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Sleeping Angel

“Sleeping Angel” is Track 17 on the Fast Times at Ridgemont High Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1982).

About the Song

Stevie Nicks Paul Fishkin
Stevie Nicks, Paul Fishkin, Sharon Celani, Lori Perry, circa 1980

“Sleeping Angel” is about music executive Paul Fishkin, with whom Stevie Nicks had a romantic relationship in 1978. At that time, Fishkin and fellow executive Danny Goldberg were planning to launch Modern Records, a vehicle for Stevie’s solo career. In 1998, Stevie confirmed this relationship during unaired footage of VH1 Storytellers, when an audience member asked about the song.

“Sleeping Angel” was recorded for Bella Donna. Although the track was completed, it was not used for the final recording. The song later appeared on the Fast Times at Ridgemont High Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1982). In the film, the song was played during Stacy’s abortion clinic scene.

Release

“Sleeping Angel” was included on the Fast Times at Ridgemont High Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, which was released on July 30, 1982. The soundtrack peaked at No. 54 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High album cover
Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Remix

In 1990, Chris Lord-Alge remixed songs from Stevie’s solo catalog for Timespace: The Best of Stevie Nicks, including tracks from soundtracks, such as “Sleeping Angel” (Fast Times at Ridgemont High), “Violet and Blue” (Against All Odds), and “Battle of the Dragon” (American Anthem).

Love's a Hard Game to Play Sleeping Angel
Cassette single

Lord-Alge’s remix later surfaced on the “Love’s a Hard Game to Play” US single (1991) and the international releases “I Can’t Wait” (UK) and A Hard Game to Play EP (Japan). It was also included on Disc 3 of The Enchanted Works of Stevie Nicks (1998).

In Concert

Stevie performed “Sleeping Angel” during the acoustic set (“After the Glitter Fades,” “Garbo,” “Rose Garden,” “Sleeping Angel”) of the 1998 Enchanted Tour, the only time the song has been performed in concert.

Alternate Version

In 2017, Rhino Records issued Bella Donna, including an “Alternate Version” of “Sleeping Angel” on Disc 2 of the 3CD expanded edition.

Lyrics

Take me if you need me
But never hold me down
You’re asking me to trust you
Well, there’s little of that around

I’m trying to believe you
And I’m learnin’ all the time
Two-part personality
The flower and the vine
Flower and the vine

Take me sleeping angel
Catch me when you can
Real love affairs are heavy spells
For a woman and a man
For a woman and a man

I need you because you let me breathe
Well, you’ve taken me away
But never take me lightly
Or I could never stay
No, I could never stay

Well, someday when we’re older
And my hair is silver gray
Unbraid with all of the love that you have
Like a soft silver chain
Well, like a soft silver chain

Whoa, someday when we’re older
And my hair is silver gray
Unbraid with all of the love that you have
Like a soft silver chain
Well, like a soft silver chain

Oh, take me sleeping angel
Oh, catch me when you can
And unbraid with all the love that you have
Like a soft silver chain

(Stevie Nicks) © 1981 Welsh Witch Music (BMI) ℗ 1981 Modern Records Inc.

Musicians & Credits 

Backing Vocals: Lori Perry
Backing Vocals: Sharon Celani
Bass Guitar: Bob Glaub
Co-ordinator Production: Jane Weber
Director, Organ: Benmont Tench
Drums: Russ Kunkel
Guitar: Waddy Wachtel
Lead Vocals: Stevie Nicks
Mixer: Don Smith
Mixer: Shelly Yakus
Percussion: Bobbye Hall
Piano: Roy Bittan
Producer: Jimmy Iovine
Writer: Stevie Nicks

1990 Remix

LIVE IN CONCERT (2024)

