A hairbrush lip-sync anthem.

1982’s “Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks is a really fun song.

The song chugs. There’s no other way to explain it: it’s a slow, then a frantic, chugging song. This is not a song to dance to: it’s a song to fight to. This is a song that you drag yourself through the mud to. It’s not a pretty song.

This is one of those songs that bridges the divide between the 70s and 80s. It’s part of the evolution, and fits solidly in either decade.

Stevie’s lyrics are deep, leaving the listener with a lot to unravel. That’s usually a con for me: I like to focus on the melody, and a lyrically dense song can distract from that. This song is an exception, however.

Her delivery is dirty. This is not the squeaky clean style of music that would come to dominate the 1980s: this is the last dying cry of 70s rock, and it’s one impressive cry.

This is one of those songs that everyone likes. It’s not the best song ever, but it’s good.

Grade: B