The "Something Exquisite" appreciation thread
 

I've been listening to this song a lot lately for some reason. Most likely because her lyrics are resonating with me in my own personal life at the moment.

The musicality of it - the oriental feel of the synth, reminds me a lot of "Battle Of The Dragon" even though the two songs sound completely different. But it's the synth here in "Something Exquisite" that sets the tone of the song. I LOVE IT!!! It's catchy and you want more of it, yet it's got a dark undertone - and that fits quite perfectly with the "strange misgiving" lyric.

The lyrics, like any Stevie song, are always up to the individual listener's interpretation. Some if it is quite straightforward while others aren't. Clearly she's infatuated by a new man in her life ("Well I knew that I had come face to face with a stranger, with someone that I knew was crazier that you were...") and likewise she wants him to be just as fascinated with her ("your great eyes looking down, your ways…well, I want to learn them...I want my life to concern him...").

Then there's the train metaphor in the second verse which likens this guy to someone who lives a crazy life (much like her at the time) and doesn't know how to stop. And because of this, she has a "strange misgiving".

"Still on the edge of something exquisite". PERFECT description for anyone who hasn't had very much luck in finding their soul mate because maybe they keep falling in love with the wrong people.

I dunno. All of this is my own silly interpretation. But I just love this song. And I wouldn't mind it if she revisited it in the future, maybe for "SFTV part 2" or a Fleetwood Mac album or something - IF she could improve upon the original, that is. I also wouldn't mind it if better versions of the RAL outtakes were discovered or released on a reissue. I love what we have but I just wish the sound quality was better.

Anyways, what do you guys think of this song? Seeing as how the Stevie forum is in desperate need of new topics, I figured this song would be something fun to discuss. I hardly ever see it brought up here.

You know I just listened to this song the other day, and was thinking something quite similar actually... To me, this song is about taking chances. "If you do not run the race, then you cannot win it ever".

But like you said, there is a dark side, because you cannot get off the train, and if you don't try, then you can't win. So whatever chance you take, be it a relationship, drugs, a new endeavour or what have you, there is the chance that you are on the edge of "Something Exquisite", but also on the edge of something potentially harmful to you. I sense a cautious optimism about this... Like she knows that this thing is beautiful and dangerous, but that she not will be able to stop: "I hear the warning on the wind.. in the dim light of my rooms I sense a strange misgiving".

Personally, the feeling I sense is the feeling you get when the wind picks up right before a great storm, and the black sky is so ominous, like you know what's going to happen but you feel excited, anxious, and fearful.. I don't know. This song is so haunting!

EDIT:: Actually, after just having listened to it, I believe there's a part taken from The Picture of Dorian Gray... I'm not sure where it is or what part, but I will go look, because if I'm correct then Stevie has referenced that book countless of times. Coincidentally, it's one of my very own favourite books, and one that I've read many a time. :)

I kinda always skip over this one I need to go and take a listen

I fell in love with Something Exquisite the first time I heard it. The words make me think of meeting someone, the excitement and wanting that person in your life. Love these lyrics.

And each time thinking
Will this be the one
Great eyes
Looking down
And, your ways
Well, I want to learn them
I want my life
To concern him
Still on the edge of
Something…exquisite…

The sound quality is a bit distracting when trying to listen to the song, still this is definitely one of my favorite songs.

Yes, that's it EXACTLY!!! Great description!!!

I know. :( I really wish we could find a better version somewhere that has that pristine "master reel" quality to it. :shrug:

Just had a listen---great one! Reminds me how great an alternate "Rock a Little" might have been with Battle of the Dragon, Mirror Mirror, Running Through the Garden, etc (Oh- and my favorite version of Lady from the Mountains!)

One of my favourite Stevie solo demos. I have 2 versions of this, I liked the first one I heard but then found a better quality take, she kind of sings some words in a different order and it just fits better.

I always assumed this was about Lindsey - 'Races are Run'... 'Great Eyes'... But then I think all her songs are about him and then find out some weren't at all! :shrug:

I think the first line is her talking TO Lindsey about this new guy she's infatuated with.

"Well I knew that I had come face to face with a stranger, with someone who I knew was crazier than you were..."

But I think the rest of the song is totally about this other "crazy" guy. Because of the time frame, and if I were to guess, I'd say it's most likely about Joe.

Just my opinion, though.

Thanks for the responses and insights, you guys! :)

I love this song, too. I'm always thinking when I listen to it that Stevie wrote this and recorded this after that fight with Lindsey when he quit the group in August 1987. Just speculation of course.

Actually, "Something Exquisite" was a Rock A Little outtake, which predates the big "fight" about 2 or 3 years.

In my personal opinion, I believe this was recorded well after RAL because the version I have starts with the "Cowbell count off" just like "What Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You" does, and that song is documented as a TITN outtake recorded in 1986. So maybe we are both wrong and it was recorded in 1986 as well? Where is Mike Bise when you need him!?! LOL!

In his recount of the Rock a Little sessions on http://stevienicksivorykeys.blogspot.it/ Mike Bise just says this:

Throughout the long process of recording Rock A Little, Stevie continued to write and demo songs in 1985, many of which have never been officially been released, but are greatly loved by her fans:

Ooh Ooh Baby (1985)
Night Gallery (1985)
All These Years
Rock A Bye Baby (1985)
Something Exquisite - Take 1 (1985)
Something Exquisite - Take 2 (1985) - Various SLN Demos 1985-1987

OK well that clears that up then! Thank you! :nod: