Wild Heart, The Title Track

[Blueletter18]

Originally Posted by David

Sometimes in rock circles, you hear that someone plays "keyboard" and another guy in the band plays "piano" or "organ."

A synthesizer can be analog or digital. I always thought it has to alter (or edit) waveforms (like sine waves). It usually has oscillators and envelope generators and other paraphernalia. When they refer to a "workstation" nowadays in rock music, they're referring to a synthesizer that interfaces with a computer. See the "synthesizer" Wiki entry.

I think I know what you mean, but I still think it could easily be Bittan or Tench. I'd have to listen to Sandy's piano all over her 1984 album again (and I don't want to do that!) If parts of "The Wild Heart" seem understated for Roy, that's just the arrangement underlying the verses. The piano on the chorus in the treble is essentially "Sara"—nobody here has said that but it's absolutely true. It's the same pattern: F major in 2nd inversion alternating with C major in root position. And there is a percussive style that breaks through even in the "Wild Heart" part: Listen to the left-right-left-right in the subdominant on the downbeat in the part that directly precedes the "Where is the reason" the second time through. As the track progresses and grows in dynamics, the piano fills in with passing or transitional chording. It doesn't scream Roy Bittan, but ... it could still be him. I wish we could ask somebody: Gordon Perry or Sandy Stewart or somebody.

There's also a nice Fender Rhodes (or DX-7) part all the way through. Maybe Roy played that, and someone else played the piano on what is probably a largely live track.

As for the suggestion above that it may be Stevie, no way, Jose. Harmonically & rhythmically, way too advanced for her. The touch isn't hers, either.

Me neither

[Macfanforever]

I like the dressing room demo.

[UndoingTheLaces]

Originally Posted by On Ice

Despite some lyrical missteps with the hopelessly enchanted children...

Just curious what you mean by this?

[drzubritsky]

I have always been puzzled why this song doesn't generate more attention or discussion from Stevie fans. Its status as the title cut of one of her most popular albums would seem to guarantee it as a fan favorite, but I sense that's not the case. In any event, I have always liked "Wild Heart" since 1983 and it has one of the most killer vocals of her career (at least among her studio tracks)...one of the few times that a studio vocal approached the intensity of some of her 70s & 80s live performances.

[WildHearted]

I think a lot of people love this track. Sometimes it gets overshadowed by the flawless dressing room version, but a a whole I think it's pretty adored. Especially her vocals.

[mikephxaz]

Originally Posted by drzubritsky

I have always been puzzled why this song doesn't generate more attention or discussion from Stevie fans. Its status as the title cut of one of her most popular albums would seem to guarantee it as a fan favorite, but I sense that's not the case. In any event, I have always liked "Wild Heart" since 1983 and it has one of the most killer vocals of her career (at least among her studio tracks)...one of the few times that a studio vocal approached the intensity of some of her 70s & 80s live performances.

I completely agree...those live moments when Stevie really lets go in concert are rarely captured in her studio work...the song Wild Heart is most certainly one of those moments that the intensity is raw and real...

[starshine]

Originally Posted by mikephxaz

I completely agree...those live moments when Stevie really lets go in concert are rarely captured in her studio work...the song Wild Heart is most certainly one of those moments that the intensity is raw and real...

I love the song Wild Heart it'll always be one of my favorites from one of my most favorite LP/cds of Stevie's not crazy about 'I Will Run To You' though I think All the Beautiful Worlds would've been awesome for this LP.

[Artemis]

I think I must be one of the only people who isn't overly jazzed by the dressing room version of this song, I just don't see the appeal. The album version on the other heart? Love it, her voice is gorgeous on the song and her vibrato never sounded better.

[iamnotafraid]

Originally Posted by Artemis

I think I must be one of the only people who isn't overly jazzed by the dressing room version of this song, I just don't see the appeal.

Everyone has a right to their opinion, but you are wrong!

That's my favorite video on YouTube ever. I would say
more but I refuse to gush.

[WildHearted]

Originally Posted by Artemis

I think I must be one of the only people who isn't overly jazzed by the dressing room version of this song, I just don't see the appeal. The album version on the other heart? Love it, her voice is gorgeous on the song and her vibrato never sounded better.

The appeal isn't necessarily the song itself (it's very repetitive, albeit catchy, and I believe in the beginning Stevie even says they just made it up on the way there), but the novelty of the whole situation, and most of all Stevie's charisma and charm. She reels you in like a flopping wet fish with her bambi eyes and feathers and affection.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by WildHearted

The appeal isn't necessarily the song itself (it's very repetitive, albeit catchy, and I believe in the beginning Stevie even says they just made it up on the way there), but the novelty of the whole situation, and most of all Stevie's charisma and charm. She reels you in like a flopping wet fish with her bambi eyes and feathers and affection.

Yes, what's great is the carefree, impromptu nature of the whole thing. The informal perfection. I can't compare that to a live performance of the song on a stage. It's like apples and oranges.

Michele