"Silver Springs": I don't understand why its so legendary

[sweetdudejim]

So obviously the thread title speaks for itself. Now let me say, I think it's a good song. And I wish the original mix was available digitally, as I don't think they ever bested it. However, I just don't get why it's seemingly regarded as Stevie's "masterpiece" or something like that. Off the top of my head, "Landslide", "Dreams", "Sara", "Sisters Of The Moon", "Gypsy" and surely a few others over this one.

And the version on The Dance? It's fine, but honestly the way this version is held in crazy esteem is a bit goofy as well. So many talk about Stevie staring down Lindsey and, sorry, it's just my opinion, but she's totally just acting. Simply performing. Which is cool, that's what's she's paid to do. But a performance is simply all it is. a passionate performance even. But people act as if this was emotional bloodletting on her part, really telling Lindsey off in real time. I think that's a crock. If somebody has the info to prove me wrong, I'll happily admit I was wrong.

Now, I'll admit I'm a Lindsey fan, first and foremost. He's the off-the-wall creative leader. However, to me, the person who really gets overlooked by the public at large is Christine. I wouldn't doubt that a fair amount of the listening public's "favorite songs" are things like "Say You Love Me, "Don't Stop", "You Make Loving Fun", "Hold Me" and "Little Lie" among others. Yet I wouldn't doubt the know-nothing younger fan doesn't even know who Christine McVie is. They probably even think those songs are sung by Stevie! Silly stuff...

[HomerMcvie]

Christine has ALWAYS been the one who was overlooked, even though she wrote the MAJORITY of the hits.

This band has always been known for drama, and she and John were the least dramatic of the bunch. Yet the two brats who've been fighting for 50 years get the attention.

It's almost like it's been a planned soap opera.

[Macfan4life]

I think there is a simple answer. The song was a B side to Go Your Own Way, the first single from Rumours that exploded the music charts. The Mac was so popular that radio played the song although it was not on the album. In the years after Rumours faded you would rarely hear the song on the radio which was a treat and I would run and get my tape recorder. I think the song is brilliantly written both lyrically and musically. The music fits the lyrics perfectly. But lets be real Stevie and the band were at their peak powers. Stevie did not write bad songs back then. Sleeping Angel could have made Rumours too but we were not hearing it nor did we have access to it. It some ways it was Rumours dark 5th single. But then again songs like The Chain and Gold Dust Woman also became big hits even though they were not singles. Lets be real every song on Rumours could almost be called a masterpiece. Any recording during Rumours left off the album could be called the same. I think it being left off Rumours but still heard on radio sort of gave the song a cult following. It was a real treat to hear it on a classic rock station in 1983. Its cult status made it even more special when it was the highlight of the Dance 20 years later. I can only speak for myself but the drama between Lindsey and Stevie has nothing to do with the song being "legendary." Its just as "legendary" as Dreams.
I sometimes wonder if Rumours was the double album instead of Tusk.

[dougl]

Originally Posted by sweetdudejim

So obviously the thread title speaks for itself. Now let me say, I think it's a good song. And I wish the original mix was available digitally, as I don't think they ever bested it.

I believe the original mix can be found on the Fleetwood Mac box set 25 Years The Chain (1992).

https://youtu.be/v-7NDMJtRoE?si=wa5e47k3cpkVtJ11

[randydesertrat]

Originally Posted by dougl

I believe the original mix can be found on the Fleetwood Mac box set 25 Years The Chain (1992).

https://youtu.be/v-7NDMJtRoE?si=wa5e47k3cpkVtJ11

The Chain box set version is an alternate of the original mix. It is identical to the original in every way except for one spot. At 3:57 on the line "was I such a fool", that line is MUCH louder on the box set, whereas on the original 45 her line remains at the same background level as all her other lines throughout the ending of the song. In 1976 there was no automated mixing and they did it all manually. If they missed a move on a knob or fader or didn't get it quite right, they had to do another mix. I always felt that the box set version is one of those mixes where they didn't get the fader move right on that one line. It is definitely much quieter on the original 45 release.

[David]

Originally Posted by sweetdudejim

Now, I'll admit I'm a Lindsey fan, first and foremost. He's the off-the-wall creative leader.

I assume he orchestrated the song, fleshed out the structure, added the filigree, and shaped whatever was left. His know-how is all over the studio track. Listen to the piano demo on YouTube — as is just about always the case with those demos, Stevie wrote the lyrics and the vocal melody. And even the latter was pretty heavily modified after the instrumental track was developed. But that finished track is a master class in orchestration — that interplay of acoustic guitar, harmonics, acoustic piano, bass, a hint of organ, and so on. Subtle, delicate, stands the test of time. My only gripe is just a personal quirk: I’m not crazy about the countrified electric guitar. It sounds like an old Gretsch electromatic, almost like a pedal steel.