written by Sandy Stewart & Stevie Nicks

“The Wild Heart,” released in 1983, was the second solo album for pop/rock superstar, Stevie Nicks. Nicks recorded it right after Fleetwood Mac’s #1 album, “Mirage” and two years after her solo debut, “Belladonna,” that also reached #1 and sold over five million copies.

Those years saw the talented singer/songwriter becoming the most popular female American rock singer. “The Wild Heart” was another top five success for Nicks selling almost three million copies in the US. The singer teamed up again with producer Jimmy Iovine who was responsible for “Belladonna.” The album includes several guests like Tom Petty who became a steady presence on Nicks’ records, her band mate Mick Fleetwood on drums and Steve Lukather of Toto whose guitar infused rock power to the first hit single, Stand Back.” “The Wild Heart,” another mix of catchy, up-tempo rockers and intense ballads brought two more songs on Billboard’s Hot 100, “If Anyone Falls” and “Nightbird.” The former was a rock ballad dominated by synths and guitars while the latter was an up-tempo pop gem that wouldn’t have been out of place on any Fleetwood Mac album. “Nightbird” is beautifully sung by Nicks with her sensual style and presents David Foster playing piano together with other heavy weights like Waddy Watchel on guitar and Benmont Tench on organ. The song was co-written with the singer by Sandy Stewart who also played the piano solo.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/nightbird.mp3|titles=Nightbird|artists=Stevie Nicks]

Lead Vocals: Stevie Nicks
Bass: Kenny Edwards
Drums: Marvin Caruso
Drums Overdubs: Chet McCracken
Guitar: Waddy Watchel
Organ: Benmont Tench
Piano: David Foster
Synthesizer, Piano Solo & Vocals: Sandy Stewart
Backing Vocals: Sharon Celani & Lori Perry

Produced by Jimmy Iovine

Lyrics

And the summer became the fall
I was not ready for the winter
It makes no difference at all
‘Cause I wear boots all summer long

My eye make up is dark and it’s careless
Some circles around my eyes
Sometimes the real color of my skin
Is my eyes without any shadow

And when I call
Will you walk gently
Thru my shadow
The ones who sing at night
The ones who sing at night
The ones you dream of
The ones who walk away
Capes pulled around them tight
Cryin’ for the night
Cry for the nightbird tonite

And so the winter is really here now
And the blankets that I love
I am surrounded sometimes
By too much love

And when I call
Will you walk gently
Thru my shadow
The ones who sing at night
The ones who sing at night
The ones you dream of
The ones who walk away
Capes pulled around them tight
Cryin’ for the night
Cry for the nightbird tonite

And the darkened eyes
Thru the net of the lace
In the darkness
It’s hard to see her face
Pulls back the net
And you feel the touch
Of her fingers
And you see she turns the eyes
And you see the eyes of a nightbird
The ones you dream of
Finally the nightbird
Finally the nightbird
Tonite