Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Stevie's Hidden Tracks

“Blue Lamp”
(Heavy Metal Soundtrack, 1981)
Recorded during the Bella Donna sessions, this song would have to wait just a little longer to be released. A standout from the animated film Heavy Metal, Stevie sings of a gift from her mother, complete with ethereal lyrics, “Don’t listen to her; listen through her.”

This gift has always been a source of inspiration as it shines during the night for her. Stevie enjoys sharing personal feelings and experiences with her listeners, and the Lamp’s source of stability fits right in with her songs as a solo artist. Although it did not make it to her debut album, it marks a strong beginning for her and her career outside Fleetwood Mac.





“Garbo”
(B-side to “Stand Back." 1983)
The flip side to Stevie’s rock anthem “Stand Back” is her tender ballad, which actually has less to do with the star in the song’s title and more to do with Stevie herself. Her beautiful, lush lyrics are what attract her fans in the first place – “I love to waltz with a man in a dark linen suit/All alone at a party with someone I knew/From a time gone by turned into stone.”

Written about the infamous photo shoot for the 1973 LP Buckingham Nicks, she recalls her conflicting emotions at the beginning of her musical career and how she will be asked to do things she won’t want to do while on the road to stardom. In this case, she was asked to pose topless for the album’s cover.

Considering her choices, Stevie “…could be Garbo or even Marlene,” or she could walk away.

We all know her decision and how she would in time tell the boys in the club how it will be.





“Violet and Blue”
(Against All Odds Soundtrack, 1984)
Overlooked by the movie’s title track sung by Phil Collins, this track was to appear on Stevie’s sophomore album The Wild Heart.

Complete with its kick-butt percussion, her vocal passion is evident as she sings of overwhelming warnings and Violet and Blue mornings to be taken “with you.”

Does she sing of a certain guitarist or someone else?

“Well, it’s hard to hide from eyes that are all over you,” she sings.





“Inspiration”
(B-side to “Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind,” 1994)
Stevie says, “Sometimes to talk to you is all I need/To make me feel at home again.” While she does not reveal the source of her inspiration, it could be argued she sings of Tom Petty.

She has made is clear that the two of them would inspire each other throughout the years both professionally and personally, making this song all the more poignant. “But it’s all worthwhile when I see that smile/I feel like I’m up a mile high.”





“Mirror, Mirror”
(B-side to “Blue Denim,” 1994)
One of the best songs to promote Stevie’s Street Angel album was actually recorded in 1984. Reminiscent of the tense musical energy that makes “Edge of Seventeen” so engaging, “Mirror, Mirror” literally reflects on her love life and how it comes to an end, and “brilliant is your danger.”

Again, the love interest in question tells her she “walks a thin line” as she sings of misunderstandings and memories fading “like the wind” Her vocals are as strong and direct as her message.









Deep Inside The Shell

There are people everywhere
Come and share
Deep inside the shell
There are people everywhere
Come and share

Soothing sounds will nullify
All the lies
A feeling we know well
Soothing sounds will nullify
All the lies.


Copyright 1989 Scott C. Forrest

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

It Seems Like Forever

It seems like forever
But it was just a few days

A few days of confusion
A few days of confidence

Here we sit, overwhelmed
Where has the time gone?

It has gone to many hardships
It has gone to some happiness.


Copyright 1998 Scott C. Forrest

Friday, May 15, 2020

Wallpaper Avenue

I’m walking down Memory Lane
Through the snow and through all the rain
I’m looking at all the memories that I had
With my brother, my sister, my mom, and dad

Nothing ever lasts forever
At one time it has to be severed
Enjoying all the times that I had with my friends
Hoping that it never, ever has to end

I’m looking at all the things that made my past glad
Though many memories make me sad
It’s touching looking back at my past
Wishing that it could always last

Nothing ever lasts forever
At one time it has to be severed
Enjoying all the times that I had with my friends
Hoping that it never, ever has to end

The times that I had when I was a kid were great
I shall remember all of them
Carefree, careless, careful, caring
Weren’t those precious times a gem?

But life goes on bringing many new times and faces
Running through all sorts of puzzling mazes
Remember the good; forget the bad
Don’t ever make your life sad

Nothing ever lasts forever
At one time it has to be severed
Enjoying all the times that I had with my friends
Hoping that it never, ever has to end

Sometimes I feel like I am my own boss
Sometimes I think I am at a loss
Some memories I hate
Some are great

Nothing ever lasts forever
At one time it has to be severed
Enjoying all the times that I had with my friends
Hoping that it never, ever has to end

The times that I had when I was a kid were great
I shall remember all of them
Carefree, careless, careful, caring
Weren’t those precious times a gem?


Copyright 1982 Ken Crowell, Scott C. Forrest

Monday, May 11, 2020

Reborn

The sun rises over the horizon
The water is gently illuminated
The wind kisses the skin
The sand is soft beneath the feet
The swimsuit is ready for the dive
The body is slowly reborn.


Copyright 2009 Scott C. Forrest-Allen


Monday, May 04, 2020

When The Ceiling Went Black

In the darkness she opened her eyes
Sang the song of her soul
She knew the feeling when the ceiling went black

There is nothing she can do
When this love turns around
She can walk
She can talk
She can breathe

She got here with her mouth
She thought love was in his eyes
She can walk 
She can talk
She can’t leave

In a moment she opened her eyes
Felt the throb of here fears
Got the feedback when the ceiling went black

Dishonesty is king
When you try to talk it out 
She can walk
She can talk
She can breathe

With the wave of a hand
You can know what is said
She is rough
She is tough
She won’t believe.  


Copyright 1988 Scott C. Forrest