The Meaningful Backstory of the Classic Song ‘Landslide’

Through its melody and lyrics, it’s evident that the meaning behind “Landslide” is rather melancholic.

Stevie Nicks wrote “Landslide” and performed it with Fleetwood Mac.

Known for her unique voice and songwriting, solo and with the band, “Landslide” is one of her most important songs and has touched many listeners.

Stevie Nicks performing on stage — Instagram

Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac

Singer and songwriter Stephanie Lynn Nicks, known as Stevie Nicks, was born in Phoenix on May 26, 1948.

Her nickname “Stevie” came from her childhood mispronunciation of “Stephanie.”

She attended Menlo Atherton High School and met Lindsey Buckingham, forming a strong musical partnership, according to Biography.

Stevie briefly attended San Jose State College but dropped out in 1968.

While her family moved to Chicago, she stayed in California and joined the band Fritz with Lindsey. The band opened for acts like Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. The band disbanded in 1971.

Stevie and Lindsey, now romantically involved, released an album together in 1972, which went largely unnoticed.

Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham — Instagram

Stevie worked various jobs to support herself, such as cleaning lady, waitress, and dental assistant.

Meanwhile, in 1974, Fleetwood Mac members sought a new recording studio and visited Sound City Studio, where Stevie and Lindsey had recorded.

Producer Keith Olsen played their song “Frozen Love,” impressing the band with Lindsey’s guitar skills.

A few weeks after Bob Welch left Fleetwood Mac, Mick Fleetwood invited Lindsey to join as the guitarist.

Lindsey agreed that Stevie could also join.

With Fleetwood’s approval, Stevie and Lindsey joined the band in 1975.

The new lineup quickly recorded an album that sold half a million copies by December 1975 and topped the Billboard 200 chart the following autumn.

Stevie’s “Landslide” was part of Fleetwood Mac’s second self-titled album, the first featuring Nicks and Buckingham.

The song played a significant role in making the album one of Fleetwood Mac’s greatest.

On tour, Stevie became known for her flowing outfits and lively stage presence.

The band faced personal challenges in 1976 while working on their next album.

Stevie sought medical help for her strained voice due to touring, and the members’ romantic relationships were falling apart: the McVies divorced, Mick separated from his wife, and Stevie and Lindsey were splitting up.

Despite personal challenges, the band succeeded with their album “Rumours,” which sold over 21 million copies and won the 1978 Grammy for Album of the Year.

Fleetwood Mac album, Rumors with three CDs — Facebook

Stevie also had a successful solo career with hits like “Bella Donna,” “Edge of Seventeen,” and “Stop Dragging My Heart Around.”

She is the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice.

The meaning behind ‘Landslide’

In 1973, Nicks and Buckingham visited Aspen, Colorado, while on tour with the Everly Brothers, PEOPLE noted.

Feeling frustrated with both her career and her personal life (romantic and familial), Nicks wrote “Landslide.”

The song starts with: “I took my love, I took it down / I climbed a mountain and I turned around.” “And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills / ‘Til the landslide brought me down,” the song continues.

Nicks, 27 at the time, told The New York Times that she felt worn out from working various jobs for years.

“I did already feel old in a lot of ways,” Nicks told the outlet. “I’d been working as a waitress and a cleaning lady for years. I was tired.”

Young Stevie Nicks in black and white photo — Instagram

Stevie wrote the song in about five minutes while looking at the snowy Aspen mountains.

“In it, she reflects on her emotions during a tough time in her career, her relationship with Buckingham, and her father, who was a business executive, thus conveying the emotional meaning behind “Landslide.”

She compares her struggles to the risks of a landslide. The title “Landslide” is a metaphor for the instability and unpredictable nature of life, particularly in the context of relationships.