Best Stevie song left off a Mac album besides Silver Springs

[Macfan4life]

There were several masterpieces left off Mac albums because there was not enough room for more Stevie songs. Silver Springs is a masterpiece lyrically and musically and has so much passion. I know that would get the majority vote. But other than SS what are your favorites? Here is my top 3:

3. Sleeping Angel - Rumours is perfect so its crazy this was the leftovers. It was a time that the band could do no wrong.
2. Beauty and The Beast - This should have made Tusk. The solo version is fine but the Tusk version is just as passionate with a blues feeling
1. Smile At You - Good grief this was a moment in time. When Stevie sings Silver Springs she's very vulnerable yet she lets loose on Smile At you from the Mirage sessions. She hit her vocal peak in 1981. I do not think she could have done this vocal even 2 years later. Its a more bitter and hostile song than Silver Springs but still about Lindsey. She pulls no punches. Her biggest mistake in life was smiling at Lindsey. Leave the key. Get Out. You should not be here. Her vocal is so passionate. But look at the reasons why. She is literally singing this song in front of Lindsey when Bella Donna was crushing the charts. They just sent her boyfriend producer packing from France. Stevie is so passionate she is practically yelling. But she is in fine vocal form. Its all the passion of Bella Donna letting it rip in France. I can sort of see why it did not make the album because Mirage was peaceful and music box. The whole song is very un-Fleetwood Mac which is why I love it so much. Lindsey is playing really electric. Not his usual style and I love it when he plays electric guitar sometimes without his plucking style. Someone once said Stevie plays piano? I do not think she is talented enough to play this song. However even the piano is angry and it sounds NOTHING what Chris would play. Does anyone know who is playing piano? We can assume its Chris but the style and sound is nothing like her. I just can't picture her playing it. Imagine Bella Donna never happened and the band did not have to sort of hide Stevie from overshadowing the band. Just imagine Mirage opening with Smile At You. Her walls were flaming alright. She tells Lindsey he just wanted a woman to depend on him and could not handle a stronger woman. In the end she is yelling MY HEART WAS BROKEN. I do not remember her yelling that at the end of the SYW version.

[sleepless child]

I've always loved Julia. I can't understand why it's never been on an album. Or Chanel, Chanel.

[Villavic]

I loved Think About It from Rumours Expanded Disc 2 (2004) from the first time I heard it. It fits perfect with the late 70s sound. The Bella Donna version is a complete different version, very well aligned to that album. But I like more the Rumours Rough Outtake; it could have been included, if not in the album, at least in a side B single.

[Macfan4life]

I loved Think About It from Rumours Expanded Disc 2 (2004) from the first time I heard it. It fits perfect with the late 70s sound. The Bella Donna version is a complete different version, very well aligned to that album. But I like more the Rumours Rough Outtake; it could have been included, if not in the album, at least in a side B single.
Good one. I forgot about that.
Boy this band was on fire in the mid 70s. Their throwaways were insanely good.

[Street_Dreamer]

I remember folks being very upset with how Smile At You turned out on Say You Will. In my view, it shouldn't have even been in consideration for it in the first place. With Silver Springs, the song was fully produced and fully intended to be on Rumours. It just didn't end up being on the album.

I just listened to it yesterday and can see how people could dislike the end result. Everyone loves/loved the fire and passion from the Smile At You demo but it's impossible to take a song like that at that time was 20 years old and try to recreate it in a modern way. Thankfully, we got a clean release of the demo on the Rumours Super Deluxe package.

[Villavic]

I just listened to it yesterday and can see how people could dislike the end result. Everyone loves/loved the fire and passion from the Smile At You demo but it's impossible to take a song like that at that time was 20 years old and try to recreate it in a modern way. Thankfully, we got a clean release of the demo on the Rumours Super Deluxe package.

Rumours? I have Smile At You outtake from Mirage Deluxe. I didn't get it in the Rumours Expanded nor the 35th Anniversary release. Was it in another Rumours re release?

However I found this demo in YouTube, different from the one I got in Mirage Deluxe. It's not from the official Mac YT and it says "Tusk 1978 outtake". I don't know if that is correct but listening to Stevie's voice, you can tell it's from late 70s.

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[Street_Dreamer]

You're right, I got confused. I've been listening to the entire FM catalogue and had things mixed up.

Rumours? I have Smile At You outtake from Mirage Deluxe. I didn't get it in the Rumours Expanded nor the 35th Anniversary release. Was it in another Rumours re release?

