Let's Talk About...STAND BACK

Dodfather · #1 08-26-2009, 01:42 PM

Well, after a few more random album tracks lately I thought I'd go for one of her biggest tracks for our discussion...

I LOVE this song. It's my favourite Stevie solo track (and that's no mean feat). Dani's got Rhiannon, lol, but for me it's all about Stand Back. I never tire of hearing it, whatever version it may be (and there have been some KICK ASS live versions) and it's my favourite to sing along to incredibly loudly in the car.

We've all heard the sotry about how this was written and I've always found it slightly sad (not pathetic, I mean more upseting) that so close to her wedding, I bvelieve it was her actual wedding night, they spent the night recording a song rather than just enjoying their marriage and each other. What I mean by that is that the marriage seemed even less than secondary to the importance of everything else. Then again, that was kind of the case anyway wasn't it? Such a shame.

Anyway, this song ROCKS! I think it's about men. I can't think that it's about Lindsey specifically, or Kim, or anyone else, but I just think it's about how men may struggle to cope with her success and her world even though they may share it.

"You could be standing in a line": There have been a succession of them and it's necver worked.

"Nooone knows how I feel..." Not he doesn't know, noone knows...

"In the middle of my room I could not hear from you": She's locked in her own world...

The lyrics just seem so negative (again, sad that she wrote them when just married) but at the same time it's hopeful, like Dreams in that way. There's a self awareness here. Perhpas she knew the marriage wasn;t going to work? Or as much as oine can know these things anyway.

She's realising her own faults: "He asked me...that was all"... she is acknowledging her own shortcomings and hoping to improve on them. He didn't ask for much and she just couldn't give it. In this way it's very similar to the sentiments expressed in Dreams "when the rain washes you clean, you'll know" I like this "turn" in the lyrics here, it makes things very interesting.

I've never thought that Fleetwood Mac as a band do this song as well as Stevie's solo band do. It's a very "solo" track for me so I've always found it slightly strange that of all her solo hits it's the one the band do. I can;t explain that much better - sorry!

Does anyone know what happened between Srtevie and Prince? There's a story there as to why they don't speak after working on this track but I don't know what it is...

I'm really looking forward to reading replies to this. This song is so great...

brysondt · #2 08-26-2009, 02:40 PM

K--I could totally be wrong and have heard the wrong version of the story, but this is what I heard/read about the Stevie/Prince ordeal.

Apparently she and Prince got into some sort of argument about the way she was living her life, I think in particularly, the drug use. I think she got so upset with him because he was living his life pretty crazy at the time as well, and she didn't think it was fair he criticize her or imply some kind of double standard. Thats all I've read--I think it was some interview along time ago with Stevie, in the early 90s maybe that she said that.

Punch me in the throat if this is inaccurate.

belledejour · #3 08-26-2009, 02:45 PM

I loved, loved, loved this song when it came out. I still love it, but not the same.
I think it has a darkside ~ for a pop song, released on the radio.

I think this song is sophisticated in it's simplicity. Everyone can relate to "no one knows how I feel"..."do not turn away my friend"...

I like when Stevie sings this song live, she says "it's not alright" ~ like it's really not alright to feel that kind of heartache or emptiness and call it love.
Even though everyone does sometimes.

there is another thread about FM members IQ's I think this is where Stevie's "genius" lies ~ is being sophisticated in her simplicity ~ telling us that everyone may go though a particular incident ~or~ something ~ but that doesn't mean "it's alright"

I thought everyone loved this song ~ even if they didn't like Stevie because it isn't so Stevieish there aren't any doves, gardens or beasts.
anyho ...
This is the song that "did it for me" it was on the radio all summer of '83 as well as the video on MTV. now the summer of '83 this song and the video are indistinguishable in my memory.

GypsyBlueEyes · #4 08-26-2009, 04:09 PM

Stand Back is amazing! I love it live...Stevie gets so into it. I also love to turn it up real loud in the car...its just one of those songs you can jam to! I think its about a single relationship and speaks of a genuine hope that the relationship will work out...that things are complicated, things aren't going the way either of them had hoped, neither of them know what the hell they are doing, and they don't know how to relate to each other but she hopes they can figure it all out.

cristochango · #5 08-26-2009, 06:22 PM

idk why but I think its about some guy that wanted to sleep with her or something
or at least has some sexual meaning to it

said no to him again and again, first he took my heart than he ran

stand back stand back in the middle of my room I did not hear from you.

one man did not call, he asked me for my love that was all.

