Song Title »

Edge Of Seventeen

Authors »

Stevie Nicks

Year Written »

1980

Lyrics »

Just like the white winged dove... Sings a song... Sounds like she's singing... Whoo... whoo... whoo... Just like the white winged dove... Sings a song... Sounds like she's singing... Ooo baby... ooo... said ooo And the days go by... Like a strand in the wind... In the web that is my own... I begin again Said to my friend, baby... Nothin' else mattered He was no more... than a baby then Well he... seemed broken hearted... Something within him But the moment... that I first laid... Eyes... on... him... all alone... On the edge of... seventeen Just like the white winged dove... Sings a song... Sounds like she's singing... ooo baby... ooo... said ooo... Just like the white winged dove... Sings a song... Sounds like she's singing... Ooo baby... ooo... said ooo I went today... maybe I will go again... Tomorrow And the music there it was hauntingly... Familiar And I see you doing... What I try to do for me With the words from a poet... And the voice from a choir And a melody... nothing else mattered Just like the white winged dove... Sings a song... Sounds like she's singing... ooo baby... ooo... said ooo Just like the white winged dove... Sings a song... Sounds like she's singing... Ooo baby... ooo... said ooo The clouds... never expect it... When it rains But the sea changes colours... But the sea... Does not change And so... with the slow... graceful flow... Of age I went forth... with an age old... Desire... to please On the edge of... seventeen Just like the white winged dove... Sings a song... Sounds like she's singing... Ooo baby... ooo... said ooo Just like the white winged dove... Sings a song... Sounds like she's singing... Ooo baby... ooo... said ooo Well then suddenly... There was no one... left standing In the hall... yeah yeah... In a flood of tears That no one really ever heard fall at all Oh I went searchin' for an answer... Up the stairs... and down the hall Not to find an answer... Just to hear the call Of a nightbird... singing... Come away... come away... Just like the white winged dove... Sings a song Sounds like she's singing... Ooo... baby ooo... said ooo Just like the white winged dove... Sings a song... Sounds like she's singing... Ooo... baby ooo... said ooo Well I hear you in the morning... And I hear you... At nightfall... Sometime to be near you... Is to be unable... to hear you... My love... I'm a few years older than you... Just like the white winged dove... Sings a song... Sounds like she's singing... Ooo baby... ooo... said ooo

Fan Interpretation »

