“Nightbird” is Track 5 on The Wild Heart (1983), Stevie Nicks’ second solo album. It follows “Enchanted” and precedes “Stand Back” in the album track order. Featuring singer-songwriter Sandy Stewart, “Nighbird” was the third and final single from The Wild Heart, reaching No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.
About the Song
“Nightbird” reflects on the death of Stevie’s childhood friend Robin Snyder Anderson. “This song does extend from ‘Edge of Seventeen,’ Stevie explained in 1983. “It’s about the difficulties of female rock ‘n’ roll singers, it’s about my friend Robin, it’s about death, it’s a spirit calling.
Will you walk gently through my shadow…
- Inspired by Stevie’s childhood friend Robin Snyder Anderson
- Shares lyrics with “Edge of Seventeen” (1981)
- Performed onstage only two times
Wearing boots all summer long is like always being ready for a flood or avalanche to happen, for the worst to happen. Because when you really look at life, all the money, material things and dreams we all search after could not save one small girl.”
Stevie has only performed “Nightbird” twice onstage; first on Saturday Night Live (12/10/1983) and then on Solid Gold (3/24/1984).
Lyrics
And the summer became the fall
I was not ready for the winter
It makes no difference at all
‘Cause I wear boots all summer long
Eye makeup dark and it’s careless
Same circles around my eyes
Sometimes the real color of my skin
Is my eyes without any shadow
(And when I call)
(Will you walk gently through my shadow)
When I call will you walk
Gently through my show
(It’s the ones who sing at night)
Cried the nightbird
(The ones who sing at night)
(The ones you dream of)
The ones you dream of
(The ones who walk away)
The ones who run away
(With their capes around them tight)
Their capes pulled around them tight
(Cryin’ for the night)
Cry for the nightbird
Tonight
The winter is really here now
And the blankets that I love
Sometimes I am surrounded
By too much love
(And when I call)
(Will you walk gently through my shadow)
And when I call will you walk
Gently through my shadow
(It’s the ones who sing at night)
It’s the ones who sing at night
(The ones you dream of)
The ones you dream of
(The ones who walk away)
With their capes pulled around them tight
Cryin’ for the night
Cry for the nightbird
Tonight
Do-do, doo…do-do, do
Doo…do-do, doo…do-do
Doo…do-do, doo…do-do
Doo…do-do, doo…do-do
Doo…do-do, doo…do-do
Doo…do-do, doo…do-do
(And when I call)
(Will you walk gently through my shadow)
And when I call will you walk
Gently through my shadow
(It’s the ones who sing at night)
Cried the nightbird
(The ones who sing at night)
The ones who sing at night
(The ones you dream of)
The ones you dream of
(The ones who walk away)
The ones who run away
(With their capes around them tight)
Cryin’ for the night
Cry for the nightbird
Tonight
(And when I call)
(Will you walk gently through my shadow)
When I call will you walk
Gently through my shadow
(Just like the white winged dove)
(It’s the ones who sing at night)
Cry for the nightbird
(The ones who sing at night)
Ooh…
(Ooh, ooh)
Through the dark and the net of the lace
Pulls back the net and it’s hard to see her face
(Just like the white winged dove)
Feel the touch
The touch that you want so much
(Yes, when I call)
(You can walk gently through my shadow)
Through the dark and the net of the lace
And she pulls back the net
(Just like the white winged dove)
Hard to see to see her face
(Don’t be afraid)
You’ll see
(‘Cause you’ll see)
(Stevie Nicks/Sandy Stewart) © 1982 Welsh Witch Music (BMI) / Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC (BMI) / Sweet Talk Music/Three Hearts Music (ASCAP)
Musicians
Bass: Kenny Edwards
Piano: David Foster
Drum overdubs: Chet McCracken
Synthesizer, vocals, and piano solo: Sandy Stewart
Organ: Benmont Tench
Guitar: Waddy Wachtel
Background vocals: Sharon Celani & Lori Perry
Produced by Jimmy Iovine. Recorded at Record Plant, New York
Billboard charts
Pop Singles: 33
Mainstream Rock: 32 (February 11, 1984)
References
Modern Records. (1983). Stevie Nicks: The Wild Heart [Press release].
Whitburn, J. (2008). Joel Whitburn presents rock tracks 1981-2008. Menomonee Falls, WI: Record Research, Inc.
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