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Stand Back
View on Wikipedia| "Stand Back" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Stevie Nicks | ||||
| from the album The Wild Heart | ||||
| B-side | "Garbo" | |||
| Released | May 19, 1983 | |||
| Recorded | February 1983[1] | |||
| Studio | Studio 55 (Los Angeles, California) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:48 (LP version) 4:18 (single edit) | |||
| Label | Modern | |||
| Songwriter | Stevie Nicks[5][6] | |||
| Producer | Jimmy Iovine | |||
| Stevie Nicks singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Stand Back" is a song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks from her second solo studio album The Wild Heart (1983). The song was released as the lead single from the album in May 1983 and reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Top Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in August of that year. "Stand Back" has been a staple in Nicks' live shows since its pre-album debut at the 1983 US Festival, and it has also been included in the Fleetwood Mac tour set lists since 1987.
In the United Kingdom, the single was Nicks' first 12-inch release, featuring a different glossy picture sleeve and the inclusion of a third track, "Wild Heart". A 12-inch promotional single was also released to United States radio stations in 1983, featuring a full-colour sleeve, but playing the standard album version (in mono and stereo) on both sides.
Background and composition
[edit]Nicks has often told the story of how she wrote "Stand Back". She wrote it on the day of her marriage to Kim Anderson on January 29, 1983. The newlyweds were driving up to San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara when Prince's song "Little Red Corvette" came on the radio. Nicks started humming along to the melody, especially inspired by the lush synthesizers on the song. The couple retrieved a tape recorder and Nicks recorded the demo in the honeymoon suite that night. Later, when Nicks went into the studio to record the song, she called Prince and told him the story of how she wrote the song to his melody. On the night of February 8, 1983, Prince came to the studio[1] and played synthesizers on it, although his contribution is uncredited on the album. He and Nicks did agree however to split the publishing royalties on the song 50-50. Then, she says, "he just got up and left as if the whole thing happened in a dream."[6][7][8]
Synth player Dave Bluefield, who also programmed the song's rhythm on a DMX drum machine, said that he played the main chords on the song using an Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer and Prince did the "8th note up beats" in the upper octaves during the choruses (first heard at the 0:54 mark - supposedly played with just two fingers).[9] It's possible that Prince played other synth parts that didn't make the final mix.[1]
Prince, however, remarked a different story in regards to the song's drum programming and creation: "When I got there, her and Jimmy Iovine couldn't figure out how to work the drum machine...because people were using live drums at that point...so I went down there and programmed it for them and pretty much played most of the song there in about twenty or thirty minutes".[10]
There were two mixes made of the song: the generally more well-known album version (4:48) and the edited single version (4:18). Differences between the two are somewhat subtle, but the single version tends to have more of a "collapsed" or "mono" sound to it and the electronic drum programs are mixed rather dry and flattened, especially in the song's intro bars; whereas the drum tracks on the album version are accentuated by a generous amount of reverb effect and harder compression. Acoustic drums were given a more backseat role on "Stand Back". There is a further "polished" version of the track, with crisper percussion and louder foreground synth, featured on Nicks' 1991 compilation album Timespace: The Best of Stevie Nicks, remixed by Chris Lord-Alge with a run time of 4:59.
“Stand Back” is performed in the key of B minor with a tempo of 116 beats per minute in common time. The song follows a chord progression of A/G – G – D/A – A – D/A – G/B – Bm – A/B – D/A – G/A – A, and Nicks’ vocals span from A3 to B4.[11][12]
B-side
[edit]"Garbo", the B-side to "Stand Back", is a song referencing Greta Garbo.[13] Another song, partially inspired by Garbo, called "Greta", appears on the 1994 album Street Angel.[14]
The lyrics from the third verse of "Vogue", by Madonna, coincidentally mention the same first three people — Garbo, Marlene Dietrich and Marilyn Monroe (with the second and third names flipped) as that which is depicted in the lyrics of "Garbo".
Reception
[edit]Cash Box said it represents "both familiar and challenging listening," combining Nicks' traditional "vamp posture" with dance music.[15]
Music videos
[edit]Two music videos were filmed for the single. The first, which was never aired and is referred to as the "Scarlett Version", was a lavish production directed by Brian Grant and features Nicks in a Gone with the Wind type scenario. Upon seeing the completed video, Nicks rejected it as, according to Grant, she felt she looked fat.[16] This version can now be found (with Nicks' commentary) on the DVD supplement of her 2007 collection Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks.
