probably! It's funny because I was just watching season 1 of "The Facts of Life" and saw the episode where Blair copied part of an Emily Dickinson poem for her poetry assignment! Her punishment was a stern talking to from Mrs. Garret about how it was worse than cheating, it was "stealing". She also flunked her lit class.

Where's Mrs. Garrett when you need her? :laugh:

[WildHeartCa]

I thought Annabel Lee was about a doll?

Also, as much as I would like to be true, Stevie is not gay.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Stevie and my gaydar did not go off.

[Artemis]

I thought Annabel Lee was about a doll?

Also, as much as I would like to be true, Stevie is not gay.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Stevie and my gaydar did not go off.

In Stevie-Land, I'm sure it's about a doll. Poe was totally writing about a dudette though.

Although, I was thinking, I think some of the song refers to the friendship between Stevie and Robin. I need to listen to it a few more times to get the lyrics that infer this stuff, but, to me, it's definitely in there.

[BombaySapphire3]

I thought Annabel Lee was about a doll?

Also, as much as I would like to be true, Stevie is not gay.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Stevie and my gaydar did not go off.

I don't think she is either ..if she was even bi the chances are that she'd have spilled her own T by now.Could be that Annabel Lee is her veiled endorsement of gay marriage though.:lol:

[WildHearted]

Well, I don't think Stevie is gay/bi either (don't get the vibes), however she did kind of throw me for a loop when she was talking about how she couldn't remember who Secret Love was about because it was the 70's, love was around every corner, and there were beautiful men and beautiful women everywhere :lol:

She may have meant nothing by it, but made me laugh regardless knowing how much that topic has been speculated on. :D

[Ghosty]

Probably! It's funny because I was just watching season 1 of "The Facts of Life" and saw the episode where Blair copied part of an Emily Dickinson poem for her poetry assignment! Her punishment was a stern talking to from Mrs. Garret about how it was worse than cheating, it was "stealing". She also flunked her lit class.

Where's Mrs. Garrett when you need her? :laugh:


loved that show! and mrs g


so, it truly says lyrics by sn and that is was just adapted by poe? wowzers.

[Richard B]

I love the ending.
All of the "I lie down...by the side of my darling" just gets me.

[tabruns]

loved that show! and mrs g


so, it truly says lyrics by sn and that is was just adapted by poe? wowzers.

I think it has to say that. You can't say "lyrics by E. A. Poe" because he *didn't* write lyrics to a song: He's been dead! So since he didn't actively write lyrics to this specific song, you have to say "adapted from Edgar Allen Poe".

Seriously, you can't slam Stevie for supposedly not crediting someone. She's very conscientious about that. She even offered Prince 10% royalties on "Stand Back", just because his "Red Velvet Car" inspired the song.

[Ghosty]

i'm definitely not slamming her for it. i figure the record people would write that stuff anyways. but it sounds very funny. like it could say lyrics (or words) by edgar allen poe, modified by stevie nicks, or something like that. just because he's dead doesn't mean he didn't write it.

[Ghosty]

I think it has to say that. You can't say "lyrics by E. A. Poe" because he *didn't* write lyrics to a song: He's been dead! So since he didn't actively write lyrics to this specific song, you have to say "adapted from Edgar Allen Poe".

Seriously, you can't slam Stevie for supposedly not crediting someone. She's very conscientious about that. She even offered Prince 10% royalties on "Stand Back", just because his "Red Velvet Car" inspired the song.

and because he wrote the beat and keyboard parts and played on it.

[Jondalar]

this is what is says:

Music: Stevie; Words: adapted from the Edgar Allan Poe poem "Annabel Lee"; Interlude Waddy Wachtel

She is basically just getting credit for the music, she gave Poe words credit and waddy gets the interlude credit. That's very generous considering that she is really responsible for the song. You can't complain about that.

[jellyman10]

this is what is says:

Music: Stevie; Words: adapted from the Edgar Allan Poe poem "Annabel Lee"; Interlude Waddy Wachtel.

Let's hear it for facts. Thank you. :thumbsup:

[paleshadow]

this is what is says:

Music: Stevie; Words: adapted from the Edgar Allan Poe poem "Annabel Lee"; Interlude Waddy Wachtel

She is basically just getting credit for the music, she gave Poe words credit and waddy gets the interlude credit. That's very generous considering that she is really responsible for the song. You can't complain about that.


