Beauty and the Beast (Stevie Nicks song)

"Beauty and the Beast" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks. It is the final track on her second album The Wild Heart, released in 1983. It was later released in a live version from Nicks 1986 Rock a Little tour as a B-side to the UK single "Whole Lotta Trouble" in October 1989. It also appears on two compilations: Timespace – The Best of Stevie Nicks, released in 1991, and the boxset, Enchanted, released in 1998.^[1] A new studio version appears on her album, The Soundstage Sessions, released in 2009.

Inspiration and interpretations[]

The song receives its titles and initial inspiration from French filmmaker Jean Cocteau's 1946 film Beauty and the Beast, one of Stevie Nicks' favorite classic films.^[2] Nicks explains the importance of the song to her, both during live performances and in various interviews, as one that encompasses her whole life and represents how everyone is either a beauty or a beast, usually both^[3][4][5] On its re-release in Timespace – The Best of Stevie Nicks (1991), she dedicates the song to Vincent and Catherine, of the late 80's television show, "Beauty and the Beast."^[3]

Studio session[]

"Beauty and the Beast" was recorded during a single three-hour session in Gordon Perry's recording studio. It is recorded with a full string orchestra and grand piano. During the recording session, Stevie Nicks and her back-up vocalists wore long black gowns and served champagne to the visiting musicians.^[6]

Personnel (1983 studio version)[]

Main performers

• Stevie Nicks – vocals
• Roy Bittan – piano
• Sharon Celani – backup vocals
• Lori Perry – backup vocals

String section

• Paul Buckmaster – arranger & conductor
• Gene Bianco – harp
• Jesse Levine – viola
• Julien Barber – viola
• Theodore Israel – viola
• Harry Zaratzian – viola
• Jesse Levy – cello
• Frederick Zlotkin – cello
• Seymour Barab – cello
• Jon Abramowitz – cello
• Marvin Morgenstern – violin
• Herbert Sorkin – violin
• John Pintavalle – violin
• Max Ellen – violin
• Regis Eandiorio – violin
• Harry Glickman – violin
• Peter Dimitriades – violin
• Paul Winter – violin
• Matthew Raimondi – violin
• Harry Cykman – violin
• Raymond Kunicki – violin
• Lewis Eley – violin
• Ruth Waterman – violin
• Paul Gershman – violin

Personnel (2009 studio version)[]

Main performers

• Stevie Nicks – vocals, producer
• Sharon Celani – backup vocals
• Lori Nicks – backup vocals
• Jana Anderson – backup vocals

String section

• Eric Roth – conductor
• Janice MacDonald – flute
• Deb Stevenson – oboe
• Greg Flint – horn
• Christine Worthing – horn
• Guillaume Combet – violin
• Jennifer Cappelli – violin
• Carmen Llop-Kassinger – violin
• Christine Keiko Abe – violin
• Carol Cook – viola
• Jocelyn Davis-Beck – cello
• Eddie Bayers – drums
• Michael Rhodes – bass
• Joe Thomas – keyboards

Live performance[]

During her 2006 and 2007 tours, Stevie Nicks performed "Beauty and the Beast" as her encore. For this number, she changed into a black dress and styled her hair into an up-do to resemble Belle from the 1946 film. Footage from the film played in the background as well while she performed. Due to issues obtain copyrights for the 1946 film, a performance of the song was cut from the final edit of her 2009 Live in Chicago DVD. Instead, a new studio version recorded in Nashville in January 2008 appears on the accompanying album, The Soundstage Sessions.

External links[]

• Stevie Nicks on Beauty and the Beast Quotes by Nicks about the song, gathered from interviews throughout the years.
• Beauty and the Beast at The Nicks Fix Lyrics and information about the song.

References[]