Stevie Nicks' Creative Process: Turning Misheard Phrases into Iconic Songs
Fleetwood Mac's album "Tango In The Night" features captivating tracks like "Everywhere" and "Little Lies". The album also includes the song "Seven Wonders", written by Sandy Stewart, who collaborated with Stevie Nicks on her second studio album, The Wild Heart. Stewart contributed as a musician and co-writer on several of Nicks' solo albums.
When Stewart presented Nicks with a demo of "Seven Wonders", Nicks misheard a line in the lyrics, leading to her getting credit for the song. This misheard line, "On the way down to Emmaline", became a part of the song's first verse. Nicks explained that she became attached to the name Emmaline and decided to keep it in the song, receiving a small percentage of the credit.
Stevie Nicks' songwriting process for "Edge Of Seventeen" was also influenced by a misheard phrase. The song, written after the deaths of her uncle and John Lennon, was inspired by a conversation with Tom Petty's wife, Jane Petty. Nicks misheard Jane saying "age of seventeen" as "edge of seventeen", leading to the creation of the song's title and theme.
Both "Seven Wonders" and "Edge Of Seventeen" showcase Stevie Nicks' ability to turn misheard phrases into iconic songs that resonate with listeners. These unique experiences highlight Nicks' creative process and the personal connections that inspire her music.