Missed Opportunity

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

Agreed. I never knew Stevie turned this song down, but I think she would've done a fantastic job with it.

I dunno... when I hear "Malibu" I think about a tortured soul- Kurt Cobain, specifically. I just think it was too personal for Stevie to take on. It's kind of a heavy song if you think about it; it's about failing to save someone from his personal demons ("..and the sun goes down, I watch you slip away...). TISL just wasn't that kind of album.

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

Sorry but I think Stevie singing DCAHNM would of done better than tom's.

I don't know if it would have been better than Tom's, but it definitely would have been great! Her voice would have been a perfect fit for that song.

I think Stevie would have done just fine with These Dreams. I don't really care for that song on its own and it has nothing to do with Heart, but I'm sure Stevie would have done a good job and made it her own. I'm sure it would have been a hit for her too.

[KarmaContestant]

Just wanted to throw out there that I'm seeing Tom Petty tomorrow. With Regina Spektor - an odd combination if there ever was one. I'm actaully going for Regina - Tom is just an added bonus.

[Christopher]

Regarding "Malibu", Courtney recently was quoted via twitter last year admitting Billy & her wrote the song intending it for Stevie, but then Courtney kept it for herself upon realizing what a gem it was (sorry Stevie). Nobody knows what became of the other Billy/Courtney penned song (When It All Falls Apart) presented to Stevie.
I love "Malibu", and while I think Stevie could have done a great job with it, it became such a quintessential Hole song. Which was also the case of many of these songs that ended up with other artists which Stevie initially passed on, esp during RAL.

I love RAL, I think it's a fantastic record with great songs. Any 1st single Stevie would have released in autumn of 85' would have become a big hit. Radio and fans were anxious for the constantly rescheduled & delayed release of Stevie's 3rd solo record. Imo RAL was Stevie at her most blatantly commercial. "If I Were You", "Some Become Strangers" & even "Sister Honey" could have effortlessly been popular radio fodder in the mid 80's if they were pushed & promoted as singles. RAL was a success, going platinum easily & having a Top 5 song right off the bat while AOR was simultaneously spinning "No Spoken Word" in regular rotation. The real problem with RAL not becoming more successful was because Stevie herself was not healthy & assessable to do adequate promotion & press on the same level as she did with BD & TWH. She filmed 2 videos back to back, did a Jim Ladd radio interview...and then vanished to Australia with Tom Petty & Bob Dylan, shunning the press & media for most of the tour & album.

[HejiraNYC]

^^I think RAL was a great record despite Stevie. As I listen to all of the songs that supposedly comprised the original Mirror Mirror album, I am sooo glad that she/they went in a different direction and sought some external input. Mirror Mirror would have been a massive and utter flop without a single hit single. Obviously, I am not a fan of the demos from this era.

[PolishStevieFan]

I read somewhere that also Madonna's "Crazy For You" was first given to Stevie but she turned it down. When it comes to "These Dreams" I don't think it fits Stevie's style (beside the lyrical content). I can't imagine this particular song being included on "Rock A Little" album. On the other hand the song did wonders for Heart and in a way cemented their comeback effort. I think Stevie turned down this song because it was too obvious for her to record song about "Dreams"-if she had wanted to write song about dreams she could have written it all by herself-not exactly depending on somebody else's visions.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

^^I think RAL was a great record despite Stevie. As I listen to all of the songs that supposedly comprised the original Mirror Mirror album, I am sooo glad that she/they went in a different direction and sought some external input. Mirror Mirror would have been a massive and utter flop without a single hit single. Obviously, I am not a fan of the demos from this era.

"Mirror, Mirror" is a mythical album title perpetuated by some fan or fans that has seemed to stick around like some Stevie urban legend. Yes, of course, Stevie did record that song. But never ever has Stevie mentioned it as being the title of her 3rd record in any interviews dating back to that era. I dare someone to find such article. In fact, all the way back in August of 1983 during TWH promotion and interviews, I read an interview that the associated press picked up on with Stevie within which she added that she was already busy writing material for her next record and had already decided to title it Rock A Little - a song which was already written.