Thanks for the correction. I was going by what a friend said was written in her booklet. Clearly she needs a new eye glass prescription, because I got my copy today and that is what it says. Edgar can rest in peace!:p

[markolas]

She's singing from the perspective of a man; nothing to do with lesbianism. Just because she's speaking/singing from 3rd person POV, it doesn't mean it's *her*.

[TrueFaith77]

She's singing from the perspective of a man; nothing to do with lesbianism. Just because she's speaking/singing from 3rd person POV, it doesn't mean it's *her*.

I don't disagree. That's part of what I meant... this album is rather gender-bending, e.g., Lindsey singing: "I'm a soldier's mother."

[Bandon]

Well, I don't think Stevie is gay/bi either (don't get the vibes), however she did kind of throw me for a loop when she was talking about how she couldn't remember who Secret Love was about because it was the 70's, love was around every corner, and there were beautiful men and beautiful women everywhere :lol:

She may have meant nothing by it, but made me laugh regardless knowing how much that topic has been speculated on. :D

When "Sara" first came out, people thought the same thing. What you hear in the song is, "Sara, you're the poet in my heart, etc." Whatever. :shrug:

[tabruns]

She said the same thing about when she covered "Crash". People around her told her that she couldn't cover it because it was a song to a woman. Her response was basically "So? I like the song." Kudos to her.

Deborah Harry had the same attitude. She'd a song even if the lyrics were really from the perspective of a man (like "Sunday Girl").

[Bandon]

I am convinced that "Annabel Lee" is Stevie's best mid-tempo fantasy, "Stevieland" song since "Gypsy." :D

[tabruns]

The more I hear this song the better it gets. I think it's a second classic track on In Your Dreams ("Moonlight" being the other one).

[BombaySapphire3]

^^^^ Agree with the above couple of posts .Annabel Lee is pure classic Stevie and the song is greatly abetted by one of Mick Fleetwood's best performances in years IMO.The protracted ending of the song with the slowly building crescendo under Stevie's passionate vocals is something I never thought I'd hear on a Fleetwood Mac song again .Yeah I know this isn't a Fleetwood Mac record but you'd never really know it wasn't a classic one while you are listening to Annabel Lee.

[mylittledemon]

I am convinced that "Annabel Lee" is Stevie's best mid-tempo fantasy, "Stevieland" song since "Gypsy." :D

yeah I know, i really like it... I love the chorus. I don't like the way the song ends, but hey...

[Richard B]

yeah I know, i really like it... I love the chorus. I don't like the way the song ends, but hey...

Oh noes! Really? I like the whole thing too, but I swoon on the ending. Kinda reminds me of the ending of 'Gate and Garden'.

[BombaySapphire3]

Oh noes! Really? I like the whole thing too, but I swoon on the ending. Kinda reminds me of the ending of 'Gate and Garden'.

Really :shrug:I don't get that at all "Gate and Garden" was the first really mediocre song Stevie ever officially recorded IMO ..soon to be followed on side two by "Nothing Ever Changes"I agree that I love the ending of Annabel though.

[mylittledemon]

yeah i dont care for the change when she starts talking about laying down her pride... it must've been tricky for them to find an ending to the song... I would've rather them faded the song out her repeating the chorus and making up her own words like she used to do... and I'm pretty sure thats Mick Fleetwood on drums

[StevieNicksfann]

Damn, I love the ending. I am marching down the trail with my arms in the air celebrating victory - this song is absolutely perfect to me!

[jellyman10]

In Stevie-Land, I'm sure it's about a doll. Poe was totally writing about a dudette though.

Although, I was thinking, I think some of the song refers to the friendship between Stevie and Robin. I need to listen to it a few more times to get the lyrics that infer this stuff, but, to me, it's definitely in there.

I haven't heard the song yet (still waiting for that dang CD!) but it seems like another instance of classic Nicksian conflation. Her imagination was clearly drawn to the situation in Poe's poem long before she lost Robin, but, as with 'Gypsy', lines from it can achieve a new resonance as events unfold.

Of course, the poem's enduring emotional power lies in the way it describes the agony and longing that comes from being separated by death from someone you love. In that respect, it could be 'about' anyone that Stevie is parted from in that way: Robin, her dad, Sara, even (dare I say it) her unborn child(ren).

[markolas]

When "Sara" first came out, people thought the same thing. What you hear in the song is, "Sara, you're the poet in my heart, etc." Whatever. :shrug:

It's kinda clipped, but it's always been clear to me that she sings "He said, 'Sara, you're the poet in my heart.'" But some people don't listen to lyrics that closely, I guess.

