Smile at You on AOL

[estranged4life]

Originally posted by PenguinHead
AMEN! I concur! Plus remember, some songs need to grow on you. To make such an immediate judgement just because it doesn't hit you on the first listen is silly. Look at Tusk! Many fans were dumbfounded and dissapointed when they first heard it. All these years later, it's considered a masterpiece by many.

I've heard it twice now, The first time I thought to myself "Okay, It's unlike the demo versions...Weird, But interesting"...

The second time I pay more attention to the music than Stevie's singing, And I liked what I heard...

Maybe by the third time it will start growing on me a bit more (Like how "Destiny Rules" has...) Brian J.

[Gazza]

I don't understand those of you who complain that it's not like the Tusk or Mirage version. Who cares? We'll always have those versions, so I'm not sure why you would have wanted a replica to appear on the new album.

It's more to do with wanting to see them perform that version live, for me.

I'm all for them injecting new life into songs, but I loved the structure of that version, and I just don't think this version is all that great. Had I not heard the original demo, I still don't think I'd like this song much.

[Phil]

After eagerly anticipating the official debut of one of Stevie's best compositions to date, I am bitterly disappointed in the new version of "Smile At You"... and I must say the blame rests squarely on Lindsey's shoulders.
I have heard countless demos of this song over the years and even though there were many lyrical and musical variations along the way, every version rang true in terms of intensity without sacrificing the melody... until now.
I have long embraced inventive production techniques and all manner of studio experimentation, but I would liken Lindsey's bastardisation of "Smile" to that of the reckless arrangement foisted upon TITN's "Welcome To The Room Sara". Whilst definitely not one of Stevie's greatest moments, the original demo of "WTTRS" possessed a certain degree of fluidity and charm, but both were unceremoniously eradicated from the released version. However, that farcical intervention could never have prepared me for the ill treatment bestowed upon such a classic as "Smile At You" during this warm and fuzzy 2003 phase of the Mac.
I must also say that even though Stevie is in fine voice, I do believe she could do better. I guess she was constrained by the somewhat lacklusture, anticlimactic arrangement of the chorus but she does sound rather out of her depth... at times listless and then at others, straining beyond all reason for next to no result.
Needless to say, this is one track I know I'll be skipping when the album is released. What a ****ing waste!
I should also point out that the original demo of "Smile At You" dating back to January 1977 did contain the line "I should have turned around and ran" and yes it has always bothered me as well. I much preferred the alternate take of "Fly away... to your castles in the sky" and can not believe it has been relegated to the cutting room floor for this incarnation. Oh the shame of it all!

[tommer]

Originally posted by Somajoseph
lighten up Carne, cause you are a real downer on these boards.

i disagree,
and please don't be too quick judging others here, mr. newbie. thank you.

[Keith]

although "Smile at You" has it's moments - i do love Stevie's voice and the guitar at the end - overall, I'm disappointed with this track.. I've enjoyed all the other clips - especially "What's the World Coming To?" (the clip ends just as this song is clicking into high gear) and "Thrown Down" (Lindsey did an outstanding job with this one - at least from what I can tell from the clip).

But, "Smile at You" is just not doing it for me.. i'll keep listening..but I expected something different, and better. I especially don't like the chorus.. too busy..maybe it's just the poor quality file.. i don't know.. this new version just isn't doing much for me... i'm just not connecting with this one..

:-(

"you're not like other people..
you do what you want you..."

[tommer]

it's now the second day in which i cannot stop listening to this song over and over.
i just wanna add that this is BY FAR the best FM song i heard in the last 15 years.
it reminds me again just WHY i loved them in the first place.
i refuse to believe some people here don't like it that much, maybe those people need to give it a few more listens, maybe in a better quality or something to realize it's greatness...

[stefan]

It`s always hard to hear a song in a new version. The same discussion as with Peacekeeper. I heard the two Peacekeeper versions, the original one and the FM one at the same day and just liked the LB version better, although the album version is a good song too in my opinion.
Yesterday I heard Smile at you the first time in the new album version. After that I listened to the Stevie demo the first time also. To me the Stevie demo is lacking of a chorus and really boring. Just Monotonous. But: it`s just a demo and this because of good reasons as I think. Now it`s been changed from a demo raw form into an album version and I think it`s a great song. To me the LB chorus fits very good and makes the song exciting. Great voice sounding. And yes it has paralleles to Welcome to the room Sara, which I also liked because of LB`s chorus parts. And I also see a connection to Caroline. But I wouldn`t call it a typical 80`s song. So it seems the perception of this track is pretty different on the board.


The grammar thing... I`m not too sure about it- perhaps he sings something different, which can`t be heard due to the quality of the mp3. I'll wait for the booklet to read what is really meant If it's wrong- yeah that's a bit tacky then...

