Stevie said "well" 30 times in the 'Juliet' demo

petep9000 · #1 12-01-2008, 10:37 PM

I realize this song isn't everyone's cup o' tea. This is, as far as I know, the demo of Juliet that was presented to Fleetwood Mac for the 'Tango' sessions. It sounds to me like this demo was put together maybe on a break during her RAL tour, though I suppose it could just as easily be post-release from Betty Ford. Her voice is very 'true' to that RAL-era, all barking and bellowing, totally singing the wrong way with her throat (yet, it's music to my ears) and in general: a funky mess. So, I used to listen to this on cassette n my old car, and would try to count the number of times she bleats out a "well". I always came up with a different number, probably because I was busy trying to concentrate on traffic. I told myself that one day I'd sit down and try to count them on paper. So, tonight I finally did. I hope I got them all. This was a labor of love, as this is one of my favorite demos from her. Believe it or not.

Oh, and if I put an asterix next to it, that means I consider that "well" to be extra special and full of well-ness. Click the Youtube vid, and listen along and let me know if I got them all. That is, if you can sit through it. As I mentioned, this era of Stevie isn't for everyone...
(p.s, bravo to YouTube user 'Geminicusp82' for assembling this slideshow and putting this kooky tune online for everyone to hear)

The "well" count in 'Juliet', 1987

1. 00:20
2. 00:36
3. 01:04 *
4. 01:22
5. 01:24
6. 01:28
7. 01:29
8. 01:33 *
9. 01:35
10. 01:42
11. 01:47
12. 01:57
13. 02:01
14. 02:06
15. 02:18
16. 02:35
17. 02:40 *
18. 03:09
19. 03:13
20. 03:19 *
21. 03:23
22. 03:35 *
23. 03:45
24. 03:50 *
25. 03:53
26. 03:56
27. 03:58
28. 04:04
29. 04:10
30. 04:12 *

wolfontherun · #2 12-01-2008, 11:57 PM

I just love a funky mess! :-)

Tango · #3 12-02-2008, 08:00 AM

Stevie overuses the word "well." The Webster on line dictionary lists about 58 uses of the word well. Stevie uses well mostly as an interjection. A lot of people on this board begin their threads/posts using the word Well or So, as if interjecting into a conversation: "So, I went to the store today." (My immediate mental response is, "So what?") The post could have stated, "I went to the store today." So is not necessary, any more than many of Stevie's wells. It's an odd habit, but not uncommon in Stevie's live performances. There's a strong well in The Dance's "Sweet Girl" that seems to call the listener to attention.

DeeGeMe · #4 12-02-2008, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

Stevie overuses the word "well." The Webster on line dictionary lists about 58 uses of the word well. Stevie uses well mostly as an interjection. A lot of people on this board begin their threads/posts using the word Well or So, as if interjecting into a conversation: "So, I went to the store today." (My immediate mental response is, "So what?") The post could have stated, "I went to the store today." So is not necessary, any more than many of Stevie's wells. It's an odd habit, but not uncommon in Stevie's live performances. There's a strong well in The Dance's "Sweet Girl" that seems to call the listener to attention.

I overuse the word "well" too. I think it's from hearing too many Stevie demo & outtake tracks.

Tango · #5 12-02-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeGeMe

I overuse the word "well" too. I think it's from hearing too many Stevie demo & outtake tracks.

That makes sense. Another odd opening interjection used on The Ledge is the word Alright. I don't mean Stevie's song, "That's Alright." Some posters start their threads with several of these interjections strung together, "Well, alright then, so I went to the store last night."

Another example, "Alright, what do you think of The Mets?" English teachers grab your pens.

The use of these words are amusing when one observes them, as pete9000 points out.

petep9000 · #6 12-02-2008, 10:01 AM

I can't say that I overuse 'well' much, but I definately use 'so' and I use it exactly the way 'Tango' describes. I was just thinking of that the other day, in fact. If anyone has ever looked at that two Stevie Nicks commentaries I did on my blog, you'll notice the use of 'so'. I think I use it out of nervousness, as a way of starting a sentence. I wish I could improve my spoken and written English at my late age, I know I use non-standard and lazy grammar. Possibly a product of my working class Long Island/Brooklyn upbringing, as this is a not-so-uncommon speach pattern where I come from. I can't quite shake it, and if I make an effort it almost seems like an affectation.

