The revival and disappearance of Seven Wonders

[PenguinHead]

I'm glad I got see it Seven Wonders performed at a show I attended. I would have been disappointed if I attendedt later show, knowing that Seven Wonders (and Songdbird) were retired from the show.

Something came to mind when I was recently watching a few performances of the song on Youtube. Stevie is essentially saying American Horror Story is responsible bringing the song back to the stage, because otherwise, she never intended to perform it again.

But why? It was a well known hit song, so it is somewhat peculiar that it was exclusively performed on the Tango tour and never heard from again. Did she feel an obligation to bring it back to the set because, through the TV show, it was reintroduced to the public, and a newer generation? So why did she drop it ? Even though it comes from 1987, it was one of the youngest songs in the set!

On the surface, the song is upbeat and reflective. Yet, I have always felt the lyrics are a clunky mishmash. There are bits of imagery, and a few evocative lines, but as a whole, it doesn't really gel; it just feels half-baked to me. I still like the song as it is, but wish the lyric was crafted more cohesively. I wonder how much of the mix up between Sandy Stewart's original lyrics and Stevie's interpretation of them affected the end result.

[twinmatrix]

For me the lyrics are perfect, 5/5 song, one of my favorite FM songs ever, so beautiful.

Also I think it's just a fun shout-out to AHS because she enjoyed being on set...

Maybe she dropped it because Season 4 sucked and Lady GaGa was announced for Season 5 lol

But actually I still have hopes for those 2 songs to come back for European leg.

[Sanne2]

I wonder (and hope) if they bring it back for the European leg of the tour, the Tango album was a huge hit over here.

[markolas]

I love the song and I'm so glad I got to hear it live. However, the key was dropped noticeably and the song seemed "draggy." That might be why they 86ed it.

Have they seriously dropped "Songbird" from the set entirely? WTF?

[BlueLight]

Originally Posted by markolas

I love the song and I'm so glad I got to hear it live. However, the key was dropped noticeably and the song seemed "draggy." That might be why they 86ed it.

Have they seriously dropped "Songbird" from the set entirely? WTF?

I likewise feel fortunate to have heard it live. But was the key dropped that much? To my ear, the song sounded identical to how it was performed live (in both key and tempo) on the Tango tour.

[ViscountViktor]

It's a hard song to sing - probably very tiring for her vocal chords.

However, now they've been rested for a month, I hope to see it back.

[jbrownsjr]

I don't understand, either. A lot of people loved the AHS and her appearance. It's a great well known song. And when I saw her sing it at the LA Forum for three nights, she was flawless.

Sad, because I really love that tune.

[iamnotafraid]

Originally Posted by markolas

However, the key was dropped noticeably and the song seemed "draggy." That might be why they 86ed it.

If that's why it was dropped, the whole setlist would disappear.

[PenguinHead]

Originally Posted by iamnotafraid

If that's why it was dropped, the whole setlist would disappear.

Great point of wisdom!

Will we live to hear the Seven Wonders --that same, same beauty again -- at a certain time, a certain place? Let's hope and pray it might work out someday.

[Nick]

I think the chorus part was in the same key, it was the verses where Stevie has to sing it safe now, especially this part : "All the WAYYYYYYYYY, all the way down to Emmeline".

[mitzo]

I love 7W, it brings back memories of summer 1987 on a long road trip and it was all over the radio. It brought me back to FM and Stevie in a big way. The way it is sung and arranged on TITN is soooo earwormy. On this tour it falls a bit flat on the fan vids I have seen.

[dontlookdown]

A mediocre Fleetwood Mac song, at best. I'm glad they dropped it. It
doesn't measure up to the "classic" status that most of the rest of the set list has.

And for a lot of people, it's a reminder of how awful Stevie's vocals were on Tango In The Night.

[PenguinHead]

Originally Posted by dontlookdown

A mediocre Fleetwood Mac song, at best. I'm glad they dropped it. It
doesn't measure up to the "classic" status that most of the rest of the set list has.

And for a lot of people, it's a reminder of how awful Stevie's vocals were on Tango In The Night.

...and that was her stand out track on the album. The chorus is tolerable, but for me, the verses are so vapid, lacking any direct points.

"A certain time, a certain place..."

"You touched my hand, all the way, all the way down to Emmaline." (I do like the the mysterious Emmaline reference, as it adds a bit of intrigue).
If I'm walking to Emmaline, I'm holding my companion's hand, not just "touching" it.

"You touched my hand, I played it cool, and you reached out your hand to me."
"You touched my hand, and you smiled, All the way back you held out your hand."


There are just too many hands, expressed in such a clunky, juvenile manner. The attempt to evoke sentiment is lost.

The best line is "It's hard to find someone with that kind of intensity."

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by PenguinHead

There are just too many hands, expressed in such a clunky, juvenile manner. The attempt to evoke sentiment is lost.

[/I]

LOL. I'd have to say you are right. Maybe we can blame Sandy for those hands.

Michele

[lilyfee]

Originally Posted by PenguinHead

"You touched my hand, I played it cool, and you reached out your hand to me."
"You touched my hand, and you smiled, All the way back you held out your hand."
[/I]

There are just too many hands, expressed in such a clunky, juvenile manner. The attempt to evoke sentiment is lost.

I never realized how many times she said "hand"... Dear God...

And definitely think it's only a standout compared to the other two tracks on the album...