“Talk to Me” is Track 7 on Rock a Little (1985), Stevie Nicks‘ third solo album. It follows “Imperial Hotel” and precedes “The Nightmare” in the album track order.
Released as the album’s lead single, “Talk to Me” reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on Billboard Album Tracks. An official music video accompanied the release of “Talk to Me.” Two versions of the video, each edited differently, aired on MTV.
About ‘Talk to Me’
Songwriter Chas Sandford, who had co-written John Waite’s No. 1 single “Missing You,” wrote “Talk to Me.”
“[‘Talk to Me’] was a hard song to sing, but I had loved ‘Missing You’ (co-written by Chas with John Waite), and I loved the words to ‘Talk to Me.” It took a long time to finish it though because I couldn’t quite get the right feeling on it…until one night. Jim Keltner came in to do some drum overdubs, and then he stayed to be an audience to push me a little, to make me get a great vocal. So I had someone to sing to, and I got the vocal. I put some tambourine on it, and it was finished, forevermore. That was one of my unforgettable moments.” (Stevie Nicks, 1991)
Three Versions
There are three official versions of “Talk to Me”:
- Album Version 1 (4:08/4:10). This version is the most familiar and appears on the most pressings of Rock a Little (1985).
- Album Version 2 (4:13). This version is similar to Album Version 1 but is mixed differently. The vocals and timpani drums in the chorus are emphasized. Album Version 2 appears on Stand Back: 1981-2014 (R1 587604/603497852468).
- Alternate Version (4:15) This version has a different vocal and musical arrangement. It appears on the Time/Life Music compilation Sounds of the Eighties: 1986 (R988-04, Warner Special Products – OPCD-2730).
Use of Timpani
The album version of “Talk to Me” is distinctive for the use of timpani, or kettledrums, which are usually found in classical orchestras. The thunderous sound of timpani introduces the song and plays throughout the chorus.
‘Talk to Me’ Lyrics
I can see we’re thinkin’ ’bout the same things
Yes, I see your expression when the phone rings
We both know there’s something happenin’ here
There’s no sense in dancing ’round the subject
A wound gets worse when it’s treated with neglect
Well, don’t turn now
There’s nothing here to fear
You can talk to me
Talk to me
You can talk to me
You can set your secrets free, baby
Dusty words lying under carpets
Seldom heard, well, must you keep your secrets
Locked inside, hidden deep from view
Was it all that hard, is it all that tough?
Now, I’ve shown you all my cards
Well, isn’t that enough
You can hide your hurt, but there’s something you can do
You can talk to me
You can talk to me
When you’re down now
You can talk to me
T-t-talk to me
Though we lay face to face and cheek to cheek
Our voices stray from the common ground where they could meet
The walls run high to veil a swelling tear
Oh, let the walls burn down
Set your secrets free
You can break their bounds
‘Cause you’re safe with me
You can lose your doubt
‘Cause you’ll find no danger here
You can talk to me
Talk to me
When you’re down now
You can talk to me
You can set your secrets free, baby
Well, I can see that expression when the phone rings
And I can see that we’re thinkin’ ’bout the same things
Is it all that hard
Ss it all that tough
Well, I know you’ve taken all that there is
Isn’t that enough?
Well, I can see you baby
I can see you runnin’
Well, I can see you baby
Well I can see you runnin’
Talk to me
(Chas Sandford) 1985 Fallwater Music
About Songwriter Chas Sandford
Chas Sandford has received 12 ASCAP “Most Performed Songs” awards, including the multi-platinum hit “Missing You,” recorded by John Waite, “What Kind of Man Would I Be” by Chicago, and “Talk To Me” by Stevie Nicks. In addition to his writing, he is an acclaimed artist and guitarist, as well as a producer, engineer, and recording studio owner. (Brentwood Home Page)
Musicians
| Sharon Celani | Background vocals |
| Jim Keltner | Drum overdubs |
| Lori (Perry) Nicks | Background vocals |
| Stevie Nicks | Lead vocals |
| Greg Phillinganes | Timpani (kettledrums) |
| Chas Sandford | Drum machine, mirage synthesizer, bass, and electric 6 & 12 string guitars |
| Barney Wilens | Saxophone |
Production Credits
| Chas Sandford and Gabe Veltri | Recording Engineers |
| Chas Sandford, Don Smith, and Shelly Yakus | Mixers |
| Chas Sandford and Jimmy Iovine | Producers |
| Chas Sanford and George Black | Arrangers |
| Gabe Veltri | Vocal overdubs |
Release History
- Rock a Little (1985)
- “Talk to Me” (7″/12″ vinyl singles) (1985)
- Timespace: The Best of Stevie Nicks (1991)
- Sounds of the Eighties: 1986 (Alternate Version) (1994)
- The Enchanted Works of Stevie Nicks (1998)
- Crystal Visions…The Very Best of Stevie Nicks (2007)
- Stand Back: 1981-2014 (2019)
Chart Performance
| Chart | Peak |
| Billboard Hot 100 | 4 |
| Billboard Album Rock Tracks | 1 |
| Billboard Adult Contemporary | 14 |
| Billboard Pop Singles (Year-end) | 57 |
| Australian Kent Music Report | 22 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 6 |
| German Singles | 28 |
| UK Singles | 68 |
References
Nicks, S. (1985). [Liner notes]. In Rock a Little [CD]. Los Angeles: Modern Records.
Nicks, S. (1991). [Liner notes]. In Timespace [CD]. Los Angeles: Modern Records.
Whitburn, J. (2008). Joel Whitburn presents rock tracks 1981-2008. Menomonee Falls, WI: Record Research, Inc.
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