Talk to Me (Stevie Nicks song)
Encyclopedia
"Talk to Me" is a 1985 song by the American singer/songwriter Stevie Nicks
. It was the first single from her third solo album, Rock a Little
. The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100
and claimed the number-one spot on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart for two weeks in 1985.
's "Missing You
". Sandford also plays most of the instruments on "Talk to Me". The song was brought to the attention of Nicks by producer Jimmy Iovine
, "who was always on the hunt for a hit song." Stevie says she didn't like the song at first because she had trouble with the vocals, but Iovine persisted and she eventually recorded it. Jim Keltner was in the studio next door doing some drum overdubs during the recording process. After Nicks explained her dilemma, Keltner gave her some words of encouragement and offered to stay with her and be her audience. Nicks sang the song twice during the session and then it was finished.
shows Nicks performing the song direct to camera in a variety of different sets in what looks like a grand house. One of the sets is a long white room that looks like an art gallery and has three steps in the middle which Nicks, her backing singers Sharon Celani and Lori Perry, and two male dancers, all perform choreographed dance steps together in formation. Nicks' brother, Christopher, features in the video playing the saxophone.
World Tour set in 1986. It was also included on the Canadian leg of The Other Side Of The Mirror
Tour set in 1989. It was also performed on the 1991 "Whole Lotta Trouble Tour" to promote her greatest hits album, Timespace - The Best of Stevie Nicks
.
Picture sleeves varied country by country in its European 7" release, with Spain and Germany using sleeves which featured the artist name and title but no photograph, and the UK using a picture sleeve which featured the black and white photograph of Nicks which was also used for the back cover of the Rock a Little
LP sleeve. The single peaked at #68 in the UK.
A 3-track 12" single was issued in the UK and Germany (but with differing picture sleeves), featuring the album version of the title track and "One More Big Time Rock and Roll Star" and "Imperial Hotel" as the B-sides.
A highly collectable promo 12-inch was released in the US featuring a full-colour glossy picture sleeve and additional inner sleeve, whilst the disc featured the title track in mono and stereo.
Stevie Nicks
Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums...
. It was the first single from her third solo album, Rock a Little
Rock a Little
Rock a Little is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter and Fleetwood Mac vocalist Stevie Nicks.Released in late 1985 while Fleetwood Mac were still on a lengthy hiatus following their album Mirage in 1982, Rock a Little hit the top 20 in its second week and ultimately peaked at #12...
. The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and claimed the number-one spot on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart for two weeks in 1985.
Background
The song was written by Chas Sandford, who co-wrote John WaiteJohn Waite
John Charles Waite is an English rock singer and musician. He was lead vocalist for The Babys and Bad English. As a solo artist, he scored several international hits, including 1984's "Missing You", a top ten hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, reaching #1 in the...
's "Missing You
Missing You (John Waite song)
"Missing You" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by British musician John Waite. It was released in June 1984 as the lead single from the album No Brakes...
". Sandford also plays most of the instruments on "Talk to Me". The song was brought to the attention of Nicks by producer Jimmy Iovine
Jimmy Iovine
James "Jimmy" Iovine is an American music producer, entrepreneur and chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M.-Biography:...
, "who was always on the hunt for a hit song." Stevie says she didn't like the song at first because she had trouble with the vocals, but Iovine persisted and she eventually recorded it. Jim Keltner was in the studio next door doing some drum overdubs during the recording process. After Nicks explained her dilemma, Keltner gave her some words of encouragement and offered to stay with her and be her audience. Nicks sang the song twice during the session and then it was finished.
Music video
The promotional music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
shows Nicks performing the song direct to camera in a variety of different sets in what looks like a grand house. One of the sets is a long white room that looks like an art gallery and has three steps in the middle which Nicks, her backing singers Sharon Celani and Lori Perry, and two male dancers, all perform choreographed dance steps together in formation. Nicks' brother, Christopher, features in the video playing the saxophone.
