Desert Angel

Desert Angel (1991)

“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).


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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

LIVE IN CONCERT (2023-2024)

Billy Joel and Stevie NicksStevie Nicks

November 29, 2023
San Diego, CA
Viejas Arena

December 2, 2023
Inglewood, CA
The Kia Forum

December 5, 2023
Palm Desert, CA
Acisure Arena

December  8, 2023 – BILLY JOEL
Phoenix, AZ
Chase Field

December 12, 2023
Sacramento, CA
Golden 1 Center

December 15, 2023
San Francisco, CA
Chase Center

February 10, 2024
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February 14, 2024
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Previous 2023 dates

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March 15, 2023
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March 18, 2023
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August 15, 2023
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September 23, 2023 – BILLY JOEL
Foxborough, MA
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September 27, 2023
Pittsburgh, PA
PPG Paints Arena

October 1, 2023
New York, NY
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October 4, 2023
Buffalo, NY
KeyBank Center

October 7, 2023 – BILLY JOEL
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Memphis, TN
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Savannah, GA
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November 4, 2023
Allentown, PA
PPL Center

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Detroit, MI
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November 10, 2023 – BILLY JOEL
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2022 Tour

Stevie Nicks

Jazz Aspen Snowmass
Snowmass, CO
Labor Day 2022

Ravinia Festival
Highland Park, IL
September 8, 2022
September 10, 2022

Pine Knob Music Theatre
Clarkston, MI
September 13, 2022
w/ Vanessa Carlton

Sea Hear Now Festival
Asbury, NJ
September 17, 2022

Xfinity Center
Mansfield, MA
September 19, 2022
w/ Vanessa Carlton

Maine Savings Amphitheatre
Bangor, ME
September 22, 2022
w/ Vanessa Carlton

Sound on Sound Festival
Bridgeport, CT
September 24-25, 2022

Ohana Festival
Dana Point, CA
September 30, 2022

Hollywood Bowl
Los Angeles, CA
October 3, 2022
w/ Vanessa Carlton

POSTPONED
Ak-Chin Pavilion

Phoenix, AZ
October 6, 2022
w/ Vanessa Carlton

POSTPONED
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

The Woodlands, TX
October 9, 2022
w/ Vanessa Carlton

Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Alpharetta, GA
October 12, 2022
w/ Vanessa Carlton

Ascend Amphitheater
Nashville, TN
October 16, 2022
w/ Vanessa Carlton

Credit One Stadium
Charleston, SC
October 19, 2022
w/ Vanessa Carlton

PNC Music Pavilion
Charlotte, NC
October 22, 2022
w/ Vanessa Carlton

MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Tampa, FL
October 25, 2022
w/ Vanessa Carlton

iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
West Palm Beach, FL
October 28, 2022
w/ Vanessa Carlton

Orion Amphitheatre
Huntsville, AL
October 31, 2022

RESCHEDULED SHOWS

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
The Woodlands, TX
November 2, 2022
w/ Vanessa Carlton

Ak-Chin Pavilion
Phoenix, AZ
November 5, 2022
w/ Vanessa Carlton


For What It’s Worth (2022)

Edge of Midnight (2020)

Beautiful People Beautiful Problems (2017)

New Release

Stevie Nicks, Stand Back 1981-2017, compilation

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