The worst of Stevie

[On Ice]

I

actually think that early on Jimmy Iovine did a pretty decent job of editing her which probably partially explains why he was given the boot as she became more grandiose and coked out.

Spot on, the fact that he wouldn't allow Julia on either Bella Donna or the Wild Heart does lend some weight to his influence. (although I think he was wrong about that song).

[GypsySorcerer]

Originally Posted by TheSorcerer

Nightbird
Some Become Strangers

Love these two.

Originally Posted by mitzo

It is the mystique that those songs carry that makes them superior to a lot of the poppy stuff. What made the woman in WISYA so desperately sad? What are the cryptic lyrics referring to? When she resorts tko whispering and sobbing that one line, is she echoing something he said? Something they shared? To me the delivery of the song is a little work of art, a one-off performance of something so intimate, raw, and painful. Love Is is similar, with a weird partial conversation that leads to devastation, and the arrangement forebodes it, the echoing background vocals and slow drama, and the final segment of the song is heartbreaking. How can anyone resist the bizarre off-kilter beauty of these? Nobody else could conceive of songs like these, they are Stevie's special genius. They pull me in and keep me coming back.

I agree about "Love Is." I think it's an achingly beautiful song. I get what you're saying about WISYA, and I admit the song adds a certain darkness to the Tango album with all of its glossy pop. However, I still think the song is poorly written and horribly sung.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by seekerj

It was also the very first SN song that I did not like. I had liked every song of hers that FM did, and every song on Bella Donna. So I was shocked when The Wild Heart came out and I heard "Gate and Garden". I listened to it again just to make sure I was really hearing what I was hearing. After that second time, I've never heard it again. I would practically break my neck flying across the room to get to the record player so I could move the needle before G&G started playing! It's funny how songs that annoy you stick with you; I haven't heard it since 1983, but I can still hear it in my head! I bet I remember most of the words, too. (There is a gate, it can be guarded, well it is not heaven, and it has a garden , so to the red rose.... AAAAHHHHH! )

Oh, come on. It's going to be 30 years. Please listen to it ONE more time. Then, you won't have to hear it again until 2043. Deal?

When you break it down, I agree with you that it's a silly song, but her voice soars and has so much passion. I don't worry about the gate and the garden and guarding it. The slow start just builds up to the part where I am jumping up and bouncing, "Do I love you? Well I always did (every night!) Nobody knows nothing bout it. They know nothing bout it." Her voice shrill, then husky, "they know nothing about it," secretive, pulling me into the clandestine love. There I am in the shower, in the car, screaming with an imaginary mic, fantasizing that I can actually sing. That's what those Wild Heart songs can do to you.

I'd remember if I hadn't heard it since 1983 too, because of that infectious part.

Michele

[Blueletter18]

Originally Posted by On Ice

I agree that Gate and Garden was one of the many lyrical missteps on the Wild Heart, but the way she sang the song, almost redeems the sloppy job she did with the song's lyrics.

Yeah, I completely agree. At first, I just loved the song because of the way she sang it. The vocals just fit the mood created by the band perfectly. I didn't really look at the lyrics until about a year ago, and was kind of let down. But I still love the song, and I think the way she sings it really does make up for the lyrics, unlike Jane and Whole Lotta Trouble, etc.

[singertobe]

Honestly, I really hate Cheaper Than Free. The words just seem so bland.

[PenguinHead]

Originally Posted by Blueletter18

Yeah, I completely agree. At first, I just loved the song because of the way she sang it. The vocals just fit the mood created by the band perfectly. I didn't really look at the lyrics until about a year ago, and was kind of let down. But I still love the song, and I think the way she sings it really does make up for the lyrics, unlike Jane and Whole Lotta Trouble, etc.

In the cannon of odd Stevie songs, Gate and Garden, despite its flaws, is one of my favorites. If you don't analyze the lyrics too much, the song has a cool, pleasant vibe to it.

Has she ever talked about this song; about what inspired it? Either she wasn't capable of writing lyrics up-to-par with the concept she had in her head, or this was a quick knock off as filler for the album.. The lyrics are undeniably lazy,and slightly incoherant. Still, there are some interesting lyric lines that somewhat redeem the song, and she sings them with conviction.

