[Her Heart is Still Wild] -- Forty years ago this week, Stevie Nicks released The Wild Heart, her second solo studio album. It isn't an exact copy of her solo debut, 1981's Bella Donna, but it did follow in the same vein. That included featuring prominent guest musicians: Tom Petty, Toto's guitarist Steve Lukather, David Foster, and conductor Paul Buckmaster were among the record's personnel. Even Prince was involved (albeit uncredited).
Some might cue up the jokes about this safe approach – there's even a song titled, "Nothing Ever Changes." But, come on, there is very little harm in playing to one's strengths. Nicks does so quite admirably on this very listenable disc. She once again achieved commercial, and some critical, success, cementing her position as one of the leading acts of the early 1980s.
Hitting the charts on June 10, 1983, The Wild Heart climbed to #5 on the US Billboard 200, staying in that peak slot for almost two months. In total, the album spent a whole year on the Billboard 200, from June 1983 to June 1984. During its time on the charts, The Wild Heart spawned three hit singles. "Stand Back" peaked at #5, "If Anyone Falls" reached #14, and "Nightbird" came in at #33, all on the Billboard Hot 100. "Stand Back" spent 19 weeks on Billboard, six of them in the top 10, and it was also a global hit. It reached at least the top 40 in Australia (#20), Canada (#10), Germany (#32), and the Netherlands (#29).
Flashback: The Wild Heart (June 10, 1983)
That's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
I'll see you in seven!
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