After starting her career as a duo with her then-boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham, releasing the album Buckingham Nicks to little success, Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, helping the band to become one of the best-selling music acts of all time with over 120 million records sold worldwide. Rumours, the band's second album with Nicks, became one of the best-selling albums worldwide, being certified 20× platinum in the US.[2]
In 1981, while remaining a member of Fleetwood Mac, Nicks began her solo career, releasing the studio album Bella Donna, which topped the Billboard 200 and has reached multiplatinum status.[3] She has released eight studio solo albums and seven studio albums with Fleetwood Mac, selling a certified total of 65 million copies in the US alone.[2]
After the release of her first solo album, Rolling Stone named her the "Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll".[4] Nicks was named one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time[5] and one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time[6] by Rolling Stone. Her Fleetwood Mac songs "Landslide", "Rhiannon", and "Dreams", with the last being the band's only number one hit in the US, together with her solo hit "Edge of Seventeen", have all been included in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[7] She is the first woman to have been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: first as a member of Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and then as a solo artist in 2019.[8]
Nicks has garnered eight Grammy Award[9] nominations and two American Music Award nominations as a solo artist. She has won numerous awards with Fleetwood Mac, including a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1978 for Rumours.
The albums Fleetwood Mac, Rumours, and Bella Donna have been included in the "Greatest of All Time Billboard 200 Albums" chart by Billboard.[10] Furthermore, Rumours was rated the seventh-greatest album of all time in Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time",[11] as well as the fourth-greatest album by female acts.[12]
Rhiannon
Stevie Nicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And wouldn't you love to love her?
Takes to the sky like a bird in flight
And who will be her lover?
All your life you've never seen
A woman taken by the wind
Would you stay if she promised you heaven?
She is like a cat in the dark
And then she is the darkness
She rules her life like a fine skylark
And when the sky is starless
All your life you've never seen
A woman taken by the wind
Would you stay if she promised you heaven?
Will you ever win?
Will you ever win?
Rhiannon
Rhiannon
Rhiannon
Rhiannon
She rings like a bell through the night
And wouldn't you love to love her?
She rules her life like a bird in flight
And who will be her lover?
All your life you've never seen
A woman taken by the wind
Would you stay if she promised you heaven?
Will you ever win?
Will you ever win?
Rhiannon
Rhiannon
Rhiannon
Taken by
Taken by the sky
Taken by
Taken by the sky
Taken by
Taken by the sky
Dreams unwind
Love's a state of mind
Dreams unwind
Love's a state of mind
The song "Rhiannon" is a mystical and mysterious tale that tells the story of a woman who is both elusive and fascinating. The song talks about Rhiannon, a woman who is like the wind, moving quickly and unpredictably, leaving those around her chasing after her. The singer asks the listener whether they would love to love this woman who takes to the sky and rules her life like a bird in flight. The lyrics suggest that Rhiannon is a woman who is unpredictable, and those who try to follow her will always be left behind.
The lyrics mention how Rhiannon is like a cat in the dark and then becomes the darkness. She is a woman who is both beautiful and dangerous, and her actions have a profound impact on those around her. The lyrics suggest that Rhiannon is a force of nature, and the listener needs to be cautious when they choose to love her. The chorus repeats, "Rhiannon," emphasizing her name and the power which it holds, like a chant that beckons her presence.
Overall, "Rhiannon" is a song about a woman who is mysterious, alluring, and captivating, but ultimately untouchable. The song leaves the listener wanting to know more about her, but like the wind, she continues to move on and never stays in one place.
Line by Line Meaning
Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night
Rhiannon's name and presence reverberates throughout the night like that of a ringing bell.
And wouldn't you love to love her?
Her magnetic allure is so strong you can't help but desire her love.
Takes to the sky like a bird in flight
She moves through life with the freedom and grace of a bird soaring through the air.
And who will be her lover?
Despite her desirability, none have successfully tamed the wild spirit that is Rhiannon.
All your life you've never seen
This woman is a unique and rare phenomenon that you've never come across before.
A woman taken by the wind
She is untamed and unpredictable, much like the wind that carries her away.
Would you stay if she promised you heaven?
If Rhiannon promised you paradise, would you be willing to take the risk of being caught up in her unpredictable nature?
Will you ever win?
Is there any hope of taming or winning over someone as wild and free as Rhiannon?
She is like a cat in the dark
Rhiannon is as graceful and independent as a cat prowling through the dark.
And then she is the darkness
She embodies and embraces the mysterious and enigmatic darkness.
She rules her life like a fine skylark
The way Rhiannon lives is as masterful and harmonious as a bird leading a beautiful melody.
And when the sky is starless
Even when there is no direction or guidance from the skies, Rhiannon follows her own path.
Rhiannon
The name and presence of this woman is so powerful that it demands to be repeated and echoed.
Taken by
One who is enraptured, captivated, and caught up with Rhiannon
Taken by the sky
Enraptured by the freedom and grace of Rhiannon's presence, perhaps even as uncontrollable and unpredictable as the sky.
Dreams unwind
The expectations and fantasies surrounding Rhiannon fall apart and unravel.
Love's a state of mind
Love is difficult to understand and unpredictable, much like the nature of Rhiannon herself.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephanie Nicks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Barb R
I don't care what age she is, she will always be mystical and my favorite female artist of all times!!! Thank you Stevie for helping all of us that love you during 2020 and now the beginning of 2023!!!!
susan wallace
Absolutely, man I grew up with Fleetwood, all their albums.
Silvana Porcel
Totally agree!!! Art is ageless
Barb R
@susan wallace A little late in replying; but, Stevie can't be beat!!!
Barb R
@atzerath Well, I have never heard that; but, she will always be the greatest to me.... my opinion!!!
Barb R
@Silvana Porcel You got that right!!! I have followed her from the very beginning....will always be my favorite female artist of all times.
msglimmertwin52
My Dad absolutely loved Stevie Nicks. Her music lit him up, made him smile. He passed away in 2021, I miss him so much. But her songs bring him to life, I feel his presence. Thank you Stevie Nicks, for your timeless and gorgeous music 😊
William Kayaian
Today was my mama birthday also gone , bless you
Allen Childs
I'm 80 and Stevie is the best of the best to bring out my real feelings and emotions. So happy to have her and Mac in my life's loves.
Giants nation
She got class too !!!