The Dealer a/k/a Mistress Of My Fate
 

This is one of my very favorite unreleased Stevie songs. Does anyone know the date that this song was written? There seem to be so many demo versions out there - from fast, upbeat songs to slow demos. I just heard an acappella version today for the first time. Very cool!

Can someone enlighten me on the background of this song?

One of my fave demos!!
 

I LOVE this song to DEATH and it KILLS me she didn't put it on Belladonna because it would SO fit in that country-ish sound the album has. Take off Think About It or something and add The Dealer!! ACK!!

Anyways...sorry, I can't help ya with dates and stuff, but I just wanted to say, I LOVE the acapella version of the demo!!

I like this song, too, especially the last few lines.
People will think I'm nuts for thinking this, but I have a feeling she might not release The Dealer. IMO Stevie is self-conscious enough to worry that critics will look at the title and say this song is all about her drug addiction, and I think she tires of hearing about that.
Still, it's a great song, and I hope she does release it.

- Jake

Christy, Think about It is perfect.
Just had to remind you.:wavey:

- Jake

Jake...
 

She could change the title to Mistress of My Fate, Card Shark (LOL!!) or something and THEN release it!!

Huh uh.
 

I don't care for it...sowee. The Dealer....WAAAAAAYYYYY better, IMO.

Re: Jake...
 

I agree she could & maybe should. I just don't think she would, this being Ms. Worrywart Nicks we're discussing.

- Jake

Re: Huh uh.
 

I respect your opinion, but do think about it.:) (You know it's not as bad as it seems.)

- Jake

I could be mixing things up, but I thought I remember hearing about some kind of controversy with this song. Something about the lyrics? Can anyone fill me in, or am I just making stuff up in my head?!?

Re: One of my fave demos!!
 

As far as Think About It goes, I like the early demo with FM way better than the Belladonna version. I really don't like the middle part (And your heart says 'Danger"! And your heart says whatever . . .). I just think it throws the whole song off.

There is also the Master Of My Fate version with Tom singing the lead which ruins the song IMO (no disrespect to Tom). It just doesn't work. My guess is that it was probably from around 76-80 although I have nothing to base that on. The earliest version that I have of it, I think, is the one with the girls backing her and the tick-tock sound, which I believe is also known as a click track(anyone?). If it had been released on Bella in '81 and was called The Dealer, it would probably have served to make it only more popular back then. The Heartbreakers just smoke on this song, especially Stan Lynch, IMO. That could have something to do with why it hasn't been released. The magic of those early sessions with Petty, The Heartbreakers and pretty much a who's who of all the best side players would be hard to replicate. Or, it could be that it's just not time for it to come out yet. :)

Other than the song that Tom sings the lead - are there other versions that Petty plays on? If so, how would I distinguish that one from the others?

The Rumours take has a very Rumours sound as does the Tusk demo. Mick's drums sound loud. Lindsey is playing mostly rhythm guitar as opposed to lead. On the Bella Donna master takes, the sound is much clearer and there is an acapella version. You can hear Tom Petty and Jimmy Iovine talking to Stevie and I think it's in this set of masters where he tells her to shut up. It's not mean, it's kind of funny. The takes are far closer to finished with backing vocals from Stevie and the girls.

Re: Re: One of my fave demos!!
 

I love the vocal on the middle part!
JMO.:)

- Falling Star Jakester

This reminds me that The Dealer versions from Rumours & Tusk have that great twang, and I think an updated version might (unfortunately) lose that sound. I was disappointed that If You Ever Did Believe lost that twang sound in the Practical Magic version. The Dealer and IYEDB have a similar simple sound with the drums and all, and I think producers these days could get carried away embellishing.

- Jake