“Trouble in Shangri-La” is Track 1 on Trouble in Shangri-La (2001), Stevie Nicks’ sixth solo album. It precedes “Candlebright” in the track order.
About the Song
Stevie wrote “Trouble in Shangri-La” during the 1995 O.J. Simpson murder trial. Although she did not specifically write about Simpson or the trial, Stevie identified with the challenges of sustaining a relationship in the public eye.
“[Trouble in Shangri-La] was written during the last two months of the O.J. Simpson trial. But that’s not what it was about. What the O.J. trial made me aware of was relationships, and how difficult they are, especially for people who are in the public eye and are very famous and how difficult it is for them to hold on to ‘Shangri-La.’ Of course, to somebody who doesn’t make very much money and would just love to live in ‘Shangri-La,’ it’s hard to even hear that. But there is a price to pay for this kind of fame. It’s strange, because, in a sense, I was writing about the same things when I recorded Bella Donna, almost 20 years ago.”
Despite drawing parallels to her own life, Stevie said that the song is a general observation of people who struggle to stay at the top of their field. “It’s not just about me. In fact, it’s not that much about me at all; it’s about a lot of other people that I see and hear about. You say to yourself, ‘God, I made it. I’m at the top of my field. I’m a beloved artist of some kind.’ And then, ‘I can’t handle it.’ And how sad is it that all your dreams come true and you just can’t keep yourself together?” (Nicks, 2001)
Lyrics
I remember him, he was very young
No one spoke like him, he was someone
And I carried on, like I couldn’t stop
All of it for us baby
And you, you got in my way
Stood between me and my friends
It was my sin, it was my shame
You were unconscious to the pain I was in
I hear there’s trouble in Shangri-La
I run through the grass
I run over the stones
Down to the sea
Show me the way back, honey
I hear there’s trouble in Shangri-La
I run through the grass
I run over the stones
Show me the way back…to the sea
With honor be it spoken
To understand this light that we carry
And let it light your way
Of course, you know, I generally take it
Well I make accommodations for you
And consider this
You used to be my love
I make excuses for you
I hear there’s trouble in Shangri-La
I run through the grass
I run over the stones
Down to the sea
Show me the way back, honey
I hear there’s trouble in Shangri-La
I run through the grass
I run over the stones
Show me the way back…to the sea
You can consume all the beauty in the room, baby
I know you can, I’ve seen you do it
And it brings up the wind
And it rises around you in pillars of color
But the promise has been broken
As you walk through the shadow of death
You try to see no evil
But you are heartbroken
You say, dear God, make it stop
Before the dawn of separation
Brings up the wind
Rises around you
I hear there’s trouble in Shangri-La
Pillars of color
Trouble in Shangri-La
I make accommodations for you
I guess we don’t believe
That things could go that far
We all believe in people
That we think believe in God
Somewhere in the night
Someone feels the pain
The ones who walk away
Try to love again
I hear there’s trouble in Shangri-La
I run through the grass
I run over the stones
Down to the sea
Show me the way back, honey
I hear there’s trouble in Shangri-La
I run through the grass
I run over the stones
Show me the way back…to the sea
You can consume all the beauty in the room, baby
Because you are so heartbroken
You can consume all the beauty in the room, baby
Before the dawn of separation
You can consume all the beauty in the room, baby
Show me the way back
(Stevie Nicks) © 1996 ℗ Welsh Witch Music (BMI)
Credits
| Writer | Stevie Nicks |
| Producers | John Shanks and Stevie Nicks |
| Engineer | Mark DeSoto |
| Pro Tools Engineer | James Murray |
| Drums | Vinnie Colaiuta |
| Guitars, Keyboards, and Programming | John Shanks |
| Bass | Al Ortiz |
| Keyboards | Patrick Warren |
| Background Vocals | Sharon Celani and Lori Nicks |
References
Rogers, R. (2001). Interview: Stevie Nicks.
TROUBLE IN SHANGRI-LA: Trouble in Shangri-La | Candlebright | Sorcerer | Planets of the Universe | Every Day | Too Far From Texas | That Made Me Stronger | It’s Only Love | Love Changes | I Miss You | Bombay Sapphires | Fall From Grace | Love Is