Stevie Nicks

MAY 3, 2024 – MAY 5, 2024
Lovin’ Life Fest
Charlotte, NC
TICKETS

MAY 7, 2024
Enterprise Center
St Louis, MO
TICKETS

MAY 10, 2024
WinStar World Casino & Resort
Thackerville, OK
TICKETS

MAY 14, 2024
Bridgestone Arena
Nashville, TN
TICKETS

MAY 18, 2024
Frost Bank Center
San Antonio, TX
TICKETS

MAY 21, 2024
Yaamava’ Resort & Casino – Yaamava’ Theater
Highland, CA
TICKETS

MAY 24, 2024
BottleRock Napa Valley
Napa, CA
TICKETS

MAY 27, 2024
Delta Center
Salt Lake City, UT
TICKETS

MAY 30, 2024
Ball Arena
Denver, CO
TICKETS

JUN 4
Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Indianapolis, IN
TICKETS

JUN 9 
Mohegan Sun Casino
Uncasville, CT
TICKETS

JUN 12
MVP Arena
Albany, NY
TICKETS

JUN 15
Hersheypark Stadium
Hershey, PA
TICKETS

JUN 18
Van Andel Arena
Grand Rapids, MI
TICKETS

JUN 21, 2024 (with Billy Joel)
Soldier Field
Chicago, IL
TICKETS

JUL 12, 2024
BST Hyde Park
London, England
TICKETS

^ Non-Live Nation show


Previous 2023 dates

March 10, 2023 – BILLY JOEL
Los Angeles, CA
SoFi Stadium

March 15, 2023
Seattle, WA
Climate Pledge Arena

March 18, 2023
Las Vegas, NV
T-Mobile Arena

May 12, 2023
Raleigh, NC
PNC Arena

May 16, 2023
Knoxville, TN
Thompson-Boling Arena

May 19, 2023 – BILLY JOEL
Nashville, TN
Nissan Stadium

May 22, 2023
Atlanta, GA
State Farm Arena

May 25, 2023
Orlando, FL
Amway Center

June 16, 2023 – BILLY JOEL
Philadelphia, PA
Lincoln Financial Field

June 20, 2023
Toronto, ON (Canada)
Scotiabank Arena

June 23, 2023
Chicago, IL
United Center

June 27, 2023
Louisville, KY
KFC Yum! Center

August 5, 2023 – BILLY JOEL
Columbus, OH
Ohio Stadium

August 8, 2023
Milwaukee, WI
Fiserv Forum

August 12, 2023
Houston, TX
Toyota Center

August 15, 2023
Austin, TX
Moody Center

August 19, 2023 – BILLY JOEL
Kansas City, MO
Arrowhead Stadium

September 23, 2023 – BILLY JOEL
Foxborough, MA
Gillette Stadium

September 27, 2023
Pittsburgh, PA
PPG Paints Arena

October 1, 2023
New York, NY
Madison Square Garden

October 4, 2023
Buffalo, NY
KeyBank Center

October 7, 2023 – BILLY JOEL
Baltimore, MD 
M&T Bank Stadium

October 28, 2023
Memphis, TN
FedEx Forum

November 1, 2023
Savannah, GA
Enmarket Arena

November 4, 2023
Allentown, PA
PPL Center

November 7, 2023
Detroit, MI
Little Caesars Arena

November 10, 2023 – BILLY JOEL
Minneapolis, MN
U.S. Bank Stadium

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

FEB 10, 2024
Mark G Etess Arena
Atlantic City, NJ

FEB 14, 2024
UBS Arena
Belmont Park, NY

FEB 17, 2024
CFG Bank Arena
Baltimore, MD

FEB 21, 2024
Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Greenville, SC

FEB 24, 2024
Hard Rock Live
Hollywood, FL

FEB 28, 2024
Smoothie King Center
New Orleans, LA

MAR 3, 2024
CHI Health Center
Omaha, NE

MAR 6, 2024
Simmons Bank Arena
North Little Rock, AR

MAR 9, 2024
AT&T Stadium
Arlington, TX
Billy Joel

 



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