As an alternative, a second video was made on a much lower budget than the original. Directed by choreographer Jeffrey Hornaday, it features Nicks performing the song behind a microphone in a spotlight-filled room surrounded by glass walls and mirrors, interspersed with shots of choreographed dance sequences. This was the version aired on television and was also included on Nicks' 1986 video compilation I Can't Wait - The Video Collection as well as the aforementioned Crystal Visions compilation DVD.[17]
Live performances
[edit]Nicks performed the song as the musical guest on the December 10, 1983 Saturday Night Live episode, with Liberty DeVitto of Billy Joel fame on drums and Marilyn Martin singing backup.[18]
One live performance of the song in Nicks' solo shows is captured in the 2009 CD release The Soundstage Sessions, where Nicks chose the track as the opening number to her show, rather than placing it toward the climactic end of the setlist as per previous tours.
Nicks performed the song on January 30, 2025 at Kia Forum in Inglewood, California for FireAid to help with relief efforts for the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.[19][20]
Performances with Fleetwood Mac
[edit]Nicks began performing "Stand Back" with Fleetwood Mac on the band's 1987 tour. It is included on the Fleetwood Mac live concert video Tango in the Night (recorded in December 1987) and a (slightly extended) audio version from the same show is included in the 4-disc boxed set 25 Years – The Chain. Since then, the song has been performed on every Fleetwood Mac tour (with the exception of the On with the Show Tour) Nicks has been a part of, including the Behind the Mask tour in 1990, The Dance reunion tour in 1997, the Say You Will tour in 2003 (it is featured in the 2004 CD/DVD set Fleetwood Mac: Live in Boston), the 2009 Unleashed Tour, as well as the band's 2013 world tour.
Legacy
[edit]Notable artists who performed cover versions of the song include Sky Ferreira and Rod Stewart.[21][22] Additionally, the song was sampled in the song "No Way to Hide" by German techno band Scooter, which was featured on their 2012 album "Music for a Big Night Out".[23]
Personnel
[edit]- Stevie Nicks – vocals
- Sharon Celani – background vocals
- Lori Perry-Nicks – background vocals
- Waddy Wachtel – guitar
- David Williams – guitar
- Steve Lukather – guitar
- Sandy Stewart – synthesizer (possibly credit only)[24]
- Prince - Oberheim OB-8, Roland Jupiter-8 and Oberheim OB-X synthesizers, Oberheim DMX programming[6][10][25][24]
- David Bluefield – Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer and Oberheim DMX programming
- Marvin Caruso – drums
- Russ Kunkel – drum overdubs
- Bobbye Hall – percussion
- Ian Wallace – percussion
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Linus Loves version
[edit]In 2003, Scottish electronic music duo Linus Loves released a cover of "Stand Back" with vocals by Sam Obernik. This version reached No. 31 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 73 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart.[37][38]
Crystal Visions version
[edit]| "Stand Back – Remixes" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Stevie Nicks | ||||
| from the album Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks | ||||
| Released | May 29, 2007 | |||
| Label | Reprise | |||
| Producer | Jimmy Iovine | |||
| Stevie Nicks singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
The song was remixed and released again as a single on August 28, 2007, to promote Nicks' compilation album Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks. This time the single went to number two on the US Dance Club Songs chart and number-one on the Hot Dance Single Sales chart.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Stand Back" (Tracy Takes You Home Mix) | 11:26 |
| 2. | "Stand Back" (Tracy Takes You Home Dub) | 11:34 |
| 3. | "Stand Back" (Tracy Takes You Home Mixshow) | 6:53 |
| 4. | "Stand Back" (Ralphi's Beefy Retro Mix) | 11:12 |
| 5. | "Stand Back" (Ralphi's Beefy Retro Edit) | 7:30 |
| 6. | "Stand Back" (Morgan Page Vox) | 7:02 |
| 7. | "Stand Back" (Morgan Page Dub) | 7:01 |
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[32] | 2 |
Year-end charts
[edit]| Chart (2007) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[39] | 35 |
Notes and references
[edit]- ^ a b c Tudahl, Duane (2017). Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 27–28. ISBN 978-1538105498.
