Let's talk about...'Kick It'

[Musicman408]

Love the elephant guitar solo in this song! I know you all know what I'm talking about!

[Musicman408]

The first not of the guitar solo sounds like an elephant!!!

[GoldDustOrphan]

I think "Kick It" is one of Street Angel's best moments, and it's simple resolution of change was a sigh of relief following the numbness the preceded it. Subject-wise, I think her swinging platform boot is connecting with more than just one target - drugs, cycles of destructive behavior, and relationships both personal and professional, because all of those things are connected. The person (or persons) she's leaving is only going to benefit from her departure, because she recognizes that she's an active participant in whatever enabling situation is causing her distress. I think it's less about Fleetwood Mac, and more specifically about an idealized romanticism she actively courted: The High Life, which is defined moreso by excessive wonder than simply drugs or tortured romances with male rock stars.

"Kick It," "Blue Denim," and "Maybe Love" are my favorite tracks on Street Angel, which accurately depicted her state of mind during its belabored recording period, which begs for further investigation. I'm always interested to hear demos, alternate takes, etc. from these sessions because I'm as interested in the process of creating obviously flawed work as much as great work (Why was Inspiration exiled to b-side limbo instead Jane? Why is the album cover art absolute amateur hour in regard to design choice, photography and even technical resolution?)

Missing that one, sure-fire delicate track Stevie always mangages to deliver, Street Angel's quieter tracks comprise the Klonopin Trifecta (Greta, Street Angel and Jane), a trio of equally sluggish, nearly melody-free lost causes. Most of the uptempo rockers (Docklands, Listen to the Rain and Love is Like a River) repeatedly start and stall, each lacking the necessary momentum to actually roll. They're not entirely meritless tracks, but the good bits in each never connect.

Despite overworked production, Unconditional Love's melodic verse finally gives Stevie's voice something sweet to wrap itself around, but the chorus is almost consitpated. (I've heard Susanna Hoffs perform this acoustically, and quite successfully, providing a framework that doesn't induce the kind of strain Stevie endures. Lyrically, Stevie has made prior allusions to drugs, but she's never directly pushed the mirror under our noses, so the directness of Dylan's Just Like a

Woman is interesing, but the presentation is a dirty needle I'd rather not share. She would have benefitted from a stark, haunting arrangement that no one associated with this disc's production is capbable of. (Think Johnny Cash's cover of NIN's Hurt, etc.) I don't mind her recycled lyrics in Destiny, because I don't think she's trying to pull a fast one. She's revisiting something important to her, but with new perspective. I actually prefer the live version from her House of Blues show. Blue Denim, Kick It, Destiny, Rose Garden, and Maybe Love, sound like they belong on the same record and they communicate similar story elements. In regard to sequencing, Kick It should have been the album's closer, if only for its apparent hopefulness.

Jane's inclusion just might the most self-indulgent moment of Stevie's career - and the only time I have ever doubted her sincerity, or been unable to defend her writing. ("The forgotten chimpanzee/In the eyes of the world/You have done so much for me...they might has well put us both into prison...up against the wall Jane.") Her activism began and ended when she composed, performed and released "Jane," and I think the chimps of the world are safer for it. I don't define Street Angel as a failure, because I don't separate it from her body of work.

I'd love to see this material from time period revisited with new production and arrangements, songs, vocals and certainly package design and photography. Even though I'd love to see the entirety of her shoot with David LaChapelle (images below) that were only used for press and one promotional ad. I wonder how she approach some of this material or decisions made with a sober perspective. Would she even include Street Angel and therefore re-title the album? I think we need to start a petition.

Stevie Nicks - Street Angel promo shoot by David LaChapelle

[petep9000]

Originally Posted by GoldDustOrphan

"Kick It," "Blue Denim," and "Maybe Love" are my favorite tracks on Street Angel,

mine too, along with 'Inspiration'

I remember when I heard 'Maybe Love...' on the radio for the first time, I thought for sure she was headed for adult contemporary chart success and that she would rule VH1. I still like that song too, in fact the other day I was listening to my iPod on shuffle and it came on and I smiled. It's a happy song, and to me it speaks a lot about how nice love is.

