Worst Stevie Mac song

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

I disagree about WTTRS being weak lyrically. It's actually a pretty literal and compelling telling of what went on with the intervention (which she always leaves out of her version of the story since) and trip to rehab... But I agree musically it's just a mess. The calypso-ish music just doesn't fit.

I used the wrong words. Its more of a journal entry than a song. While I appreciate her openness in the song....its more of a journal entry than a song. Its just impossible to sing those lines. Doing the best that I can is the perfect rehab song from Stevie. Its subtle and has a great chorus. Welcome to the room Sara is clever writing but does not transform into a song or anything that can be sung except the short chorus LOL I do believe with some time and maybe some help there could have been a better way to transform the lyrics into a better song.
Its not home
And its not Tara
Do I know you
Have I've been here before
This is a dream, right?

Of course it was a problem Frontine

Hard to put those lines into a workable song IMHO.
However, according to Mick's first book this was NOT Stevie's pick for Tango. She turned over What has rock n roll ever done for you but for some reason the Mac passed on the song. Too bad because I bet Lindsey could have tweeked that into perfection if he wanted. Plus Tango could have used another rocking song.
In any event, I am actually glad the song surfaced. But musically the song is horrible. When I first heard it , I was shocked that Lindsey was involved with such a crappy song musically. Then I heard the demo and its almost the same. My hunch is that Stevie's songs were last for Tango since she was on tour and in rehab. Not much time was spent on them and it shows.

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

I used the wrong words. Its more of a journal entry than a song. While I appreciate her openness in the song....its more of a journal entry than a song. Its just impossible to sing those lines. Doing the best that I can is the perfect rehab song from Stevie. Its subtle and has a great chorus. Welcome to the room Sara is clever writing but does not transform into a song or anything that can be sung except the short chorus LOL I do believe with some time and maybe some help there could have been a better way to transform the lyrics into a better song.
Its not home
And its not Tara
Do I know you
Have I've been here before
This is a dream, right?

Of course it was a problem Frontine

Hard to put those lines into a workable song IMHO.
However, according to Mick's first book this was NOT Stevie's pick for Tango. She turned over What has rock n roll ever done for you but for some reason the Mac passed on the song. Too bad because I bet Lindsey could have tweeked that into perfection if he wanted. Plus Tango could have used another rocking song.
In any event, I am actually glad the song surfaced. But musically the song is horrible. When I first heard it , I was shocked that Lindsey was involved with such a crappy song musically. Then I heard the demo and its almost the same. My hunch is that Stevie's songs were last for Tango since she was on tour and in rehab. Not much time was spent on them and it shows.

Yes, WTRS is a clunky mix of the lyrics with that music. Lost potential.

Lindsey frankly didn't have much to work with from her on that album. 'What has R&R' is awful. Musically of course he could have worked on it but lyrically it really says nothing, tells no story, and is boring and repetitive. If she's not gonna beef up the lyrics it's still gonna be lacking. You know, the whole polishing a turd thing.

The band didn't seem particularly sympathetic to the whole rehab thing and had taken this stance about "we're recording and you need to be here and you're late" and all that. So, unlike for instance during SYW where she had the clout to insist on a month off [after she stopped her tour with Sheryl and before she went into the studio with FM] to crank out 4 new songs that were up to the right standard to bring the band, she had no such clout during that rehab period and just gave them what she had.

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

Yes, WTRS is a clunky mix of the lyrics with that music. Lost potential.

Lindsey frankly didn't have much to work with from her on that album. 'What has R&R' is awful. Musically of course he could have worked on it but lyrically it really says nothing, tells no story, and is boring and repetitive. If she's not gonna beef up the lyrics it's still gonna be lacking. You know, the whole polishing a turd thing.

The band didn't seem particularly sympathetic to the whole rehab thing and had taken this stance about "we're recording and you need to be here and you're late" and all that.

I'm sort of mystified about why Stevie didn't reach back to some of the material not used for Rock A Little. Perhaps she was saving it for future solo efforts, perhaps she distanced herself from it because the songs reminded her of drugs and partying, or perhaps she just wanted to offer something brand new.

Stevie was so different post-rehab, it's hard to even speculate on what was going through her mind. WTTRS is, for me, the first indication that Stevie Nicks did not come out of rehab as the same person who went in. Nearly every song on The Other Side of the Mirror reflects the same muddled mind that wrote WTTRS. The fact that Timespace relied on other writers for the two new singles really demonstrates her lack of confidence.

It's really quite remarkable that she did eventually emerge from that Klonopin haze. How disappointing would the past two decades have been for her fans otherwise? Street Angel could have been the end of it all.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

I'm sort of mystified about why Stevie didn't reach back to some of the material not used for Rock A Little. Perhaps she was saving it for future solo efforts, perhaps she distanced herself from it because the songs reminded her of drugs and partying, or perhaps she just wanted to offer something brand new.

Stevie was so different post-rehab, it's hard to even speculate on what was going through her mind. WTTRS is, for me, the first indication that Stevie Nicks did not come out of rehab as the same person who went in. Nearly every song on The Other Side of the Mirror reflects the same muddled mind that wrote WTTRS. The fact that Timespace relied on other writers for the two new singles really demonstrates her lack of confidence.

It's really quite remarkable that she did eventually emerge from that Klonopin haze. How disappointing would the past two decades have been for her fans otherwise? Street Angel could have been the end of it all.

Her 3 songs on Tango are simple and rushed and I am sure its because she was there a total of 3 weeks during the year or so they took to record it. But Seven Wonders was written by someone else so really she contributed 2 songs. I agree with your curiousity why RAL demos were not used like Running through the Garden, etc.
But if you breakdown Stevie's Tango songs musically...Seven Wonders, Welcome to the room Sara, and When I see you again.......they are very simple and basic. Nothing fancy and no risks. Its a shame because Running through the Garden or Mirror Mirror could have really added depth to Tango in the Night. I love the youtube video from backstage RAL tour where Stevie is asked if she is contributing to the new Mac record. She says she sent them a nice acoustic song which was When I see you again. I picture a Fed Ex package being delivered to Lindsey LMAO Here, I am busy on tour making millions....see what you can do with this LOL
One of the reasons Tango is my least favorite Mac album is the musical weakness of Stevie songs and it also sounds like a Lindsey solo album.
I actually really like What has rock n roll ever done for you. But the song has an arrogance streak IMHO and that is why Lindsey may have not wanted to use it. The song is clever is asking a question but then Stevie goes "French champagne " Its a fun song but sometimes it does sound like she is rubbing the fame and wealth of a rock star in your face (even though that may not be her intent).

[Wdm6789]

Anything from Stevie on Tango in The Night.