- ^ Sheffield, Rob (February 24, 2023). "The 100 Best Songs of 1983, the Year Pop Went Crazy". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
Stevie Nicks was one 1970s L.A. rock star who got her Eighties New Wave pass. She wrote one of her greatest songs by singing along with the radio...
- ^ Considine, J.D.; Coleman, Mark; Evans, Paul; McGee, David (1992). "Stevie Nicks". In DeCurtis, Anthony; Henke, James; George-Warren, Holly (eds.). Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York: Random House. p. 203.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (July 4, 2024). "Wild-hearted hits: Stevie Nicks' 20 best songs – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ^ ACE Title Search for Stand Back by Stevie Nicks
- ^ a b c "Stand Back". Stevie Nicks In Her Own Words (inherownwords.com). Retrieved 2016-04-25.
- ^ Backer, Rya (April 2, 2009). "Stevie Nicks Wants To Work With Timbaland, Opens Up About Collaborating With Prince". MTV.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2009. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
- ^ "YouTube". YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
- ^ "David Bluefield: Credits". davidbluefield.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ a b Tudahl, Duane (2018). Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984 (Expanded ed.). Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781538116432.
- ^ "Spot on Track - the Spotify & Apple Music tracker".
- ^ "Stand Back". Musicnotes. 15 March 2010.
- ^ "Garbo". stevienicks.info. 6 June 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "Greta". stevienicks.info. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. June 4, 1983. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
- ^ Marks, Craig; Tannenbaum, Rob (2011). I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution. New York, NY: Dutton. p. 110. ISBN 978-0-525-95230-5.
- ^ "How Prince Inspired a Hit for Stevie Nicks". 28 March 2019.
- ^ "Stevie Nicks 'Saturday Night Live' 1983". Waddy Wachtel. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
- ^ Stevens, Matt; Sisario, Ben (30 January 2025). "At FireAid Benefit, Stars Sing a Love Song to Los Angeles". The New York Times.
- ^ "FireAid: Inside the Star-Studded Benefit Show for Los Angeles". Rolling Stone. 31 January 2025.
- ^ Confusion (8 June 2010). "Sky Ferreira - "Stand Back" (Stevie Nicks Cover)". Complex. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ "Overview: Rod Stewart — Lead Vocalist". Allmusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ "No Way to Hide by Scooter". WhoSampled. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ a b Davis, Stephen (2017). Gold Dust Woman: The Biography of Stevie Nicks. St. Martin's Publishing Group. ISBN 9781250032898.
- ^ Morrison, Simon (2022). Mirror in the Sky: The Life and Music of Stevie Nicks. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520973091.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 217. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between 1983 and 19 June 1988.
- ^ Nanda Lwin (1999). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
- ^ Canadian peak
- ^ "Stevie Nicks – Stand Back" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
- ^ "Stevie Nicks Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ "Stevie Nicks Chart History: Mainstream Rock". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ a b "Stevie Nicks Chart History: Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending August 27, 1983". Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 2018-08-15.Cash Box magazine.
- ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts (West Germany)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
- ^ "Talent Almanac 1984: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 95, no. 52. December 24, 1983. p. TA-18.
- ^ "Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 31, 1983. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved 2018-08-15.
- ^ "Linus Loves feat. Sam Obernik". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ "The ARIA Report – ARIA Top 100 Singles – Week Commencing 19th January 2004" (PDF). ARIA. January 19, 2004. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ "Dance Club Songs – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-01-25.