"Edge of Seventeen" written by Stevie Nicks, is off her first solo album, Bella Donna. "Edge of Seventeen" is a hauntingly beautiful song, with puzzling lyrics. Many believe this song is about Lindsey Buckingham, while others believe this song is all about death. Supposedly the title for "Edge of Seventeen" came from a conversation Stevie had with Tom Petty's wife. When Stevie asked her how old she was when she met Tom, she thought that she said "edge of seventeen" instead of "age of seventeen "(which is what she DID actually say). Stevie liked the way it sounded and decided to write a song with that in the lyrics. In the liner notes of Timespace, Stevie Nicks' greatest hits album, she says the song was inspired by and written for Jimmy Iovine, John Lennon, and Stevie's Uncle John. The lines: Well then suddenly... There was no one... left standing In the hall... yeah yeah... In a flood of tears That no one really ever heard fall at all Oh I went searchin' for an answer... Up the stairs... and down the hall Not to find an answer... Just to hear the call Of a nightbird... singing... Come away... come away. could refer to Stevie in the hospital visiting her dying uncle. She held his hand when he passed away and then she ran into the hall. These words could also relate to the lonely feeling everyone experiences when someone close to them dies. All the questions you have of why they had to go (Oh I went searching for an answer, up the stairs and down the hall, not to find an answer but to hear the call). The only answer she really was looking for was reassurance that the spirit of the person was safe. The nightbird and white winged dove are references to the spirit leaving the body. This has also been confirmed in Stevie's own words in interviews. In an interview with Stevie where she said the line about "and the days go by like a strand in the wind" was about how fast the days were going by in the last few days that her uncle was alive and she was with him. The line, "he was no more than a baby then", etc. could possibly be referring to either Stevie's nephew or Jimmy Iovine (remember, Stevie and Jimmy were a couple during Bella Donna, which he produced). Jimmy was supposedly crushed when John Lennon passed away, they were very close. Although the majority believes this song is about Death, The Spirit, and someone close to you dying. Many believe this song is about Lindsey. For example the lines: and I see you doing what i try to do for me with the words of a poet and the voice of a choir and a melody... nothing else mattered. Stevie has said that although she writes the lyrics, Lindsey puts the magic in her songs. Also the lines: He was no more... than a baby then Well he... seemed broken hearted... Something within him But the moment... that I first laid... Eyes... on... him... all alone... On the edge of... seventeen could also possibly be interpreted as being about Lindsey. When Stevie first saw Lindsey he was all alone in the middle of a party playing his guitar. He was around seventeen, so was she. Since Stevie has said this song is about Jimmy Iovine, and the death of her Uncle John, and John Lennon, we should assume that is so. The lyrics can easily be interpreted in this way. But, there are many of us that do believe many of Stevie's songs, as well as Lindsey's, are either about, or contain lyrics that reference each other. This may be one of those instances. For example, Stevie sings of the spirit and dying in this song, but it is also about the loss of someone very close to you. It is very plausible to believe that Stevie felt her breakup with Lindsey was a great loss in her life. At this time in her life she was not on very good terms with Lindsey, so she may have felt like she was missing something, that their relationship was completely dead. Thus, she could have thrown a reference or two to Lindsey into this song, because she may have been thinking of him while she was writing it. In writing this interpretation, one thing is very apparent; everyone seems to take this song differently. Meaning, everyone gets something from the song that someone else does not. I think this is a testament to Stevie's writing, that she can touch so many people in so very many ways. (The interpretations to these lyrics were compiled through discussions on the message boards of the Penguin, The Ledge. It is entirely possible that the artists had something completely different in mind.)

Tabs »

