Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen” paints a vivid portrait of youth, love, and the passing of time. It’s a song about that delicate age where one teeters between adolescence and adulthood. Inspired by real-life events and conversations, Stevie channels her emotions into the song, especially the pain of loss. The white-winged dove serves as a symbol, perhaps of hope or a messenger of change. The song was created as Stevie processed the passing of two important figures in her life. It captures that universal sentiment of navigating the bittersweet journey of growing up.
“Edge of Seventeen” is a hauntingly beautiful anthem about youth, love, loss, and the march of time. Let’s explore the magic behind the lyrics.
“Edge of Seventeen” Lyrics Meaning
The lyrics open with the recurring imagery of a “white winged dove.” Doves often signify peace, hope, or messengers, and in this context, it might represent a soothing presence amidst chaos or the constant in Stevie’s changing world.
“And the days go by, like a strand in the wind, In the web that is my own, I begin again” – Time moves, and with it, our lives transform. These lines are about fresh starts, capturing that sentiment of resilience and beginning anew.
“Said to my friend, baby (everything stopped), Nothin’ else mattered” emphasizes a significant moment or revelation in her life. The reference to the “baby” might be about her friend and guitarist, Tom Petty, who played a role in the song’s inspiration.
The line “On the edge of seventeen” speaks to that threshold between youth and adulthood, a time of great emotion, discovery, and change. A conversation reportedly inspired Stevie with Tom Petty’s wife, who mentioned they met “at the age of seventeen” which Stevie misheard as “edge of seventeen”.
“Well, I went today, Maybe I will go again tomorrow” hints at the uncertainty and explorative nature of youth, perhaps visiting or revisiting places and memories.
“The clouds never expect it when it rains, But the sea changes colours, But the sea does not change” – This is about external changes and internal constancy. Much like the sea, we undergo changes, but our essence remains the same.
“Well, then suddenly there was no one, Left standing in the hall, yeah, yeah, In a flood of tears” touches on the theme of loss, a reflection of the pain Stevie felt when she lost both her uncle and the music icon, John Lennon, around the same time.
“I went forth with an age old desire to please, On the edge of seventeen” wraps up the central theme: the eagerness to fit in, to please, and the challenges that come with growing up.
The Story Behind “Edge of Seventeen”
Stevie Nicks, the enchanting frontwoman of Fleetwood Mac and a celebrated solo artist, has a unique ability to weave personal stories into her songs. “Edge of Seventeen” is no exception, rooted deeply in the experiences that shaped her life during that period.
During the time she penned this song, Stevie was facing profound personal loss. In a cruel twist of fate, she lost two crucial people in quick succession: her beloved uncle and the legendary John Lennon. The unexpectedness of these losses is captured in lines like “the clouds never expect it when it rains.”
The song title itself has an interesting origin. Stevie was having a conversation with Jane Petty, Tom Petty’s wife. Jane was recounting the story of how she met Tom “at the age of seventeen.” However, due to her Southern accent, Stevie misheard it as “edge of seventeen.” This misheard phrase not only gave the song its title but also became emblematic of that transitional phase of life.
Another aspect that influenced the song was the vibrant Los Angeles music scene during the late ’70s and early ’80s. As she navigated her personal losses, the music world around her was changing, with new sounds and stars emerging. This dynamic environment, combined with her personal experiences, makes “Edge of Seventeen” a deeply emotional and layered song.
In sum, “Edge of Seventeen” isn’t just about youth or the cusp of adulthood. It’s a tribute to the challenges and changes that define our lives, reminding listeners that music remains a constant source of solace and understanding amidst the whirlwind of life.