- Timespace – The Best of Stevie Nicks, liner notes
- Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks, liner notes and commentary
Stand Back
View on GrokipediaProduction
Background and composition
Following the monumental success of her debut solo album Bella Donna in 1981, which reached number one on the Billboard 200 and featured hits like "Edge of Seventeen," Stevie Nicks sought to further solidify her independence from Fleetwood Mac through her second solo effort, The Wild Heart.[8] The album represented Nicks' determination to carve out a distinct artistic identity amid the band's internal turmoil, allowing her greater creative control and personal expression beyond the constraints of group dynamics.[8] "Stand Back" originated on January 29, 1983, the day of Nicks' impulsive wedding to Kim Anderson, the road manager for her friend Robin Anderson, who had recently passed away from leukemia.[9] While driving from Los Angeles to their honeymoon at the San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, Nicks heard Prince's "Little Red Corvette" playing on the car radio, a track from his 1982 album 1999 that had become a major hit.[9] The song's infectious synth riff immediately sparked her creativity; Nicks later recalled feeling an urgent need to respond, pulling over to purchase a tape recorder so she could capture the emerging melody and lyrics.[10] That night in the honeymoon suite, Nicks composed "Stand Back" as an immediate emotional outpouring, describing it as a reflection of a "crazy argument" in a tumultuous relationship marked by intense passion and a plea for caution.[11] The lyrics, such as "Well, everybody's gotta get out sometime / Stand back, give me some room," evoke the push-pull of romantic turmoil, warning against getting too close while acknowledging irresistible desire.[9] She recorded an initial demo right there using the tape recorder, humming the melody over the riff she borrowed from Prince—though she emphasized the vocals and structure were entirely her own.[10] This raw version captured the song's urgent energy, later serving as the foundation for its development on The Wild Heart, where Prince added an uncredited keyboard part.[2]Recording and personnel
After writing the song, Stevie Nicks contacted Prince to share its inspiration from his track "Little Red Corvette," and he arrived unannounced at the Los Angeles studio where she was recording, contributing the iconic synthesizer riff in approximately 25 minutes.[11] Prince's involvement remained uncredited due to contractual obligations with his label, though he received co-writing credit on the track.[12] The track was produced by Jimmy Iovine at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, with engineering handled by Shelly Yakus.[13][5] Key session musicians included Waddy Wachtel and David Williams on guitar, Marvin Caruso on drums with overdubs by Russ Kunkel, and backing vocals by Sharon Celani and Lori Perry-Nicks.[13] Additional contributions came from Sandy Stewart on synthesizer, David Bluefield on OB-Xa synthesizer and DMX drum machine programming, Bobbye Hall and Ian Wallace on percussion, and Steve Lukather on guitar.[13][14] The recording blended new wave and synth-pop elements with rock instrumentation, highlighted by Prince's uncredited Oberheim synthesizer layers that defined its driving rhythm.[15] Mixing took place at Rumbo Recorders in Canoga Park, California, emphasizing the song's energetic fusion of electronic textures and organic guitar work.[14]Personnel
| Role | Musician/Contributor |
|---|---|
| Lead vocals | Stevie Nicks |
| Synthesizer | Prince (uncredited) |
| Guitar | Waddy Wachtel, David Williams, Steve Lukather |
| Drums | Marvin Caruso (with overdubs by Russ Kunkel) |
| Percussion | Bobbye Hall, Ian Wallace |
| Synthesizer | Sandy Stewart |
| Synthesizer/Drum programming | David Bluefield (Oberheim OB-Xa, DMX) |
| Backing vocals | Sharon Celani, Lori Perry-Nicks |
| Producer | Jimmy Iovine |
| Engineer | Shelly Yakus |
| Mixer | Shelly Yakus |
Release
Overview and B-side
"Stand Back" was released as the lead single from Stevie Nicks' second solo album, The Wild Heart, on May 19, 1983, by Modern Records, an imprint of Atlantic Records, in the United States.[1] The single preceded the album's release on June 10, 1983, and served as a promotional tie-in to Nicks' ensuing solo tour, which commenced on June 21, 1983, in Knoxville, Tennessee.[16] International variations followed, including a UK release on Parlophone Records with differing artwork and track listings. The single was issued in multiple formats, including a 7-inch vinyl single (catalog number 7-99863) featuring the standard 4:48 album version of "Stand Back."[17] A 12-inch vinyl edition was also available, extending the A-side with an extended mix and, in some markets like the UK, including a third track, "Wild Heart," from the album.[18] Later reissues appeared on CD and digital platforms as part of compilations, such as the 2007 remix single promoting Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks and the 2019 collection Stand Back: 1981–2017.[19] The B-side for the initial 7-inch and 12-inch pressings was the non-album track "Garbo," an original composition credited to Ruthann Friedman and produced by Nicks' collaborators, with no exclusive alternate B-sides in the original run.[17] This pairing complemented the single's mystical and introspective themes, aligning with Nicks' solo aesthetic at the time.[20]Commercial performance