So to the red rose goes the passion

It's just a game that we play
'til someone steals it
Someone steals it away

You don't give in to yourself
You give in to your friends

You say you seek the truth
I say all is fair

[On Ice]

So to the red rose goes the passion

It's just a game that we play
'til someone steals it
Someone steals it away

You don't give in to yourself
You give in to your friends

You say you seek the truth
I say all is fair
Stevie sings this particular part of the song so amazingly well, to me it stands out as pretty close to being one of the shining moments of her career. If she could have only kept that conviction in later years, she would've done some amazing things.

[totallycait]

My least favorite is probably "Sister Honey." The "well awlright, bay-beh!" at the beginning always put me off.

"Blue Lamp" is a skip for me too. It kind of wander and never finds enough of a melody for me.

[StevieNicksfann]

I wonder why there are some songs of Stevie's that I think are musically "enough" for me or her vocals are stellar enough that I don't even pay attention to the lyrics. Case in point is Gate And Garden. I agree with whoever said that by that time in the album I need something fluffy or fluffier. I think the song in the sense and the sequencing of it in the album was a smart move.

But then there are other songs where it's the lyrics that move me to no end. So I find it curious where sometimes I pay attention and sometimes I don't. And I don't do that on purpose so something about the song says ok don't pay attention to much to the lyrics. Maybe I realize subconsciously that they'll disappoint me so I avoid reading them lol.

Anyway, my list is:

1) Beauty And The Beast - I know most everyone loves this song but to me it is the one that keeps Wild Heart from being my favorite album.

2) Freedom - just shoot me whenever this song comes on

3) Street Angel - please go back to heaven and leave me alone

4) Love Is Like A River - well then go drown in it cuz I never want to hear you again

5) Somebody Stand By Me -but I'll forgive you since you didn't write it

6) Docklands - and why did you ever put this into your concert set? grrr

7) Blue Denim - utter monotone drivel

There are others that I don't really care for and thus usually skip like:

Highwayman
Storms
Doing The Best That I Can
That's Alright
Cheaper Than Free
Soldier's Angel
Jane
Just Like A Woman
Kick It
That Made Me Stronger

Every other song of Stevie's I either like, love, or am obsessed with lol.

Rock A Little still remains my favorite album overall.
Other Side Of The Mirror, In Your Dreams, Wild Heart, and TISL are all tied as next favorites because they have just 1 or maybe 2 songs that I think are weak.
Bella Donna is nice but not the gospel everyone else seems to think it is.

And the one that I agree is half-crap is Street Angel but I disagree that it's all crap because I really love half the album including Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind, Greta, and Listen To The Rain and some of Stevie's strongest stuff.

I also love everything on SYW including Not Make Believe which I not only think should have made the regular edition of the album but should have been a single.

When I See You Again I used to despise for 20 years until I listened to it recently and now I feel like I get it and appreciate it.

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by StevieNicksfann

5) Somebody Stand By Me -but I'll forgive you since you didn't write it
There are others that I don't really care for and thus usually skip like:
Storms

Every other song of Stevie's I either like, love, or am obsessed with lol.

I really love half the album(Street Angel) including Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind, Greta, and Listen To The Rain

Somebody Stand By Me is as pitiful a song as Jane but I bet Skip would disagree. I've never in my life heard a fan of Stevie say they hate Storms. Only the chiff bashers say that.

How can you like MLWCYM better than Storms? LOL

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by vivfox

Somebody Stand By Me is as pitiful a song as Jane but I bet Skip would disagree. I've never in my life heard a fan of Stevie say they hate Storms. Only the chiff bashers say that.

How can you like MLWCYM better than Storms? LOL

Hello Viv,

You should listen to Faith HIll's version of Somebody Stand By Me. It is about 500% better than Stevie's. Stevie hacked this song with a god-awful vocal. This is a good song.