Heavy palm muting is the key to the tricky rhythm of the repeating rhythm figure. The tempo is very fast; in some areas, notes are spaced farther apart so that they fit over the right words (and vice versa). A heavily distorted lead guitar enters briefly in the second and third verses. Not much else is going on with the guitars in this song. Keyboard fills (transcribed for guitar) appear under the lyrics. TAB LEGEND: 8>7 = pull off from 8 onto 7 7<9 = from 7, hammer onto 9 8/10 = slide from 7 to 9 X = play deadened strings for percussive effect INTRO: Em(5) (with palm muting) -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ---9---9---9---9---9---9---9---9------ ---7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7---- -------------------------------------- CHORUS: Play RHYTHM FIGURE below twice with heavy palm muting Em(5) C(5) D(5) Em(5) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9---9---9---9-----------------------------------------------9---9---9---9-- 7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-10---10---10---10---12----12----12----12----7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7 ----------------8--8-8--8-8--8-8--8-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10---------------- Em C Just like the white winged dove...sings a song... D Em sounds like she's singing... whoo...whoo...whoo Em C Just like the white winged dove...sings a song... D Em sounds like she's singing... ooo baby ooo, said ooo VERSE 1: Play RHYTHM FIGURE from above, using chords as guide. Keyboard fills are tabbed below lyrics. Em C D Em And the days go by... like a strand in the wind in the web that is my own... Em C D Em I begin again. Said to my friend (everything) baby stop nothing else mattered. Em C D Em He was no more (he was no more) than a baby then. ------------------------------------------------------------ 8-8>7-----------------------------------10---------8-------- 9-------9-9-----------------------------11---------9-------- --------9-9-----------------------------12---------9-------- ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ Em C D Em Well he ... seemed broken hearted something within him -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-7<8/10-8>7<8--------------8---------------------8---10---------------8-- ---------------9------------9---------------------9---11---------------9-- ---------------9------------10--------------------10--12---------------9-- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Em C D Em But the moment... that I first laid eyes...on...him... ---------------------------------------------------------7-----10----8---- -8--7--------8---7-----8--8---------8---8----10---10-----8-----10----8---- -9-----------9---------9--9---------9---9----11---11-----9-----11----9---- -9-----------9---------10-10--------10--10---12---12-----9-----12----10--- ---------------------------------------------------------7-----12----10--- ---------------------------------------------------------7-----10----8---- Em C D Em all alone on the edge of seventeen. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------8---------------------10----------8----------------- -----------------------9---------------------11----------9----------------- -----------------------10--------------------12----------9----------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHORUS: Play RHYTHM FIGURE twice. Keyboard parts tabbed below. Em C Just like the white winged dove...sings a song... ---7------------------------8------------8-------------10- ---8--10--10---8------------8------------8-------------10- ------11--11---9------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- D Em sounds like she's singing...ooo baby ooo, said ooo ----------------10----------12--------------------- ----------------10----------12-------10---------8-- -------------------------------------11---------9-- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Em C Just like the white winged dove...sings a song... ----------------------------8------------8-------------10- ----------------------------8------------8-------------10- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- D Em sounds like she's singing...ooo baby ooo, said ooo ----------------10----------12--------------------- ----------------10----------12-------10---------8-- -------------------------------------11---------9-- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- VERSE 2: Em C D Em (Well) I went today... (well) maybe I will go again... tomorrow. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------8---8---------------------10---------------------8-------- ------------------9---9---------------------11---------------------9-------- ------------------10--10--------------------12---------------------9-------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Em C D Em (Yeah, yeah) and the music there it was hauntingly familiar ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-7<8/10-8>7<8------8--------------------8----10-----------------8---- ---------------9----9--------------------9----11-----------------9---- ---------------9----9--------------------10---12-----------------9---- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Em C D Em And I See you doing... what I try to do for me with the words of a poet... (Keyboard harmonies appear in parenthesis after lead guitar