"Stand Back" achieved significant commercial success upon its release, peaking at number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in September 1983 and spending 19 weeks on the chart. Internationally, the song reached number 10 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart, number 20 on the Australian Kent Music Report, and number 48 on the UK Singles Chart.[21] Released during a competitive year in the music industry, "Stand Back" vied for airplay and sales alongside major hits such as The Police's "Every Breath You Take," which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for eight nonconsecutive weeks. The song's synth-driven sound and Nicks' distinctive vocals contributed to its strong radio presence and MTV rotation, bolstering its market performance amid the era's pop and rock landscape. In the post-2000s era, "Stand Back" benefited from a digital sales boost through catalog reissues and streaming services, extending its longevity and introducing the track to new audiences via platforms like iTunes and Spotify.[22]Weekly charts
"Stand Back" entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 60 on the chart dated June 4, 1983, and rose steadily over the summer, entering the top 10 in late July. The single reached its peak of number 5 on the chart dated August 20, 1983, holding that position for two weeks, and remained on the Hot 100 for a total of 19 weeks.[23] On the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, it peaked at number 2. The song also crossed over to adult contemporary radio, peaking at number 12 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Internationally, "Stand Back" achieved moderate success. In Canada, it peaked at number 10 on the RPM Top Singles chart in 1983. In Australia, the single reached number 20 on the Kent Music Report. On the UK Singles Chart, it debuted and peaked at number 48 in September 1983. The following table details the weekly positions of "Stand Back" on the Billboard Hot 100 during its chart run up to and including the peak, as well as its subsequent decline:| Chart date | Position |
|---|---|
| June 4, 1983 | 60 |
| June 11, 1983 | 47 |
| June 18, 1983 | 36 |
| June 25, 1983 | 27 |
| July 2, 1983 | 19 |
| July 9, 1983 | 14 |
| July 16, 1983 | 11 |
| July 23, 1983 | 9 |
| July 30, 1983 | 9 |
| August 6, 1983 | 9 |
| August 13, 1983 | 6 |
| August 20, 1983 | 5 |
| August 27, 1983 | 5 |
| September 3, 1983 | 16 |
| September 10, 1983 | 24 |
| September 17, 1983 | 35 |
| September 24, 1983 | 54 |
Year-end charts
"Stand Back" achieved notable year-end recognition in North America following its release. On the US Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart for 1983, the song ranked at number 44, reflecting its strong performance after peaking at number 5 during the year. In Canada, it placed at number 84 on the RPM Top 100 Singles year-end chart for the same year. The track did not secure prominent positions in major international year-end charts, consistent with its more modest peak placements abroad, such as number 51 in Australia and number 32 in the Netherlands. Long-term, "Stand Back" has been included in Billboard's compilations of top songs from the 1980s, underscoring its enduring status among Stevie Nicks' solo hits. In the digital streaming era, the song has garnered over 40 million plays on Spotify as of November 2025, contributing to renewed interest in Nicks' catalog from the 2010s onward.| Chart (1983) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 44 |
| Canada (RPM Top 100 Singles) | 84 |
Promotion
Music videos
The official music video for "Stand Back," directed by Jeffrey Hornaday, was produced in 1983 to promote the single from Stevie Nicks' album The Wild Heart. Filmed in a Los Angeles studio, the video showcases Nicks clad in flowing, mystical attire, performing amid a group of dancers in a dimly lit space that evokes an otherworldly atmosphere, with prominent emphasis on her signature shawl-twirling and ethereal movements.[6][24] An unreleased alternate version, known as the "Scarlett Version" and directed by Brian Grant, was filmed but shelved due to high production costs and a near-accident involving fire during shooting.[25] An alternate version of the video, capturing a live performance from Nicks' 1983 tour, was broadcast on MTV and runs approximately 4:20 in length.[26] In 2019, the Hornaday-directed video received an HD remaster and was uploaded to Nicks' official YouTube channel, significantly increasing its accessibility and accumulating over 27 million views as of November 2025.[27] No official music video was produced for the single's B-side, "Garbo."[19]Live performances