Deborah Harry had the same attitude. She'd a song even if the lyrics were really from the perspective of a man (like "Sunday Girl").

Well, Deb really does swing both ways, tho. :)

[jellyman10]

It's kinda clipped, but it's always been clear to me that she sings "He said, 'Sara, you're the poet in my heart.'" But some people don't listen to lyrics that closely, I guess.


I always thought it was just 'Said "Sara, you're the poet ..."'? As in 'I said "Sara..."', but with the pronoun dropped off? I don't hear 'he'.

[blemelin]

The chorus of this song is just amazing, it really lifts the song into the air. Annabel Lee is one of those great highway-driving songs. Get in your car and give it a whirl, it's worth the price of a gallon of gas, no really! Probably my favorite song on the record.

[Ghosty]

this is what is says:

Music: Stevie; Words: adapted from the Edgar Allan Poe poem "Annabel Lee"; Interlude Waddy Wachtel

She is basically just getting credit for the music, she gave Poe words credit and waddy gets the interlude credit. That's very generous considering that she is really responsible for the song. You can't complain about that.

that is a good way to word it, looks like she totally gives homage to poe.


i have the demo in my head because i only listened to the new version once so far, and my quiet laptop didn't give the best sound either for me to pick up the full feel of the music. but i love the ending, it gets stuck in my head. i like the whole thing. i don't see it as stevie singing about loving a woman as some have joked about. just seems she loved the poem and got a melody in her head. or that the poem sounded romantic to her, or reminded her of one of her love affairs. i would picture her thinking of herself as annabel lee though. there's more than one way to look at her "dying"....

[bellagypsy79]

I have the demo of this song from back in the 80's I believe, and when I saw that it was on the IYD album, I flipped out because I love it so much. It is one of my favorite poems by Poe. The album version wasn't really any different than the demo. I was impressed and loved it and was happy it was on the album!:blob2::blob1:

[TrueFaith77]

The more I hear this song the better it gets. I think it's a second classic track on In Your Dreams ("Moonlight" being the other one).

Totally agree.

[wheart]

I have to admit that I was originally not an "Annabel Lee" demo fan. But the IYD version is epic and a thing of beauty. And I just love Stevie to bits for doing this- taking a haunting ode to a lost (female) love and putting it to music without compromising the original spirit of the work. I'm sure this song will not do anything to quell the rumors about Stevie occasionally swimming in the lady-pond, but it's obvious she doesn't much care about the consequences- it's the most romantic song ever sung from one woman to another.

lady-pond :lol::lol: So I also was never a fan of the demo and was less than thrilled when I heard this song made the album but I gotta say it's one of my favs on IYD. I've only listened to the CD once so but I really, really enjoyed Annabel Lee. I love what Dave/Glenn did with it. It's quite rocking!! I never thought I'd like the song but I do!!

[Bubba Fleetwood]

I think Annabel Lee can be the next Rhiannon in concert. I can see her doing something really special with the end of the song when she sings it live. I am passionately in love with this song. I had to jump up out of my chair last night when I listened to it. It hooked me that much. Her new Rhiannon ? Oh, I sure think so. Now, it's been a few years since I have seen Stevie in concert but if she does Annabel Lee on her next tour, I will sure as heck be there.

[markolas]

The demo is from the mid-to-late '90s and I heard Stevie say she didn't know why it didn't end up on TISL, that she must've forgotten about it.

I've always liked the demo and thought it had great potential as a song. I was thrilled when I heard it was going to be on IYD, and its one of my favorite songs on there. The demo sort of meanders, but they really cleaned it up very nicely for the record.

[Drummergrl]

I'm with Bubba on that one. I just could not stay seated, and I'm not sure why, but it's just something about that song. I must say, as much as I love the whole album, "Annabel Lee" is my fav. :nod:

[Morgana]

I've been listening to Annabel Lee a lot since Rolling Stone was nice enough to do the stream. Today I got the CD in the mail and even though I have listened to Annabel a lot suddenly about 5 minutes ago I was struck by her words and how it so relates to my current issue with leaving my career of teaching special education of 20 yrs. It's been a horrid year for me and I am torn...this has been my life work and I would say I am married to my job. So I am listening to it for the upteenth time and suddely something connected (Oh....how Stevie is that?....Stevie used the word connected on that interview back in the early 80's on the Wild Heart interview. She talked about Prince, etc and says that she hopes her music connects to us and then said that someone has to write down what is happening.

