Like or dislike Bella Donna

skcin · #1 07-14-2005, 02:32 PM

We do so many lists of favorites, least favorite, best lyrics, best music, etc., it's hard to keep track of who likes/dislikes which tunes & why. I'm going to do a thread every few days on a specific song. I'll probably go in the order they are on the albums.

Please post your thoughts & opinions on the song - do you like it or dislike it? Why?

So, to start:

Bella Donna

I adore this song. The piano intro grabs me right away. I think the harmonies are some of the best she & the girls have ever done. I can overlook the goofy "phoney/pony" lyric because I love the music & vocal so much.

I know some dislike "face becomes thin" but I don't. I don't take it literally, like someone losing weight. I think of it in connection with the "tired/disappears" line; it's heartbreaking - a woman turns around one day & years have gone by & she's old & sad & alone.

I also like the guitar "whining" in certain parts, esp. live when Stevie would sing along with it.

The few live versions that exist are pretty true to the studio version & I would love to hear Stevie do this song live again.

diamondsnake · #2 07-14-2005, 02:35 PM

I love this song! Why hasn't it been done live recently? She could still totally nail the vocals today.

It is not one of those songs that I am amazed with or have to listen too every few days or something. But, it is a beautiful song that I enjoy listening to whenever I have the album on. I'm just saying that I seldom play just this song or specifically want to listen to this song.

GypsySorcerer · #3 07-14-2005, 02:36 PM

I love it too. I think the music is gorgeous and I love how she sings "oooh, my bella donna." And the line "the lady's feeling like the moon that she loved" more than makes up for phoney/pony.

CreepingDeath · #4 07-14-2005, 02:37 PM

WTH kind of question is this? Of course I adore Bella Donna. It's exquisite.

vermicious knid · #5 07-14-2005, 02:42 PM

When this song started playing after I bought Bella Donna, I knew the album was going to be good.

The Tower · #6 07-14-2005, 02:42 PM

This one is in my top ten list alllll the time.

She should have opened with it in Vegas. It would have been awesome.

Neal · #7 07-14-2005, 02:42 PM

This was one of my least favorites the first time I heard it. It took quite a few listens before it grew on me, and now it's one of my top 3 on the album.

SapphireSister · #8 07-14-2005, 02:47 PM

One of my top 10 Stevie songs ever and one of the reasons I fell in love with her. I love everything about this song, from the lyrics to the beautiful piano melodies, to the metaphors (not that I understand every one of them). Hell I don't mind hearing about ponies and trapezes

And this song in particular, after reading what it means to Stevie, holds a special place in my heart. So many times I've said to myself over and over, "Come in out of the darkness". It is probably the most personal song to me of all of her songs lyrics wise. So much of what she is saying is relevant to my own life, it's almost as if she's telling my story. I would die to see it live. "Don't change, baby please don't change...." That voice!! *swoon*

dudden22 · #9 07-14-2005, 02:49 PM

I like it and can overlook some of the lyrics because of the emotion in her vocals and some great lyrics.

"No speed limit...this is the fast lane...It's just the way that it is here" easily makes up for the phoney poney line.

And the woman may be awestruck
And the woman may truly care
but the woman is so tired...
So the woman dissappears...

Makes up for face becomes thin.

eric51078 · #10 07-14-2005, 02:49 PM

I love this song...I cant put my finger on it...but every time I play the record I listen to it twice and then the rest of the CD. There is something about it...
No speed limits...this is the fast lane...it's just the way that it is here...I love that line!

amber · #11 07-14-2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal

This was one of my least favorites the first time I heard it. It took quite a few listens before it grew on me, and now it's one of my top 3 on the album.

Ditto, that. Well, it didn't take quite a few listens, maybe, like, 6? I still think the lyrics are pretty darn bad, but I do like the song. Her pronunciation and inflections are awesome. I love the way she sings "Belladonna" all low and separate. I also love the way she says "foh thuh nothuhn stah". etc. and the way she sings "but you'll nevah scaeeeh me". That "scaehy" is awesomely strange.

The Tower · #12 07-14-2005, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dudden22

I like it and can overlook some of the lyrics because of the emotion in her vocals and some great lyrics.

"No speed limit...this is the fast lane...It's just the way that it is here" easily makes up for the phoney poney line.

And the woman may be awestruck
And the woman may truly care
but the woman is so tired...
So the woman dissappears...

Makes up for face becomes thin.

My favorite is

"Whoa and the lady's feeling just like the moooooooon that she loved!!!"

I

LOVE

IT!!!

SapphireSister · #13 07-14-2005, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber

I also love the way she says "foh thuh nothuhn stah". etc. and the way she sings "but you'll nevah scaeeeh me". That "scaehy" is awesomely strange.

And thank you Amber so much for spelling these lines out EXACTLY the way they sound. You know I've noticed you have a real talent fuh this.

Janet · #14 07-14-2005, 03:07 PM

This song is so deep. The way she sings it, the piano, the lyrics. It's really a gorgeous song. It's not my favorite from the album but it's definitely a very good song.

Nightbird17 · #15 07-14-2005, 03:11 PM

As soon as i popped this into my cassette player and heard the piano and opening line "you can ride high atop your pony" I was in love with the album....amazing song

when she got to the "no speed limit ....this is the fast lane" I wet myself