Desert Angel
 

This is probably my second, and very close to #1 favorite Stevvie solo song, behind Kind Of Woman. The reason is, for me I look at is as she wrote this kick ass song with so much passion and feeling at a time when she herself was going through a terrible time in her personal life. Every time I listen to it, I can feel her incredible passion and caring for our american soldiers. I want to make it clear that this is not a commentary on any political aspect of why she may have written it, but the thing I like is she really doesn't take a political side on the matter. Stevie just wants our troops to do their job and come home safe, which is what we all want. I'm curious to hear people's response to this. Thanks

To me Stevie's voice kind of drones on this song and it isn't one of my favorites. However, now that we are in another war I think of it often and keep meaning to play it. I always found it very moving despite not being crazy about its sound.

I know some don't care for this song, but I agree with you in that it is so full of emotion. I never really grasped the idea of singers approaching a song as an actor would a role, but to me Stevie totally convinces me she is longing for her father, husband, son to come home safely. I think the vocals are awesome too. Desert Angel definitely doesn't get the love it deserves, IMO.

I love this song all the way up until the "Operation Desert Shield!" part.

that's one of my favorite parts...lol

just goes to show you how music touches people differently

response.
 

Amen. I mean if we all agreed on everything, what fun would that be? :D

I think Desert Angel is awful and pales in comparison to Battle of the Dragon. The only thing that I actually like about the song is the imagery of the "stars falling into pieces". She's so good with lyrics - but I prefer when she uses metaphors and only alludes to dark or sad realities of life like she did with Illume. Another song of her's that I love.

Same here! I even made an edit of it, omitting the "Operation Desert Shield! Operation Desert Storm!" lines... and that's the version I listen to now.

Otherwise, I love it.

response
 

Hey that's totally cool. I see where youre coming from on Illume and Battle Of The Dragon though, another 2 in my top 10 for sure :]

Another song that I love. I thought this was so great when I first heard it and it will be a favorite for a long time.

Its funny I like SIAB and DA so much more than LAHGTP. I actually have LAHGTP.

Well...I dunno if I still hate this song as I used to. It's growing on me a bit, but damn, it's still my least favorite song of hers. It will always be, probably. :cool:

I'm falling asleep just thinking about that!

That's a nice way to look at it. I've come to appreciate her intent with this song.

I still think it's the worst Stevie-penned song she's ever recorded, though.

wow - it's amazing the extremes on this song. or maybe I'm just a Stevie lush.

I remember the first time I heard this song, I got chills and still do. I agree that it's not as good as Battle of the Dragon, one of my all-time favs, but I think it is a great song and her lyrics, to me, are so moving.

I like it up to the part where she says: "I was born in the desert, so I know how it feels there"

I mean this with the utmost love and affection....

Jackass. :p :laugh:

:lol: :lol:

Actually I don't even like that much. I think the music is awful.

right back atcha! Sorry, I'm suprised anyone likes this song! To all who do, might I say, with love and affection....Jackasses. :laugh: :wavey:

:lol: :laugh: :lol: :laugh: :lol:

I really like this song (except for the bridge).

really? Damn, who would've guessed that? Not me. I still don't quite believe it. :xoxo:

I feel the same way. :] <-- an underused smiley

Yeah, freeeeky huh?

Seriously! I love the two verses... the "in the deserrrrrtt" part.... the "well, I live below" part..... The "operation desert _______ " is kinda cheezy, but I can handle it.

You can really hear the klonopin on "Ooh, angels in waitinnnnnng.... just the fa-ces-of-yooo-ou" (boy is that labored or what?).

Benmont's piano is awesome.

Compare this to "Sometime's It's a Bitch" (which I actually listened to the other day :eek: ). My gawd, that song sucks ass.

Ah, I love Sometimes It's a Biatch. I tried to listen to DA again, but I couldn't. I just couldn't get through. I felt imminent suffocation with each passing moment of the song. Very weird. It's nice some people like it, though, I guess. Unless it somehow encourages STevie to make more like it. :D

God I really hate it. It is not the worst thing she has ever done but it is up there. I hate the "OPERATION DESERT ANGEL..." part so much!

