ROCK A LITTLE (1985)

Rock a Little is Stevie Nicks‘ third solo album, following The Wild Heart (1983). It features the hit singles “Talk to Me” and “I Can’t Wait,” as well as the heartfelt ballad “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You.”

Track List

1. I Can’t Wait (4:35)
2. Rock a Little (Go Ahead Lily)* (3:39)
3. Sister Honey (3:52)
4. I Sing for the Things (3:45)
5. Imperial Hotel (2:53)
6. Some Become Strangers (3:29)
7. Talk to Me^ (4:12)
8. The Nightmare (5:08)
9. If I Were You (4:31)
10. No Spoken Word (4:12)
11. Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You (4:35)

^An alternate version of “Talk to Me” appears on Time/Life’s Sounds of the Eighties: 1986 compilation.
* An alternate version of “Rock a Little (Go Ahead Lily) appears on the Australasian/European single release of “I Can’t Wait.”

Background

Stevie Nicks began recording Rock a Little in 1984. Following the commercial success of Bella Donna (1981) and The Wild Heart (1983), Stevie initially worked with returning producer Jimmy Iovine. But due to rising creative and personal tensions between them, Jimmy left the project before completing the album. Stevie patched together the rest of the album with other producers, namely Rick Nowels, who helped produce the remaining tracks. The album took more than a year to complete.

With an emphasis on synthesizers and programmed drums, Rock a Little followed some of the music trends of the time. (Stevie would continue to apply some of these trends to her fourth album The Other Side of the Mirror in 1989.)

Despite receiving mixed reviews from music critics and selling significantly less than Bella Donna and The Wild Heart, Rock a Little firmly established Stevie Nicks as one of rock music’s top recording artists of the decade. 

Dedication

Stevie dedicated Rock a Little to three groups of people: Her colleagues (the great singers and players), veterans of the Vietnam War, and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh. The dedication included lyrics from “Thousand Days,” a song about Prince, rehearsed for Rock a Little and later recorded during the early Street Angel sessions in 1992.

And I,
like some kind of Time/Life edition
tradition, competition~
Being the only things that I really have
to remember~
The great singers, and the great, great players

---

This music is dedicated to the great singers~
and the great, great players (my teachers)~
And to those who have survived the Viet Nam War~
“No, we do not forget you…”

---

And, thank you, Joe

Release

Modern Records released Rock a Little on November 18, 1985. The album debuted at No. 12 on Billboard’s Hot 200 Albums and produced the singles “Talk to Me” (4), “I Can’t Wait” (16), “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You” (60), and the Australia-issued “Imperial Hotel” (99). To help promote the album, Stevie filmed music videos for “Talk to Me” and “I Can’t Wait,” which aired regularly on MTV.

Other Released Songs

• One More Big Time Rock and Roll Star (b-side of the Talk to Me single)
• Battle of the Dragon (from American Anthem: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
• Reconsider Me (duet with Don Henley, from Enchanted: The Works of Stevie Nicks)
• Mirror Mirror (original album title, b-side of Blue Denim 1994 single)

Accolades & Sales

For the 29th Annual Grammy Awards, Stevie Nicks earned a nomination in the category of Best Rock Female Vocalist for “Talk to Me.”  The award went to Tina Turner for “Back Where You Started.”

The RIAA has certified Rock a Little platinum for the shipment of one million units to retailers.

Charts

Talk to Me

Billboard Charts	Peak
Pop Singles	4
Adult Contemporary	14
Album Rock Tracks	1

I Can’t Wait

Billboard Charts	Peak
Pop Singles	16
Dance	26
Album Rock Tracks	6

Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You

Billboard Chart	Peak
Pop Singles	60

Imperial Hotel

Released only in Australia

Kent Music Report	Peak
Pop	99

Promotional Videos

Talk to Me

I Can’t Wait

Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You

Imperial Hotel

News & Coverage

• Nicks flies a lead balloon November 24, 1985 - STEVIE NICKS: Rock a Little (Modern Records) If there is an album with more hands in its making, it doesn't… More
• ALBUM REVIEW: Rock a Little December 22, 1985 - Rock A Little Stevie Nicks Modern, dist. by Atlantic Rock a little, cry a little, a bit of this, a… More
• SONG: Stevie Nicks – Rock a Little January 13, 1986 - Unlike her former running mate Lindsey Buckingham, Nicks has played it pretty safe in her records apart from Fleetwood Mac.… More
• ALBUM REVIEW: Rock a Little January 30, 1986 - "You can talk to me," Stevie Nicks coos on the chorus of her latest hit single. "You can set your… More
• Unenthusiastic Nicks gives a fashion show at SPAC August 13, 1986 - Songbird Stevie Nicks focuses on costume changes at dull Saratoga concert. Stevie Nicks has given rock fashion her own special… More
• Rock a Little @30 November 18, 2015 - Stevie Nicks' third solo album Rock a Little has turned 30. Released on November 18, 1985, the album marked a… More
• Rock a Little reissue in the works? May 12, 2021 - On Wednesday, Rhino cryptically tweeted "We are always listening and we love you," along with a picture of a white… More

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