Is "mystical, elusive" etc. an excuse for poor songwriting?

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by David

I don't think she's a hugely gifted lyricist. I've always said that (and gotten cussed at). But she's this weirdly whole package, where the obtuse lyric with the tone-deaf phrasing combines with the way Stevie looks and the way she sings and her legions of fans and the way other pop stars talk about her and her lineup of men and her way of sounding air-headed and totally fascinating at the same time when she's talking to you, and allah shazam she's a legend. She's our girl.

By the way, I admire the work she put into many of her songs, like "Dreams" and "Crystal" and "Candlebright" and "Storms." These are songs whose lyrics add to Stevie's legacy. "Sister Honey" and "Alice" do not.

All songs LB refined. Just saying. Not that I think he's done well on all her songs he's touched, by any means, but..... when he was good, he was really good......

[iamnotafraid]

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

If Stevie looked like Hillary Clinton we would not be having this discussion .

Maybe Stevie will pull out the pant suits for the last tour.
___________________________________________

On Stevie's songwriting. It does sound like she just wrote whatever
popped into her head sometimes. Then she'd hone it down and make
something magical out of it when it was time to put it on record.

But after Rock A Little, or even during that time she seemed to
lose that ability.

[WildHearted]

Well, I think the decline seen in the mid-80s through 90s was mostly substance related. I think part of the problem now is simply that Stevie's life isn't as fast-paced as it once was. The more dramatic experiences you're having and witnessing, the more emotions you have to let out about it all, the more is to write about... back in the 70s, there was plenty of intensity to go around. Luckily, things have mellowed out for Stevie over time, but as a result, her output isn't as consistently captivating. However, when she IS truly inspired to write something, something born out of genuine emotion (a la Soldier's Angel, or For What It's Worth, Can't Fix This, even Moonlight) it's still very good.

Another consideration is that unfortunately, at some point, it becomes difficult not to get wrapped up in your own persona, and I think Stevie has definitely fallen victim to that periodically. She's become iconic for this mystical, stream-of-consciousness kind of writing, which actually has kind of gotten in her way. Whereas initially she was writing that way because that was how she was naturally expressing her thoughts (at times - certainly not all songs had that quality), I think at later times she felt inclined to write that way because of her own awareness about how she's perceived, which results in it seeming less authentic and more, well, forced or something.

Then of course there's the editing issue. I think there's a lot of factors at play. I think Stevie has great songwriting ability but it's not always utilized to it's fullest capacity for a number of reasons.

I will say, though, that there's nothing intrinsically "sub-par" about a particular style of lyrical writing... it's all just a matter of how it connects with the audience. If it connects, it's good. If it doesn't, that's where quality comes into question.

[BombaySapphire3]

It could also be that a writer only has only so many great songs in them. How often could someone look at some snowy Rocky mountain peaks and come up with a timeless gem in 20 minutes and then in few more minutes produce the song that would make you a star? Or look at a freeway sign and come up with a tortured epic like Silver SpringsThese all seem like once in a lifetime moments and she had more than one of them.

[Missy]

There are some artists who do seem to have a sudden creative spurt in their later careers. But there are others unfortunately who seem to get in a rut.

Writing prose and writing poetry/songs can be very different. With a poem you are trying to condense down a bigger concept into a few lines. It also has to fit a rhythm or tempo.

I do respect Stevie's talent a lot even if she doesn't always quite hit the mark. She has to work with people who can understand where she is coming from, what she is striving for, and that may be difficult. Lindsey had a good understanding of her and probably helped 'interpret' her to the others in the group. He could possibly express things that she could not, because he had better musical knowledge and in his interviews he seems very articulate and well spoken. It's just a shame with Lindsey and Stevie that their egos can sometimes create a block.

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by WildHearted

Another consideration is that unfortunately, at some point, it becomes difficult not to get wrapped up in your own persona, and I think Stevie has definitely fallen victim to that periodically. She's become iconic for this mystical, stream-of-consciousness kind of writing, which actually has kind of gotten in her way. Whereas initially she was writing that way because that was how she was naturally expressing her thoughts (at times - certainly not all songs had that quality), I think at later times she felt inclined to write that way because of her own awareness about how she's perceived, which results in it seeming less authentic and more, well, forced or something.

Then of course there's the editing issue. I think there's a lot of factors at play. I think Stevie has great songwriting ability but it's not always utilized to it's fullest capacity for a number of reasons.

Originally Posted by Missy

I do respect Stevie's talent a lot even if she doesn't always quite hit the mark. She has to work with people who can understand where she is coming from, what she is striving for, and that may be difficult. Lindsey had a good understanding of her and probably helped 'interpret' her to the others in the group. He could possibly express things that she could not, because he had better musical knowledge and in his interviews he seems very articulate and well spoken. It's just a shame with Lindsey and Stevie that their egos can sometimes create a block.

agree with both of these.

[olive]

she is an old rich white lady , she has no worries , she isn't really involved with anyone so any schoolgirl dating drama has ended and she is sober what's left to write about the past and death

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by olive

what's left to write about the past and death

Not to be morbid, but I wish she would write something about death and mortality. It could be very poignant. I mean, she thinks she will live until her nineties like the other women in her family, so I guess she doesn't think of her own death much yet, but I'm sure she can imagine the others dropping dead pretty soon. Write about that.

Michele

[olive]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Not to be morbid, but I wish she would write something about death and mortality. It could be very poignant. I mean, she thinks she will live until her nineties like the other women in her family, so I guess she doesn't think of her own death much yet, but I'm sure she can imagine the others dropping dead pretty soon. Write about that.

Michele

i agree ! God's Garden is one of my favorites and that is about death