After the Glitter Fades

Album: Bella Donna (1981)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • It's natural to assume that "After the Glitter Fades" is Nicks' way of using archetypal Hollywood to explore her own well-known show-business malaise, but according to Zoë Howe's Stevie Nicks: Visions, Dreams, and Rumors, Nicks wrote the song in 1972. This was before there was any music-industry glitter at all for Nicks. A fateful call from Mick Fleetwood on New Year's Eve, 1974, was still a couple of years away, and Nicks was still trying to make it in music.
  • The song was originally written with Dolly Parton in mind as the singer, but Nicks couldn't locate her to pitch it.
  • Nicks wrote this in the same time period as "Landslide," which was the "Buckingham-Nicks Era," as she and Lindsey Buckingham were trying to build a career together. They recorded an album titled Buckingham Nicks that had little success and got them dropped from the label.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.