Well......Wham...there it is, my conflict and the words in Annabel Lee about the moon never beams without bringing me dreams and then I lie down by your side. Her words spoke to me so profoundly...the sadness with leaving and how I once had dreams...only now I need to leave so I lie down by your side is about me leaving, the death of my career. Ahhh well...another Bahama Mama and I'll be fine!

[Tango]

While it's still early, this song is tied for my favorite on the album. I liked everything about it. I hope this song somehow gets some media attention so people outside of this website get to hear it.

Awwww, quit your frowning, Edgar. She really did a good job with it! Just give it a listen, why don't you!?

http://horrorcrush.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/25-edgar-allan-poe-mustache.jpg

[tabruns]

While it's still early, this song is tied for my favorite on the album. I liked everything about it. I hope this song somehow gets some media attention so people outside of this website get to hear it.

Awwww, quit your frowning, Edgar. She really did a good job with it! Just give it a listen, why don't you!?

http://horrorcrush.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/25-edgar-allan-poe-mustache.jpg

I think he's just frowning about his haircut. ;)

[jellyman10]

^^^ Omfg, he looks a bit like my sister!

[markolas]

^^^ Omfg, he looks a bit like my sister!

Bet your sister would love to hear you say that. :laugh:

[J.Miller]

To me Annabel Lee is every bit as good as the 'classics' . Rhiannon, Dreams, Blue Lamp and Gypsy.

[wheart]

I am passionately in love with this song. I had to jump up out of my chair last night when I listened to it. It hooked me that much. Her new Rhiannon ? Oh, I sure think so. Now, it's been a few years since I have seen Stevie in concert but if she does Annabel Lee on her next tour, I will sure as heck be there.

I came to work this morning singing Annabel Lee. It's utterly brilliant from start to finish. It needs to be the next single. It needs to be performed live.

[BombaySapphire3]

To me Annabel Lee is every bit as good as the 'classics' . Rhiannon, Dreams, Blue Lamp and Gypsy.

It should be...the performances of both Mick and Stevie are on par with those songs on Annabel..except Blue Lamp which is just Stevie ..love it too though.

[tabruns]

To me Annabel Lee is every bit as good as the 'classics' . Rhiannon, Dreams, Blue Lamp and Gypsy.

Yes, I agree.

[holidayroad]

I dig this one. It's fearsome. And unless I'm mistaken, that's Mick Fleetwood on drums, sounding better than he has (to me) in about twenty years. It's like a 38-year-old Mick Fleetwood keeping time, even engaging in some of those little accents he used to use on Fleetwood Mac albums, like the double grace notes ahead of the downbeat. (Think of the start of the second verse of "Dreams" on the Oakland 10.20.82 soundboard.)

I'm in the middle of listening to IYD for the first time, just finished Annabel Lee. I was about to ask if it was Mick on the drums! He sounds great!!!!!!!!

[UndoingTheLaces]

I'm a songwriter and I pretty much learned to write songs by picking apart Stevie's songs down to their basic parts (which was easy to do when several session demos were available). So now, when I listen to a demo I usually hear the potential in it to become a great song. Although demos like Blue Water , China Doll and Spinning Wheels are just beautiful as they are without the star treatment. Landslide didn't need drums, bass and tons of keyboards to make it wonderful. But I digress... So when I heard Annabel Lee I was blown away but the sheer beauty in the vocal melody and that guitar chord during the chorus. I could hear in my head something similar to what most of you are hearing on IYD. So I was really surprised to hear how so many people hated that demo because I always thought it was such a beautiful song. So I'm beyond thrilled that the song got the treatment that it did to bring out it's inner beauty so everyone can enjoy it. The little brat in me wants to go "I told you so" but it's not about being wrong or right. I'm just so happy you guys are loving this song now. I hope it becomes the next single and really captures people's attention.

[mdakd]

It looks like Annabel Lee is going to be performed on stage, according to an interview Stevie gave with HitFix. Wooo! :thumbsup:

While many of these songs are based on poems you wrote, “Annabel Lee” is about the last Edgar Allen Poe ever wrote.

It’s my favorite poem of his and I found out later it’s Maya Angelou’s favorite poem too. I wrote it when I was real young and I wrote it on guitar. I made a demo of it in 1995 and I never thought I’d ever record it and I just decided somewhere last year, I said I think it’s time for “Annabel Lee.” And I brought it and showed it to Dave and he loved it and Glen Ballard loved it and we just said, let’s do it. We did it very much like the demo and it came out really rocking, it’s going to be a great stage song.