"Stand Back" debuted in Stevie Nicks' live repertoire during her 1983 Wild Heart Tour, where it frequently served as the set opener, introduced by a distinctive synthesizer riff that captured the song's new wave energy. The track received its pre-album premiere at the US Festival on June 18, 1983, marking an early highlight of Nicks' solo performances. A notable early rendition occurred on Saturday Night Live on December 10, 1983, featuring Nicks with a minimal backing ensemble including Liberty DeVitto on drums and a drum machine, emphasizing the song's driving rhythm in a television setting.[28][29] The song became a recurring staple across Nicks' subsequent solo tours, showcasing evolving arrangements that highlighted her vocal prowess and the track's enduring appeal. During the 1985–1986 Rock a Little Tour, "Stand Back" appeared regularly in setlists, often positioned early to energize audiences with its synth-driven pulse and Nicks' signature twirling stage presence. It maintained prominence in the 2001 Trouble in Shangri-La Tour, where full-band versions integrated it toward the latter part of shows, blending seamlessly with material from her latest album at the time. From 2011 to 2017, encompassing the In Your Dreams Tour and the 24 Karat Gold Tour, Nicks performed the song with robust full-band backing, frequently opening sets to draw crowds into her mystical performance style; for instance, in the 2011 tour, it kicked off concerts with high-energy lighting and instrumentation.[30][31][32] In her 2025 North American Tour, "Stand Back" continued as a highlight, featured in updated productions with enhanced lighting effects that amplified the song's atmospheric quality. Performances included the October 1 show at Portland's Moda Center, October 7 at Phoenix's Footprint Center, October 18 at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall, and October 25 at Hartford's PeoplesBank Arena, where opener Vanessa Carlton performed prior to Nicks' set. These outings underscored the track's adaptability, maintaining its role as a high-octane closer or mid-set energizer.[33][34] Nicks has also adapted "Stand Back" for more intimate settings, delivering acoustic interpretations that strip the song to its emotional core, focusing on lyrical themes of passion and urgency. Such versions appeared in smaller venues and special events, including a 2023 performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, where the arrangement emphasized guitar and vocals over electronic elements, offering fans a reflective contrast to the tour staples.[35]Performances with Fleetwood Mac
"Stand Back" was first performed by Fleetwood Mac during their 1987 Shake the Cage Tour in support of the album Tango in the Night, where it became a regular fixture, played 67 times across the tour's dates.[36] The band's live adaptation of the song replaced the original synthesizer riff—famously contributed by Prince—with guitar work from Lindsey Buckingham, adding a rock edge to the track's electronic elements and emphasizing the group's collaborative dynamics.[37] The song continued as a staple in subsequent Fleetwood Mac tours, including the 1997 The Dance reunion tour, where it was performed at nearly every show, such as at Madison Square Garden on November 27, 1997.[38] It also featured prominently in the 2003–2004 Say You Will Tour, appearing in nearly all shows (137 out of 141 concerts), often as a high-energy highlight with extended instrumental sections that showcased Buckingham's solos and harmonies from Christine McVie.[39] These performances highlighted Nicks' lead vocals while integrating the full band's instrumentation, transforming the solo track into a collective showcase.[40] Following Lindsey Buckingham's departure from the band in 2018, "Stand Back" was not included in the 2019–2020 tour lineup featuring Mike Campbell and Neil Finn on guitar, shifting focus to core Fleetwood Mac catalog songs.[41] The band entered a hiatus after the tour's postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Christine McVie's passing in November 2022, resulting in no performances of the song during 2023–2024. However, amid ongoing discussions for a potential reunion to mark the 50th anniversary of Rumours in 2027, Mick Fleetwood indicated in October 2025 interviews that peace talks between Nicks and Buckingham could pave the way for future shows, though no specific setlist details have been confirmed.[42]Reception and legacy
Critical reception
