After the Glitter Fades
| "After the Glitter Fades" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Stevie Nicks | ||||
| from the album Bella Donna | ||||
| B-side | "Think About It" | |||
| Written | 1972 | |||
| Released | April 30, 1982 | |||
| Recorded | 1980–1981 | |||
| Genre | Country rock[1] | |||
| Length | 3:31 | |||
| Label | Modern | |||
| Songwriter | Stevie Nicks | |||
| Producer | Jimmy Iovine | |||
| Stevie Nicks singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"After the Glitter Fades" is a song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks, released as the fourth and final single from her debut solo album Bella Donna (1981). Written by Nicks and produced by Jimmy Iovine, it was originally written a decade before its inclusion on Bella Donna. The track lyrically reflects on the shallow nature of fame in comparison to the lasting, authentic feelings that remain after it ends. Modern Records released it on April 30, 1982.
The least successful single from the album, "After the Glitter Fades" peaked at number 32 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and became a minor hit on both the Adult Contemporary and Hot Country Songs charts. Originally a staple in Nicks' setlists, she last performed the song in 1998 for VH1 Storytellers.[2] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian ranked it as the 19th best song by Nicks.[3]
Background
Nicks originally wrote the song back in 1972. While her musical and romantic partner Lindsey Buckingham was on tour with the Everly Brothers, she took to a notepad and wrote what would become "Rhiannon", "Landslide", and "After the Glitter Fades".[4] The words to "After the Glitter Fades" most likely came from when Nicks was living with Barry McGuire, dreaming about the future.[4] Nicks originally intended for the song to be sung by country singer Dolly Parton, feeling that the song would have been "perfect for her."[4]
Composition
"After the Glitter Fades" is performed in the key of A major, with Nicks' vocals ranging from E4–G#5.[5]
Reception
Cash Box called it "a plaintive rock lament" that "captures that unique Nicks magic."[6]
Charts
"After the Glitter Fades" was released April 30, 1982 and peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 36 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The song also peaked at number 70 on the Hot Country Singles chart, becoming Nicks' only entry to date on that chart.
| Chart (1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[7] | 32 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[8] | 36 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[9] | 70 |
| US Cash Box Top 100[10] | 31 |
Cover versions
- The song was covered by American singer Glen Campbell on his album Letter to Home in 1984.
References
- ↑ "The 50 Best Albums of 1981". Spin. April 12, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
- ↑ "Stevie Nicks Tour Statistics | setlist.fm". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ↑ Petridis, Alexis (4 July 2024). "Wild-hearted hits: Stevie Nicks' 20 best songs – ranked!". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 Potter, Jordan (30 April 2022). "The story of how Stevie Nicks created 'After The Glitter Fades'". Far Out Magazine. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ↑ Nicks, Stevie (11 March 2013). "Stevie Nicks "After the Glitter Fades" Sheet Music in A Major". Musicnotes.com. Hal Leonard Music Publishing. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ↑ "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. May 15, 1982. p. 8. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
- ↑ "Stevie Nicks Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Stevie Nicks Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Stevie Nicks Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles". Cash Box. Vol. XLIV, no. 5. New York, NY. 26 June 1982. p. 4. ISSN 0008-7289.