enters) -------------------------------------------------------------(7)----------- -----8-------------------------(8-10)------------------------(8)----------- 9-11---9---9---9---X-9---X-9----9/11--11-X---11-X---11------9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9 -------9---10--10--X-10--X-10--10/12--12-X---12-X---12------9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Em C D Em and a voice from a choir and a melody... nothing else mattered (Keyboard harmonies appear in parenthesis after lead guitar enters) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----11-9------------------8--8-8-----------------(8)-(10)----------(10)-(8)- ----12-9------------------9--9-9--9---9---X-9---X-9---11--11-X-11-X-11---9-- -----------------------------9-10-10--10--X-10--X-10--12--12-X-12-X-12---9-- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHORUS: Play RHYTHM FIGURE twice. Keyboard parts tabbed below. Em C Just like the white winged dove...sings a song... ---7------------------------8------------8-------------10- ---8--10--10---8------------8------------8-------------10- ------11--11---9------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- D Em sounds like she's singing...ooo baby ooo, said ooo ----------------10----------12--------------------- ----------------10----------12-------10---------8-- -------------------------------------11---------9-- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Em C Just like the white winged dove...sings a song... ----------------------------8------------8-------------10- ----------------------------8------------8-------------10- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- D Em sounds like she's singing...ooo baby ooo, said ooo ----------------10----------12--------------------- ----------------10----------12-------10---------8-- -------------------------------------11---------9-- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- BRIDGE: Instead of playing rhythm figure, play the muted 5 chord (from intro) 8 times for each chord Em D C D The clouds...never expect it when it rains...but the sea ------------------------------------------------------------- -------8--8--------------10-10-----------8--8----------10-10- -------9--9--------------11-11-----------9--9----------11-11- -------9--9--------------12-12-----------10-10---------12-12- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- C D C D changes colors...But the sea does not change ---------------------------------------------------------------- ---------8--8--------------10-10-----------8--8---10--12--10--10 ---------9--9--------------11-11-----------9--9---11--12--11--11 ---------10-10-------------12-12-----------10-10---------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- Em D C D And so... with the slow... graceful flow...of age I went -----------7---7---10-10-10--10-10--8-8-8---8-10-10-10---- ------7--7---8-----10-10-----10-10--8-8---8---10-10----10- ------8--8---------11-11-----11-11--9-9-------11-11------- ------9--9------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- C D C D forth... with an age old desire... to please on the ---8---8---8---8------10--10--10--10----8---8---8---8---10--10--10--10 --8---8---8---8------10--10--10--10----8---8---8---8---10--10--10--10- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 10--10--10--10------12--12--12--12---10--10--10--10---12--12--12--12-- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- C D Em edge of seven- teen ---8----8----8----8----10---10---10---10----7---7---7---7 --8----8----8----8----10---10---10---10----8---8---8---8- --------------------------------------------------------- 10---10---10---10----12---12---12---12----9---9---9---9-- --------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- Em Oh..................(Insert your own primal scream here) (keyboard chord in parentheses) ----------------------------------- ---------(8)----------------------- ---------(9)----------------------- 9---9---9(9)9---9---9---9---9------ 7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7---- ----------------------------------- BREAK: RHYTHM FIGURE (with palm muting) is played once without accompaniment Em(5) C(5) D(5) Em(5) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9---9---9---9-----------------------------------------------9---9---9---9-- 7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-10---10---10---10---12----12----12----12----7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7 ----------------8--8-8--8-8--8-8--8-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10---------------- CHORUS: Play RHYTHM FIGURE twice; keyboard parts are tabbed below Em C Just like the white winged dove...sings a song... -----------------------8---------------------------------- -----------------------8---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- D Em sounds like she's singing...ooo baby ooo, said ooo 10--------------------------12--------------------- 10--------------------------12-------10---------8-- -------------------------------------11---------9-- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Em C Just like the white winged dove...sings a song... -----------------------8---------------------------------- -----------------------8---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- D Em sounds like she's singing...ooo baby ooo, said ooo 10--------------------------12-------10---------8--8 10--------------------------12-------10---------8--8 -------------------------------------11---------9--9 ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- VERSE 3: Play RHYTHM FIGURE (Keyboard parts tabbed below) Em C D Em Well then suddenly...there was no one...left standing in the hall ------------------------------------------------------------------ -----------8---------------8---10----------------------------8---- -----------9---------------9---11----------------------------9---- -----------10--------------10--12----------------------------9---- ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Em C D Em Yeah, yeah in a flood of tears that no one really heard fall at all ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-7<8/10-8>7<8---------8---------------8---10------------------8------------- ---------------9-------9---------------9---11------------------9------------- ---------------9-------10--------------10--12------------------9------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Em C D Em Oh I went searching for an answer...up the stairs and down the hall not to (Keyboard harmonies appear in parenthesis after lead guitar enters) -7---------------------------------------------------------------------(7)--- -8-10-8----------------------------------(8-10)------------------------(8)--- ---11-9--9----9----9----X--9----X--9------9/11--11-X---11-X---11------9-9-9-9 ---------9----10---10---X--10---X--10----10/12--12-X---12-X---12------9-9-9-9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Em C D Em find an answer...Just to hear the call of a nightbird...Singing...Come away... (Keyboard harmonies appear in parenthesis after lead guitar enters) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------11-9-----------8--------8-8--------------(8)(10)---------(10)(8) -9-9-9-9-----------12-9------9--------9-9--9--9--X-9--X-9--11-11-X-11-X-11--9- -9-9-9-9------------------------------9-10-10-10-X-10-X-10-12-12-X-12-X-12--9- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHORUS: Play RHYTHM FIGURE twice. Keyboard parts tabbed below. Em C Just like the white winged dove...sings a song... ---7------------------------8------------8-------------10- ---8--10--10---8------------8------------8-------------10- ------11--11---9------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- D Em sounds like she's singing...ooo baby ooo, said ooo ----------------10----------12--------------------- ----------------10----------12-------10---------8-- -------------------------------------11---------9-- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Em C Just like the white winged dove...sings a song... ----------------------------8------------8-------------10- ----------------------------8------------8-------------10- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- D Em sounds like she's singing...ooo baby ooo, said ooo ----------------10----------12--------------------- ----------------10----------12-------10---------8-- -------------------------------------11---------9-- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- BRIDGE: Instead of playing rhythm figure, play the muted 5 chord (from intro) 8 times for each chord Em D C D Well I hear you in the morning...and I hear you... at nightfall... ---------7---7---7---7--10--10--10--10----8---8---8---8---10---10---10---10 --------8---8---8---8--10--10--10--10----8---8---8---8---10---10---10---10- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------9---9---9---9--12--12--12--12---10--10--10--10---12---12---12---12-- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- C D C D C D Em Sometimes to be near you... is to be unable...to hear you...my love ---8---8---8---8--10--10--10--10---8---8---8---8--10--10-------------------- --8---8---8---8--10--10--10--10---8---8---8---8--10--10---8-------10----8--- ----------------------------------------------------------9-------11----9--- 10--10--10--10--12--12--12--12--10--10--10--10--12--12----10------12----9--- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHORUS: Play RHYTHM FIGURE three times Em C D Em I'm a few years older than you (I'm a few year's older than you) my love. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-7<8/10-8>7<8------7--7---------------7--10--10-------------------------8--- ---------------9----8--8---------------8--11--11-------------------------9--- ---------------9----9--9---------------9--12--12-------------------------9--- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Em C Just like the white winged dove...sings a song... ---7------------------------8------------8-------------10- ---8--10--10---8------------8------------8-------------10- ------11--11---9------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- D Em sounds like she's singing...ooo baby ooo, said ooo ----------------10----------12--------------------- ----------------10----------12-------10---------8-- -------------------------------------11---------9-- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Em C Just like the white winged dove...sings a song... ----------------------------8------------8-------------10- ----------------------------8------------8-------------10- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- D Em sounds like she's singing...ooo baby ooo, said ooo ----------------10----------12--------------------- ----------------10----------12-------10---------8-- -------------------------------------11---------9-- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------