[jellyman10]

I'm a songwriter and I pretty much learned to write songs by picking apart Stevie's songs ...
Although demos like Blue Water , China Doll and Spinning Wheels are just beautiful as they are without the star treatment.

I do that, too! And I totally agree with you about those three songs you mentioned, especially Blue Water. I haven't heard Annabel Lee on IYD yet - I'm being totally anal and waiting for my CD over here on Mars (sorry, I mean in the UK) - but I'm so psyched by what I'm hearing. I agree that it always had an incredible spine to it.

Great that you write songs. :nod::thumbsup:

[-Lillith-]

I'm a songwriter and I pretty much learned to write songs by picking apart Stevie's songs down to their basic parts (which was easy to do when several session demos were available). So now, when I listen to a demo I usually hear the potential in it to become a great song. Although demos like Blue Water , China Doll and Spinning Wheels are just beautiful as they are without the star treatment. Landslide didn't need drums, bass and tons of keyboards to make it wonderful. But I digress... So when I heard Annabel Lee I was blown away but the sheer beauty in the vocal melody and that guitar chord during the chorus. I could hear in my head something similar to what most of you are hearing on IYD. So I was really surprised to hear how so many people hated that demo because I always thought it was such a beautiful song. So I'm beyond thrilled that the song got the treatment that it did to bring out it's inner beauty so everyone can enjoy it. The little brat in me wants to go "I told you so" but it's not about being wrong or right. I'm just so happy you guys are loving this song now. I hope it becomes the next single and really captures people's attention.

I am writing songs as well and agree with everything you wrote in here :thumbsup:

[Morgana]

It looks like Annabel Lee is going to be performed on stage, according to an interview Stevie gave with HitFix. Wooo! :thumbsup:

While many of these songs are based on poems you wrote, “Annabel Lee” is about the last Edgar Allen Poe ever wrote.

It’s my favorite poem of his and I found out later it’s Maya Angelou’s favorite poem too. I wrote it when I was real young and I wrote it on guitar. I made a demo of it in 1995 and I never thought I’d ever record it and I just decided somewhere last year, I said I think it’s time for “Annabel Lee.” And I brought it and showed it to Dave and he loved it and Glen Ballard loved it and we just said, let’s do it. We did it very much like the demo and it came out really rocking, it’s going to be a great stage song.

I don't think I've read/heard the HitFix article. Could you kindly please send the link? :):)

[mdakd]

I don't think I've read/heard the HitFix article. Could you kindly please send the link? :):)

It was just posted today!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB8QqQIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hitfix.com%2Fblogs%2Fthe-beat-goes-on%2Fposts%2Finterview-stevie-nicks-talks-in-your-dreams-and-her-greatest-pleasure&ei=oF7DTeyNEY2btwfeg6yVBA&usg=AFQjCNG-KDvpHwRe48NBlupHjWNjmE8hgw

[J.Miller]

I'm a songwriter and I pretty much learned to write songs by picking apart Stevie's songs down to their basic parts (which was easy to do when several session demos were available). So now, when I listen to a demo I usually hear the potential in it to become a great song. Although demos like Blue Water , China Doll and Spinning Wheels are just beautiful as they are without the star treatment. Landslide didn't need drums, bass and tons of keyboards to make it wonderful. But I digress... So when I heard Annabel Lee I was blown away but the sheer beauty in the vocal melody and that guitar chord during the chorus. I could hear in my head something similar to what most of you are hearing on IYD. So I was really surprised to hear how so many people hated that demo because I always thought it was such a beautiful song. So I'm beyond thrilled that the song got the treatment that it did to bring out it's inner beauty so everyone can enjoy it. The little brat in me wants to go "I told you so" but it's not about being wrong or right. I'm just so happy you guys are loving this song now. I hope it becomes the next single and really captures people's attention.

Yes,' Blue Water' . Stevie is singing so well now to do it justice. I hope she includes it in some future project.

[skuncles]

Stevie pretty much kept Poes words as is. She did drop one stanza and she turned the final stanza into the chorus. The only other thing I thought was interesting is that she downplays that she is lying down next to a dead Annabel.

[UndoingTheLaces]

Stevie pretty much kept Poes words as is. She did drop one stanza and she turned the final stanza into the chorus. The only other thing I thought was interesting is that she downplays that she is lying down next to a dead Annabel.

