Battle of the Dragon

[Sleeping Angel]

I was wondering if anyone has heard this song played live and/or the demo. I absolutely love everything about it...the lyrics, the music, the harmonizing at the end. I think its great and I just wondered if Stevie ever performed it live, which I think would be great. Any other bigs fans of the song out there?

yeah, i loved this song when it came out in 1986... i listened to it over and over again to make the words out. thank God Stevie put the lyrics in the box set. I don't believe she has ever done this song live...i've never seen it printed on any set list. There's also a version (demo) as a duet between her and Tom Petty.

[rhiannon1119]

I am a big fan of this song. I really like it, but have never heard it live. It would be cool though.

Michelle

was this song even in the movie ("American Anthem")??? I remember a long time ago i watched the movie and didn't recall hearing it....Maybe it was left on the cutting room floor and only found its way onto the soundtrack?

[Sleeping Angel]

Yeah, probably not. Just thought I'd see if I missed something. Maybe since it was not on a regular album (just for a movie) she never considered performing it live. Actually, I've never seen American Anthem (I think that's what it's called???) so I don't even know if the song plays during the movie or not.

Also, I wanted to see what other people thought of this song, since it is not one her more well-known songs. She's got that rhaspy RAL sound going on, which I LOVE!

And thanks for the welcome, Adam. Glad to be here and talk about my favorite lady! (Well...famous lady, anyway).

[Sorcerer386]

There are so many great songs Stevie hasn't done live, simply because she's scared to roam from her regular set list. That's why I loved the Enchanted set list so much...since it was a box set, we heard a lot of different songs live. I thought Enchanted was the perfect chance to do Ooh My Love live, but she didn't. This tendency to stick to the old set list was strictly apparent on the Rock a Little tour when she even dropped two newer songs to stick to the older songs (If Anyone Falls and Gypsy). So, it's really not too surprising that she's never done Battle of the Dragon. Even for TISL she skipped over her later work, only one from RAL and none of OSOTM or Street Angel (although I doubt she'll EVER do a song from Street Angel again). I was actually surprised she kept Enchanted in the set list...that's a great live song.

Welcome to the Ledge!

[David]

Originally posted by Sleeping Angel
Also, I wanted to see what other people thought of this song, since it is not one her more well-known songs. She's got that rhaspy RAL sound going on, which I LOVE!

I dig "Battle of the Dragon," too, although it's been years since I've played it. We might have heard it live at some point because the song was originally supposed to be on the "Rock a Little" album. But once that idea was scrapped & it was recorded for "American Anthem," the song sort of disappeared (as songs on movie soundtracks tend to do).

[stevierocks87]

I LOVE Battle of the Dragon! Its great! I also downloaded an alternate/demo version with Tom Petty, but I must tell you the original version is much, much better- her voice is very shaky in the alt. version. great song!

adam

[Joseph Corkill]

Was this the song on the "Heavy Meatal" Soundtrack?

I am not sure.

Arnold

[Sleeping Angel]

I think the boxed set just says "American Anthem".

I've never heard the demo with Tom. I bet it's not as good. I like Tom and all, but this song is perfect as released.

This song should have been on RAL. I think it would have fit right in and it deserves more exposure (in my humble opinion). And David, you go listen to it!!! It should be a regular on your list!!! (again...in my humble opinion).

Yes, I agree that Stevie isn't one to branch out or go out on a limb and perform a song. She's always said that she is nervous on stage so that is probably the reason she sticks to what she KNOWS people like and what she KNOWS she will perform well. Can't fault her for that. However, with this song I think it could have been great live. For instance, some of the live Talk to Me performances really demonstrate her "ad libs" and it comes off well. BOD could have been like that.

Originally posted by Joseph Corkill
Was this the song on the "Heavy Meatal" Soundtrack?

I am not sure.

Arnold

No...you're thinking of "Blue Lamp" which was on the "Heavy Metal" Soundtrack....which, incidentally was performed on a couple of the Bella Donna shows.

Also, what about "Gold and Braid" was performed on the Bella Donna tour and that wasn't even released. It just goes to show you that early on in her solo career she seemed to have more guts to do stuff people weren't all too familiar with. I don't know what happened over the years.

I, too, loved the Enchanted shows cause she did a lot of stuff rarely performed. Honestly, at this point in time i would love to hear a different set list from her.

As far as BOTD....I loved it, still do though it's a little intense to listen to often, and i thought it deserved to be on RAL than some of the songs that made it.

[sodascouts]

Originally posted by joe


No...you're thinking of "Blue Lamp" which was on the "Heavy Metal" Soundtrack....which, incidentally was performed on a couple of the Bella Donna shows.

Also, what about "Gold and Braid" was performed on the Bella Donna tour and that wasn't even released. It just goes to show you that early on in her solo career she seemed to have more guts to do stuff people weren't all too familiar with.

"Gold in Braid" is one of my favorite songs of Stevie's - it makes me wanna dance! I had so hoped she would do it for TISL...delustional, I know. lol Blue Lamp is another fave, but I have to say "Battle of the Dragon" is my third favorite Stevie solo song. I like the intensity of it. "And when your friends start asking you why...you just pretend, don't say nothing!"