Violet & Blue chart peak 40 years ago

[brad975]

40 years ago this week, "Violet and Blue" peaked at #19 on Billboard's Top Tracks/Mainstream Rock chart.

Unlike charting album tracks like "Enchanted" and "Nothing Ever Changes," this one is not listed in her Wikipedia chart discography. So maybe I'm not the only one who didn't know this track was sort of a hit on rock radio.

1984 was a great year in music, and she's in the company of some classic hits. The track's chart trajectory was 27-22-20-20-19-20-30-50.

Here's the link to the FB chart history post: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...97663498463919

[Villavic]

From that list my favorite is Thompson Twins' Hold Me Now. I love that song.

[Straightback]

Originally Posted by Villavic

From that list my favorite is Thompson Twins' Hold Me Now. I love that song.

Agree. Underrated band, for sure.

Always been a fan of Violet and Blue.

[Macfan4life]

I remember when this was released. It was early 1984 and the local rock station says "we have new music coming up from Stevie Nicks." I thought the song was from her new album when I heard the song on the radio. The song was in good rotation on rock stations and even a few other stations. I remember going to my local record store and one pop station had it listed at #37 on their top 40 chart.
My best radio memory of Violet and Blue was hearing it right before Christine's One In A Million on WDVE Pittsburgh. Chris's album was at its peak this time in 1984.

[BLY]

I remember hearing this on heavy rotation on the Rock stations in the DC area. I also thought it might be from her upcoming album at first. It was definitely a “solo” year for the Mac with Christine’s “Got a Hold on Me” and Lindsey’s “ Go Insane” getting plenty of air play as well.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by BLY

I remember hearing this on heavy rotation on the Rock stations in the DC area. I also thought it might be from her upcoming album at first. It was definitely a “solo” year for the Mac with Christine’s “Got a Hold on Me” and Lindsey’s “ Go Insane” getting plenty of air play as well.

Yes I think it was February 2 1984 when Stevie performed Nightbird on Solid Gold. Then Christine had her top 10 hit and tour. As soon as that was over in the summer we had Go Insane. Then the dry spell happened and it would be a full year and a half for RAL which was not worth its wait IMHO. The rock stations did play Go Insane (single) but they really dug their teeth into Loving Cup which to this day is my favorite Lindsey solo song.

[BLY]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

Yes I think it was February 2 1984 when Stevie performed Nightbird on Solid Gold. Then Christine had her top 10 hit and tour. As soon as that was over in the summer we had Go Insane. Then the dry spell happened and it would be a full year and a half for RAL which was not worth its wait IMHO. The rock stations did play Go Insane (single) but they really dug their teeth into Loving Cup which to this day is my favorite Lindsey solo song.

I do dig Loving Cup but my favorite from Go Insane is and always has been Slow Dancing.

[brad975]

I was still leaning toward top 40 at that time along with watching lots of MTV, so I missed hearing "Violet and Blue" on rock radio (I was 14 at the time).

Later I'd been tempted to buy the Against All Odds soundtrack just to hear it, as I eventually did with the American Anthem soundtrack. Nothing against Phil, but the title track is not one of my favorites by him. And second half is all soundtrack score, so I passed.

So I didn't actually hear "Violet and Blue" until the Enchanted box set in '98.

I really enjoy it. Not sure how well it would have done as an actual single. But I guess it's AOR success is part of the reason she had a mix done for consideration for the Timespace hits collection.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by brad975

I was still leaning toward top 40 at that time along with watching lots of MTV, so I missed hearing "Violet and Blue" on rock radio (I was 14 at the time).

Later I'd been tempted to buy the Against All Odds soundtrack just to hear it, as I eventually did with the American Anthem soundtrack. Nothing against Phil, but the title track is not one of my favorites by him. And second half is all soundtrack score, so I passed.

So I didn't actually hear "Violet and Blue" until the Enchanted box set in '98.

I really enjoy it. Not sure how well it would have done as an actual single. But I guess it's AOR success is part of the reason she had a mix done for consideration for the Timespace hits collection.

Its a very raw track. Stevie prides herself in singing live in the studio with usually one take and this track sounds exactly like it was one take. When she sings and "we both plaaaaaaay" Its a little raw and rough.
I dont know why Violet and Blue was not the second single from a fairly popular soundtrack thanks to Phil Collins. His song went to #1. They released the horrible Peter Gabriel Walk Through the Fire as the second single that did not chart. I bet Violet and Blue would have hit the 20s at least.


Seriously?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BfCxKowJxA

[Steviegirl]

Originally Posted by brad975

I was still leaning toward top 40 at that time along with watching lots of MTV, so I missed hearing "Violet and Blue" on rock radio (I was 14 at the time).

Later I'd been tempted to buy the Against All Odds soundtrack just to hear it, as I eventually did with the American Anthem soundtrack. Nothing against Phil, but the title track is not one of my favorites by him. And second half is all soundtrack score, so I passed.

So I didn't actually hear "Violet and Blue" until the Enchanted box set in '98.

I really enjoy it. Not sure how well it would have done as an actual single. But I guess it's AOR success is part of the reason she had a mix done for consideration for the Timespace hits collection.

I totally bought the Against All Odds soundtrack just to get the song. I always really liked this song and was glad it was on Enchanted because I only had the soundtrack on a crappy cassette tape. Back then, if Stevie was on it, I bought it.

[BLY]

Originally Posted by Steviegirl

I totally bought the Against All Odds soundtrack just to get the song. I always really liked this song and was glad it was on Enchanted because I only had the soundtrack on a crappy cassette tape. Back then, if Stevie was on it, I bought it.

Me too. I had the cassette then I bought the CD and then the cleaner version on Enchanted. If Stevie was on it, I bought it also.

[mitzo]

Never liked this song.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by Steviegirl

I totally bought the Against All Odds soundtrack just to get the song. I always really liked this song and was glad it was on Enchanted because I only had the soundtrack on a crappy cassette tape. Back then, if Stevie was on it, I bought it.

I was the same. I had recorded Violet and Blue off the radio so I did not need to buy Against All Odds. But I did buy the Heavy Metal and Fast Times soundtracks for the Stevie songs. But those albums are so freaking good. Jimmy really could put together a movie soundtrack album. I bought the Gold 45 record that I found in a record store about 1983 and I was in luck because Midnight Wind was the B side.