[PenguinHead]

Originally Posted by vivfox

Somebody Stand By Me is as pitiful a song as Jane but I bet Skip would disagree. I've never in my life heard a fan of Stevie say they hate Storms. Only the chiff bashers say that.

How can you like MLWCYM better than Storms? LOL

I'm very surprised that Somebody Stand By Me is so villified! No love at all?

I always loved the gospel style the song evokes. It's not her usual style, but I thought she pulls it off. In fact, I thought she should record in that vein/style. I still do. It would be a dream for her to work with T.Bone Burnette. It hurts to imagine what she could achieve with his collaboration. With regard to Fleetwood Mac, I don't see T. Bone jiving too well with Lindsey. Not sure why; it's just a bella donna feeling.

[tlssln]

Originally Posted by tbaker3

I think mine has to be "That Made Me Stronger." I enjoy the vocals just fine, but the lyrics in the chorus just kill it for me. It's like, c'mon Stevie... work on it a little harder, you know you can do better...

I always thought that one was bad too. Very pedestrian for Stevie.

[tlssln]

When it comes to her original songs...well partially hers...I think I would choose "Cheaper Than Free" with its kindergarten rhymes. The melody is fine but the lyrics seem to be written in less than minute.

Finally, someone said Cheaper Than Free. Ugh! And Stevie and Dave think it's so great. It's by far the weakest song on IYD, followed by Soldier's Angel.

[Macfanforever]

Originally Posted by vivfox

Somebody Stand By Me is as pitiful a song as Jane but I bet Skip would disagree. I've never in my life heard a fan of Stevie say they hate Storms. Only the chiff bashers say that.

How can you like MLWCYM better than Storms? LOL

Originally Posted by StevieNicksfann

I wonder why there are some songs of Stevie's that I think are musically "enough" for me or her vocals are stellar enough that I don't even pay attention to the lyrics. Case in point is Gate And Garden. I agree with whoever said that by that time in the album I need something fluffy or fluffier. I think the song in the sense and the sequencing of it in the album was a smart move.

But then there are other songs where it's the lyrics that move me to no end. So I find it curious where sometimes I pay attention and sometimes I don't. And I don't do that on purpose so something about the song says ok don't pay attention to much to the lyrics. Maybe I realize subconsciously that they'll disappoint me so I avoid reading them lol.

Anyway, my list is:

1) Beauty And The Beast - I know most everyone loves this song but to me it is the one that keeps Wild Heart from being my favorite album.

2) Freedom - just shoot me whenever this song comes on

3) Street Angel - please go back to heaven and leave me alone

4) Love Is Like A River - well then go drown in it cuz I never want to hear you again

5) Somebody Stand By Me -but I'll forgive you since you didn't write it

6) Docklands - and why did you ever put this into your concert set? grrr

7) Blue Denim - utter monotone drivel

There are others that I don't really care for and thus usually skip like:

Highwayman
Storms
Doing The Best That I Can
That's Alright
Cheaper Than Free
Soldier's Angel
Jane
Just Like A Woman
Kick It
That Made Me Stronger

Every other song of Stevie's I either like, love, or am obsessed with lol.

Rock A Little still remains my favorite album overall.
Other Side Of The Mirror, In Your Dreams, Wild Heart, and TISL are all tied as next favorites because they have just 1 or maybe 2 songs that I think are weak.
Bella Donna is nice but not the gospel everyone else seems to think it is.

And the one that I agree is half-crap is Street Angel but I disagree that it's all crap because I really love half the album including Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind, Greta, and Listen To The Rain and some of Stevie's strongest stuff.

I also love everything on SYW including Not Make Believe which I not only think should have made the regular edition of the album but should have been a single.

When I See You Again I used to despise for 20 years until I listened to it recently and now I feel like I get it and appreciate it.

Hahahaha.I take the 5th Amendment and no comment from me in this thread.LOL.

Only kidding.

But if she ever does a Crossroads with Rascal Flatts.I will go shoot myself.

Nails on blackboard award goes to Rascal Flatts.



Talk about crappy vocals .That lead singer hits it right on the spot.

I could throw in Rock and Roll into the list but Stevie does it better then Led Zep on it.