The Smile I Live For

[Wdm6789]

Nice find. I do love that song from her solo album. It would have been nice on the Tusk album too. Tusk is Christine’s weakest album out of the Rumours era. Her songs on Tusk lacked the catchy, poppy sound that her songs provided for the other 4 Rumours era albums. I don’t know if she let Lindsey have too much power over her songs on Tusk or what, but her Tusk songs are too Tusky. Stevie’s Tusk songs managed to keep her signature Fleetwood Mac Stevie Nicks vibe, but Christine songs on Tusk just don’t sound Christine McVie enough, in my opinion. Christine’s Tusk songs are good, but they needed to be popped up way more to stand up to songs like Say You Love Me, You Make Loving Fun, Hold Me, Everywhere, and Little Lies.

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by Wdm6789

Nice find. I do love that song from her solo album. It would have been nice on the Tusk album too. Tusk is Christine’s weakest album out of the Rumours era. Her songs on Tusk lacked the catchy, poppy sound that her songs provided for the other 4 Rumours era albums. I don’t know if she let Lindsey have too much power over her songs on Tusk or what, but her Tusk songs are too Tusky. Stevie’s Tusk songs managed to keep her signature Fleetwood Mac Stevie Nicks vibe, but Christine songs on Tusk just don’t sound Christine McVie enough, in my opinion. Christine’s Tusk songs are good, but they needed to be popped up way more to stand up to songs like Say You Love Me, You Make Loving Fun, Hold Me, Everywhere, and Little Lies.

In terms of hit singles, this might be true, but the quality of her Tusk songs is, to my way of thinking, as intriguing and strong as elsewhere. Her voice was in terrific form, and the melodies and low-fi production on several of her tunes really adds a distinct color to the album. I believe "Never Forget," which is already a fine song, might have made a great single had it been arranged as one. The song has a strong commercial ring to it, but the production choices are modest. In all cases, the decision to keep her songs pretty bare exposes their lovely simplicity.

I was never a fan of "Over and Over" but I don't hate it, and everything else of hers on Tusk is delicious to me.

[Macfan4life]

I bet much of the inspiration from the song is about Eddy who she was madly in love with during the recording of the album. He toured with her and eventually they got married. I love how songs come together piece by piece over the years. She had a piano part, she probably had some lyrics. Then she heard this phrase and thought it would be a great name for a song. In the end, it really is a fantastic song.

[Wdm6789]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

In terms of hit singles, this might be true, but the quality of her Tusk songs is, to my way of thinking, as intriguing and strong as elsewhere. Her voice was in terrific form, and the melodies and low-fi production on several of her tunes really adds a distinct color to the album. I believe "Never Forget," which is already a fine song, might have made a great single had it been arranged as one. The song has a strong commercial ring to it, but the production choices are modest. In all cases, the decision to keep her songs pretty bare exposes their lovely simplicity.

I was never a fan of "Over and Over" but I don't hate it, and everything else of hers on Tusk is delicious to me.

I actually think Over & Over is Christine’s best song on Tusk, but I like the live versions much better than the album version. Never Make Me cry is also a great Christine Tusk song. But I’m generally not a fan of the modest production on Christine’s Tusk songs. They all needed to be popped up more. I’m kind of in the Tusk should have been Rumours 2.0 club. I can appreciate Lindsey’s creativity and artistry, but Tusk could have been a much better album if it was a Rumours 2 and was only 11 or 12 songs.

[jbrownsjr]

I'm in the camp of loving Christine's Tusk songs.

Brown Eyes
Over and Over
Think About Me
Never Forget
Never Make Me Cry
Honey Hi

These don't belong anywhere else but Tusk. And her keyboard work is pretty damn sharp on this album.

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

I'm in the camp of loving Christine's Tusk songs.

Brown Eyes
Over and Over
Think About Me
Never Forget
Never Make Me Cry
Honey Hi

These don't belong anywhere else but Tusk. And her keyboard work is pretty damn sharp on this album.

Agreed. I do not think there is any "dip" in quality. Merely a change in how her songs have been treated. The sparseness with which Lindsey arranges them may mean they don't have, as Mick says of "Don't Stop," "all that cream on top," but this means her voice is centered more. "Never Make Me Cry" is a persuasive argument for "less is more."

That said, I DO prefer the 1978 "Think About Me" without Lindsey's lead guitar and vocals. Her organ work is up front and the earlier, sassy "With me, that's why you're around" instead of the pleading "Maybe that's why you're around" is pretty awesome.

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

Agreed. I do not think there is any "dip" in quality. Merely a change in how her songs have been treated. The sparseness with which Lindsey arranges them may mean they don't have, as Mick says of "Don't Stop," "all that cream on top," but this means her voice is centered more. "Never Make Me Cry" is a persuasive argument for "less is more."

That said, I DO prefer the 1978 "Think About Me" without Lindsey's lead guitar and vocals. Her organ work is up front and the earlier, sassy "With me, that's why you're around" instead of the pleading "Maybe that's why you're around" is pretty awesome.

I'll have to go back and take a peek at that one.

I wonder: Homer, do you like the early version?

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

I'll have to go back and take a peek at that one.

I wonder: Homer, do you like the early version?

The single remix is my Favorite. Song. Of. All. Time.

I've been sitting in my car just now, eating a Cuban torta. When I start this car in 30 seconds, Imma JAM THE F*CK outta my favorite song of all time.

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

I'll have to go back and take a peek at that one.

I wonder: Homer, do you like the early version?

Hey there: I got the date wrong: it's the 2/18/79 version. I'm listening to it right now. So goooood!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUlxnyvOrmY

[dougl]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

That said, I DO prefer the 1978 "Think About Me" without Lindsey's lead guitar and vocals. Her organ work is up front and the earlier, sassy "With me, that's why you're around" instead of the pleading "Maybe that's why you're around" is pretty awesome.

Here’s another nice version without backing vocals…

https://youtu.be/JusdbBcFcxA

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by dougl

Here’s another nice version without backing vocals…

https://youtu.be/JusdbBcFcxA

Cool. I miss Stevie's backing vocal and the organ flourish (which gets covered up by LB's guitar inb the version here) but otherwise, it's a very good indication of what she dreamed up before Lindsey hogged the mic!