The Second Time

[mitzo]

It amazes me that this song inspire s hate. I love its sad and sweet little story, told in a remote corner of a small album. Stevie's hoarse whispery vocal is heart-rending and the spare instrumentation makes it seem like a Storms-style half-articulated set of memories and feelings. Why do you hate it? To me it is Stevie at her best.

[Dex]

I too love the vocal, the melody, and the lyrics. Obviously many do not feel the same. It's really startled me how near-unanimous the dislike for this song is, but I don't really think it's going to be something that's possible to justify or debate much. I personally can't deal with Affairs of the Heart, yet many consider that to be a high point on BTM, so how can I talk? Musical taste is, like, mysterious and stuff, innit?

[MacShadowsBall]

Least Favorite Post-Rumours songs
http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/poll.p...ts&pollid=1438

Least Favorite Stevie song
http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?t=48207

Least Favorite Song Semi-Finals
http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/poll.p...ts&pollid=1444

So, yeah the Second Time ain't exactly a favorite around us Ledgies!

For me its about the awful vocal Stevie gave for it.

[Dex]

People always refer to this awful vocal that Stevie performs on this song... I'm almost wondering if I have a special, magical addition of BTM where she sounds pretty fantastic, because I just have no idea what ya'll are on about. Fair enough though.

[MacShadowsBall]

I don't know, Dex, you might have one with extra chiffon and sparkles and moon necklaces on it!

Stevie's voice during the late 80's/early 90's was just awful, IMO. About the only Post-Rumours era Stevie song that gets good remarks is Freedom.

[mitzo]

*sigh* I cannot help but love the song as I always have, and pity those who cannot hear it.

[MacShadowsBall]

So I spent some time listening to The Second Time. I will say that the music/instrumentation is very nice and kinda sad in a nostalgic way.

[chriskisn]

Originally Posted by Dex

People always refer to this awful vocal that Stevie performs on this song... I'm almost wondering if I have a special, magical addition of BTM where she sounds pretty fantastic, because I just have no idea what ya'll are on about. Fair enough though.

Yes I do believe some of us got those limited edition albums!

[mitzo]

Originally Posted by MacShadowsBall

So I spent some time listening to The Second Time. I will say that the music/instrumentation is very nice and kinda sad in a nostalgic way.

The vocal matches - it is melancholy and worn. All in all, beautiful in a weird way. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but really in the tradition of Stevie's sad and slow work like Storms, Sara, WISYA.

[wheart]

Originally Posted by mitzo

It amazes me that this song inspire s hate. I love its sad and sweet little story, told in a remote corner of a small album. Stevie's hoarse whispery vocal is heart-rending and the spare instrumentation makes it seem like a Storms-style half-articulated set of memories and feelings. Why do you hate it? To me it is Stevie at her best.

The Second Time is actually one of my favorite Stevie songs. The lyrics and the melody have a simplistic beauty, just as powerful and earnest as Landslide and Storms. The vocal is the only thing I don't like about this recording but it does, as you've mentioned, fit the subject matter in some form. I would love Stevie to re-record this song today. I also think it would make a beautiful concert closer. She could sing the crap out of it and I know people would love it and wonder where it's been hiding all these years.

[mitzo]

Originally Posted by wheart

The Second Time is actually one of my favorite Stevie songs. The lyrics and the melody have a simplistic beauty, just as powerful and earnest as Landslide and Storms. The vocal is the only thing I don't like about this recording but it does, as you've mentioned, fit the subject matter in some form. I would love Stevie to re-record this song today. I also think it would make a beautiful concert closer. She could sing the crap out of it and I know people would love it and wonder where it's been hiding all these years.

YES! I guess it is like Love Is .... which people found abhorrent (they often trash her slow melancholy ballads) and then they got all wow when she sang it in concert. The Second Time is full of similar sad beauty and would be a prime candidate for a dusting off and re-presentation some day. In her current voice it would be amazing.

[chiliD]

Are your listening devices covered in "lace & paper flowers"??

It's as "bottom of the barrel" as a Fleetwood Mac song can be. It is sonic ipecac.

[RickRobert]

Originally Posted by Dex

People always refer to this awful vocal that Stevie performs on this song... I'm almost wondering if I have a special, magical addition of BTM where she sounds pretty fantastic, because I just have no idea what ya'll are on about. Fair enough though.

Same here It's not a bad performance by any means, I guess since her vocal is really prominent and not washed in 80s production like most of her stuff from that era the weaknesses in her voice are more obvious. But I like it

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by mitzo

To me it is Stevie at her best.

I just dislike it, not hate it. Impossible to me, to include it within her best. But that's what I love of this world. Different opinions about everything.

I do like Empire State, Family Man, Welcome to the Room... Sara. And I know many ledgies hate these songs.

But I don't like Second Time, and When I see you again.

[chriskisn]

Originally Posted by Villavic

I do like Empire State, Family Man, Welcome to the Room... Sara. And I know many ledgies hate these songs.

Yes, yes and maybe!