Live performances
Talk to Me made its live debut in the Rock A LittleRock a Little
Rock a Little is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter and Fleetwood Mac vocalist Stevie Nicks.Released in late 1985 while Fleetwood Mac were still on a lengthy hiatus following their album Mirage in 1982, Rock a Little hit the top 20 in its second week and ultimately peaked at #12...
World Tour set in 1986. It was also included on the Canadian leg of The Other Side Of The Mirror
The Other Side of the Mirror
-Charts:AlbumSingles-Certifications:-Releases and promotions:*The UK 12-inch and CD single releases of "Rooms on Fire" feature an extended version of the song running at 9:00, and also include a live version of "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You?" recorded during the Rock a Little tour as...
Tour set in 1989. It was also performed on the 1991 "Whole Lotta Trouble Tour" to promote her greatest hits album, Timespace - The Best of Stevie Nicks
Timespace - The Best of Stevie Nicks
Timespace – The Best of Stevie Nicks is a 1991 compilation album featuring songs from the solo career of American singer/songwriter and Fleetwood Mac vocalist Stevie Nicks...
.
Single release formats
"Talk to Me" was released as a 7-inch vinyl in many territories in the picture sleeve featured above, with the Nicks-penned "One More Big Time Rock and Roll Star" as its non-album b-side. Promo 7-inch singles with picture sleeve were also released in some countries, including the US, and featured the title track on both sides of the disc.Picture sleeves varied country by country in its European 7" release, with Spain and Germany using sleeves which featured the artist name and title but no photograph, and the UK using a picture sleeve which featured the black and white photograph of Nicks which was also used for the back cover of the Rock a Little
Rock a Little
Rock a Little is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter and Fleetwood Mac vocalist Stevie Nicks.Released in late 1985 while Fleetwood Mac were still on a lengthy hiatus following their album Mirage in 1982, Rock a Little hit the top 20 in its second week and ultimately peaked at #12...
LP sleeve. The single peaked at #68 in the UK.
A 3-track 12" single was issued in the UK and Germany (but with differing picture sleeves), featuring the album version of the title track and "One More Big Time Rock and Roll Star" and "Imperial Hotel" as the B-sides.
A highly collectable promo 12-inch was released in the US featuring a full-colour glossy picture sleeve and additional inner sleeve, whilst the disc featured the title track in mono and stereo.
Other Versions
- LovedrugLovedrugLovedrug is an indie rock band from Canton, Ohio that formed in 2001. The band’s name is something of a word play; singer Michael Shepard initially left music to attend film school but his first ‘love’ of the music medium ‘dragged’ him back .- History :Lovedrug released their first EP, the...
included a live recording of Talk To MeTalk to MeTalk to Me is a 1996 made-for-TV drama film that features Yasmine Bleeth and Ricky Paull Goldin.-Plot:The movie involves Diane Shepherd who is an idealistic talk-showproducer who is conscience-stricken when she clashes with her...
on the fan-chosen covers album from the I AM LOVEDRUG campaign.. The album, titled “Best of I AM LOVEDRUG”, was released June 28, 2011.
Appearances in other media
- The song was recorded by Diva DestructionDiva DestructionDiva Destruction is an American darkwave project. It was formed by singer/songwriterDebra Fogarty in 1998.-History:Diva Destruction was formed in 1998 by Debra Fogarty. Shortly after, Diva Destruction signed to German music label Alice In... of the Dark Dimensions label group...
for Todd Stephens' 2001 film Gypsy 83Gypsy 83Gypsy 83 is a 2001 drama film, written and directed by Todd Stephens, about two young goths, Gypsy and Clive, who travel to New York for an annual festival celebrating their idol, Stevie Nicks.-Plot:...
, about a Stevie Nicks fan who travels across the country to attend the annual "Night of a Thousand Stevies" event.
Charts
| Chart (1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Album Rock Tracks | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 4 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary Single's | 14 |
| Australian Singles Chart | 22 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 6 |
| German Singles Chart | 28 |
| UK Singles Chart | 66 |
Additional sources
- TimeSpace: The Best of Stevie Nicks, liner notes
- Crystal Visions... The Very Best of Stevie Nicks, liner notes and commentary