However I found this demo in YouTube, different from the one I got in Mirage Deluxe. It's not from the official Mac YT and it says "Tusk 1978 outtake". I don't know if that is correct but listening to Stevie's voice, you can tell it's from late 70s.

[bombaysaffires]

I've always loved Julia. I can't understand why it's never been on an album. Or Chanel, Chanel.

per Stevie Jimmy hated it.

I like it well enough but was honestly never fond of the line "she does two things these days/she does the stars and she does you":eek:

[Macfan4life]

I am not a huge Planets of the Universe fan. However the Mac demo is better than her solo version. Sheryl really cheaped out. Its a generic version. It has no sparkle or exciting twist. I know the song was always passed over because it is an odd song musically. But I think she could of taken it to an amazing level with different people around her.
Having said that, the Dance version to Planets is insanely good. I remember when the song was rocking the dance clubs in South Beach right before 9/11.

[BrownEyedGirl26]

Rumours? I have Smile At You outtake from Mirage Deluxe. I didn't get it in the Rumours Expanded nor the 35th Anniversary release. Was it in another Rumours re release?

However I found this demo in YouTube, different from the one I got in Mirage Deluxe. It's not from the official Mac YT and it says "Tusk 1978 outtake". I don't know if that is correct but listening to Stevie's voice, you can tell it's from late 70s.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z3ilSbw_1T4?si=O9Ay7AyIeQBsgOOM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I remember the first time I heard this song, a long time ago, and how I played it over and over again!

I was just mesmerised by the perfect timing of Stevie's voice, the haunting piano and Lindsey's searing guitar playing.

"I should of turned around and ran as fast as I can" (Wrong tense here, but we love her for it!) I always think that means that she wished she had ran away as fast as she could of, when she found out about the "willing little one".

This is the perfect song about intense love, in my opinion.:o

[Macfan4life]

I remember the first time I heard this song, a long time ago, and how I played it over and over again!

I was just mesmerised by the perfect timing of Stevie's voice, the haunting piano and Lindsey's searing guitar playing.

"I should of turned around and ran as fast as I can" (Wrong tense here, but we love her for it!) I always think that means that she wished she had ran away as fast as she could of, when she found out about the "willing little one".

This is the perfect song about intense love, in my opinion.:o
I like the Mirage version better. This is more than a demo because notice her voice fades out after the first verse "i wont be staying." I think that shows there was some production done to this version. I agree its about intense love but intense love gone bad. She is very vulnerable in Silver Springs and is borderline stalkish. But we feel her pain so much we are drawn into her empathy. This version of Smile At You she is coming to terms the relationship is over and looking back with regret. I think this vocal is fantastic. We get a Bella Donna vocal on a Mac track. I still cannot picture Chris playing this piano. Anyone else? Not sure why. Its just so not her style. Its a shame with all of these reissues they cannot release these gems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmNYx9JuD_w

[DownOnRodeo]

I am not a huge Planets of the Universe fan.
Having said that, the Dance version to Planets is insanely good. I remember when the song was rocking the dance clubs in South Beach right before 9/11.

Yes ,the club remix was so good, like the song finally found its groove. (Although I also think the TISL album version is a success, and Lindsey praised their handling of it as well.)
The club mix is pure late teens nostalgia for me now, yet of course the underlying song had a cachet of nostalgia even then.

[Villavic]

Having said that, the Dance version to Planets is insanely good.

When I read this with the uppercase D, I thought there was a The Dance rehearsal with this song :) , but now I know you meant a mix. Is this the version you are talking about? Or which one?

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[DownOnRodeo]

Is this the version you are talking about? Or which one?

Sorry Villavic, took me a while to sit down and listen to the different versions.

The one I used to listen to all the time is called the Tracy Young club mix.


Macfan4life, you might appreciate the TISL album version better in its extended single edit, which has the more dramatic parts that appeared in the club mixes.

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[cbBen]

"Garbo"

It's a Wild Heart b-side but, from the musicians, one can tell it was recorded during the Bella Donna sessions.

"Sleeping Angel" a close second.

[Macfan4life]

When I read this with the uppercase D, I thought there was a The Dance rehearsal with this song :) , but now I know you meant a mix. Is this the version you are talking about? Or which one?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p7Fo4j4GQkQ?si=fBYDSV6EkFPmmeHC" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
No, I meant the dance version, not The Dance version :lol:

I don't think they practiced it for The Dance anyway

[Macfan4life]

Sorry Villavic, took me a while to sit down and listen to the different versions.

The one I used to listen to all the time is called the Tracy Young club mix.


