This week in 1983 December 1983

[Macfan4life]

Nightbird hit the charts at #63 after being released November 30, 1983. It would soon be promoted on Saturday Night Live at the end of December and then on Solid Gold early February 1984. It peaked at #33 and was leapfrogged by Christine's Got A Hold On Me when it entered the top 40.

Bringing the album The Wild Heart to a crashing end

[UnwindedDreams]

Holy cow. Those were the days! And when she'd wear the SB like a poncho with her shoulder showing!

I wonder why Stevie never played Nightbird in concert after SNL.

I guess that synth wouldn't really capture the audience but Nightbird's one of her masterpieces.

Also, it gave Lori solo time (live, on the album it's sung with SS).

Nowadays, she could have Marilyn Martin sing it with her.

[Macfan4life]

Here is the Solid Gold performance that was recorded in December or January 1983 and debuted on Solid Gold February 4, 1984.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb2ty18YFBQ

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by UnwindedDreams

I wonder why Stevie never played Nightbird in concert after SNL.
Also, it gave Lori solo time (live, on the album it's sung with SS).

Nightbird was a great tv moment and she looked wonderful and it was so nice to see her and Lori share the vocals at the same mic. Stevie has always raved about Sharon and Lori but that is the only time Lori has ever stood out. I don't think it would have worked well in a concert venue though because it's too soft of a song. But it is surprising she would choose a song as a single and then not perform it in concert.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

Nightbird hit the charts at #63 after being released November 30, 1983. It would soon be promoted on Saturday Night Live at the end of December and then on Solid Gold early February 1984. It peaked at #33 and was leapfrogged by Christine's Got A Hold On Me when it entered the top 40.

Bringing the album The Wild Heart to a crashing end

On a similar note, “If Anyone Falls” was released as a single on September 3, 1983 and Madonna’s breakthrough single “Holiday” was released on September 7, 1983. Kind of a changing of the guard moment.

[cbBen]

"If Anyone Falls" is much better than "Nightbird" IMO.

The rationale for her solo career ("I'm too prolific a writer") disappeared after her first two solo albums (also IMO).

[UnwindedDreams]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

On a similar note, “If Anyone Falls” was released as a single on September 3, 1983 and Madonna’s breakthrough single “Holiday” was released on September 7, 1983. Kind of a changing of the guard moment.

And Stevie's hated her since

[Macfan4life]

I remember being angry that Nightbird was released because even at age 13 I knew it would not chart well. I was hoping for Enchanted, I Will Run To You, or Nothing Ever Changes.
Rock stations were still playing more from Bella Donna than Wild Heart. As disappointed I was for Nightbird, I was thrilled Christine's solo album was shortly to be released.

[cbBen]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

I remember being angry that Nightbird was released because even at age 13 I knew it would not chart well. I was hoping for Enchanted, I Will Run To You, or Nothing Ever Changes.

After his bad experience with "SDMHA" quashing his single "Woman In Love" (which would have been a hit had the two not come out concurrently), I suspect Petty conditioned giving her "I Will Run To You" on her not releasing it as a single.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by cbBen

After his bad experience with "SDMHA" quashing his single "Woman In Love" (which would have been a hit had the two not come out concurrently), I suspect Petty conditioned giving her "I Will Run To You" on her not releasing it as a single.

I Will Run is a good song, but not half as good as SDMHA.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by cbBen

After his bad experience with "SDMHA" quashing his single "Woman In Love" (which would have been a hit had the two not come out concurrently), I suspect Petty conditioned giving her "I Will Run To You" on her not releasing it as a single.

By late 1983 that was water under the bridge. In 1981 and 1982 yes Tom was upset but soon realized and joked about it how he was not happy but the song's success bought him a new house.
By late 1983, Long After Dark was old news being released the previous year with mild success. Tom would have loved to have had his song released the following year.
SDMHA was released about the same time as Hard Promises in 1981.
Stevie went on tour with Tom that summer and the dates she showed up at packed the house. I can see how he was frustrated. His song was given away and the people were coming to see Stevie while his album was not nearly as successful.
I think I will run to you is a good song. But its pretty lame both in the lyrics department and music department. That does not mean it would not have been a good single. But in 1983 I think both Stevie and Tom were trying not to milk each other for success. Stevie's record company should have planned in advance in the peak days of MTV to shoot 3 videos before the Wild Heat tour started.

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

I remember being angry that Nightbird was released because even at age 13 I knew it would not chart well. I was hoping for Enchanted, I Will Run To You, or Nothing Ever Changes.

I felt the same way at the time. I was always rooting for the release of Nothing Ever Changes because a good rock song is always an enjoyable concert staple. She already has an abundance of ballads. Of those 3 songs you listed, for me NEC is the only one that has stood the test of time. I almost forgot to tell you that her and Tom Petty performed I Will Run To You live at Radio City in Sept 1983 and while it was good to hear and see it in person, I never really cared much for that song. But that's just my opinion. The audience really loved it. Tom was a surprise guest. He was not advertised on the bill.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by vivfox

I felt the same way at the time. I was always rooting for the release of Nothing Ever Changes because a good rock song is always an enjoyable concert staple. She already has an abundance of ballads. Of those 3 songs you listed, for me NEC is the only one that has stood the test of time. I almost forgot to tell you that her and Tom Petty performed I Will Run To You live at Radio City in Sept 1983 and while it was good to hear and see it in person, I never really cared much for that song. But that's just my opinion. The audience really loved it. Tom was a surprise guest. He was not advertised on the bill.

That's right. I remember your story about the 1983 NYC show with Tom. Wow thats pretty rare. Only a handful of people on this earth have seen I Will Run To You live and you are one of them.
Like you I too was rooting for Nothing Ever Changes. It already had some decent rock play. Even if the song did not chart well like Nightbird, go out with a bang and a rocker.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by UnwindedDreams

And Stevie's hated her since

In that 1985 interview she laughed and inferred she influenced a few "people" with her fashion sense i.e. talking about Madonna. The comic irony that Stevie sat for that interview with lace gloves on. Who was influencing who?
It was Stevie chasing Madonna with neon gloves in 1985. Hardly an influencer anymore, she was chasing trends which was nothing short of cheezy. And she was so high that you notice all the dancing scenes in Talk To Me are shot far, were away not to see her face.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

It was Stevie chasing Madonna with neon gloves in 1985. Hardly an influencer anymore, she was chasing trends which was nothing short of cheezy.

It was kind of the downfall of her career for over a decade. Between being high as a kite and then tranqued out of her mind, she lost sight of who Stevie Nicks was. It was really sad.