If I Were You

[Sorcerer386]

I love If I Were You. I don't want to go into a debate again about how the last part of the song goes, but that's my favorite part. As it fades I keep turning the volume up higher and higher to hear it better. And strangely, I just saw that Stevie wrote it, or co-wrote it anyway. I didn't think she wrote this song...lyrically it's not very Stevie-ish except MAYBE the bridge, and DEFINITELY the end part. Anyway, definitely one of the high points of RAL, which in all honesty really does have a few low points (yes, I still cannot stand the title track).

[ontheEdgeof17]

Originally Posted by Sorcerer386

I love If I Were You. I don't want to go into a debate again about how the last part of the song goes, but that's my favorite part. As it fades I keep turning the volume up higher and higher to hear it better. And strangely, I just saw that Stevie wrote it, or co-wrote it anyway. I didn't think she wrote this song...lyrically it's not very Stevie-ish except MAYBE the bridge, and DEFINITELY the end part. Anyway, definitely one of the high points of RAL, which in all honesty really does have a few low points (yes, I still cannot stand the title track).

In the Jim Ladd (dun dun dunnnnnnnn) Interview for RAL she said she wrote the "Well, I believe that love..." bridge part. But it's a Ladd interview so take it with a grain of salt.

[GODDESS6]

Originally Posted by GardenStateGirlie

I love the entire RAL album but Some Become Strangers and If I Were You are two of my favorites Looooove it.

my sentiments exactly~

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by SapphireSister

This is what it means to me anyway. And how about La Nicks attitude when she says "I don't really need this in my life. Why don't we forget about it" That's HOT.

I agree. This is another one of my fav RAL tunes. I also love the part "ooh, baby no, you're no stranger". Dat's da hotness, right thur.

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by Sorcerer386

I love If I Were You. I don't want to go into a debate again about how the last part of the song goes, but that's my favorite part. As it fades I keep turning the volume up higher and higher to hear it better. And strangely, I just saw that Stevie wrote it, or co-wrote it anyway. I didn't think she wrote this song...lyrically it's not very Stevie-ish except MAYBE the bridge, and DEFINITELY the end part. Anyway, definitely one of the high points of RAL, which in all honesty really does have a few low points (yes, I still cannot stand the title track).

there are parts of RAL that I'm not wild about too. however, I love rock a little...I guess it's the frailty in her voice. have you heard the at home demo where she talks about writing the song...I think the demo made me love the song even more.

[SapphireSister]

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

I agree. This is another one of my fav RAL tunes. I also love the part "ooh, baby no, you're no stranger". Dat's da hotness, right thur.

I REALLY like you!

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

there are parts of RAL that I'm not wild about too. however, I love rock a little...I guess it's the frailty in her voice. have you heard the at home demo where she talks about writing the song...I think the demo made me love the song even more.

Thank God, I finally have a little RAL (the song) support. This has always been a favorite of mine and what I love about it most is that it's almost an R & B song and has so much soul to it and it's quite different than a lot of her other material. It's also sooo sexy, the music and the lyrics I also have a cd of The RAL writing process and how this song was inspired by the sound the waves crashing outside of her house at the beach made her house "Rock a little". She really wanted Mick's help on this one. And yes her voice is my favorite, Stevie frail voice. She sounds so wispy and vulnerable and I love the really low notes on "Say it was just like me"...And how about when she says really softly at the end "That is how songs are written Stories are told, rumours are started" I mean that is a classic Stevie line right there! I could go on and on but the point is I think RAL the song is a highlight of the album and I was shocked to hear that a lot of fans don't like this song

[lagringader&r]

Originally Posted by LiquidBlue5000

I can actually picture her doing it live with her "new" voice.. i don't think it would sound bad at all..

One of these days, one of these days.. I pray to the non-commercial gods!

I adore IIWY

[Rickypt]

I hated RAL the song for years. One reason was that after Bella Donna and Wild Heart, I had an expectation of what a Stevie song named after the album would be. It's hard to describe, but Bella Donna and Wild Heart are sort of these dramatic epics that open the album (TISL being a return to that, which is why I love it sooooo much )

Then came Rock A Little, and the title song didn't even kick off the album, and on top of that, it was this sound I had never heard from Stevie and with quivering vocals. I remember thinking at the time, what on earth has happened to this woman's voice.