Macfan4life, you might appreciate the TISL album version better in its extended single edit, which has the more dramatic parts that appeared in the club mixes.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JtrjLjf0myo?si=DdZRrKJfFoL8_C_9" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Its ok. IMHO TISRL is my least favorite Stevie solo album. Street Angel is better. Its just so over produced. Nothing daring. No dramatic drumming or guitar. Its very stale and safe. It has a few good songs. Planets is maybe meh. Most of the songs sound similar in a boring kind of way.

[anusha]

Oh, I love this topic. I think, like a lot of performers/songwriters, Stevie definitely had a peak period, where a lot of what she was doing was excellent. One song that I think really was incredible was the version of The Dealer that was recorded around Tusk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h8gFTqP6n4&list=RD1h8gFTqP6n4&start_radio=1


I didn't like most of the versions on 24K -- I think it's hard to replicate the vulnerability in her voice 30+ years later. That said, the stripped down nature of the demo is part of the appeal of this song, so unless it got the same kind of production that Storms or Beautiful Child got, maybe I wouldn't have liked it as a fully produced song?

[David]

It’s a shame that such a brief, powerful tune like CANDLEBRIGHT was never put on a 1970s Mac album. No song was ever more Mac (or Buckingham Nicks, I should say). By the time Stevie got around to recording it for 2001, it had lost something.

SECRET LOVE would have been a good Tusk or Mirage track (instead of that stupid STRAIGHT BACK). SABLE ON BLOND, which already has Mick drumming and sounds like DREAMS, would have been good on Mirage. Then she could have sung it live in 1982.

Instead of AFFAIRS OF THE HEART (snooze fest), Mac should have recorded LONG WAY TO GO for a rocker/raveup. Vito could have wailed on that instead of turning it over to Rupert Hine. Behind the Mask needed it. FREEDOM didn’t cut it.

[Street_Dreamer]

I've been listening to the entire FM catalogue and have been having similar thoughts. She had a good run of great songs from 1975 to 1982 particularly the first three Fleetwood Mac albums she participated in. Her "weakest" song between Fleetwood Mac, Rumours and Tusk is probably I Don't Want To Know. It's not a bad song but when you compare it to all the others from that period, it doesn't have the power/impact.

Oh, I love this topic. I think, like a lot of performers/songwriters, Stevie definitely had a peak period, where a lot of what she was doing was excellent.

[Villavic]

Her "weakest" song between Fleetwood Mac, Rumours and Tusk is probably I Don't Want To Know. It's not a bad song but when you compare it to all the others from that period, it doesn't have the power/impact.

Yes, I've never been crazy about IDWK. We all know why they chose it instead of Silver Springs. But was it the right decision to choose it, instead of Think About It or Planet of the Universe? I think TAI would have been a good choice too.

[bwboy]

Its ok. IMHO TISRL is my least favorite Stevie solo album. It has a few good songs. Planets is maybe meh. Most of the songs sound similar in a boring kind of way.

Planets of the Universe is probably my favorite song from not just that album, but also from that whole latter day period. The extended version especially. I believe the song was nominated for a Grammy. I wish a video of the single had been made.

[bombaysaffires]

"Garbo"

It's a Wild Heart b-side but, from the musicians, one can tell it was recorded during the Bella Donna sessions.

"Sleeping Angel" a close second.

Agree on Garbo.

[Macfan4life]

Planets of the Universe is probably my favorite song from not just that album, but also from that whole latter day period. The extended version especially. I believe the song was nominated for a Grammy. I wish a video of the single had been made.
Yeah she made a horrible video for that horrible song Everyday.
I don't hate Planets. When the album came out it was one of my favorites. All they did was copy Lindsey. I thought after all these years someone with creativity could have taken that song to the next level. It just seems stuck in demo form IMHO. It needs a better drum track and transition to chorus. It fits the mode of all the other songs which is BORING ;)

[BLY]

I think Plantets (Extended Version) from TSL is a classic version and would have fit into a MAC release.
Sleeping Angel and Battle of Dragon could have been great additions.
I Don’t Want to Know is in my top 10 MAC/ Stevie songs and it was a great substitute for Silver Springs. I agree there were many well written and recorded tracks by them from 1975-1983

[HomerMcvie]

I think Plantets
I Don’t Want to Know is in my top 10 MAC/ Stevie songs and it was a great substitute for Silver Springs. I agree there were many well written and recorded tracks by them from 1975-1983

IDWTK has always been one of my favorite FM songs, too.
The solo at the end is the very first guitar solo I ever learned. It's a fantastic pop song that fit the album perfectly, and Stevie is a fukcing loon for hating on it.