That's one of the things that first caught my attention with the demo. I always loved The Cure and they often had these really upbeat happy sounding songs but if you listened to the lyrics you realize they're really sad. And while Annabel Lee, especially the album version, is so beautiful and upbeat it's got this real tragic story to it. And that makes me love it all the more.

"I wanted to write something that was up... and it starts out that way and it is up... but there's a definite eeriness to that song that I didn't even realize was there" :angel:

[Morgana]

It was just posted today!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB8QqQIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hitfix.com%2Fblogs%2Fthe-beat-goes-on%2Fposts%2Finterview-stevie-nicks-talks-in-your-dreams-and-her-greatest-pleasure&ei=oF7DTeyNEY2btwfeg6yVBA&usg=AFQjCNG-KDvpHwRe48NBlupHjWNjmE8hgw

Thanks so much! Did I read that right about Stevie saying she had a sister? Or does she mean a close friend and calls her sister? Hmmmm....

[jellyman10]

"But most important for me is the writing. Nothing makes me happier even if i’m just writing...I have a friend who just lost her husband; I’ve probably written her five letters that are all 10 pages since this happened a couple of weeks ago and writing these letters to her is helping her and it’s also helping me. I sit down with a piece of paper and a pen and I’m trying to tell her all these stories about the guy, and for what it’s worth, try to keep her head above water and that really is the thing I love the most."

That's such a wonderful thing to do for someone who's grieving. I feel obscurely, irrationally and unaccountably proud of Stevie when I read things like this. <3

[WildHearted]

That's one of the things that first caught my attention with the demo. I always loved The Cure and they often had these really upbeat happy sounding songs but if you listened to the lyrics you realize they're really sad. And while Annabel Lee, especially the album version, is so beautiful and upbeat it's got this real tragic story to it. And that makes me love it all the more.

"I wanted to write something that was up... and it starts out that way and it is up... but there's a definite eeriness to that song that I didn't even realize was there" :angel:

Gypsy is kind of like that to me. It's so fun to sing along to and dance, but when you listen to the words you're like damn that's sad...

[Dreamz19]

I adore this song. By far my most favorite song on the album. I also love Mick's drumming . I didn't realize it was Mick until I listened again tonight and thought the drumming sounded like his style. This thread just confirmed it for me. I had the same experience with Sable On Blond. Loved the drumming, but didn't realize it was Mick until later.

[SapphireSister]

Finally guys, I've fallen in love with something on this album and I realized it on the way to work this morning as I listened:

"And the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams
And the sun never shines, but I see them bright eyes
I lie down by the side"

I had tears in my eyes when this part came on...now a couple of questions since I can finally analyze a song because I love a part of it-
1. Are those lyrics I quoted above in the original poem or did Stevie write that part?
2. Does this song actually have a chorus and if so is the above it? I really think that it's more of a pre-chorus and would go as far as to say this song does not actually have a chorus. Thoughts?

Sorry if I'm not making much sense today, a little under the weather.

[markolas]

Finally guys, I've fallen in love with something on this album and I realized it on the way to work this morning as I listened:

"And the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams
And the sun never shines, but I see them bright eyes
I lie down by the side"

This is in the poem, but Stevie changed it a little. The poem doesn't have a chorus, but Stevie turned it into one.

[markolas]

This is the last stanza of Poe's Annabel Lee:

For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling- my darling- my life and my bride,
In the sepulchre there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea.

[SapphireSister]

This is in the poem, but Stevie changed it a little. The poem doesn't have a chorus, but Stevie turned it into one.

Thanks sweetie. But what I'm saying is that musically this is not really a chorus, it's a pre-chorus. Does anybody get what I'm saying here?

[WildHearted]

Thanks sweetie. But what I'm saying is that musically this is not really a chorus, it's a pre-chorus. Does anybody get what I'm saying here?

To be honest, not really. It can't be a pre-chorus in the sense that it doesn't lead into a chorus.... (perhaps it sounds as if it could segue into something else, but it never does, so.. ) And as this is the refrain that repeats throughout the song... it's the chorus.

[SapphireSister]

To be honest, not really. It can't be a pre-chorus in the sense that it doesn't lead into a chorus.... (perhaps it sounds as if it could segue into something else, but it never does, so.. ) And as this is the refrain that repeats throughout the song... it's the chorus.

O.k. you're right technically but doesn't it sound like a pre-chorus? Maybe I'm just weird, ya know?

[SapphireSister]

I can't stop thinking about this song and it's like totally stuck in my head. Someone please find Annabel Lee and tell her to leave me alone!