As far as all the songs recorded or demoed during the RAL era, they run quite the gamut. Stevie probably recorded more songs for this record than any before or after. I'm quite fascinated by this era, and the songs that were either discarded or not finished. There are some really good songs which could've/should've been keepers imo. She Loves Him Still, Running Through The Garden & Chanel Chanel immediately spring to mind.
But you're right Stevie needed a strong hit and Jimmy was scouting everywhere possible to turn up something inviting & commercial. Obviously, Stevie & Jimmy were not on the same wavelength. Jimmy thought "Reconsider Me" would have been a big song in Stevie's career. I sometimes wonder if Stevie's relationship & trust in Jimmy had aligned once again, what possible outcomes would have ensued. Would Reconsider Me have been a timeless hit for Stevie? Where upon Talk To Me was a big hit when released, but has not had the timeless classic factor, As it is rarely if ever still played classic rock radio.

[fringed n fab]

Originally Posted by Christopher

"Mirror, Mirror" is a mythical album title perpetuated by some fan or fans that has seemed to stick around like some Stevie urban legend. Yes, of course, Stevie did record that song. But never ever has Stevie mentioned it as being the title of her 3rd record in any interviews dating back to that era. I dare someone to find such article. In fact, all the way back in August of 1983 during TWH promotion and interviews, I read an interview that the associated press picked up on with Stevie within which she added that she was already busy writing material for her next record and had already decided to title it Rock A Little - a song which was already written.

As far as all the songs recorded or demoed during the RAL era, they run quite the gamut. Stevie probably recorded more songs for this record than any before or after. I'm quite fascinated by this era, and the songs that were either discarded or not finished. There are some really good songs which could've/should've been keepers imo. She Loves Him Still, Running Through The Garden & Chanel Chanel immediately spring to mind.
But you're right Stevie needed a strong hit and Jimmy was scouting everywhere possible to turn up something inviting & commercial. Obviously, Stevie & Jimmy were not on the same wavelength. Jimmy though "Reconsider Me" would have been a big song in Stevie's career. I sometimes wonder if Stevie's relationship & trust in Jimmy had aligned once again, what possible outcomes would have ensued. Would Reconsider Me have been a timeless hit for Stevie? Where upon Talk To Me was a big hit when released, but has not had the timeless classic factor, As it is rarely if ever still played classic rock radio.

Oh but when they do, it still sounds so good!

Classic artists would still get much promotion if modern radio weren't the way it is today, mostly playing anyone new.

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by Christopher

"Mirror, Mirror" is a mythical album title perpetuated by some fan or fans that has seemed to stick around like some Stevie urban legend. Yes, of course, Stevie did record that song. But never ever has Stevie mentioned it as being the title of her 3rd record in any interviews dating back to that era. I dare someone to find such article. In fact, all the way back in August of 1983 during TWH promotion and interviews, I read an interview that the associated press picked up on with Stevie within which she added that she was already busy writing material for her next record and had already decided to title it Rock A Little - a song which was already written.

As far as all the songs recorded or demoed during the RAL era, they run quite the gamut. Stevie probably recorded more songs for this record than any before or after. I'm quite fascinated by this era, and the songs that were either discarded or not finished. There are some really good songs which could've/should've been keepers imo. She Loves Him Still, Running Through The Garden & Chanel Chanel immediately spring to mind.
But you're right Stevie needed a strong hit and Jimmy was scouting everywhere possible to turn up something inviting & commercial. Obviously, Stevie & Jimmy were not on the same wavelength. Jimmy though "Reconsider Me" would have been a big song in Stevie's career. I sometimes wonder if Stevie's relationship & trust in Jimmy had aligned once again, what possible outcomes would have ensued. Would Reconsider Me have been a timeless hit for Stevie? Where upon Talk To Me was a big hit when released, but has not had the timeless classic factor, As it is rarely if ever still played classic rock radio.

Well it could be if she would ever promote it. She basically buried the song becuase she didn't write it, she tried to bury Seven Wonders, Stop Dragging My Heart around too with varying succuss.

[Macfanforever]

Originally Posted by fringed n fab

Oh but when they do, it still sounds so good!

Classic artists would still get much promotion if modern radio weren't the way it is today, mostly playing anyone new.