Performances »

Performance #1: Date Performance 1981-07-27 Running Time 5:57 Performers Jimmy Iovine (Produced By), Russ(ell) Kunkel (Drums), Bob Glaub (Bass), Waddy (Robert) Wachtel (Guitar), (Ms.) Bobbye Hall (Percussion), Roy Bittan (Piano), Ben(mont) (M.) Tench(, III) (Organ), Sharon Celani (Background Vocals), Lori Perry-Nicks/Perry/Nicks (Background Vocals), Stevie Nicks (Vocals) Comments (Edit) Appears On Enchanted (1998) Stevie Nicks Performance #2: Running Time 5:27 Performers Chris Lord-Alge (Remixed By), Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Russ(ell) Kunkel (Drums), Bob Glaub (Bass), Waddy (Robert) Wachtel (Guitar), (Ms.) Bobbye Hall (Percussion), Roy Bittan (Piano), Ben(mont) (M.) Tench(, III) (Organ), Sharon Celani (Background Vocals), Lori Perry-Nicks/Perry/Nicks (Background Vocals), Jimmy Iovine (Produced By), Shelly Yakus (Engineered By) Comments (Remix) Appears On Timespace: The Best Of Stevie Nicks (1991) Stevie Nicks Performance #3: Running Time 5:28 Performers Russ(ell) Kunkel (Drums), Bob Glaub (Bass), Waddy (Robert) Wachtel (Guitar), (Ms.) Bobbye Hall (Percussion), Roy Bittan (Piano), Ben(mont) (M.) Tench(, III) (Organ), Stevie Nicks (Lead Vocals By), Sharon Celani (Ladies Vocals By), Lori Perry-Nicks/Perry/Nicks (Ladies Vocals By) Comments Chart: Billboard US Hot 100 Singles Peak Position: 11 Peak Dates: Apr 17, 1982 & Apr 24, 1982 Weeks On Charts: 14 Appears On Bella Donna (1981) Stevie Nicks Performance #4: Date Performance 1981-07-27 Running Time 5:57 Performers Jimmy Iovine (Produced By), Russ(ell) Kunkel (Drums), Bob Glaub (Bass), Waddy (Robert) Wachtel (Guitar), (Ms.) Bobbye Hall (Percussion), Roy Bittan (Piano), Ben(mont) (M.) Tench(, III) (Organ), Sharon Celani (Background Vocals), Lori Perry-Nicks/Perry/Nicks (Background Vocals), Stevie Nicks (Vocals) Comments (Edit) Appears On Selections From The Enchanted Works Of Stevie Nicks (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #5: Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals) Appears On Dreamer (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #6: Date Performance 1991-11-11 Running Time 13:49 Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals) Comments Recorded live in Los Angeles on the Timespace tour. Appears On Live In Los Angeles (Pretty Mac Goes Metal) (1991) Stevie Nicks Performance #7: Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Rick Vito (Guitar) Comments Recorded in Los Angeles Appears On Street Blue Angel (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #8: Running Time 13:49 Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals) Comments Recorded live in Hollywood, CA Appears On Livespace (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #9: Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals) Comments Recorded live at The Whiskey. Appears On Live At The Whiskey (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #10: Date Performance 1986-06-21 Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals) Comments Recorded at Poplar Creek, Chicago Appears On Cloaks And Daggers (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #11: Running Time 5:28 Performers Russ(ell) Kunkel (Drums), Bob Glaub (Bass), Waddy (Robert) Wachtel (Guitar), (Ms.) Bobbye Hall (Percussion), Roy Bittan (Piano), Ben(mont) (M.) Tench(, III) (Organ), Stevie Nicks (Lead Vocals By), Sharon Celani (Ladies Vocals By), Lori Perry-Nicks/Perry/Nicks (Ladies Vocals By) Comments Chart: Billboard US Hot 100 Singles Peak Position: 11 Peak Dates: Apr 17, 1982 & Apr 24, 1982 Weeks On Charts: 14 Appears On Rock The Planet: 80's Love Songs (1997) Various Artists Performance #12: Running Time 6:53 Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Carlos Rios (Guitar), Frank Simes (Guitar), Ben(mont) (M.) Tench(, III) (Keyboards), Brett Tuggle (Keyboards), Don Boyette (Bass), Lenny Castro (Percussion), Land Richards (Drums), Sharon Celani (Background Vocals), Mindy Stein (Background Vocals), Elliot Scheiner (Mixed By) Comments by Stevie Nicks (appears courtesy of Warner Brothers Records) (P) & (C) 1998 Viacom International Inc. Stevie Nicks: "I can't talk about this song on a real tour, because the audience would be so depressed by the time the show was over, they would just go straight to rehab or something. What happened with "Edge Of Seventeen" was, I was in Australia playing and John Lennon died. So I was, of course, upset by this, and I was very far away, it was really strange not to be in the United States when he died. I went home to Phoenix - I had this idea about writing a song about him, about the white-wing dove, which comes from Arizona and nests in the Saguaro cactus which I didn't know until I got to Phoenix and started writing this song. And then, to make a bad situation worse my uncle, who was my Dad's older brother was very sick. I went to visit him one day and my cousin John and I were the only ones there with him and my uncle died. We were just there by ourselves with him, and didn't know what to do. It was like, I can't believe this is happening. So when it says 'and I went running down the hall searching for somebody, and up the stairs and down the hall. I did not hear an answer, but I did hear the call of the nightbird,' that's what that was about. So that is what 'Edge Of Seventeen' is about." Appears On VH1 Storytellers (2000) Various Artists Performance #13: Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Rick