Anyway, I stopped listening to Stevie for several years not too long after RAL, mainly because of her lifeless performances during the OSOTM tour and FM Tango tour and my horror at Sometimes It's A Bitch. In fact, I missed the Street Angel era altogether.

I'm rambling, but the point is that the Enchanted box set gave me an opportunity to listen to a lot of Stevie's work with different ears and perspective, having taken several years "off". And I wound up loving RAL the song based on that experience.

That was a very long way to say I used to hate RAL and now I love it.

[SapphireSister]

Originally Posted by Rickypt

I'm rambling, but the point is that the Enchanted box set gave me an opportunity to listen to a lot of Stevie's work with different ears and perspective, having taken several years "off". And I wound up loving RAL the song based on that experience.
That was a very long way to say I used to hate RAL and now I love it.

Ah ha you finally came around and saw the RAL light! We're going to be great friends I loved your ramble by the way.

[CreepingDeath]

Originally Posted by GardenStateGirlie

I love the entire RAL album but Some Become Strangers and If I Were You are two of my favorites Looooove it.

I completely agree- almost. I would have to put No Spoken Word as my fav, and then Some Become Strangers and If I Were You.

[SeattleMark]

I LOVE the extended version of RAL, the demo of I Sing but If I were you & Some Become Strangers are my absolute fav's on the cd. I really like the soulful undertones, reminds me of Sable On Blonde.

If I Were You would be great live with an orchestra.

[ShangriLaTroubl]

While RAL has never been one of my favorite albums, I do happen to love this particular song...I agree the simplicity of it is what makes it kind of catchy. I think it would have been a great single. I think it's great.

Chris

[petep9000]

You go Gurl. I'm in RAL heaven, it's my fave period, album, tour, 'look', 'sound' etc. You name the Stevie subject, I can spin it to Rock a Little!
Now, you mention the title track...I love how her voice quavers on the first "it's about time Lily...." Even though I'm a guy I find myself sort of imitating that quavering effect too if I sing along to it (when no one else is listening of course, like when I'm driving alone).
I'm originally from Long Island, New York, and believe me in 1985 RAL was HOT there and all over the airwaves and Stevie was the undisputed Queen of rock, with Pat Benatar and Joan Jett as contenders. Just her hair alone was, as we say on Long Island, "Forgetaboutit"! My sisters class of '86 year book is full of nothing but Stevie hair. Even on some of the guys!

Originally Posted by SapphireSister

I REALLY like you!



Thank God, I finally have a little RAL (the song) support. This has always been a favorite of mine and what I love about it most is that it's almost an R & B song and has so much soul to it and it's quite different than a lot of her other material. It's also sooo sexy, the music and the lyrics I also have a cd of The RAL writing process and how this song was inspired by the sound the waves crashing outside of her house at the beach made her house "Rock a little". She really wanted Mick's help on this one. And yes her voice is my favorite, Stevie frail voice. She sounds so wispy and vulnerable and I love the really low notes on "Say it was just like me"...And how about when she says really softly at the end "That is how songs are written Stories are told, rumours are started" I mean that is a classic Stevie line right there! I could go on and on but the point is I think RAL the song is a highlight of the album and I was shocked to hear that a lot of fans don't like this song

[svnwndrs]

Originally Posted by petep9000
You go Gurl. I'm in RAL heaven, it's my fave period, album, tour, 'look', 'sound' etc. You name the Stevie subject, I can spin it to Rock a Little!
My sisters class of '86 year book is full of nothing but Stevie hair. Even on some of the guys!


HELL YEAH! That makes me proud to be even born in 1986! LOL. Seriously though, RAL is my favorite of Stevie's albums. I really love all the songs, but actually "If I Were You" seems to be one of the weaker tracks to me. I love the title track, and yes it is very sexy. "Talk To Me" and "I Can't Wait" were two of the coolest singles that ever hit the airwaves in '86. "Sister Honey" is just downright funky (although I like the stripped down demo version a little better), "Imperial Hotel" and "No Spoken Word" are some of her best rock songs with some memorable lyrics as well. I used to not like "Some Become Strangers" and it took a few years ( ) to grow on me, but it is almost just as funky as "Sister Honey". From what I heard on all the RAL bootlegs I've heard, Stevie rocked HARD on that tour in '86, which makes it by far my favorite of all her tours. Just my 2 cents.

[strandinthewind]

Love It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!