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Rock a Little is the third solo studio album by American singer and songwriter Stevie Nicks, released on November 18, 1985, by Modern Records.
Though the album suffers from some typically mid-80s production at times, it remains an enjoyable listen a
‘Rock A Little’, the long-awaited follow-up to 1983’s ‘The Wild Heart’, was released in November 1985. The album, Stevie’s third apart from Fleetwood Mac, represents somewhat of a departure from her typical style up to that point.
Like so many of her contemporaries did during the era (and to varying results); Stevie embraced the big ’80s’ sound, heavily relying on drum machines, synthesizers, and screeching guitars in the production of the album. While many of the songs retain the singer-songwriter’s signature, mystical quality, ‘Rock A Little’ remains Stevie’s most outward attempt at commerciality, especially exemplified by the inclusion of multiple outside writers.
Another aspect that sets the album aside from her previous work, is Stevie’s voice and singing style, which had become rougher and frayed- an extreme contrast to her early work with Fleetwood Mac (Landslide, Dreams, etc.). But, to her credit, in the “new” world of Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Whitney Houston; Stevie held up remarkably well.
The first single from the album, the Chas Sanford-written, “Talk to Me” reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, making it Nicks’ second biggest hit to date.
The song’s simple drum and guitar arrangement was undeniably made-for-radio, but Stevie’s passionate vocal performance saves the song from what could have become ‘just another 80s pop song’ (though it’s lack of airplay on today’s classic rock radio may suggest otherwise).
The second single, “I Can’t Wait”, was unlike anything Stevie had done before or has done since. The song employs a driving rock guitar tempo, smothered in all the 80s fixin’s! Though the song remains one of her biggest hits (#16), it has got to be the most dated sounding single of Stevie’s entire discography.
One of the most baffling things about this record (aside from some head-scratcher lyrics) is the choice of “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You” for the album’s third and last single.
The song, which remains a concert staple and favorite among fans, though not lyrically or musically substantial, was saved from the typical over-production. Stevie’s vocal delivery is emotional and touching, set atop a simple piano and keyboard arrangement and makes for a much more effective album closer than it does a hit single.
Many of the lesser-heard album tracks are what make this album great, in some cases outshining the singles. “Imperial Hotel”, “Some Become Strangers”, “If I Were You”, and the autobiographical “Rock A Little (Go Ahead Lily)” are all highlights.
“No Spoken Word”, however, sticks out as one of the best Nicks-penned songs on the album.
It went (and remains) grossly underappreciated and would have made a far more appropriate final single in the place of “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You”.
‘Rock A Little’ may suffer slightly from dated 80s production, but taken for what they are, these songs make a strong pop-rock album, full of hooks and pleasing melodies.
Being that the album is so unlike any other in Stevie’s catalog, it may not make the best entrance point for new listeners, but after one hears ‘Bella Donna’ and ‘The Wild Heart’, ‘Rock A Little’ showcases a unique artist, who, even while divulging in commercial pop trends, is able to retain her singular, inimitable style.
Rock a Little spawned the singles “Talk to Me” (US No. 4), “I Can’t Wait” (US No. 16), and the mainstay encore for Nicks’ live shows “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You?”
Track listing
I Can't Wait - 4:37Rock a Little (Go Ahead Lily) - 3:39Sister Honey - 3:50I Sing for the Things - 3:45Imperial Hotel - 2:53Some Become Strangers - 3:30Talk to Me - 4:10The Nightmare - 5:23If I Were You - 4:11No Spoken Word - 4:14Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You? - 4:38
Personnel
Stevie Nicks – lead vocals, synthesizersRick Nowels – E-mu Emulator II, Oberheim OB, Prophet-5, backing vocals, synthesizers, guitarsJamie Sheriff – PPG Wave, programming, synth string programming, E-mu Emulator programmingBill Payne – synthesizersCharles Judge – synthesizers, acoustic pianoBenmont Tench – acoustic piano, organGreg Phillinganes – keyboards, synthesizers, timpaniChas Sandford – Ensoniq Mirage, electric guitar, 6-string guitar, 12-string guitar, bass, drum machineBill Cuomo – keyboardsMichael Landau – guitarsGeorge Black – guitars, bass, LinnDrum programming, backing vocals, synth bass, drumsWaddy Wachtel – guitarsLes Dudek – guitarsDanny Kortchmar – guitarsMike Campbell – guitarsKenny Edwards – bassBob Glaub – bassMike Porcaro – bassSteve Jordan – drumsRuss Kunkel – drumsAndy Newmark – drumsDenny Carmassi – drumsBobbye Hall – percussionDavid Kemper – tambourine, percussionBarney Wilen – saxophoneSharon Celani – backing vocalsMarilyn Martin – backing vocalsLori Perry-Nicks – backing vocalsMaria Vidal – backing vocalsCarolyn Brooks – backing vocals
Technical credits
Dave Hernandez – engineerJohn Koverek – engineer, mixingShelly Yakus – engineer, mixingGabe Veltri – overdub engineer, engineerRobert Feist – engineerDavid Leonard – engineerDon Smith – overdub engineer, mixingChas Sandford – engineer, mixingGary Skardina – engineerBrian Foraker – engineerDennis Sager – engineerGeorge Black – mixingJimmy Iovine – mixingChris Lord-Alge – mixingRick Nowels – mixingMick Guzauski – mixingHerńan Rojas – mixingCsaba Pectoz – mixingKeith Olsen – mixingTom "Gondo" Gondolf – additional engineerTom Swift – additional engineerJohn Agnello – assistant engineerCarol Cafiero – assistant engineerMark Corbrin – assistant engineerDan Garcia – assistant engineerDavid Glover – assistant engineerSteve Hirsch – assistant engineerGlen Holguin – assistant engineerJon Ingoldsby – assistant engineerBill Jackson – assistant engineerRobin Laine – assistant engineerRay Leonard – assistant engineerPaul Levy – assistant engineerCasey McMackin – assistant engineerFrank Pekoc – assistant engineerAlex Schmoll – assistant engineerDuane Seykora – assistant engineerPaul Wertheimer – assistant engineerBruce Wildstein – assistant engineerErnie Wilkens – assistant engineerBarry Diament – mastering
Production credits
Debbie Caponetta – production coordinatorBeth Jacobson – production coordinatorNina King – production coordinatorTim McDaniel – production coordinatorGlen Parrish – personal managerMichael Hodgson – art direction, designTony McGee – front cover photographyHerbert Worthington III – back cover photography, inner sleeve photographyStevie Nicks – handtinting back photographyJohn Reed Forsman – additional photography
NotesReleased: November 18, 1985Recorded: 1984–1985Genre: Pop rock, synth-rockLength: 45:20Producer(s): Jimmy Iovine, Rick Nowels, Mike Campbell, Chas Sandford, Keith Olsen
Label – Modern Records
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