Upon its release as the lead single from Stevie Nicks' second solo album The Wild Heart in May 1983, "Stand Back" received attention from critics in the context of the album's broader reception. The New York Times noted that the album broadened Nicks' musical scope through energetic tracks, creating a unified tapestry of romantic fervor and Los Angeles-infused funk.[43] A Rolling Stone review of The Wild Heart critiqued the album's lyrical opacity, describing lyrics as "inchoate ramblings" and choruses as "utterly meaningless," though this applied to the release overall rather than the single specifically.[44] Later retrospectives have praised the track's dynamic production and Nicks' commanding vocal presence. Rolling Stone described it as a "synth-pop gem" blending her haunting vocals with a Prince-inspired beat.[45] Billboard highlighted its infectious energy and seamless blend of rock drive with synthetic flourishes.[46] The song's influence from Prince's "Little Red Corvette" drew commentary on its origins. In the context of The Wild Heart, critics tied "Stand Back" to the album's overall cohesion, praising how its synth-rock vigor anchored the record's fusion of folk-rock introspection and bold pop experimentation.[43] By the 1990s, early retrospectives from critics frequently featured "Stand Back" in compilations of Nicks' finest solo work, recognizing its enduring appeal as a high point of her post-Fleetwood Mac output. Publications like Ultimate Classic Rock included it among her top tracks, underscoring its role in defining her as a solo powerhouse.[47]Cultural impact
"Stand Back" has endured as one of Stevie Nicks' signature songs, embodying themes of female empowerment and artistic independence that have defined her career. The track, inspired by Prince's "Little Red Corvette" and featuring his uncredited synthesizer contributions, captures Nicks' resilient spirit and has been a staple in her live performances, symbolizing her role as a trailblazing woman in rock music.[48] The song's cultural resonance is highlighted in Nicks' 2020 concert film Stevie Nicks 24 Karat Gold The Concert, filmed during her 2016-2017 tour, where "Stand Back" is performed as a high-energy highlight, showcasing its enduring appeal to audiences. Its significance was further cemented during Nicks' 2019 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, where she delivered a memorable performance of the track while wearing the original cape from its music video, underscoring its place in her legacy.[49][50][51] In recent years, "Stand Back" has influenced contemporary artists, with Taylor Swift citing Nicks as a key inspiration and the two having collaborated on stage, reflecting the song's indirect impact through Nicks' broader oeuvre. Similarly, the band Haim has drawn from Nicks' style and empowerment narratives in their music, crediting her as a formative influence. By 2025, the song experienced renewed popularity amid Nicks' North American tour, where it remained a setlist centerpiece, driving fan engagement through live renditions at venues like Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.[52][53][54][55]Other versions
Linus Loves version
The Linus Loves version of "Stand Back" is a 2003 electronic house cover of Stevie Nicks' original track, produced by the Scottish duo consisting of Duncan Reid and Kevin McKay, with lead vocals performed by Sam Obernik.[56][57] This rendition reimagines the song through a dance-oriented lens, incorporating pulsating beats, layered loops, and prominent synth overlays to create a club-ready sound while retaining the core lyrical structure and melody.[58] The production emphasizes a driving rhythm suitable for electronic music venues, clocking in at a tempo of 124 beats per minute.[59] Released as a single in late 2003 on labels including Ultra Records in the US (2004 release), Breast Fed Music, and Positiva in the UK, the track features multiple mixes such as the Vocal Club Mix and remixes by artists like Felix da Housecat.[58] It garnered attention in the European dance scene, peaking at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart and number 14 on the UK Dance Singles Chart.[60][61] The version received a US commercial release in 2004 and found play in club circuits.[58]Crystal Visions version
The Crystal Visions version of "Stand Back" is a remastered studio recording featured on Stevie Nicks' 2007 compilation album Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks. The track was newly mixed by Greg Edwards and Shelly Yakus, with original production credited to Jimmy Iovine, and runs 4:48 in length.[62] A remixed version was released as a single on August 28, 2007, to promote the compilation, featuring various dance-oriented edits by multiple producers.[63] The DVD edition of Crystal Visions includes the rare "Scarlett Version" music video for the song, directed by Brian Grant, featuring Nicks in a lavish, cinematic production with her band, including backing vocalists Jana Anderson, Sharon Celani, and Lori Nicks.[6] The video was originally filmed in 1983 but held back from broadcast due to budget concerns and later included as a promotional clip for the compilation.[6] The single charted independently, driven by digital sales and club play. It debuted at #31 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart in June 2007 and peaked at #2.[64] On the Hot Singles Sales chart (reflecting digital and physical sales), it debuted at #10 in September 2007 and reached #4 the following week.[65] Internationally, the remix entered Canada's Top 20 chart in September 2007.[66]| Chart (2007) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs | 2[64] |
| US Billboard Hot Singles Sales | 4[65] |
| Canada Top 20 | 12 |