Vito (Guitar) Comments Recorded in Los Angeles Appears On Superstar Concert Series (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #14: Running Time 5:28 Performers Russ(ell) Kunkel (Drums), Bob Glaub (Bass), Waddy (Robert) Wachtel (Guitar), (Ms.) Bobbye Hall (Percussion), Roy Bittan (Piano), Ben(mont) (M.) Tench(, III) (Organ), Stevie Nicks (Lead Vocals By), Sharon Celani (Ladies Vocals By), Lori Perry-Nicks/Perry/Nicks (Ladies Vocals By) Comments Chart: Billboard US Hot 100 Singles Peak Position: 11 Peak Dates: Apr 17, 1982 & Apr 24, 1982 Weeks On Charts: 14 Appears On Up Close (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #15: Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Rick Vito (Guitar) Comments Recorded in Los Angeles Appears On Welcome To My World (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #16: Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals) Comments Recorded live in Houston during the Other Side Of The Mirror Tour. Appears On Live In Houston (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #17: Running Time 5:28 Performers Russ(ell) Kunkel (Drums), Bob Glaub (Bass), Waddy (Robert) Wachtel (Guitar), (Ms.) Bobbye Hall (Percussion), Roy Bittan (Piano), Ben(mont) (M.) Tench(, III) (Organ), Stevie Nicks (Lead Vocals By), Sharon Celani (Ladies Vocals By), Lori Perry-Nicks/Perry/Nicks (Ladies Vocals By) Comments Chart: Billboard US Hot 100 Singles Peak Position: 11 Peak Dates: Apr 17, 1982 & Apr 24, 1982 Weeks On Charts: 14 Appears On Off The Record (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #18: Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals) Comments Recorded live in Houston during the Other Side Of The Mirror Tour. Appears On Superstar Concert Series (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #19: Running Time 5:28 Performers Russ(ell) Kunkel (Drums), Bob Glaub (Bass), Waddy (Robert) Wachtel (Guitar), (Ms.) Bobbye Hall (Percussion), Roy Bittan (Piano), Ben(mont) (M.) Tench(, III) (Organ), Stevie Nicks (Lead Vocals By), Sharon Celani (Ladies Vocals By), Lori Perry-Nicks/Perry/Nicks (Ladies Vocals By) Comments Chart: Billboard US Hot 100 Singles Peak Position: 11 Peak Dates: Apr 17, 1982 & Apr 24, 1982 Weeks On Charts: 14 Appears On Up Close (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #20: Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals) Appears On Superstar Concert Series (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #21: Running Time 5:28 Performers Russ(ell) Kunkel (Drums), Bob Glaub (Bass), Waddy (Robert) Wachtel (Guitar), (Ms.) Bobbye Hall (Percussion), Roy Bittan (Piano), Ben(mont) (M.) Tench(, III) (Organ), Stevie Nicks (Lead Vocals By), Sharon Celani (Ladies Vocals By), Lori Perry-Nicks/Perry/Nicks (Ladies Vocals By) Comments Chart: Billboard US Hot 100 Singles Peak Position: 11 Peak Dates: Apr 17, 1982 & Apr 24, 1982 Weeks On Charts: 14 Appears On Jim Ladd's Innerview (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #22: Date Performance 1981-07-27 Running Time 8:07 Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Russ(ell) Kunkel (Drums), Bob Glaub (Bass), Waddy (Robert) Wachtel (Guitar), (Ms.) Bobbye Hall (Percussion), Roy Bittan (Piano), Ben(mont) (M.) Tench(, III) (Organ), Sharon Celani (Background Vocals), Lori Perry-Nicks/Perry/Nicks (Background Vocals), Jimmy Iovine (Produced By) Appears On In Concert (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #23: Date Performance 1986-08-20 Running Time 14:34 Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Waddy (Robert) Wachtel (Guitar), Jennifer Condos (Bass), Bobby/Robert A. Martin (Keyboards), Bobby/Robert A. Martin (Horns), Bobby/Robert A. Martin (Vocals), Jai (Jay) Winding (Keyboards), (Ms.) Bobbye Hall (Percussion), Sharon Celani (Background Vocals), Lori Perry-Nicks/Perry/Nicks (Background Vocals), Elis(e)cia Wright (Background Vocals), Mick Fleetwood (Percussion), Peter Frampton (Guitar), Rick Marotta (Drums) Appears On Live At Red Rocks (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #24: Running Time 5:28 Performers Russ(ell) Kunkel (Drums), Bob Glaub (Bass), Waddy (Robert) Wachtel (Guitar), (Ms.) Bobbye Hall (Percussion), Roy Bittan (Piano), Ben(mont) (M.) Tench(, III) (Organ), Stevie Nicks (Lead Vocals By), Sharon Celani (Ladies Vocals By), Lori Perry-Nicks/Perry/Nicks (Ladies Vocals By) Comments Chart: Billboard US Hot 100 Singles Peak Position: 11 Peak Dates: Apr 17, 1982 & Apr 24, 1982 Weeks On Charts: 14 Appears On Stevie Nicks: Bella Donna (0000) Warner Brothers Publications Inc. The Best Of Stevie Nicks: Timespace (0000) Warner Brothers Publications Inc. Leather And Lace/Edge Of Seventeen (0000) Stevie Nicks Edge Of Seventeen/Outside The Rain (0000) Stevie Nicks Edge Of Seventeen/Leather And Lace (0000) Stevie Nicks Edge Of Seventeen/Edge Of Seventeen (0000) Stevie Nicks Edge Of Seventeen/Stand Back (0000) Stevie Nicks Whole Lotta Trouble/Edge Of Seventeen (0000) Stevie Nicks Performance #25: Date Performance 1981-07-27 Running Time 5:57 Performers Jimmy Iovine (Produced By), Russ(ell) Kunkel (Drums), Bob Glaub (Bass), Waddy (Robert) Wachtel (Guitar), (Ms.) Bobbye Hall (Percussion), Roy Bittan (Piano), Ben(mont) (M.) Tench(, III) (Organ), Sharon Celani (Background Vocals), Lori Perry-Nicks/Perry/Nicks (Background Vocals), Stevie Nicks (Vocals) Comments (Edit) Appears On I Can't Wait/Edge Of Seventeen (0000) Stevie Nicks

