Sometimes it's a bitch

jay · #1 07-03-2011, 01:35 PM

Is this a popular one or not? Personally I love it to bits, it pretty much sums up life as a whole.

drzubritsky · #2 07-03-2011, 02:02 PM

In general, "Sometimes It's A Bitch" is not highly regarded in the Stevie fan community (nor likely by Stevie herself).

I go back & forth on this song. On the positive side, some of the lyrics do work well as a reflection back on her life at that time, even though she didn't write them. But for the most part, my feeling is that recording a couple of hair-metal lite songs at that particular time was an incredibly ill-advised move. That genre was rapidly becoming stale in 1991 after ruling the charts for a few years. Jumping onto this bandwagon with Bon Jovi and Bret Michaels for the Timespace singles made Stevie seem even more unhip and outdated (a big problem since she was already looking passe in the years since TOSOTM).

Nevertheless, I do enjoy "Sometimes It's A Bitch" on occasion, cheesy production and all.

mezzoforte · #3 07-03-2011, 02:40 PM

I think it would get more positive attention had Stevie written it, or the lyrics sounded, at least, like something she might have written. The word bitch was Stevie's main objection, but some of the other lyrics are pretty questionable as well: "I've run through rainbows and castles of candy"?
It doesn't help that Stevie was strong-armed by the label into recording it for the sake of youth appeal. Aren't we all more drawn to the songs that mean something to Stevie?

Even still, I like the song. It's fun and rocking and very late 80's, and she gives a nice vocal. The song probably could have been a real hit had it come out a few years earlier, but at the time it probably sounded a little dated and Stevie was becoming a bit of a joke. With some distance from that time, its merits are becoming more evident.

fumidesigns · #4 07-03-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mezzoforte

I think it would get more positive attention had Stevie written it, or the lyrics sounded, at least, like something she might have written. The word bitch was Stevie's main objection, but some of the other lyrics are pretty questionable as well: "I've run through rainbows and castles of candy"?
It doesn't help that Stevie was strong-armed by the label into recording it for the sake of youth appeal. Aren't we all more drawn to the songs that mean something to Stevie?

Even still, I like the song. It's fun and rocking and very late 80's, and she gives a nice vocal. The song probably could have been a real hit had it come out a few years earlier, but at the time it probably sounded a little dated and Stevie was becoming a bit of a joke. With some distance from that time, its merits are becoming more evident.

yeah. what she said.

skuncles · #5 07-03-2011, 03:31 PM

It's a decent track among the songs Stevie didn' write. I don't think it can hold a candle to a Stevie original though. Part of the great irony of the song is that it, along with "Love's A Hard Game To Play" were included on "TimeSpace ~ The Best Of Stevie Nicks", two new songs she didn't write, hardly her best.
The song as a single was flop and the video was never really shown anywhere. I never saw the video until VH1 was doing a guest VJ weekend (like two years later) with Jon Bon Jovi and he put in his top ten because "this is a song I wrote, but have never seen the video". Oddly enough it's a great video!

starshine · #6 07-03-2011, 03:49 PM

It was a strange song for Stevie when it was released at that time. I actually don't mind it that much. Of course I do wish they had chosen 'more' Stevie written songs too. The whole package could've been done better. More outtake photos from her 1980's solo career. This really would've been the time to have released some of those 'B'-side songs we all wanted. Some of the 'I Can't Waits' /the vocal version to The Nightmare (which I like better than the LP version) same for the 'full' version of RAL from the UK. Sometimes , I guess being a fan I'll never understand why they did it they way they did (promoters etc). I mean at the time I never even thought about all of this stuff but now that I think of it really TS could've been 2 cds with the extra cd being the b-sides/extended versions etc . That way when Enchanted was released so many yrs later we could've had more rare gems. I don't know just a thought?? What are your thoughts?? I guess it doesn't matter now it is what is it and we have what we have but I guess it could've been more special. I really don't like the TS cover though. I wished that would've been a more Stevie like cover. I did like the picture with the US flag on the back (well its on the back of the SIAB single/cassette). I have that poster too. So cool. Anyway. Thoughts anyone??

Ps I did like the video too!!