After the first snippets of the album made me think, it would be very mainstream softpop orientated, I know think it's going to be a good mix. There are still Red rover, Come, Murrow and Say goodbye- now Smile at you and who knows about the other ones we didn't hear of up until now. And this is very promising.

[CarneVaca]

Originally posted by Somajoseph
Having said that, I've got to say that Carne Vaca is just simply obnoxious...
You dont impress me with any of the bitchy, negative and smarmy comments you make. Music moves people like little else can, so to sit there and dissect something to make yourself sound superior and more intelligent just plain sucks.
I loved "Smile at You" because of the heart that Stevie put into the vocal. I enjoyed it. Simple as that. So lighten up Carne, cause you are a real downer on these boards.
Joseph

I'm going to help you out here. First, take a look at the rules of this board. Calling someone "obnoxious" and a host of other epithets might just get you in trouble here. Some of us found that out the hard way. Also, I wonder if we weren't having a debate from behind the safety of our keyboards if you would call me "obnoxious" to my face. Just wondering.

Secondly, I didn't come here to impress you. For you to think anyone came here to do that shows a level of self-centeredness unmatched so far on these boards. Furthermore, if my pointing out a grammatical error comes across to you as "something to make" myself sound superior, then that must mean it made you feel inferior and that's an issue you need to deal with yourself. I can't help you there.

You love Smile at You. I'am happy for you.

Calling me a downer is almost a compliment, considering what I've been called on these boards before.

Isn't it interesting that Johnny Stew was able to disagree with me respectfully but you had to resort to name calling?

[CarneVaca]

Originally posted by stefan
The grammar thing... If it's wrong- yeah that's a bit tacky then...

Thank you. That was my point all along. It would have been possible to change the words while retaining the message and the poetic value. It takes a certain amount of skill that I'm sure Stevie has. Just because you commit words to paper doesn't mean they become sacred immediately. You can always improve them.

After all, even Moses did a little bit of editing on the Ten Commandments.

[sodascouts]

I'm glad so many people have great responses to the new "Smile at You"! I hope if I listen to this new version enough I will grow to like it, too. Right now I have to say I agree with the naysayers, but as I said I will try to learn to love it - or at least like it.

[FiercestCalmSea]

lighten up Carne, cause you are a real downer on these boards

Hey...i think alot of people would agree...we LIKE Carne's comments..he gives his perpective on things just like anyone else..so back off...

[Christopher]

Just listened to "Smile at You" (a few times)- and I must say, It sure is refreshing to see them make a left turn w/ this very old and infamous demo.
This will be the "Gold Dust Woman" or "SOTM" on the new CD! With the lyrics and vocal delivery tinged w/bitterness and betrayal, ...while Lindsey builds a mystery musically, Stevie moans and coo's on the crecendo like chorus- sounding pissed off angry and hurt all in the same breath....This is musical theatre, and what Fleetwood Mac does best.

Some people are just too attached to the old demo...so it's easy to see why they do not like the new "Smile at You 2003". But I for one am happy they did not re-do it like the old version....after all why would they...It never made an official CD release till now for a reason.,....The old chorus....which they've now regulated to the bridge, was too, for lack of a better word, clunky. And it did not flow effectively from the verses.....I tend to think the over-whelming passion Stevie conveyed in the demo and Lindey's screaming guitar is really why people treasured the old demo...it was like a mini concert revival of rhiannon-wrapped up with a new red bow.

So its not the "rocker" some people were holding out for- but this song is still chock full of anger and this new arrangement, to me really allows you to be mesmerized with Stevie's vocals and focus on the lyrics unencumbered. I'm also happy to see that the plodding cathedral piano is gone.

And besides...I'm still knocked out after all these years....at this stage in their careers, we are seeing this calibre of song and perfomance...It really blows my mind. 1st TISL and now SYW...If they never record again I would be content.

[gldstwmn]

Originally posted by secondhandchain
Allright, I just heard the demo. You guys who miss the old version can't possibly expect Stevie to do what she did then. I was exhausted for Stevie listening to it. She's in her 50's now. They had to change the song a little. She still does an awesome job on the vocal. It's also been updated. It has a very much today sound. Anyway just my humble opinion.

If it couldn't have been given the proper treatment then there are a lot of other songs in the vault that could have been done. The song loses it's integrity without the angry vocal. This is like Smile At You on Prozac.

[gldstwmn]

Originally posted by CarneVaca


After all, even Moses did a little bit of editing on the Ten Commandments.

Really? Were you there?

[markolas]

Well, I'm going to add my voice to the side who likes the new version of "Smile at You." Hearing such a strong vocal from Stevie was a pleasant surprise, and I like what Lindsey did with the song. It's good to see them stretching themselves, and not being afraid to try something different.