When listing the best female musicians of the 20th century one has to name Stevie Nicks and Dolly Parton. There is just no answer in the world that wouldn’t include those two names, as both artists have had an insurmountable influence on popular music. Despite being from two different genres, the two shared similar tendencies both in their personas and their music. Hence, in 1972, Stevie Nicks was able to write the perfect song intended for Dolly Parton.
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Besides Nicks writing a song for Parton, the only other collaboration that has happened between the two was on Parton’s album, Rockstar. In the album, the two dueted on “What Has Rock and Roll Ever Done for You,” which was written by Nicks for the album. Even though these two artists haven’t shared the stage or the studio except for one time, Nicks’ lyrics in “After The Glitter Fades” suggest that they have some unconscious understanding.
Why Stevie Nicks Wrote The Song for Parton
Stevie Nicks wrote the song two years before she and Lindsey Buckingham would go on to join Fleetwood Mac. Given the intended meaning, it comes as a surprise that Nicks’ wrote this song before she herself was incredibly famous. In short, the meaning of the song implies that when one achieves fame it only leaves them unsatisfied and somber. Regardless, to Nicks, this song and the sentiments that it entailed directly applied to Dolly Parton.
When Nicks wrote the song, Parton had already become a member of The Grand Ole Opry and received numerous ACM nominations. Thus, Nicks seemingly believed to be writing about the consistent trials and tribulations of Parton’s early career.
“‘I wanted [Dolly Parton] to do ‘After the Glitter Fades’ cause I really thought it would be perfect for her” and “it got sent to her, and I don’t think Dolly ever really got it. I think if she’d ever got the song, she would have wanted to do it,” said Nicks.
Given that Parton never received it, Stevie Nicks took it upon herself to record the song. In 1981, Nicks released “After The Glitter Fades” as the fifth track on Bella Donna. The song reached to No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 70 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks. Nonetheless, when you listen to the song you can tell it was meant to be sung by Dolly Parton. Though, now, all we can do is imagine what it could have been.
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