Recording began in late 1982, shortly after the end of Fleetwood Mac's Mirage Tour. But is it? The performance of “Wild Heart” in this video makes me wonder.The Wild Heart is the second solo studio album by American singer and songwriter Stevie Nicks. The defense for these songs, of course, is that music is like life and you need to have balance and a steady pace all chorus, all the time is too much. There are too many to name, but if I had a dime for every four minutes of garbage I slogged through just to hear two good choruses, I’d be slightly richer than I am now. It got me thinking of all the songs that I’ve ever criticized for basically being puppets for an overachieving chorus that is, the verses suck. Part of the issue here is that the video is essentially Stevie showing off her pipes, which contributes a large part to the awesomeness of the “song.” The rest of the issue is that the “Wild Heart” represented here is either an extremely early sketch of the realized song, or a stripped down version apparently made for this kind of repetitive vocal performance.

The bad thing for everyone else: it’s a million miles from the studio version of the song, which is an undeniably lesser creation. It feels like it’s in person, like it’s the coolest moment of the coolest Laurel Canyon party I never went to in 1982. Her effortlessness is apparent as she’s sitting the whole time, singing at the makeup girl like she’s having a conversation. The way her voice fills the room on an 80s video camera microphone is ridiculous. It’s been on repeat in my apartment for the past few days, and shimmying around my head when I leave. Nicks sounds incredible and the song is fantastic. I know there is a long list of such songs, but this has to be at the top. The good thing for this particular cosmetic artiste: she witnessed the best backstage, makeup application bootleg of all-time.

A lot of uncomfortable eye contact ensues with the poor makeup lady, as Nicks sings the song with some help on harmonies. In this video, apparently preparing for a Rolling Stone photo shoot, Nicks is taken away by the music to her song “Wild Heart.” It’s the first track on her second solo album, The Wild Heart (1983). However, if I was trying to, this experience with Stevie Nicks would be my worst nightmare.

I’ve never tried to apply makeup to anyone, definitely including myself.

Stevie nicks wild heart demo