Stevie Nicks Landslide Meaning
Behind the Lyrics: Stevie Nicks and the Deeply Personal Struggles that Inspired 'Landslide'
'Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide," released in 1975, is an emotionally charged track that has sparked numerous interpretations over the years. Stevie Nicks wrote the song during a stormy time in her life. Some have suggested it's about Stevie Nicks' father-daughter relationship, while others believe it's a rumination on the cyclical nature of life. But according to Nicks, the true essence of the song is more intimate and straightforward: "I was tired of poverty. I was tired of being a waitress," she admits, remembering the hardships she and Lindsey Buckingham faced, their scarce finances barely covering food expenses and the pressure testing their relationship.
The stirring lyrics of "Landslide" were conceived when Stevie was grappling with the terror of risking everything for an ambition that seemed far from reach.
‘Landslide' is about the fear of everything coming crashing down and not knowing how you're going to hold things together in pursuit of a dream.
I took my love, I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
'Til the landslide brought me down
Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older, too
Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older, too
Oh, I'm getting older, too
I took my love, I took it down
I climbed a mountain and I turned around
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Well, the landslide will bring it down
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Well, the landslide will bring it down
Oh, the landslide will bring it down
Landside Lyrics Meaning
Key lyrics and their interpretations according to Stevie Nicks:
- "I took my love, I took it down / Climbed a mountain and I turned around / And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills / 'Til the landslide brought me down":In 1973, Nicks was in Aspen, Colorado, when she wrote “Landslide,” and her view of the majestic mountains and the snow-covered hills gave fuel to the fire burning deep inside her as the lyrics flowed from her heart. The "landslide" in the song is a metaphor for the instability and monumental changes in her life, which felt impossible to face alone. She was struggling with her decision to continue pursuing a music career or return to school.
- "Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love? / Can the child within my heart rise above? / Can I sail through the changing ocean tides? / Can I handle the seasons of my life?":The "mirror in the sky" refers to her self-reflection about her life and choices. The "child within my heart" refers to her youthful aspirations and hopes, which had gone unfulfilled to that point in her life. The "changing ocean tides" and "seasons of my life" symbolize the unavoidable changes and phases everyone faces.
- "Well, I've been afraid of changing / 'Cause I've built my life around you / But time makes you bolder / Even children get older / And I'm getting older, too":This verse reflects Nicks' fear of change, especially concerning her relationship with Lindsey Buckingham. But she acknowledges that time and growth are inevitable.
Overall, "Landslide" is a song about confronting and accepting the uncertainties and changes that come with life, love, and pursuing one's dreams.
"Landslide" is one of Stevie Nicks' most personal and introspective songs, written before she and Lindsey Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac. The lyrics speak to change, self-reflection, and the fear of making big decisions.
Nicks said: "I was looking out at the Rocky Mountains pondering the avalanche of everything that had come crashing down on us... at that moment, my life truly felt like a landslide in many ways."
In the song, the phrase "Can I handle the seasons of my life?" reflects her fears and doubts about her future. The lyrics also reflect her relationship with Lindsey Buckingham, her musical partner, and lover.
Over time, the meaning of "Landslide" has evolved for Nicks. She has said that the song has followed her through the years, becoming relevant in different ways as she has experienced various life events and changes.
Other Facts About "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac
Which bands covered "Landslide"?
The most notable are The Dixie Chicks and Smashing Pumpkins.
The Dixie Chicks (now known as The Chicks) covered Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" for their 2002 album "Home." The track was a commercial success and received widespread critical acclaim.
Their version reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, outperforming Fleetwood Mac's original version, which did not chart on the Hot 100. The cover reached No. 2 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It was also successful internationally, charting in several countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The Chicks' rendition of "Landslide" was praised for its emotive and harmonious vocals and the addition of bluegrass elements, including banjo and fiddle, which offered a fresh take on the classic song. The cover helped to introduce a new generation to the song, and it has since become one of The Chicks' most recognized and loved songs.
Their cover of "Landslide" was nominated for several awards. It won the Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and was nominated for Best Country Song and Record of the Year at the 2003 Grammy Awards.
The Smashing Pumpkins cover of "Landslide" appeared on their 1994 B-sides and rarities compilation, "Pisces Iscariot." Unlike Fleetwood Mac's original or the Dixie Chicks' country-inflected version, the Smashing Pumpkins delivered a stripped-down, acoustic take on the song, highlighting frontman Billy Corgan's distinctive vocal style.
Corgan is known for his broad range of musical influences, from heavy metal to gothic rock to psychedelic pop, so it would not be surprising if Fleetwood Mac, with their genre-blending style and significant impact on rock music, has influenced his work.
Reception to the Smashing Pumpkins' version of "Landslide" was generally positive. Fans and critics alike appreciated their minimalist approach to the song, which allowed the raw emotion and lyricism of the original to shine through. While it didn't achieve the chart success of the original or the Dixie Chicks' cover, it still holds a special place in the Smashing Pumpkins' discography and is beloved by many fans of the band.
It's worth noting that "Landslide" wasn't released as a single by the Smashing Pumpkins, which could explain why it didn't receive the same level of commercial attention as other versions. However, the band's rendition has been recognized for contributing to the song's enduring legacy, further solidifying "Landslide" as a timeless classic adaptable to various musical styles and interpretations.