I think this guy just wanted her for her looks, not who she is. he just wanted her "love"

FMlex · #6 08-26-2009, 09:53 PM

Apparently I really like putting up Youtube videos of whatever song we're discussing

Anyways, here's two of my favorite "Stand Back"s:

Solid Gold (the one that our lovely Bryson lip synced to!) - Stevie is particularly beautiful in this one, and I like the added lyrics toward the end:

And this one has my heart because of her ramblings - so at least watch the first 45 seconds:

michelej1 · #7 08-26-2009, 10:27 PM

And I love the way she turned the lyric for this tour. I first heard what she was saying at the Arizona show:

One man did not fall.
He asked me for my love.
He said, take it all.

I was taken by the the contradiction in words. First he asks for her love, but then he says take it all, as if he’s the one giving, not asking. The truth is, he didn’t ask for anything, he just wanted to give too much. More than she could accept. More commitment than she could stand. I love how she flipped the line.

I love the way the song switches her from one side of a relationship the other. First she's the one rejecting others, telling them to stand back and then the next time she is the one regretful that someone walked away from her. It's a gripping struggle between need and apathy, defiance and contrition.

Of course, even during the contrite passages, there's a fierce attitude in her voice that makes the song so energetic and killer.

Michele

gypsy4life · #8 08-27-2009, 08:49 AM

I LOVE THIS SONG!!! It's not my very favorite Stevie song, but it ranks fairly high among thousands!!

I have spent many moments pondering the exact meaning of Stand Back, and I have come to the conclusion this song is FULL of meanings!! (just like Stevie!)

I feel a lot of one night stand references.."first he took my heart, then he ran"...most women cannot just have a bedroom fling and walk away..I'm a woman, and I know a little piece of your heart will go every time.

I also think this song is about the men in her life in general. Someone else said this as well..."NO ONE knows how I feel"...

At any rate, this song is amazing on stage, amazing on record,amazing on radio...just flat out awesome upbeat stuff!! Even my little 8 year old cousin loves it!! He looks SO cute singing..."I need a little sympathy"...lol...

DashingDan · #9 08-27-2009, 09:02 AM

No one looked as you walked by? Awww. Really, Stevie? Really? Poor thing.

Seriously, when's the last time that happened to you, Stevie, 1961?

I always loved the audacity of the opening line of S.B.

vivfox · #10 08-27-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DashingDan

No one looked as you walked by? Awww. Really, Stevie? Really? Poor thing.

Seriously, when's the last time that happened to you, Stevie, 1961?

I always loved the audacity of the opening line of S.B.

Aha, yes, so, so true.

daniellaaarisen · #11 08-27-2009, 05:00 PM

"Like a willow, I can bend."

That is an invitation to pounce on her if I've ever heard one. Nom.

daniellaaarisen · #12 08-27-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelej1

And I love the way she turned the lyric for this tour. I first heard what she was saying at the Arizona show:

One man did not fall.
He asked me for my love.
He said, take it all.

I was taken by the the contradiction in words. First he asks for her love, but then he says take it all, as if he’s the one giving, not asking. The truth is, he didn’t ask for anything, he just wanted to give too much. More than she could accept. More commitment than she could stand. I love how she flipped the line.

I love the way the song switches her from one side of a relationship the other. First she's the one rejecting others, telling them to stand back and then the next time she is the one regretful that someone walked away from her. It's a gripping struggle between need and apathy, defiance and contrition.

Of course, even during the contrite passages, there's a fierce attitude in her voice that makes the song so energetic and killer.

Michele

Agreed (again, as usual). I think that when Stevie contorts her lyrics live for a well established purpose, it can make or break the song. This is a good example of that-- lovvvvvvvvvvvveedd the way she changed it, too.

cristochango · #13 08-27-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daniellaaarisen

"Like a willow, I can bend."

That is an invitation to pounce on her if I've ever heard one. Nom.

thank you for agreein wit me dani

daniellaaarisen · #14 08-27-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cristochango

thank you for agreein wit me dani

Anytime

This reminds me... we are yet to do a thread for "Rhiannon." Although we've all heard the inspiration for the song a thousand times, I think there's a lot more to be said. So tempting to start that post....

**mylittledemon** · #15 08-27-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brysondt

Punch me in the throat if this is inaccurate.

That's graphic. Yer one sick mama! I like it.

Umm... I have always liked STAND BACK. I remember seeing the video when I was a wee lad. Its one of those songs that gives you chill bumps.

My favorite version? The one she did on SNL... which conveniently keeps disappearing from YouTube