I was pretty shocked she included it on Enchanted. What was she thinking? :( Sorry.

I, too, love the Bitch. Maybe it was leftover from my Bon Jovi obsession in 8th grade? :shrug:

If that's not the worst thing she's ever done, I'm really curious as to what you think is the worst thing. Seriously. :)
Yeah, maybe. I know a lot of people don't like it, though. But it fits right in with the STevie-ness of Stevie, for me. I mean, you can totally scream it when you're upset, and it works. Because, lot's of times, it is a Bitch. :shrug:

Love It
 

I think it's one of the pinnacles of Stevie's art. It's masterly from top to bottom & from side to side. I find it totally compelling & musically awe-inspiring. It's essentially the same chord progression as "Dreams," but it creates an entirely different atmosphere. My favorite moment is the descending instrumental cascade underlying the "faces of you" verse. The vocal harmonies in the 'Operation Desert Angel' bridge are chilling -- a combination of Stevie's own harmonies & Sharon's singing.

One flaw: it ends on the tonic rather than on the major 6th.

I love this song. I get chills whenever I hear the "Where is my father, and where is my son?" part. I just adore this song. I almost like the fact that only a few people appreciate the song. A lot of people don't "get it" or feel that it "sucks" but I think it is a masterpiece.

And I don't see how anyone could say this is the worst song she has ever written. It has lots of meaning and substance...

Don't LOVE it, don't despise it. Don't skip it when it plays, rather I think, hmmm, I haven't heard this for a while. Yea, that was ok. Then it doesn't get played again for months.

"Scuse me while I whip this out." I mean the single for a re-listen. :shocked:

same way I feel - too bad others don't feel the same, but that's ok

I guess you and I will hold hands, skip down the road singing "Operation Desert Shield! AHHHHUHHHAHHH Operation Desert Storm!"

......or, maybe not :P

yup...we should start our own DA fan club, lol. I just love the part you quoted here. It's amazing to me.

As far as worst song, hmm, me thinks not. Has anyone heard This Is My Cross To Bear...I think DA is a little higher on the totem pole.

There's a difference between demos and released material. Released material means it went to full completion....Demos can suck because they are unfinished work. Released material should be up to par. So, for me, demos can't be horrible. Desert Angel can be...BECAUSE SHE GAVE THE FINAL GO AHEAD....ugh.

Thanks for the distinction - but I fully understand the difference.

I was referring to the comment of this being Stevie's worst-penned song ever recorded; I wasn't aware it we were sticking to only "released material".

We should start a DA fan club!

The lines are so beautiful, how can someone not love this line:

Where is my father, where has he gone? What is this that's happened here? Is this real? This war, it can't be happening...

I love that part. I think it is one of her most important songs. Certainly better then SIlver Girl, Rock a Little, Love's a Hard Game to Play, Jane, It's Only Love, Destiny, etc. There are tons of songs that are "worse" in my opinion.

I was, too. And it is. :)

That would go to Silver Girl. (Which isn't a horrible song either. Most of her songs are great but there are a few mediocre... SG being one of them)

we'll just agree to disagree :)

see, I like SG too! I do agree, though, that it is probably more on the mediocre side. There are times when I have an urge to listen though. I love the chorus.

Even though I love almost every Stevie song, I would say that this is one of my least favorites. I still listen to it though. The only songs I really do not like and can't get to the skip button fast enough are Destiny and It's Only Love. Just because those songs are pretty bland and there are no "Stevie quirks" in them.

How ? Having studied English Lit and having read real poetry, that's how.

Dreadful lyrics, semi interesting musical interludes, sleep inducing pace, and about one minute of top notch vocal. Great intentions, disastrous product. I put it right down there with Silver Girl. Actually, below Silver Girl.

Good that it does something for someone though !