City of Hope Demo

[Mad4stevie]

Hiya! I am brand new to The Ledge, even though I have been a Stevie and FM fan for years!

The question I have is about the City of Hope Demo. Does anyone know if this is strictly a Stevie demo, or was it a FM "throw-away"? I swear I can hear a male harmony on the chorus "Ooooooo . . . . Ahhhhh" that sounds alot like Lindsey to me. Who knows, maybe I just want to hear it that way . . .

Any info would be appreciated - thanks!!

[Johnny Stew]

The lyrics to "The Charmed Ones: The City Of Hope Song," were written by Stevie, and the music was written by Stevie, Jeff Piergeorge, and Dwayne Russell.

So those male backing vocals could be either Mr. Piergeorge or Mr. Russell, or both.
But I don't know a single thing about either of those two men.

I don't think Fleetwood Mac ever took a stab at this one.


Welcome to The Ledge!


Johnny Stew

[Mad4stevie]

Thanks for the info, Johnny!

For some weird reason, the melody in City of Hope reminds me of some Janet Jackson song from the late '80s or early '90s . . . I have no idea WHY it does or what the Janet song is that it reminds me of . . .

[ERigby818]

I'm with you on this. I could SWEAR it's Lindsey singing the ooohs and aaahs in the background. His oooohs and aaaahs are VERY unique, lol.
Is it true there is no full version of this song circulating, that the only one out there ends abruptly? I read this, I think on SodaScouts' website, and it would explain why the version I have is so short and suddenly fades out.
-Sonia

[sodascouts]

I really think it's beautiful, not just musically but lyrically as well. I only wish it was complete.

P.S. I didn't know it was co-written! Thanks for the info - I must go make the correction on my site!

[Mad4stevie]

Yeah - I swear that sounds so much like Lindsey! There is that harmony with Stevie's voice that I can't think anyone BUT Lindsey would be able to match!

It is such a shame that there isn't a complete version out there somewhere . . . I have two versions of this demo - the same take - its just that one is longer than the other, but even the longer one is only 2:53.

[Davictoes]

It kills me that theres no complete version of this song, its such a heart wrenching song. I really hope Stevie revives this song one day.

I know she renewed the copyright for the song around the time she was making TISL for a possible inclusion, so we know she hasn't forgoten about it. So there's still hope.

[Christopher]

The Charmed Ones (City Of Hope) song is a thing of beauty. The vibe is heavenly, as if it's floating up and drifting alongside the clouds. The lyrics are devestatingly heartfelt. I love this song to pieces. There's not much to it, it's basic, but the center of the song lies within the inflection & cadence of Stevie's vocal delivery. And the background mens oooOhhh's & aahhhhh's, really add ache and transcendence, as the piano rolls along the same chords, like a lullaby. Out of all Stevie's solo work, I'm not sure which record this song would fit on, it's really unique, and that is probably why its still a outtake/demo. Mostly, I see this as a possible final track for TOSOTM. I would just about kill for a clear full version to be unvaulted!

There is a legend passed down through the ages
Down through the crystal visions
Down through the crystal, clear-water fountain
The charmed ones remain
They are mine
You remain

Years don't really matter, it's just a matter of time
Ooh, it's just a quality of a few precious hours
And the charmed ones, no matter how bad it is
Well, I've already lost one guiding light

Sometimes when I wake up
(In her heart, she goes back)
Well, I don't think about it
(Where's this city of hope?)
Not a night goes by
That I don't wonder where you are

Well, I've already lost one guiding light
Yes, I've already lost one guiding light
Nothing will ever hurt me like this again
And you know in that very statement
You give it up, just a little bit
Your child-like angel

[starshine]

I love this song as well, its always been one of my favorite unreleased Stevie songs ever. I also wish we had a completed copy of it. But the completed copy of this version,cause I love how Stevie sounds on it as well. I do always wonder what the rest of the lyrics might be. Awesome song should be released to me. Sad its not. Along with : Blue Water & so many other UNR songs.

[paleshadow]

Originally Posted by Christopher

The Charmed Ones (City Of Hope) song is a thing of beauty. The vibe is heavenly, like it's floating up and drifting alongside the clouds. The lyrics are devestatingly heartfelt. I love this song to pieces. There's not much too it, but the inflection in Stevie's voice along with her lyrics and the mens ooohhh's & ahhhhh's really add ache and transcendence, as the piano rolls along the same chords, like a lullaby. Out of all Stevie's solo work, I think this song would've fit on OSOTM, as the final track.
I would just about kill for a clear full version to be unveiled.

There is a legend passed down through the ages
Down through the crystal visions
Down through the crystal, clear-water fountain
The charmed ones remain
They are mine
You remain

Years don't really matter, it's just a matter of time
Ooh, it's just a quality of a few precious hours
And the charmed ones, no matter how bad it is
Well, I've already lost one guiding light


Not a night goes by
That I don't wonder where you are

Well, I've already lost one guiding light
Yes, I've already lost one guiding light
Nothing will ever hurt me like this again
And you know in that very statement
You give it up, just a little bit
Your child-like angel

I know these lyrics have been posted in various places before, but I'm pretty sure there are a couple errors.

Sometimes when I wake up
(In her heart, she goes back)
Well, I don't think about it
(Where's this city of hope?) I believe this line is "Back to the city of hope" in response to the previous background vocal that says "In her heart she goes back". If you were to take out the main vocal line "Well I don't think about it", it makes more sense. "In her heart she goes back. Back to the city of hope".

Then this verse:
You give it up, just a little bit
Your child-like angel

Should be "You've given up a little bit of your child like nature."

That's how I've heard it all these years anyway.

[MariaA37]

Someone put this together. It's not perfect but it makes the song a little longer.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/nogfdh

Enjoy.

~Maria