On another note do you think this song is about Stevie having a girl crush? :nod:

[louielouie2000]

On another note do you think this song is about Stevie having a girl crush? :nod:

I tend to think it's indicative of Stevie's love of dark, gothic imagery. Hence her affinity for Anne Rice as well. :)

But who knows, she was long rumored to have girl crushes. I'm not sure how she'd find the time to work in women with all the men she banged back in the day, though! :laugh:

[WildHeartCa]

I in all honestly think it's a made up story about her and a doll. That is very sweet and loving - I love this song - afterall Stevie is a story teller! I lvoe her creative mind.

"I was a child and she was a child" are some of the lyrics - I love this song and hope she sings it in Indio.

As for having a "girl crush" she probably has had one in some point in her life.

As a gay woman myself - I have a "boy" crush but that's as far as it goes!:shocked:

[louielouie2000]

I in all honestly think it's a made up story about her and a doll. That is very sweet and loving - I love this song - afterall Stevie is a story teller! I lvoe her creative mind.

"I was a child and she was a child" are some of the lyrics - I love this song and hope she sings it in Indio.

You realize the song is an Edgar Allen Poe poem, don't you? Stevie just changed around a few nouns:

http://www.sgfallssd.org/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=1400&PHPSESSID=65f3aacc7a41c9780f2c29d72a8f63fc

[jellyman10]

I think it's interesting that she recently said, in connection with what's on IYD, that 'It was time for Annabel Lee', because I suspect it's a poem whose significance has changed for her over all the years she's loved it.

Right now, I just think if it's 'about' anybody, then it's Robin. And I slightly think that because I wonder if IYD is an album that she made with half an eye on the possibility that it might be her last, and that if it were to end up that way, then she wanted to include songs that symbolised all the really important people in her life.

As for girl crushes, one of the things I adore about Stevie is her complete lack of self-consciousness about whether something might be interpreted as lesbian. She just doesn't care. She sang her heart out to someone called 'Sara', and said that she and Lori and Sharon all agreed that Atlanta has the most beautiful women anywhere, and did those pics cheek-to-cheek with Mary, and then the WH stuff with them all lolling about on cushions like a big ole sapphic coven, and she's like pfffft, so what?

I actually wonder sometimes if the real misfortune of Stevie's love life is that she isn't gay. Not even remotely. She might've met a really nice girl by now! :lol:

Loz

[ahafan02]

Who else could turn an Edgar Allen Poe poem into a brilliant song!!!

[windbecame]

FOR JOBIE....:xoxo:... i lie down...i lie down...i lie down...i lie down.. I LIE DOWN! i lie down, i lie down, i lie down, i lie down... i LIE down....ooooooh.... i lie down, i lie DOWN.....OOOOOOoooooh, i lie down i lie down....I lie down..... i lie down... i lie down.. i lie down... and then i lie down sum more... i lie down...I LIE DOWN.... the ONLY thing i DON"T like about this song...2 FULL minutes of lying down????? give it a rest........ darling it's BEST!!! sorry to annabell lee lovers....i actually love the first 3/4 of the song... but REALLY??? 2 FULL minutes of lying down?????:shrug:

[BombaySapphire3]

FOR JOBIE....:xoxo:... i lie down...i lie down...i lie down...i lie down.. I LIE DOWN! i lie down, i lie down, i lie down, i lie down... i LIE down....ooooooh.... i lie down, i lie DOWN.....OOOOOOoooooh, i lie down i lie down....I lie down..... i lie down... i lie down.. i lie down... and then i lie down sum more... i lie down...I LIE DOWN.... the ONLY thing i DON"T like about this song...2 FULL minutes of lying down????? give it a rest........ darling it's BEST!!! sorry to annabell lee lovers....i actually love the first 3/4 of the song... but REALLY??? 2 FULL minutes of lying down?????:shrug:

can I have some of what windbecame got?:lol:

[windbecame]

can I have some of what windbecame got?:lol:

:xoxo:...LOL... probably not cuz i spent SOOOOO much time "lying down":lol::lol:

[mitzo]

I am the only person in the universe who is not keen on Annabel Lee. I don't get putting a man's poem to music.

[Fleetwoodmark]

The drums on this track are stellar,

Kudos to Mick Fleetwood - you are a legend.

I also like the mini breakdown/interlude. Really builds up the end of the song when the bass kicks in again. This has FM written all over it :)

Mark.