Christopher · #7 07-03-2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mezzoforte

I think it would get more positive attention had Stevie written it, or the lyrics sounded, at least, like something she might have written. The word bitch was Stevie's main objection, but some of the other lyrics are pretty questionable as well: "I've run through rainbows and castles of candy"?
It doesn't help that Stevie was strong-armed by the label into recording it for the sake of youth appeal. Aren't we all more drawn to the songs that mean something to Stevie?

Even still, I like the song. It's fun and rocking and very late 80's, and she gives a nice vocal. The song probably could have been a real hit had it come out a few years earlier, but at the time it probably sounded a little dated and Stevie was becoming a bit of a joke. With some distance from that time, its merits are becoming more evident.

You pretty much nailed it. Had this song come out between 1989-1990, it probably would have been a hit for almost anyone with Jon Bon Jovi's name attached -especially Cher (ala "If I Could Turn Back Time"). But I still maintain that this is not a great song or a song that Stevie should've ever recorded even back in that timeframe. So when SIAB finally arrived late late summer of 1991, not only was Stevie losing cred, but "hair bands" had worn out their welcome, while Nirvana were building momentum in Europe & on the cusp of releasing "Nevermind" in the US in late September, officially turning the popular music scene on it's axis for the next 5 years.

SIAB & LAHGTP were such transparent calculated moves from the suits at Atlantic/Modern, and an ill-advised jagged pill for Stevie to swallow, of which she did not hide her dismay or mince words to the press for her late summer TS tour. Stevie practically dismissed the song almost entirely.

That and the plain fact that the song is questionable on the onset of being a worthwhile Stevie Nicks cover . Even though I have many issues with "Love's a Hard Game to Play", it's more suitable towards Stevie's style & repertoire than SIAB. But 20 years on, I still cringe that these 2 songs were ever allowed to be included on Stevie's 1st GH record. For me this period marked the beginning of Stevie's lost (direction) years (91'-95'). The elevated klonopin state & self doubt she suffered were in full tilt. Stevie badly needed to take a few years off to recalibrate and find new inspiration. Luckily she regained traction sooner than later & again found her songwriting legs in 95' writing some terrific new songs (TISL, Love Is, Space Needle etc.) & recording "Twisted" with Lindsey in 96' and onward.

Heartboy · #8 07-03-2011, 04:53 PM

Not sure where 'Silver Springs' would of fit in this collection.

The title of the project would of made no sense if it was added. 1981 to 1991 is what I've always thought 'Timespace' meant.

Besides Jon Bon Jovi, Mark Andes (Heart) played on this track which is kinda funny because he was kicked out of Heart around this time!

Sometimes it is a Bitch!

Bryan · #9 07-03-2011, 05:40 PM

Have always loved it. It's sort of become the 'lost' Stevie song.Radio Caroline in England is the only place I have ever heard it played nowadays.The single was great,nice cover & good tracks to accompany it

MacShadowsBall · #10 07-03-2011, 07:49 PM

I love how my Fleetwood Mac/Stevie likes and dislikes are completely different that most Ledgies... cause I freaking LOVE "Sometimes It's a Bitch"!!!

fumidesigns · #11 07-03-2011, 08:09 PM

Phoenixgypsy · #12 07-04-2011, 10:16 AM

I've always liked this song! Really fit my life when it first came out (haven't we all had "THOSE" days!). Yea...the "bitch" word surprised me in a Stevie song....funny compared to what's on the radio NOW...bitch is very tame.

In Your Dreams · #13 07-04-2011, 10:32 AM

I go back and forth on this song. Sometimes I like it and sometimes I skip right over it. I guess it depends on my mood.
Although I think they should have released Love's a Hard Game to Play before this song. I really like her vocal in that and think it could have been a bigger hit instead of being lost as the second single from Timespace.

Jondalar · #14 07-04-2011, 11:39 AM

It's overproduced and needed edited. I never liked it. It seemed like an attempt for a hit. Her vocal is bad on it too.

markolas · #15 07-04-2011, 11:51 AM

It's dreadful, as are the other "new" Timespace songs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heartboy

Not sure where 'Silver Springs' would of fit in this collection.

The title of the project would of made no sense if it was added.

When Stevie was thinking of including SS on Timespace, I don't think SIAB or HGTP were even a twinkle in her eye; it sounds like she wanted Silver Springs and Listen to the Rain instead.