Like or Dislike: Doing the Best That I Can

[skcin]

I saved the best for last. I love this song so damn much. It is haunting, it is gorgeous, it is dark, it is beautiful. There's not a thing I don't like about it. I honestly think it's one of her best songs ever, and I would say it's in my top 10. How the hell this tune did NOT make it onto Enchanted is beyond me. A travesty, in my humble opinion.

Lyrically, her pain is apparent, and you can really feel it. Is this song about her cocaine addiction? I thought I read that somewhere. But I seem to remember also hearing that it's about her solo career versus her Mac career. Whatever it's about - WOW. It just absolutely blows me away. She sounds pissed off, and hurt, and defensive.

Vocally? Spectacular. She really wails, particularly toward the ending. And how fun is it to sing along to the "ah-ha" "AH-HA!" part with her and the girls? Most fun ever. This is a song to really belt it out to, and I think it would have been fantastic live.

The alternate version (the one where she's sitting at the piano, singing with the girls with some alternate lyrics) is OK. I know some people say they prefer that version. Not me, I really like the album version better.

Favorite lines (if forced to choose):

It was one for you...it was three for me
It was very nice...it was everything
So here it is...in little pieces...
I just played the part...I didn't win or lose
Maybe next time I'll think about how I'm feeling...

I didn't win or lose...I just threw the cards
But I paid a price for it...

Well because fate causes fortune and fortune takes it away

In my distress...well I wanted someone to blame me
In my devastation...I wanted so to change
In my way...disaster was the only thing that I could depend on...

Love it.

[jannieC]

One of my absolute all time favorite songs from Stevie. Interestingly, my favorite lines are the same as yours. I love the way her voice sounds when she says, "I just threw the caa-ards". It's a song I've been able to to put my own troubles into- a song I have been able to relate to strongly. As far as Stevie goes, I've always thought it was a song about relationships. "Well, I'm trying hard to change and I'm doing the best that I can...". Definitely solo vs. FM, but more than that, too.

I can't say enough about how much I love this song. I never tire of it. I'm at work, otherwise I'd keep blabbering on.

[nightbird89]

I LOVE this song. I love all of the words, the haunting melody, and the magical feeling to it. My only complaint is that at the begining, i wish the synth was a bit louder. Otherwise else, one of my fav songs from my fav album.

[JazmenFlowers]

I can't tell you how often I quote lyrics from this song or in my mind, sing it to myself in times of dire strain. it is Stevie at her lyrical best...

while it does have a mystical, airy fairy vibe to it, it is the totally in your face strength that makes it my favorite on TOSOTM

[Sahara]

Haunted, emotional, hurt and incredibly dramatic.
Her best song on her best album.

I love it!

[DavidMn]

About a 5 out of 10 for me.

[sparky]

The 2nd best song on the record. I used to love it, but now I would give it about 8 out of 10 stars. It's a great capsule of time period, and a track where there is full emotional oomph. I pull two stars because there is a slight dated feel to the track, though not as much as the other tracks. Also, I yank a star for purely personal reasons. I hate the concept of Trying to change. Make up your mind and do it already. I know it certainly signifies her limbo at the time, and thus is effectively showing where she was. It still bugs me though. Just like the "at least I'm trying to change" line in the live BATB. It translates to me as "I'd like to change but I have been so miserable for so long, I'd really rather stay here in my rut than risk moving."

Personal issue.

[SpyNote]

I interpret this as Stevie's "I f*cked up, but I don't have any regrets" song. I like the intensity behind the lyrics and how her vocals are ragged and raw. Her demonic vocal layering at the end is downright creepy, and could have been worked into the script of Poltergeist, but it works. The production leaves something to be desired, the application of the drum machine is just wrong and leaves the song sounding unfinished (Alice has the same problem). Why does Stevie continue to allow the use of drum machines on her final recordings. BAD.

[foxyluva]

This is one of my very favourite Stevie songs, purely because has some of the best lyrics she has ever written - this is THE best song on OSOTM

[TheWILDheart]

I agree with everyone else. Fantastic Stevie song. It really shows off her voice and for me was the highlight of the album along side 'rooms on fire'. It's just a shame they put 'I still miss someone' after it.

[Jason T.]

It's my favorite song off of OSOTM.

[goldie]

It was everything!!!

LOVE IT! One of her "epics" .... like Rhiannon, SOTM, GDW. Although not nearly as good as those three....

[Johnny Stew]

This is, for me, the absolute best song on 'The Other Side Of The Mirror' (though it sometimes has to duke it out with "Ghosts" for that position, but lately I've been feeling "DTBTIC" more)... it's the anchor for the entire album. It's also one of my all-time favorite songs, period.

I totally agree with you, Paula, that it was a damn shame this track wasn't included on 'Enchanted.' It certainly would have been a far worthier inclusion than "Desert Angel."
I also agree that the little "ah-ha... AH-HA!" part is extremely fun to sing along with.

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by skcin

Vocally? Spectacular. She really wails, particularly toward the ending. And how fun is it to sing along to the "ah-ha" "AH-HA!" part with her and the girls?

I was thinking about this and I think this is one of the best harmonies with Stevie and the girls. I'm not sure who's doing the high harmony on the "ah ha" part, I'm assuming Sharon, but it is pure bliss.

*runs to listen*

[Janis_no1]

I only listened to OSOTM like two weeks ago, from start to end and i agree that the album REALLY should of ended with this song. I have never paid much attention to this album yet when this song came on it did have the EPIC feel to it. This album doesn't get much mention and especially because stevie just doesn't sing anything from it, therefore when you go back to hear the original of something she has performed live and you end up listening to the rest of the original album... OSOTM misses out there.. Well thats what seems to happen for me.

Just thought i'd add that i really like Desert Angel, i used to years ago not, but now i do. Dont care much for the lyrics, but a great song to sing along to and i like the overall sound and flow of it.