[holidayroad]

The drums on this track are stellar,

Kudos to Mick Fleetwood - you are a legend.

I also like the mini breakdown/interlude. Really builds up the end of the song when the bass kicks in again. This has FM written all over it :)

Mark.

It is Mick's drumming that absolutely makes this song stellar. This totally could have (and maybe should have) been on a Fleetwood Mac album!

[michelle2677]

In Stevie-Land, I'm sure it's about a doll. Poe was totally writing about a dudette though.

Although, I was thinking, I think some of the song refers to the friendship between Stevie and Robin. I need to listen to it a few more times to get the lyrics that infer this stuff, but, to me, it's definitely in there.


I've always thought AL was about robin. The whole "she was a child and I was a child". Then again, "you fell in love when I was only ten" leaves room for speculation as well. By far my favorite track on the record. Great job to stevie, Allan, mick and all others involved :)

yeah i dont care for the change when she starts talking about laying down her pride...
It probably won't change how you feel about the song but it's "bride" instead of "pride". Now you should LOVE it ;)

[chiliD]

Did I read that right about Stevie saying she had a sister? O

She often refers to Lori as her "sister", leaving off the "in-law" part. :nod:

[MrStevie]

I've always thought AL was about robin. The whole "she was a child and I was a child".

It probably won't change how you feel about the song but it's "bride" instead of "pride". Now you should LOVE it ;)

I think Stevie is Annabel Lee. :nod:

We had this poem in my high school. We learned it's about a young love lasting even through death. It's about boy/girl young love, so I think the song is too. We learned that the boy loves his young bride so much that when he loses her to death he can't let her go so he gets in the grave with her. That's the part about lying down by her side...my life my life and my bride.

[CADreaming]

I think Stevie is Annabel Lee. :nod:

We had this poem in my high school. We learned it's about a young love lasting even through death. It's about boy/girl young love, so I think the song is too. We learned that the boy loves his young bride so much that when he loses her to death he can't let her go so he gets in the grave with her. That's the part about lying down by her side...my life my life and my bride.

I agree. The poem (and song) are pretty straightforward.

[MrStevie]

I agree. The poem (and song) are pretty straightforward.

Your banner...oh Mama...I think that says it all. :wavey:

[CADreaming]

Your banner...oh Mama...I think that says it all. :wavey:

Well, since you mentioned it - let me hoist the sails a little:

Mama said,

"This is the guy that I met and fell in love with when I was 17, and I hope it stays that way."

"When I was 17, it was a very good year. I met Lindsey and I read some of the poetry of Edgar Allen Poe. Annabel Lee was my favorite."

So, I think she probably relates the poem to that time in her life as it connects with the beginning of her relationship with Lindsey. And, I'm sure she found it to be uber romantic as a teenager in love.

[michelle2677]

I think Stevie is Annabel Lee. :nod:

We had this poem in my high school. We learned it's about a young love lasting even through death. It's about boy/girl young love, so I think the song is too. We learned that the boy loves his young bride so much that when he loses her to death he can't let her go so he gets in the grave with her. That's the part about lying down by her side...my life my life and my bride.

Oh, I get the concept of the song :laugh: it's not that hard to figure out. I just wonder who it's about, to stevie or if she had no one in mind and thought it was sparkly and pretty.


Fwiw, I have anxiety about this song. I love it so, so very much and play it constantly. I know one day i'll get tired of it and that makes me sad. Oh well, makes room for other songs, right?

[Richard B]

Fwiw, I have anxiety about this song. I love it so, so very much and play it constantly. I know one day i'll get tired of it and that makes me sad. Oh well, makes room for other songs, right?

I could have wrote that! :nod:
What she did with the poem to song is so sweet.

[UndoingTheLaces]

There is a really ominous tone to the ending of the demo. I always thought it appropriate given the fact that in the story he's laying down beside the body of his dead bride. It's the way the guitar plays those beautiful chord progression but then holds the last note. It's actually a little creepy if you listen. They didn't do it in the final song, that actually gets uplifting at the end. But it's so beautiful I can't really fault them for it. But I do love that spooky ending to the demo.

[desertangel]

Having never done much research on Poe (such a bad Stevie fan :lol:) - I am not at all surprised she recorded this. It suits her perfectly! I absolutely love the melody and chorus. It's the first song I fell in love with on the album and will probably always love it. I'm thinking about recording a duet. Anyone else do that kinda stuff... or am I the only one? :D

Would someone please point me to the early demo of this song?