The story of "Smile At You"

[redbird]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

The song is about Stevie walking in on Don Henley with Cher's sister.

Then why would she say it was pulled from Mirage because it no longer reflected her relationship with Lindsey (per SisterNightroad's post)? Did Lindsey just find it too angry regardless of whom the song was addressed to?

[michelej1]

This was Stevie's quote:

There was also a song called "Smile at You" that I don't think we'll put on. I think Lindsey wants me to record another one and so do I. It's kind of a bitter song and that's really not where any of us are at right now, even thought it's a wonderful song. My songs don't take long to record, so it shouldn't be a problem.

[SisterNightroad]

Thank you Michele, it's the exact quote!
Can I ask which interview it is?

P.S. Found it, it's the interview with BAM Magazine: http://rockalittle.com/bam9-11-81.htm

[BlueLight]

Originally Posted by SisterNightroad

Thank you Michele, it's the exact quote!
Can I ask which interview it is?

P.S. Found it, it's the interview with BAM Magazine: http://rockalittle.com/bam9-11-81.htm

WOW, what a great interview!! I haven't seen this before; thanks for posting!

[sasja]

I interpret that quote as: "We don't think we should put any bitter song in general on this record, because it's going to be a cheerful record -- Fleetwood Mac is in a good place. "

The quote does not imply to me that the lyrics are about Lindsey Buckingham, but rather, that they are bitter in general, and as such the song won't fit the airy Mirage concept, in both their opinions.

I too thought the song was about Stevie, Don Henley and Ms. Lapiere.

[SisterNightroad]

It's very much possible.
However, what is the source of this rumour about Smile at you's origins? About "Stevie, Don Henley and Ms. Lapiere", I mean...

[bombaysaffires]

So many of the classic Stevie quotes that have been reprinted over and over for years have come out of that interview.

She was still somewhat deferential to LB at that point. How times have changed.

[michelej1]

I think Stevie and Lindsey were going through a friendly stage at that point in time, because there were earlier interviews around Tusk where her tone about him was completely different. So, she was feeling lovey dovey for that interview, but not so happy with him in interviews before or after.

Michele

[Dreamz19]

Originally Posted by sasja

I interpret that quote as: "We don't think we should put any bitter song in general on this record, because it's going to be a cheerful record -- Fleetwood Mac is in a good place. "

The quote does not imply to me that the lyrics are about Lindsey Buckingham, but rather, that they are bitter in general, and as such the song won't fit the airy Mirage concept, in both their opinions.

I too thought the song was about Stevie, Don Henley and Ms. Lapiere.

This is exactly what I took from the quote as well.

[PenguinHead]

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

not necessarily true, especially as time has gone on. Stevie used to give Lindsey her raw songwriting demos... i.e. just her on the piano and he arranged it from the ground up. After they split she started making more 'elaborate' demos with other people, i.e. with more musicians and instruments and backing vocals etc. She tried to bring in demos that represented more accurately her vision for where she wanted the song to go. Lindsey would often have his own ideas and hence the tensions would begin anew. In many recent interviews Lindsey talks about how Chris sent him tapes of stuff in various stages of development and just told him 'do whatever you want with them' which he admittedly LOVED. He wants to do the same again for Stevie but she has resisted so far. It is ironic that he now wants to do this "for" Stevie, and says it would make him happy to do this for her again, when for years and years he talked about how much he resented as he said "having to DO for her" i.e. arrange all her music etc. How he was having to produce her songs and make them hits. This was the crux of his 'trying to be your better self' and 'put your emotions in one corner of the room and get on with your process in the other part of the room' . She got the message, and now he wants nothing more than to work on her songs unrestricted.

I think we are both overthinking. Take consideration that Lindsey doesn't have any emotional baggage with Christine. Also, Stevie and Christine are polar opposite personalities.

From the very beginnings of their musical pursuits, Stevie has relied on Lindsey to develop/produce her songs, It is my assumption that it's still his intention to do the best he can with Stevie's raw material; he wants her to be happy. Though Lindsey has become more insular in his work, I find it hard to believe that he completely shuts her out of the process. Take into account that he is carrying most of the weight in the band, and is responsible for keeping things moving forward. Stevie has the least amount of responsibilities. I suspect they both have strong passive aggressive tendencies, and that causes a lot of friction.

There's no doubt that she depends of him to produce her songs, but she resents that he is captain of the ship. It's not as if Stevie has absolutely no say in the creative process of her songs. Nor does she refute Lindsey's talent has benefited her songs. But she can be spiteful. I think her issues have to do with the disruptions the band has had on her solo career, where she has free rein/complete freedom and answers to no one. And the fact that she is a certifiable eccentric drama queen.