"If You Ever Did Believe"

[MarkMc1990]

I wish this song got more recognition with radio play, concert performances, fan chatter, etc. I really love it! In fact I love both of Stevie's songs on the Practical Magic soundtrack (the other being Crystal).

Anyway, IYEDB is definitely in my top 5 Stevie/FM songs, maybe even in my top 3. Whenever I hear it it reminds me of autumn, which is my favorite time of year. I was really surprised to find out that IYEDB was actually written and recorded (as a demo) about 20 years prior to PM, but we all know Stevie does that with her songs. I'm in love with both the Practical Magic version and the early demo, but I think her aged voice in the PM version is more appropriate for the lyrics.

Anyone else a huge fan of this song?

[Crystal_Elle]

Obviously I love Crystal, it's just such a calming song! And yes IYEDB is in my top 5 songs as well. I probably would have used it for my name on here instead if I could have made it fit.

[mikebise]

I love it, too!!!

Sheryl told Billboard in October 1998 that "If You Ever Did Believe" was written in 1978, and it's about Stevie's secret affair with Mick.

This recording is so perfect, showcasing Stevie's vocals and the strength of the lyrics. I always consider it a song from Trouble In Shangri-la, since Stevie said the soundtrack project is what got her and Sheryl together as a team, and TISL really began there in February 1998.

[Jondalar]

If You Ever Did Believe and My Heart should of been put on TISL.

[louielouie2000]

I just adored the production of this song and Crystal both. I still have fond memories of going to see Practical Magic in the theater when I was in high school. I only heard If You Ever Did Believe on the radio once. I was on a ski trip in the North Carolina mountains with some friends... that probably would have been very early '99. Upon hearing If You Ever Did Believe and Crystal in the movie, I felt soo strongly Stevie should record an entire album of songs with that simple, folksy production style. 13 years later, In Your Dreams comes sorta close to that I suppose. :)

[Artemis]

Sheryl told Billboard in October 1998 that "If You Ever Did Believe" was written in 1978, and it's about Stevie's secret affair with Mick.

It sounds like this is another one of Stevie's getting-the-year-wrong, stories. I thought IYEDB was written before Rumours? Or it was at least written during Rumours, since part of it appears in a demo for Gold Dust Woman.

If You Ever Did Believe is one of my favourite Stevie songs; both the demo and the completed version are extremely potent in their own unique ways. I love her voice in the original, and I love those background wails in the Practical Magic one. :nod:

[MarkMc1990]

part of it appears in a demo for Gold Dust Woman.

O_O where can I hear this?

[mikebise]

It sounds like this is another one of Stevie's getting-the-year-wrong, stories. I thought IYEDB was written before Rumours? Or it was at least written during Rumours, since part of it appears in a demo for Gold Dust Woman.

Or... Stevie recycled the unused 1976 lyrics from "Gold Dust Woman" in 1978 when she wrote "If You Ever Did Believe".

[Artemis]

Or... Stevie recycled the unused 1976 lyrics from "Gold Dust Woman" in 1978 when she wrote "If You Ever Did Believe".

That would work too. :lol: Consistency isn't Stevie's strong point.

MarkMc1990, I sent you a PM :)

[mikebise]

O_O where can I hear this?

On Disc 2 of the 2004 re-release of Rumours, with bonus tracks on the second CD. Instead of the "Pale shadow of a dragon" lyrics, Stevie does the exact "Ooh"ing from the end of "If You Ever Did Believe" as well as the "I'm down on my knees... etc." lyrics at the end.

That official release also has the extended "Silver Springs", the Rumours era version of "Think About It", a rough "Dreams" and more.

[MarkMc1990]

I just heard it. That's really interesting, it's like she combined the two songs.

[CreepingDeath]

I've always loved this song, especially this-

My mind won't rest and I don't sleep
Not even in my dreams.

^^

That describes me perfectly.

[StevieNicksfann]

Yep, she technically wrote the song in '78 but used the coda from Gold Dust Woman to turn it into what became IYEDB. It is one of my faves also

[Crystal_Elle]

I've always loved this song, especially this-

My mind won't rest and I don't sleep
Not even in my dreams.

^^

That's describes me perfectly.

As an insomniac, this sums up my life. Probably another reason why I love the song.
Crystal is also what sucked me in as a fan hardcore. My mom exposed me to The Dance and I didn't really put two and two together that Stevie also sang solo until I saw the movie and sought out the soundtrack. There was something so tranquil about the song that I was obsessed with.

[Allycattt]

I LOVE THIS SONG. And I listen to Crystal at least twice a day. PM is what got me into SN/FM in the first place!

:D

[jeffd8382]

That would work too. :lol: Consistency isn't Stevie's strong point.

MarkMc1990, I sent you a PM :)

Haha... actually that's one of the things I've enjoyed about Stevie's output (both FM/solo). The recycled melodies/themes/poetic lines used in entirely different contexts over time... creates an interesting thread of continuity in her writing that I find unique. Sort of reminds me/makes me feel that I have once again entered this little world that she has created with her music.