I agree 100 percent.Also most stations are corporate owned by big corp.its not like the old days when radio played everything.Can blame the FCC deregulation with the laxed ownership rules.

[tabruns]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

Heart became successful again, because they quit writing their own material. It was like the best of their writing was gone. They were part of corporate rock. At least they were honest. It kept their career alive and put them into the stratosphere eventhough I like their 70s stuff more. I think These Dreams was a REAL song, and real songs were so rare on rock a little. Nancy fell in love with the song. She had to sing. I'm sure the arrangement stayed pretty much the same as it was presented to Stevie.You can actually hear Stevie have a drug filled breakdown on that album.

People were writing Stevie songs for Rock a Little because the songs she was presenting to Jimmy weren't up to snuff and everybody knew it. He was trying to put together a good record but she was drugged up and full of herfelf, there was not much he could do. What gets me is she had good demos already written and never used them. What the hell was she saving them for. She surely never pulled them out for TOSOTM or Street Angel.

Although, since returning to writing their own songs Heart has produced several stellar albums lately (Jupiters Darling, Red Velvet Car).

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by Christopher

"Mirror, Mirror" is a mythical album title perpetuated by some fan or fans that has seemed to stick around like some Stevie urban legend. Yes, of course, Stevie did record that song. But never ever has Stevie mentioned it as being the title of her 3rd record in any interviews dating back to that era. I dare someone to find such article.

Challenge accepted. From http://www.inherownwords.com/rockalit.htm

I have heard this interview as well, on the radio back when TOSOTM was released, and I bet someone on this forum has the audio or video files to upload.

The Other Side of the Mirror came from…well first it was going to be Mirror Mirror, that was going to be the name of Rock A Little. And then, because the song Mirror Mirror didn't end up going on the record because I didn't like the way it turned out, I changed it to Rock A Little because Rock A Little became the lead song.
~Stevie Nicks, Atlantic Records video interview, 1986

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

Challenge accepted. From http://www.inherownwords.com/rockalit.htm

I have heard this interview as well, on the radio back when TOSOTM was released, and I bet someone on this forum has the audio or video files to upload.

So Stevie was talking about The Other Side Of The Mirror in 1986?? We need to find this interview. Because as I mentioned in my earlier post, When Stevie was interviewed she said she had decided in1983 that her next album was going to be titled Rock A Little. I remember the article vividly, because It didn't sound like a typical Stevie album title, it was peculiar. Maybe she changed her mind & went back and forth between Mirror, Mirror & RAL.

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by Christopher

So Stevie was talking about The Other Side Of The Mirror in 1986?? We need to find this interview. Because as I mentioned in my earlier post, When Stevie was interviewed she said she had decided in1983 that her next album was going to be titled Rock A Little. I remember the article vividly, because It didn't sound like a typical Stevie album title, it was peculiar. Maybe she changed her mind & went back and forth between Mirror, Mirror & RAL.

I believe the date is wrong on that excerpt, but I copy/pasted it. I've definitely heard this, on the radio, in 1989 for certain where she says that The Other Side of the Mirror title is an offshoot of the Mirror Mirror album title that was renamed to Rock A Little.

I think it's likely that Stevie did go back and forth with that title - Rock A Little (the song) was written in 1981, at least, so I'm sure it was on her mind - and was probably going to be on the album that was going to be called Mirror Mirror. But, as she says in this quote, when Mirror Mirror didn't work out as hoped, it was ditched and Rock A Little became, to her at least, the lead song and album title.

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

I believe the date is wrong on that excerpt, but I copy/pasted it. I've definitely heard this, on the radio, in 1989 for certain where she says that The Other Side of the Mirror title is an offshoot of the Mirror Mirror album title that was renamed to Rock A Little.

I think it's likely that Stevie did go back and forth with that title - Rock A Little (the song) was written in 1981, at least, so I'm sure it was on her mind - and was probably going to be on the album that was going to be called Mirror Mirror. But, as she says in this quote, when Mirror Mirror didn't work out as hoped, it was ditched and Rock A Little became, to her at least, the lead song and album title.

The vocal on Mirror, Mirror is excellent, but the lyrics aren't there.