[Musicman408]

Originally Posted by petep9000

mine too, along with 'Inspiration'

I remember when I heard 'Maybe Love...' on the radio for the first time, I thought for sure she was headed for adult contemporary chart success and that she would rule VH1. I still like that song too, in fact the other day I was listening to my iPod on shuffle and it came on and I smiled. It's a happy song, and to me it speaks a lot about how nice love is.

That's really too bad that it didn't turn out that way!!!

[Travisevian]

Originally Posted by skuncles

There is some thought that the song is about her leaving Fleetwood Mac. Go thru the lyrics again, it fits.

That makes a lot of sense. I'd never thought of it that way.

Originally Posted by Musicman408

The first not of the guitar solo sounds like an elephant!!!

*guffaws*

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

I think she knew after her over the top fairy tale album of Other Side Of The Mirror, and with the end of the idealistic '80s transitioning into the more straight forward '90s, she needed to make a back to basics, straight forward rock album.

I just wish the rock songs on the album were more inspired and better crafted, but other than that I agree with you. Klonopin really ruined what could have been a great rocking album!

[seekerj]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

Hmm, interesting take. If you go through and listen to the lyrics, it certainly could be true. I've always thought it was about kicking the addiction of love. I think perhaps she used her knowledge from Betty Ford and the 12 steps addiction program to draw parallels between addiction to substances and the very real addiction to love and companionship. If you think about it, she really hasn't had any big love affairs since the song was written (that we know of). We know she was absolutely a serial dater in the '70s and '80s, so maybe she realized she had codependence issues? The song is absolutely about her not wanting to be involved with someone/something that wants to be just a bit too involved with her, and demands too high of a rank. Neat to think about what the song could mean, either way!

I definitely think this song is one of the better songs on SA, it was probably the first one I really dug upon hearing the album for the first time. But I definitely am a fan of SA... I think it's an especially undervalued album. In my opinion, it was exactly the right kind of album she needed to make at the time. I think she knew after her over the top fairy tale album of Other Side Of The Mirror, and with the end of the idealistic '80s transitioning into the more straight forward '90s, she needed to make a back to basics, straight forward rock album. She needed to peel away all the shawls, mist, and castles, and I think she did just that. Blue Denim, Kick It, Love Is Like A River, and Listen To The Rain are all great head bobbing rock songs. I for one am very glad that we have Street Angel, even if it includes stinkers like Jane .

I was right there with you all the way through until the last line! I like the album except for a couple of sugary-bubblegum songs that she didn't write. I agree with what you wrote and I like the way you wrote it! But I also like "Jane" very much.

And I like "Kick It" a lot. My favorite line is "I can see you're waited for all over you."

[mikephxaz]

Originally Posted by petep9000

mine too, along with 'Inspiration'

I remember when I heard 'Maybe Love...' on the radio for the first time, I thought for sure she was headed for adult contemporary chart success and that she would rule VH1. I still like that song too, in fact the other day I was listening to my iPod on shuffle and it came on and I smiled. It's a happy song, and to me it speaks a lot about how nice love is.

I completely agree with your thoughts about "maybe love.....". It makes me smile when I hear it...but the rest of the album is nothing more than bad writing and bad production. She should have taken Maybe Love and Blue Denim and Inspiration and threw the rest out and started again. Docklands represents Stevie's worst song ever for me....

[mitzo]

I enjoy Kick It, it has some excitement in the arrangement and production and some Stevie-lyrics that make me smile, she sounds almost like the real Stevie here. The song almost says something.

The album overall is unfortunate.

To me Rose Garden may be the worst thing she has ever done. No, Street Angel. No, wait, Love Is Like a River.... Unconditional Love.... oh dear....

Unlike the rest of the gang on here, I like Jane.

[PenguinHead]

Originally Posted by GoldDustOrphan

I think "Kick It" is one of Street Angel's best moments, and it's simple resolution of change was a sigh of relief following the numbness the preceded it. Subject-wise, I think her swinging platform boot is connecting with more than just one target - drugs, cycles of destructive behavior, and relationships both personal and professional, because all of those things are connected. The person (or persons) she's leaving is only going to benefit from her departure, because she recognizes that she's an active participant in whatever enabling situation is causing her distress. I think it's less about Fleetwood Mac, and more specifically about an idealized romanticism she actively courted: The High Life, which is defined moreso by excessive wonder than simply drugs or tortured romances with male rock stars.

