The 10 Best Stevie Nicks Songs of All Time

Stevie Nicks is a singer and songwriter known as a solo artist and a member of Fleetwood Mac. She began her career in the music industry in 1966 and joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975 with Lindsey Buckingham, who was her boyfriend at that time. The couple had previously performed as the duo ‘Buckingham Nicks’ and released an album together in 1973. While she was still with Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks began a career as a solo artist in 1981. As a solo artist, she released eight studio albums, six of which reached the top ten in the United States, and 29 singles. Here are the 10 best Stevie Nicks songs of all time.

10. Planets of the Universe (2001)

 

‘Planets of the Universe’ is the most recent Stevie Nicks song on this list. It is a single from her 2001 album ‘Trouble in Shangri-La.’ However, she originally wrote the song when Fleetwood Mac was working on ‘Rumours,’ and it was about her relationship with Buckingham, which was falling apart. In 2001, she revisited the song and removed a verse that sounded very bitter, and remixer Tracy Young and producer John Shanks helped her to improve the track. ‘Planets of the Universe’ reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot Dance Music chart.

9. I Can’t Wait (1985)

 

Apparently, ‘I Can’t ‘Wait’ was recorded by Stevie Nicks in a single take. The singer wrote in her notes that some of her vocals were magic, and she did not think she could make it any better if she recorded another take. However, in retrospect, she has noted that she would have looked better in the music video if she had stayed clear of drugs and alcohol for a few days before shooting the video.

8. Nightbird (1983)

 

‘Nightbird was the third single released by Stevie Nicks from the album ‘The Wild Heart.’ Nicks co-wrote the song with her friend Sandy Stewart who recorded the song with her as a duet. It is Nicks’ favorite track from that album. The theme of the song was the difficulties faced by female rock ‘n’ roll singers. ‘Gate and Garden’ was the B-side for the single.

7. Talk to Me (1985)

 

‘Talk to Me’ was the first single from the 1985 album ‘Rock a Little.’ The song was composed by Chas Sanford and produced by Jimmy Lovine. During rehearsals, Lovine was dissatisfied with Nicks’ vocals. However, Jim Keltner came into the studio to offer Nicks some encouragement, and it helped her to mail the vocals.

6. Blue Denim (1994)

 

‘Blue Denim’ was the lead single from the 1994 album ‘Street Angel,’ which was Stevie Nicks’ first solo album after leaving Fleetwood Mac. Unfortunately, the album was not a success, and the single did not reach a good position in the charts, but the song is still considered one of her best. She co-wrote the song with Mike Campbell, and it is about her relationship with Lindsey Buckingham and how she fell for his blue eyes.

5. After the Glitter Fades (1981)

 

‘After the Glitter Fades’ was a track that featured on Nicks’ first album, ‘Bella Donna.’ Many of the artist’s fans say it is one of her best vocal performances, and the lyrics allow listeners to look into her soul. The song inspired country legend Glen Campbell to use it as a cover on one of his own albums. However, the original Stevie Nicks version remains the best.

4. Rooms on Fire (1989)

 

Far Out Magazine lists ‘Rooms on Fire’ as one of the best Stevie Nicks songs. It is a track from her fourth solo studio album, ‘The Other Side of the Mirror,’ released in 1989. According to Nicks, the song was inspired by her relationship with music producer Rupert Hine. It is also about a woman who realizes that she will never marry or have children. Nicks regularly performed the set until 1999, when she removed the song from her set and has never performed it since.

3. If Anyone Falls (1983)

 

Stevie Nicks co-wrote ‘If Anyone Falls’ with Sandy Stewart, and it was the second single released from the album ‘The Wild Heart’ in 1983. It is a song about unrequited love. Although it was not as commercially successful as ‘Stand Back,’ it reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. There are claims that Stevie Nicks wrote this song on her honeymoon following her short-lived marriage to Kim Anderson, the widower of her friend. They were listening to Prince’s ‘Little Red Corvette on the radio, and it inspired her to start humming a tune. They pulled over so she could record the tune, and it was the basis for ‘If Anyone Falls.’

2. Stand Back (1983)

 

Many fans would argue that ‘Stand Back’ is the most recognizable Stevie Nicks song. It is a single from the 1983 album ‘The Wild Heart.’ Not only did Stevie Nicks perform this song at her own shows, but it also featured regularly on the playlists of Fleetwood Mac sets. Both the single and the album reached number five on the charts.

1. Edge of Seventeen (1981)

 

According to Ultimate Classic Rock, the best Stevie Nicks song is ‘Edge of Seventeen.’ It was the third single she released from her debut album, ‘Bella Donna,’ but it was the first of the singles that was credited only to her. On her previous two singles, she had done duets with Tom Petty and Don Henley. As the only vocalist on ‘Edge of Seventeen,’ it was Nicks’ opportunity to shine as a solo star.