“Sorcerer” is Track 3 on Trouble in Shangri-La, Stevie Nicks’ sixth solo album. It follows “Candlebright” and precedes “Planets of the Universe” in the track order.
About the Song
Stevie wrote “Sorcerer” in the early 1970s, as she and Lindsey Buckingham started to navigate the Los Angeles music scene and business. Buckingham Nicks rehearsed the song, but didn’t record it for their first and only album.
“’Sorcerer’ was written in 1974, a year before we joined Fleetwood Mac,” Stevie remembers. “It was really about the city of Hollywood and how strange it was to us. It was all about models and rock ‘n’ roll and drugs and scary people. I was a very, very prudish little girl from San Francisco who had strict parents, I had not had a lot of freedom, and coming into this town was freaky. ‘All around the black ink darkness, and who found the lady from the mountains.’ The lady from the mountains was me” (Nicks, 2001).
Stevie has recorded several demos of the song since the early 1970s.
Buckingham Nicks Version
The Wild Heart Version
In 1983, Stevie rehearsed the song again for The Wild Heart sessions, recording a version that later surfaced on the deluxe edition of The Wild Heart (2016).
Marilyn Martin Version
In 1984, Stevie gave the song to Marilyn Martin to record for the Streets of Fire motion picture soundtrack. Martin’s version featured a piano-driven arrangement and alternate lyrics. Although not credited in the release, Stevie provided background vocals, audibly singing the lyric “lady from the mountains” during the song’s bridge.
Trouble in Shangri-La Version
Stevie finally recorded the song for herself on Trouble in Shangri-La, staying true to the original Buckingham Nicks demo.
“Sheryl [Crow] challenged me to explore different areas of my voice,” Stevie recalls, noting the soulful falsetto that she reaches during the song’s initial verses. “It was fun to do, and it wound up working so well within the song’s arrangement” (Flick, 2001).
Sheryl Crow Edit
Released exclusively on the “Sorcerer” US Promo CD Single
[jwplayer mediaid=”38390″]Lyrics
I’m tired
I’m thirsty
I’m wild-eyed
In my misery
Timeless in your finery
It’s a high price
For your luxury
Sorcerer
Who is the master
A man and woman on a star stream
In the middle of a snow dream
Sorcerer
Show me the high life
Come over
Let me put you on ice
All around black ink darkness
And who found lady from the mountains
All around black ink darkness
And who found lady from the mountains
Lady from the mountains
I’m tired
I need you badly
I’m wild-eyed
In my misery
Timeless in your finery
It’s a high price
For your luxury
(Stevie Nicks) © 1972 ℗ Welsh Witch Music (BMI)
Release
Credits
| Writer | Stevie Nicks |
| Producers | Sheryl Crow and Stevie Nicks |
| Engineer | Brian Scheuble |
| Drums | Matt Chamberlain |
| Bass | Tim Smith |
| Guitars | Sheryl Crow, Peter Stroud, and Jeff Trott |
| Keyboards | Patrick Warren |
| Guest Vocals | Sheryl Crow |
| Background Vocals | Sharon Celani and Lori Nicks |
References
Flick, L. (2001, February 12). Stevie Nicks returns with Sheryl Crow in tow. Billboard.
Nicks, S. (2001, April 1). Stevie Nicks: Gold Dust Woman returns. VH1.com.
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