[1] The lyrics were written by Nicks to express the grief resulting from the death of her uncle Jonathan and the murder of John Lennon during the same week of December 1980.

The song's title for the single release was "Edge of Seventeen (Just Like the White Winged Dove)".

In the United States, "Edge of Seventeen" just missed out on the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No.

Throughout the song, a distinctive 16th note guitar riff is played by Waddy Wachtel, progressing through C, D, and E-minor chords.

During the bridge, the chords alternate twice between E-minor and C. Nicks's backing band recommended that they emulate The Police's "Bring On the Night" for the guitar riff, although Wachtel was unfamiliar with the song.

Then about two years ago, I had the radio on, and on comes what sounds like "Edge of Seventeen" – and all of a sudden, there's Sting's voice!

'"[9]Record World praised the song for its "powerful lyrics, a percolating rhythm section and Stevie's throaty vocal.

"[10] Author Zoë Howe[11] has described the song as being about "transforming and elevating the feelings of grief and soaring above them with strength" and being "a perfect combination of tough rock 'n' roll grit, raw emotion and full-beam, strut-about-in-platform-boots rock queen glamour.

The original album version of the song had previously made the top five of Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart in 1981, peaking at No.