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(C) 1980 Published by Welsh Witch Music Administered by Sony/ATV Songs LLC (BMI). All Rights Reserved. Stevie Nicks: "Inspired by Jane Petty & John Lennon and my late uncle (Jonathon William). I had lived up in the hills with Jimmy (Iovine) for almost six months. He was coming to the end of Tom Petty's album...it seemed I had waited a long time. and so since no one really knew where I was, I was starting to get very edgy to do something...I was also starting to feel very unimportant and very sorry for myself. I was ready to begin 'Bella Donna,' and it seemed like it would just never happen. Jimmy had told me many times about his incredible friendship with John Lennon; how John had taken Jimmy in and taught him how to record. He was his teacher...and I was entranced because I could not imagine these two together. Anyway, it was a real life fairy tale, and I believed it. Then one grey day, the fairy tale ended...Jimmy's friend was dead...But Jimmy's love for John did not die. A terrible sadness set in over the house, there was simply nothing I could do to help and nothing I could say. So I went home...Jimmy would have to go this one alone. I went home to Phoenix...and went to visit my uncle (who was very sick), not knowing that no one but his son, John, was there...and I sat on his bedside, while John sat on the floor beside him, and we stayed there. My father did not come, nor my mother...nor my aunt...so I sat there and held his hand, and sometime right about sunset, he slightly turned his head to John, and then to me, and his hand slowly let go of mine. I did run out into the hallway, but no one was there...and the white winged dove took flight...'Well I hear you, in the morning... And I hear you, at nightfall... But sometimes, to be near you... Is to be unable...to hear you...' Goodbye to you both, I said... There was nothing else left to say."

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2010-09-24

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Lyrics contributed by Christina White. Interpretation prepared by Jamie, Lesley, Becky, Stacy, Cera, CC and Keith. Tabs prepared by Melissa Campbell.