"24 Karat Gold" (the song/demo) discussion

[sorcerer999]

I thought it might be fun to discuss our opinions on the demo for "24 Karat Gold" since it's (tentatively) going to be the title track from the new record.

I've been listening to it for many years and always thought it was pretty cool, however it was never really one of my favorites. Very dark, witchy and enigmatic. It's really hard to pin down who or what the hell she's singing about and piece together a story.

There are several versions of the demo in various forms. For many years, we'd only had a simple piano/drum machine/one vocal track demo, until we got the Master Reels, and consequently more and more vocal takes of the song.

There's a take off the Masters called "23 All Vocals Mix" which basically has the same piano/drum machine like the original demo, but adds a guitar and basically has a "million Stevies" overlapping vocals and harmonies. It's extremely strange, off putting and schizophrenic, but I LOVE IT!!! There are so many great lyrics added that weren't in the original demo we'd all heard in the years prior to the Master Reels.

"...I myself, see myself differently than the one that only you see..."

"...I'm up in arms to open hearts in such dark times..."

"...each one of us must finally keep some kind of promise to you...if you choose to remember your dreams...wheel of chance..."

"...and the moon hung on..."

"...and there was this castle, and they tried to keep it..."

"...and the CHILD had been found..."

"...and he said you are WRONG if you do fear me, my love..."

Ever since they announced this project, I've been listening to this version of the demo a lot. At least once a day. It's so very cool and now, after all these years, it has become one of my new favorite Stevie demos. I'm really hoping a lot of these crazy lyrics make it on to this newly recorded version.

From the little snippet that Dave posted last night (which appears to be the very end of the song) it seems as if the new version is going to sound more Pop Rock than the dark and strange demo. Of course, I'm only going by the 16 seconds of what we heard. I still hope the rest of the song retains a little bit of the dark original piano part that Stevie plays in the demo. But it wouldn't surprise me if we're all in for something totally new altogether, music-wise.

What do you guys think?

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by sorcerer999

"...I myself, see myself differently than the one that only you see..."

"...I'm up in arms to open hearts in such dark times..."

"...each one of us must finally keep some kind of promise to you...if you choose to remember your dreams...wheel of chance..."

I love this demo- and especially the version you are talking about. I like the chatter in the beginning of the take, before the vocal overlays - "I love minor chords..."

The lyrics quoted above are the most interesting to me - the first is one of my favorite Stevie lyrics, ever, and could reference so many things - Mick, Lindsey, her fans, the press - anyone. "Well the people, they love her, but still they are the most cruel."

The second line reeks of betrayal. To have been betrayed or misunderstood to the point where she doesn't trust even the kindest of hearts. Everybody wants something, in the end.

I feel like the last line is about Mick as the "manager/daddy" of Fleetwood Mac.

[Jondalar]

We'll I was listening to the new clip from the album and then listening to the demo and guess what popped into my head ~ Sable on Blonde. I started humming very
Sable and Blonde like harmonies to 24k and then I started really liking this song. They need to make this song very sensual, with layered harmonies and it could be a real gem and very Stevie. They can turn this song into something very chic like Sable.

[Machu]

I LOVE how the demo is sounding from the clip. The original demos aren't among my absolute favorites but I have every confidence that it will be good. The harmonies are great and the production sounds perfect.

[goldenground]

This one was always one of my favorites, it caught my interest right away with the beat, and that opening, "Set me free, set me free" It's awesome. Plus, I have to say I'm liking what I'm hearing so far on that clip Dave Stewart posted.

"You are wrong if you do not love me my love, yeah you are wrong. You are wrong if you do fear me...My looooove"

Can't wait for this album

[sorcerer999]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

I feel like the last line is about Mick as the "manager/daddy" of Fleetwood Mac.

I think you're right. I hadn't thought of that, but it makes total sense. Now that I've been listening to this demo over and over, it appears that maybe the whole song, in and of itself, might be about Mick Fleetwood. It was written and recorded a year before "Bella Donna" was released, and connotes a yearning to go solo ("Set me free") from the rest of Fleetwood Mac, even through she is scared to do so.

Just a thought.

[StevieNicksfann]

Does anyone know of the R&B mix? I'm not sure who the guy is who sings on it but I always loved that version and felt the music complemented Stevie's lyrics and singing perfectly

[HoursAndHours]

"But he was nowhere to be found
Here comes the cold chill
24 karat gold
Chain of chains"

Great verse-chorus segue. I totally wouldn't mind if this song were called Chain of Chains or something like that, even if that title is sorta reminiscent of Chain of Fools , lol.

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by goldenground

it caught my interest right away with the beat, and that opening, "Set me free, set me free"

Originally Posted by HoursAndHours

"But he was nowhere to be found
Here comes the cold chill 24 karat gold Chain of chains"

The first time I heard this song was in the early to mid 1990's. Someone sent me a cassette with a bunch of demos. This was on it and it immediately caught my attention. I love Stevie's piano playing.That is what captured me right away. Despite what others say I just adore the way she tickles those ivories in a way like nobody else.

I too think this song is about Mick Fleetwood and seeking the courage to separate herself from Fleetwood Mac for a while.

Set me free, set me free. Is this what you wanted to happen to me. (She sings to him and herself)

Golden wings in the sunset(Reference from Sara; Great dark wing[Mick Fleetwood]

Take me back

All alone I waited

[StevieNicksfann]

Originally Posted by StevieNicksfann

Does anyone know of the R&B mix? I'm not sure who the guy is who sings on it but I always loved that version and felt the music complemented Stevie's lyrics and singing perfectly

does anyone know anything about this version?