Back to 'Juliet', 30 'wells' is just so over-the-top! I'm going to try and find another recorded Stevie song where she uses 'well' nearly as much. Certainly her stage shows during the RAL tour were peppered with a milion 'wells'. Maybe that's what I'll do, dissect one of her songs and count the 'wells' from my favorite boot, her Jones Beach 1986 RAL stop. I think EO17 features the most.

Musicman408 · #7 12-02-2008, 10:15 AM

I like this demo. I've always liked listening to demos after I hear the finished product of the song. Interesting comparison. Thanks for the work guys!!

michelej1 · #8 12-02-2008, 12:43 PM

Well, Tango I'm guilty. So, what now?

Michele

chiliD · #9 12-02-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

Stevie overuses the word "well." The Webster on line dictionary lists about 58 uses of the word well. Stevie uses well mostly as an interjection. A lot of people on this board begin their threads/posts using the word Well or So, as if interjecting into a conversation: "So, I went to the store today." (My immediate mental response is, "So what?") The post could have stated, "I went to the store today." So is not necessary, any more than many of Stevie's wells. It's an odd habit, but not uncommon in Stevie's live performances. There's a strong well in The Dance's "Sweet Girl" that seems to call the listener to attention.

Ok...who wants to count the number of "you know" (or "ya know") in just about ANY live interview subject within the last 5-10 years?

At least, "well" is rarely misspelled, which considering the number of misspelled words here on the Ledge, is remarkable.

priestofnothing · #10 12-02-2008, 02:03 PM

All the "wells" used to irk me, but not as much as the

"he said"
"she said"

lyrics that started happening all over the OSOTM album.

Then when you combine the two things together

well he said its alright baby
well she said I'm doing fine
well the angel said

Stevie pushed me right over the edge. Awful klono-writing.

Tango · #11 12-02-2008, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelej1

Well, Tango I'm guilty. So, what now?

Michele

You've taken the first step in the program.

Tango · #12 12-02-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiliD

Ok...who wants to count the number of "you know" (or "ya know") in just about ANY live interview subject within the last 5-10 years?

At least, "well" is rarely misspelled, which considering the number of misspelled words here on the Ledge, is remarkable.

You have previously mentioned one of your most favorite Fleetwood Mac songs is OH Well. Perhaps that song is why all the "wells" don't bother you as much!

petep9000 · #13 12-02-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by priestofnothing

All the "wells" used to irk me, but not as much as the

"he said"
"she said"

.

LOL! But, I sort of liked it in 'Mirror, Mirror' where she barked out
"she says, I think you walk a thin line, walk a thin line!!!"

but, I'm not sure if you are counting 'says' along with the 'saids'.

But you're right, once she started dropping the little blue pill imprinted with 'K', her use of 'said' increased.

nailatixela · #14 12-02-2008, 06:55 PM

Wow that's a lot of wells! Thanks for counting them for us, quite funny.

I love the RAL era - but just can't get into this demo. I really like the finished product more this time.

Zombie · #15 12-03-2008, 02:37 PM

The plethora of "wells" in Stevie's lyrics has always amused me - I think my favorite examples of it have to be from the Red Rocks performance of "Edge," though. It's the perfect blend of "well" and funky mess. Pure love.

I just did a quick run-through to see how many there actually were, and I came up with 23. 25 if you count Sharon's 2.

And if the psychedelic freakout at the end is a string of "welllll-wellllll-welllll!", which it sounds like it might be, then we're at 28.

She wastes no time when, after the first 2 "wells," she socks in a quick three-shot at 3:25. I like the one at about 5:06 best because it is, to borrow a phrase from Pete there, extra special and full of well-ness. And you gotta love the "WELL, I know what it sounds like....WHEN DOVES CRY! OW!" homage to the Purple One, whom I expect also understands the importance of being well.

Well, she said you get down wit' yo' bad self, Miss Stevie.

PS - Tango, I advise you to never come 'round Western PA. Not only do folk here overuse the "well," they pronounce it like "wool." My mother broke me of the habit by shouting, "Do you see any sheep around here?!" or "NO WOOL!" every time I said it as a child.

Alas, I still say "crick" for "creek."