“Desert Angel” is the Track 14 on the CD edition of Timespace: The Best of Stevie Nicks (1991), Stevie Nicks‘ first retrospective release, and Track 10 on Disc 9 of Complete Studio Albums & Rarities (2023).
About the Song
Stevie Nicks wrote “Desert Angel” for the men and women involved in Operational Desert Storm. Paradise Valley, Arizona, where Stevie lived at the time, served as some of the song’s visual inspiration.
Lyrics
I was born in the desert
So I know how it feels there
Well, look up
It’s a shooting star
But it’s as black as night, no stars
Well, this is the first thing that I’ve written
Since I wrote about freedom
And then the wall came down
We thought it was a great beginning
People were free to cross the line
But then something happened in the desert
Something broke the stars into pieces
Well, I live below a great red mountain
In the shape of a great huge beast
In a place the indians call Paradise Valley
Well, where this has always been my sanctuary
I send that to you too
You’re on the other side of the world
In the desert
We are the guardians
No black clouds just the faces of you
(Faces of you)
(Faces of you)
So where is my father
Where has he gone
Where is my husband
Where is my son
Where is my father
Where has he gone
What is it that happened here
Is it real
This war
This can’t be happening
Well, I need to see you
(One more time)
In your far away war
And you should know
How much we love you
Well, they call us here
Operation Desert Angel
They call us here
Ooh, Operation Desert Angel
In waiting…
Operation Desert Shield!
Ahh…
Operation Desert Storm!
Ahh…
Operation Desert Angel!
Ahh…
Ooh, angels in waiting
(Come home)
Just the faces of you
(Come home)
Operation Desert Angel
(Stevie Nicks/Michael Campbell) © 1991 Welsh Witch Music (BMI) admin. by Warner Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Release
Release History
- Timespace: The Best of Stevie Nicks (1991) – CD edition, Track 14
- “Sometimes It’s a Bitch” (1991) – Single, bonus track
- Complete Studio Albums & Rarities (2023) – Disc 9, Track 10
Credits
Michael Campbell: Guitar, bass, and keyboards
Benmont Tench: Organ and piano
Sharon Celani: Background vocals
Lori Perry Nicks: Background vocals
Produced by Michael Campbell, Chris Lord-Alge, and Stevie Nicks
Engineered and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge