Peak
19
Weeks
13
Score
1,671
Chart Year
1987
The second single from Tango In The Night, "Seven Wonders" was written by Stevie Nicks' friend and sometime collaborator Sandy Stewart with some modifications by Nicks, who is credited for "additional lyrics" on the album. Stewart is a singer/songwriter who released a solo album in 1984 called Cat Dancer, which featured Nicks on backing vocals for three songs. She co-wrote three songs on Nicks' 1983 solo album Wild Heart: "If Anyone Falls," "Nightbird" and "Nothing Ever Changes," and also performed on several tracks. The song is about a moment that is so special, nothing will ever approach its beauty. Stevie Nicks sings that even if she gets to see the seven wonders of the world, it won't match this moment. The lyrics Stevie Nicks added and altered were improvised in the studio - the line "all the way down to Emmeline" was something she misheard from Sandy Stewart's original demo, which was really "end of the line." Stevie never wrote down her lyrics, she just sang them, and when Stewart gave her the real lyrics, she thought it was best to use the vocal she recorded, made-up words and all. "Seven Wonders" is one of three Stevie Nicks contributions to the Tango In The Night album, the others being "Welcome to the Room... Sara" and "When I See You Again." After Fleetwood Mac took a break in 1982, Nicks released solo albums in 1983 and 1985, but was struggling with drug addiction. The band re-formed without her, with the other members starting work on the album in late 1985. Nicks didn't participate in most of the sessions, which dragged on for about a year and a half. There was a lot of tension between her and Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, her ex-boyfriend and a co-producer on the album. Early sessions took place at Buckingham's home studio, which was not where Stevie wanted to be. The album was a hit, kickstarted with the lead single "Big Love," a Buckingham song. "Seven Wonders" followed, then two songs written by Christine McVie: "Little Lies" and "Everywhere." Nicks signed on to tour, but Buckingham didn't, quitting the band instead of going on the road. Nicks stuck around for another Fleetwood Mac album in 1990, then left. She and Buckingham didn't return until 1997, when they staged a successful reunion tour. In the 2014 finale of the TV series American Horror Story: Coven, Stevie Nicks opens the episode, called "The Seven Wonders," by performing this song. Nicks had appeared on a previous episode and was a plot point in the series. In the show, the "seven wonders" are a series of challenges the witches must perform to determine their next leader.
So long ago Certain place Certain time You touched my hand On the way On the way down to Emmeline But if our paths never cross Well, you know I'm sorry, but If I live to see the seven wonders I'll make a path to the rainbow's end I'll never live to match the beauty again The rainbow's edge (Aaron) (Aaron) So it's hard to find Someone with that kind of intensity You touched my hand, I played it cool And you reached out your hand to me But if our paths never cross Well, no, I'm not sorry, but If I live to see the seven wonders I'll make a path to the rainbow's end I'll never live to match the beauty again The rainbow's edge (Aaron) (Aaron) So long ago It's a certain time It's a certain place You touched my hand and you smiled All the way back you held out your hand If I hope and if I pray Ooh it might work out someday If I live to see the seven wonders I'll make a path to the rainbow's end I'll never live to match the beauty again If I live to see the seven wonders I'll make a path to the rainbow's end (I'll make a path there) I'll never live to match the beauty again (You'll never live to see the beauty, the beauty, that same same beauty) If I live to see the seven wonders I'll make a path to the rainbow's end I'll never live to match the beauty again (Oh well if I hope and I pray, well, maybe it might work out some day)
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jun 20, 1987 | 52 | 74 |
| 2 | Jun 27, 1987 | 45 | 81 |
| 3 | Jul 4, 1987 | 40 | 86 |
| 4 | Jul 11, 1987 | 34 | 92 |
| 5 | Jul 18, 1987 | 31 | 95 |
| 6 | Jul 25, 1987 | 27 | 99 |
| 7 | Aug 1, 1987 | 26 | 100 |
| 8 | Aug 8, 1987 | 20 | 106 |
| 9 | Aug 15, 1987 | 19 | 107 |
| 10 | Aug 22, 1987 | 27 | 99 |
| 11 | Aug 29, 1987 | 44 | 82 |
| 12 | Sep 5, 1987 | 68 | 58 |
| 13 | Sep 12, 1987 | 96 | 30 |