The story behind “Landslide” as told by Stevie Nicks:It was written in 1973 at a point where Lindsey [Buckingham] and I had driven to Aspen for him to rehearse for two weeks with Don Everly. Lindsey was going to take Phil’s place. So they rehearsed and left, and I made a choice to stay in Aspen. I figured I’d stay there and one of my girlfriends was there. We stayed there for almost three months while Lindsey was on the road, and this is right after the Buckingham Nicks record had been dropped. And it was horrifying to Lindsey and I because we had a taste of the big time, we recorded in a big studio, we met famous people, we made what we consider to be a brilliant record and nobody liked it (laughs). I had been a waitress and a cleaning lady, and I didn’t mind any of this. I was perfectly delighted to work and support us so that Lindsey could produce and work and fix our songs and make our music. But I had gotten to a point where it was like, “I’m not happy. I am tired. But I don’t know if we can do any better than this. If nobody likes this, then what are we going to do?”
So during that two months I made a decision to continue. “Landslide” was the decision. [Sings] “When you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills”—it’s the only time in my life that I’ve lived in the snow. But looking up at those Rocky Mountains and going, “Okay, we can do it. I’m sure we can do it.” In one of my journal entries, it says, “I took Lindsey and said, We’re going to the top!” And that’s what we did. Within a year, Mick Fleetwood called us, and we were in Fleetwood Mac making $800 a week apiece (laughs). Washing $100 bills through the laundry. It was hysterical. It was like we were rich overnight.
From Performing Songwriter Issue 69, May 2003
Stevie Nicks is also interviewed in Issue 102, June 2007
The Hi-Res PDF of the Stevie Nicks Interview From Issue 102
I am disappointed as I heard somewhere that Stevie Nicks wrote this song for her dad and I have been loving it ever since. It’s still one of my favorites.
Without a doubt, Fleetwood Mac was one of the most influential groups for me in my music over the years. I still remember when Lindsey was going to be “sitting in” and taking the place of Phil Everly (way back when – I was on Okinawa at the time). I never could figure that one out??) No matter, the genius of their music, in both arrangement, singing and playing still holds dear to me to this day. Thanks for all the wonderful sounds (and memories)
Skip………
Heard this song in the movie Jack Frost which was shot in or near Aspen,Co.. Love the song she has a great voice.
I thought it was written in California on a beach from an earlier article. Who was the guy who actually wrote the song part of it?
I love Stevie Nicks and if you ever need a back up singer that can harmonize to you…call me! I have loved your music since I was in my teens…now much older. LOL
I have almost given up on my music more than once (play guitar and sing) but when I get depressed, I listen to landslide and it brings me back up! I haven’t had your kind of luck, fate has it I had 3 children. So if you ever, ever, need a good back up singer…call me!
Fleetwood Mac got me through the 70′s and high school. I loved them then and still do. Loved the story about Landslide.
I love all bands that are versatile. And Fleetwood Mac is the ultimate! Stevie Nicks is awesome with her Mystical writing. Yes, I’m greatly inspired in MY writing also from this great band!
I love listening to Landslide. I also enjoyed reading how the song got written. I similarely have many stories about what how most of my songs were written. Thanks ahain>
Fleetwood Mac Was an important influence in the process of writing my music. It is on my Ipod Nano, which I plug into my Kenwood car stereo. I very rarely listen to the radio. I started writing and composing in 1970. Thanks for all the great music.