Edge of Seventeen
by Stevie Nicks
What is “Edge of Seventeen” really about?
If you’ve ever wondered what “Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks is really about, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down.
Stevie Nicks' 'Edge of Seventeen' captures the profound turbulence of growing up, blending loss, longing, and the quest for self-discovery into an emotive musical journey.
So… what’s this song really about?
Stevie Nicks' 'Edge of Seventeen' is a rich and layered narrative about personal growth and the impact of life's transitions, centered around the metaphorical symbolism of a 'white-winged dove.' The lyrics explore the theme of mourning and the continuous passage of time, reflecting on the connections between personal loss and the broader universal experiences of change and endurance. The mention of the white-winged dove, with its haunting call, serves as a significant symbol throughout the song, representing peace, purity, and transformation.
The imagery conjured in the verses, including the constantly changing yet unchanging sea, and the depiction of emotional floods in a seemingly empty hallway, suggest a coming of age that grapples with both external perceptions and internal revelations. The recurrent mention of the dove's song encapsulates the essence of enduring through life's changes, highlighting a deep yearning for understanding and an unyielding search for meaning within the echoes of fleeting moments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What inspired Stevie Nicks to write 'Edge of Seventeen'?
The song was inspired by the death of John Lennon and the passing of Nicks' uncle Jonathan, reflecting themes of loss and mourning.
Q: What does the white-winged dove symbolize in 'Edge of Seventeen'?
The white-winged dove symbolizes peace and transformation, serving as a narrative and auditory motif that mirrors the themes of personal change and resilience.
Lyrics to “Edge of Seventeen”
51 ContributorsEdge of Seventeen Lyrics
[Verse 2]
Well, I went today
Maybe I will go again tomorrow
Yeah, yeah
Well, the music there
Well, it was hauntingly familiar
When I see you doin'
What I try to do for me
With the words of a poet
And a voice from a choir
And a melody
And nothin' else mattered
[Chorus]
Just like the white-winged dove sings a song
It sounds like she's singin'
Ooh, baby, ooh, said, ooh
Just like the white-winged dove sings a song
It sounds like she's singin'
Said, ooh, baby, ooh, said, ooh
[Verse 3]
The clouds never expect it when it rains
But the sea changes color
But the sea does not change
So with the slow graceful flow of age
I went forth with an age-old desire to please
On the edge of seventeen, ooh, ah
[Chorus]
Just like the white-winged dove sings a song
It sounds like she's singin'
Ooh, baby, ooh, said, ooh
Just like the white-winged dove sings a song
It sounds like she's singin'
Ooh, baby, ooh, said, ooh
[Verse 4]
Well, then suddenly
There was no one left standin' in the hall
Yeah, yeah
In a flood of tears
That no one really ever heard fall at all
When I went searchin' for an answer
Up the stairs and down the hall
And not to find an answer, just to hear the call
Of a nightbird singin', come away (Come away, come away)
[Chorus]
Just like the white-winged dove sings a song (Just like the white-winged dove)
It sounds like she's singin'
Ooh, baby, ooh, said, ooh
Just like the white-winged dove sings a song
It sounds like she's singin'
Ooh, baby, ooh, said, ooh
[Bridge]
Well, I hear you (Well, I hear you)
In the morning (In the morning)
And I hear you (And I hear you)
At nightfall (At nightfall)
Sometimes to be near you
Is to be unable to hear you, my love
I'm a few years older than you, my love (I'm a few years older than you)
[Chorus]
Just like the white-winged dove sings a song (Just like the white-winged dove)
It sounds like she's singin'
Ooh, baby, ooh, said, ooh
Just like the white-winged dove sings a song
It sounds like she's singin'
Ooh, baby, ooh, said, ooh