"Kick It," "Blue Denim," and "Maybe Love" are my favorite tracks on Street Angel, which accurately depicted her state of mind during its belabored recording period, which begs for further investigation. I'm always interested to hear demos, alternate takes, etc. from these sessions because I'm as interested in the process of creating obviously flawed work as much as great work (Why was Inspiration exiled to b-side limbo instead Jane? Why is the album cover art absolute amateur hour in regard to design choice, photography and even technical resolution?)

Missing that one, sure-fire delicate track Stevie always mangages to deliver, Street Angel's quieter tracks comprise the Klonopin Trifecta (Greta, Street Angel and Jane), a trio of equally sluggish, nearly melody-free lost causes. Most of the uptempo rockers (Docklands, Listen to the Rain and Love is Like a River) repeatedly start and stall, each lacking the necessary momentum to actually roll. They're not entirely meritless tracks, but the good bits in each never connect.

Despite overworked production, Unconditional Love's melodic verse finally gives Stevie's voice something sweet to wrap itself around, but the chorus is almost consitpated. (I've heard Susanna Hoffs perform this acoustically, and quite successfully, providing a framework that doesn't induce the kind of strain Stevie endures. Lyrically, Stevie has made prior allusions to drugs, but she's never directly pushed the mirror under our noses, so the directness of Dylan's Just Like a

Woman is interesing, but the presentation is a dirty needle I'd rather not share. She would have benefitted from a stark, haunting arrangement that no one associated with this disc's production is capbable of. (Think Johnny Cash's cover of NIN's Hurt, etc.) I don't mind her recycled lyrics in Destiny, because I don't think she's trying to pull a fast one. She's revisiting something important to her, but with new perspective. I actually prefer the live version from her House of Blues show. Blue Denim, Kick It, Destiny, Rose Garden, and Maybe Love, sound like they belong on the same record and they communicate similar story elements. In regard to sequencing, Kick It should have been the album's closer, if only for its apparent hopefulness.

Jane's inclusion just might the most self-indulgent moment of Stevie's career - and the only time I have ever doubted her sincerity, or been unable to defend her writing. ("The forgotten chimpanzee/In the eyes of the world/You have done so much for me...they might has well put us both into prison...up against the wall Jane.") Her activism began and ended when she composed, performed and released "Jane," and I think the chimps of the world are safer for it. I don't define Street Angel as a failure, because I don't separate it from her body of work.

I'd love to see this material from time period revisited with new production and arrangements, songs, vocals and certainly package design and photography. Even though I'd love to see the entirety of her shoot with David LaChapelle (images below) that were only used for press and one promotional ad. I wonder how she approach some of this material or decisions made with a sober perspective. Would she even include Street Angel and therefore re-title the album? I think we need to start a petition.

Stevie Nicks - Street Angel promo shoot by David LaChapelle

Love this! Articulate, well written, and very similar to my perspective.

[Rod~A~Little]

I like Kick It....but I was just hoping the song was going to really "Kick It" with a great title like that.
I just imagined a guitar riff like something from Heart...say Barracuda!

Still, it's probably one of the better ones on SA.

[bombaysaffires]

Sorry, but I find Jane to be just an utter embarrassment....

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

Sorry, but I find Jane to be just an utter embarrassment....

Maybe Stevie will suprise us all and perform it in her next encore.

[NoFear♥OnlyLove]

I think I'm one of the few who actually likes Street Angel as a whole.

Although I can't even begin to make any excuses for Jane...it's just bad any way you look at it. YIKES!

I really like Kick It. For the sake of conversation, though, I will say I might would like it more if it had a bit more of an edgy sound to it...if that makes sense. When she says line 'I'd prefer to kick it, kick the habit," she says it like she's a bit bored and couldn't bother to muster any great emotion, so it kind of loses something. Perhaps if she could have done something to it to make it a bit more forceful, it would have been more exciting.

This might only be in my head and you may read this like, 'what the hell is she talking about' but I'm thinking if the tone of it had been more similar to FFG, it could have been much better. In her vocal, she attacked FFG and the arrangement was quite edgy...but with Kick It, she didn't attack it. It seems like she just sat back and recorded the song without infusing any sort of interest or emotion into it at all...like whatever habit she's talking about kicking, she can't be bothered to worry about anyway.