Is Stevie Happy?
 

So I watched a ton of youtube interviews of Stevie yesterday and there's one thing she said that I can't stop thinking about - the interviewer asked her if she was happy and she responded that she was not but was as happy as she could be being someone in her position (famous, etc). I interpreted that as meaning she's not particularly happy as a person but that she's accepted this as her life and that's the price of fame. Anyway it got me thinking...first of all, I wonder if she's happy today and secondly, what does happiness really mean to you since I've been asking myself that question a lot lately.

Now I know this is all just speculation and there is no correct answer but I just thought I would ask you all your thoughts on happiness in general and how it relates to Stevie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owcsa6gPFpc

I think you especially have to take into account the events of the late '80s. Fleetwood Mac was at the height of it's unhealthy excesses... every single member was imploding and in very dark places. Stevie had been in multiple famous relationships in the '80s that failed. She apparently had chosen to end several pregnancies... which weighed heavily on her. This is probably the lowest point in her interactions with Lindsey... and Stevie has always seemed to derive much of her happiness from how stable her relationship with Lindsey is. She had just gone through at least one round of grueling rehab for cocaine (some reports point to her doing 2 rounds). Klonopin was zapping her brain out. I have to imagine at this point in her life, Stevie probably felt like she'd succeeded at fame, but failed at so much personally. I could easily understand how she'd say "I'm happy considering..."

But is Stevie happy this day and age? I think she loves her life. If she didn't, she'd have pulled a Garbo long ago and retired and completely dropped out of public sight. She says again and again that being a rock star is the best possible career in the world, and I think she means it. I don't think she's really sacrificed her chances at love and family for her career. If those were really important to her, she could even now put her career on hold and just ride off into the sunset with someone. She clearly loves being a rock star first and foremost. And I think in this day and age she's got her priorities lined up much better, too. I think she's having her cake and eating it too.

I think Stevie is happy. She's excited. She made a bold decision not touring with the Eagles. That shows someone who is comfortable in her skin. She knows who she is and what she wants to do. And she is smiling a lot. Lets face facts. She has alot to be happy about. Time has been kind to Stevie. She didn't excatly fade away like a lot of the others and she loves her new album and the had a great experience making it.

I think Stevie's enjoying being this sort of Rock Institution / Legend, I think she's really happy that she's hit "Icon" status, and I think it shows with how she personally interacts with the younger generation of female singers.

I think this is the interview you were talking about. I love this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owcsa...eature=related

Yes, thank you! :xoxo:

Definitely the klonipin days so I'm sure that was a major contributing factor in her response.

Anything for someone who likes 'The Nightmare' as much as I do :)

She probably wasn't terribly happy back then, for all of the reasons everyone has mentioned.

These days, though, she probably is basically happy. I think for most people, happiness is based on feeling productive and having fulfilling relationships, and Stevie has those things. I think she's proud of her music and her legacy, and although she isn't romantically involved (that we know of), she is surrounded by lifelong friends.

That said, I think she still struggles with the fact that she never had children or a husband. She's recognizes that she would not have been a good parent in the '80s or early '90s, but some things she's said over the years make me think it's still a regret. It must be especially painful that so many male rock stars her age are having young children now. Mick, Lindsey, Stewarts Rod and Dave--all get to have it all in their golden years.

Nowadays, I think Stevie is very happy. But obviously, not so much in the late 80's to the early 90's.
I think IYD will give her strength to pursue happiness in her life. Just look at all the new friends she has made with making the album.