Like or Dislike: Joan of Arc

[ejof17]

I love JOA!! Some great vocals too!

[gldstwmn]

Another one: http://www.mediafire.com/?mdjf2pl7ualski5

[sorcerer999]

LOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEE this song so much!!! Yes, it TOTALLY should have been on TITN, instead of the atrocious "When I See You Again". I don't understand the decision making behind that one.

[aprilsrain]

I like the concept. It's very flat across the demo without any real chorus sticking out or anything, but that could be fixed in production of a real song.

[SapphireSister]

Without a doubt one of my top 5 demos. Loved it this first time I heard it and love it to this day. It's so haunting and you can hear the raw emotion in her voice, whatever the hell she's really talking about. I disagree however that it should have been on Tango. I like that this is one of those rare great songs that only us extreme fans know about. It's our little secret and with this particular song I like it that way. That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to hear a cleaned up version.

[KarmaContestant]

Meh. There is some definite potential in the lyrics, but overall it's a dud the way it is.

[Meowi]

It is such a dark song, and it is great.
How come Stevie's best work in the late 80's was never out to the record!

[starshine]

Not my favorite outtakes/demo whatever it is. Just a boring song to me. The repetative : turn it to the wall --line I just don't like it. Not enough lyrics and the music just isn't a stand out to me. Like I stated in other discussions for me its not a stand out song but really the Tango era just isn't a favorite period of mine nor are parts of RAL. RAL has some stuff but Tango ugh.(even the 'look/dress' of Tango is and ugh too) Its ok if you like it we all like different things and theres nothing wrong with that really.

[starshine]

sorry I just had to post again to get off that 'number' I was on. I don't like that number!!! I feel much better now thank you!!! interesting it changed both to 667 the previous was the dreaded: 66* ugh!!

[Jondalar]

The song isn't really a song. However, I will say I love her voice on this.

[Djwidow]

I love this song/demo...I wish it had made the cut for any album...
(Fm/SN) I first heard the demo on a cassette a while back...I did everything to try and find the song...then finally thanks to the internet...I was able to download it...
and the song still haunts me for what ever reason...it just makes me crazy at times...

[sorcerer999]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

The song isn't really a song.

HUH? Can you explain what you mean with that statement?

[Kena]

Originally Posted by SapphireSister

Without a doubt one of my top 5 demos. Loved it this first time I heard it and love it to this day. It's so haunting and you can hear the raw emotion in her voice, whatever the hell she's really talking about. I disagree however that it should have been on Tango. I like that this is one of those rare great songs that only us extreme fans know about. It's our little secret and with this particular song I like it that way. That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to hear a cleaned up version.

This one's in my top 5 also! And all this time I thought I was the only one with that much love for Joan. I love the little twinkle sounds during "turn to the wall baby, turn into the wall...Joan."

[johnb84]

I love Joan of Arc. I've only heard one version though. On YouTube.

and I Love Jazmen...please come back. I wish I had been here when you posted.

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by SapphireSister

Without a doubt one of my top 5 demos. Loved it this first time I heard it and love it to this day. It's so haunting and you can hear the raw emotion in her voice, whatever the hell she's really talking about. I disagree however that it should have been on Tango. I like that this is one of those rare great songs that only us extreme fans know about. It's our little secret and with this particular song I like it that way. That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to hear a cleaned up version.

Did you download the Tango version? To my ears that sounds totally like a produced studio track- arguably with a level of complexity even surpassing that of the released songs like "Seven Wonders" and WISYA. However, I must admit that I somewhat prefer the simple "bongo" version than the one with all of the drum machines. There's something very ominous and unsettling yet vulnerable about it. I can definitely see why it didn't make it onto the album- it is the most depressing song she has ever recorded.

As for the meaning behind the song... I think it's yet another Stevie v. The World type of song. Angry and resentful. And yet again I suspect it has to do with drugs, fame and one (or more) of her ex-lovers. However, I struggle with trying to draw a correlation between Stevie and Joan of Arc, a hero who essentially burned at the stake for her beliefs. She seems to liken pampered rock stars as modern day "martyrs" - perhaps taking them to task or actually believing that they hold the keys to enlightenment; I don't know. And whatever does she mean with this oft-repeated "wall," which could mean just about anything? A wall could be a symbol of separation or barriers. Or it could be armor/shelter- a comfortable place. It's something to keep you trapped or to keep others out. Or it could mean a hard stop- an "end of the line," if you will. Or it could mean, literally, a wall- something that she probably stared at a lot while getting sober at Betty Ford. My guess is that the "wall" in this song is a little bit of everything.