Which "Silver Springs" Do You Prefer? Live Or Studio?

[wondergirl9847]

The Dance version is my fave version of the song...it's GREATNESS!! The studio version is nice, but she sounds so great on The Dance!! The way her whole face shivers when she screams "NEVER GET AWAY, NEVER GET AWAY, NEVER GET AWAY!!!!!!" Yeah, it rocks!!

[EnchantedStorms]

Originally posted by shackin'up
That's perfectly my vision on this matter, well said!

Thank you, shackin'up.


~Angela~

[Sleeping Angel]

I know the thread is live v. studio...but I have to mention the demo of Silver Springs. That one also gives me chills..."I cast a spell on you...you won't forget me." Her voice sounds so sweet but her words are so cutting. I love it!

[celestenadia]

Hello Fellow Ledgies,
It's neat that so many of you have shared.
It's tough not to let the live Dance video
influence an opinion on "live" versus "studio"
for "Silver Springs"... I'm coming from a strictly
audio perspective... I find myself popping in
the VBOFM studio version since that's the
newest version we have of the song and
Stevie's vocal outro is mighty cool. When
I want to SEE "Silver Springs" I put in the
video

[Mac Fan]

I haven't heard the studio version yet, but I love the version from The Dance.

[Sorcerer386]

Actually, while we have a thread about Silver Springs, I might as well ask this. Does anyone find it odd that she says, "Time casts a spell on you, but you won't forget me"? If time IS casting a spell, it would be that he wouldn't forget her, so why "but"? Is it in fact "but" in there? I always say "that" because it makes more sense, unless there's something I'm missing.

[Mad4stevie]

Originally posted by Sorcerer386
Actually, while we have a thread about Silver Springs, I might as well ask this. Does anyone find it odd that she says, "Time casts a spell on you, but you won't forget me"? If time IS casting a spell, it would be that he wouldn't forget her, so why "but"? Is it in fact "but" in there? I always say "that" because it makes more sense, unless there's something I'm missing.

I have always wondered that myself! It is a "but" in the lyrics and it doesn't really make sense that way to me . . . I don't know if the "time" Stevie is referring to is something like their (Stevie and Lindsey) time to be together is up (i.e. a bad spell was cast), "but" even though they are through, he won't forget her - or something like that!!

From a pure audio stance, I have to go with the studio version. I love The Dance version, too, but that is more because of the video that goes with it. Seeing the passion in Stevie's eyes as she sings "Never get away, never get away, never get away" at the end is what first captivated me with Stevie and the Mac. But I think that Stevie's passion in her voice is at least as powerful in the studio version at the end when she sings "Give me just a chance", etc. I also have heard a long outtake version where the chorus just repeats itself and Stevie's voice sounds a little horse. I have also heard the original piano demo, which I would recommend to anyone who has a special place in their heart for this song!

I have seen references to a "live" version from 1975, but I haven't heard it, so I can't comment on that . . . but the studio version wins my vote!!

[Johnny Stew]

Originally posted by Sorcerer386
I always say "that" because it makes more sense, unless there's something I'm missing.

I've wondered the same thing, re: why she sings "but" vs. "that."
"That" makes more sense, and, like you, it's the word I use when I sing-along with Mitch... er, Stevie.



Johnny Stew

[Josh2003]

Maybe the "spell" to which Stevie is referring is the natural spell of forgetting that time normally enduces. You know, "time does have a habit of healing"....in that case, the but makes sense...he cannot forget her, even though time is moving on.

[PenguinHead]

Josh, you have succeeded in making sense of Stevie's often perplexing word choices!

I think it's unfair to compare studio and live versions of songs. They are completely different animals! Ever since Go Your Own Way was released as a single, the Silver Springs b-side had been a much-coveted secret gem in group's catalog of songs. Given it's stellar Rumours-era production and Stevie's sweet, impassioned vocals, the studio version just has a magical sparkle to it.

They performed the song on rare occurances in 1976/77. With no backup singers/muscians, this version was more stripped down, with a heavier guitar sound. Stevie's vocals were more raw, but equally impassioned. Notably, she ended the song with the lyric "Even though he tried, even though he tried." (Presumably referring to "He'll never get away."

The Dance version shouldn't be judged against the studio version. The band was 21 years older, and had assistance with background singers and musicians. A great live performance! It certainly served to peak the interest of old and new fans. Still, I consider the definative version of Silver Springs to be the original studio version.

[David]

Originally posted by PenguinHead
Given its stellar Rumours-era production and Stevie's sweet, impassioned vocals, the studio version just has a magical sparkle to it.

In my opinion, the studio track is one of the finest put-together tracks not just in Fleetwood Mac's history but in rock history altogether. It's the kind of production that stacks up against the best arrangements of the Beatles, like "We Can Work It Out" & "Ticket to Ride." Every last instrumental element in "Silver Springs" seems designed to transport the poignancy & lyricism Stevie intended directly to the listener's ear, without calling undue attention to itself in isolation. It's a really perfect example of the band's fabled understatement & subtlety as musicians & producers at that time.

If you have a knack & an inclination for that sort of thing, you can spend days or even weeks with the DVD-A of "Silver Springs," picking out piece by piece of acoustic guitar filigree or piano runs or even bass lines, just for the sheer joy of it.

The performance of it for the reunion had its own power, but more of a cumulative power of Stevie's passionate vocals & the very minimalist instrumental performance by the band, which was beautiful in its own way but played far more of a supporting role in the song than the instrumentals did in the original recording.

The song has so many strengths. Has Stevie ever written a more beautiful melody than the one she wrote for the verses? It's this cascading Puccini-like thing that is so gorgeous.

[estranged4life]

the studio version...Obviously...lol...Brian J.

[FiercestCalmSea]

Ok,maybe my perspective is a little off...but i have always understood the "but" part as like:time cast a spell on you,meaning time may have temporarily erased her from his mind..BUT...you won't forget me..EVER,lol...jusy my 2 cents,lol..

[Sorcerer386]

AH! Okay, I understand now. Thank you Josh and Fiercest!

[Johnny Stew]

Originally posted by Josh2003
Maybe the "spell" to which Stevie is referring is the natural spell of forgetting that time normally enduces. You know, "time does have a habit of healing"....in that case, the but makes sense...he cannot forget her, even though time is moving on.

Well, dang... her choice of words makes perfect sense now!

I've been listening to this song for 15 years, and all this time I've wondered why she chose to sing "but."

I can be a dunderhead sometimes.



Johnny Stew