Stevie Nicks and the Spell of “Witchy Woman”
Some songs leave an indelible mark. They don’t just blend genres—they cast a spell, lingering in the minds of those who hear them. For Stevie Nicks, one such track is the Eagles’ 1972 classic “Witchy Woman.”
While promoting her album In Your Dreams, Nicks joined BBC Radio 2’s Tracks of My Years and opened her segment with heartfelt praise for the Eagles. She described “Witchy Woman” as a flawless fusion of country and rock and roll, a song that influenced her in ways that echoed through her own music.
A Shared Journey: Nicks, Buckingham, and the Influence of the Eagles
The impact of “Witchy Woman” ran deeper than admiration—it helped shape the musical direction of both Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. Long before Fleetwood Mac fame, their story began in high school, harmonizing on “California Dreamin’” at a Young Life Club event. That early connection would blossom into one of rock’s most legendary partnerships.
After college at San José State University, they left academia behind and joined the psychedelic rock band Fritz, which gave them a stage to develop their voices and style. Following the group’s disbandment in 1972, they released Buckingham Nicks—a commercial flop at the time, but a hidden gem that showcased their raw potential.
Fleetwood Mac and the Rise to Stardom
By 1974, fate stepped in. While Lindsey Buckingham was on tour with the Everly Brothers, Nicks focused on writing what would become career-defining songs like “Rhiannon” and “Landslide.” That same year, a serendipitous introduction to Mick Fleetwood led to an invitation to join Fleetwood Mac. Buckingham agreed—but only if Nicks came too.
The band’s 1975 self-titled album, featuring Nicks’ “Rhiannon” and “Landslide,” became a breakthrough success. Two years later, Rumours catapulted them to rock immortality. But behind the scenes, their influences—like the Eagles—remained ever-present.
The Spell of “Witchy Woman”
Looking back on those early L.A. days, Nicks recalled how the Eagles’ music felt like a guiding force. “The Eagles were famous before Lindsey and I moved to Los Angeles,” she shared. “I remember hearing ‘Witchy Woman’ on the drive and thinking, what a great song it was.”
And like many women at the time, Nicks admitted, “We were all hoping that we would actually be the witchy woman.”
She even dropped a hint about the song’s real-life muse: “I do know who the actual Witchy Woman was… someone who became a very famous jeweller.” That one detail reveals how deeply the Eagles’ music was connected to the personalities, mystique, and mood of 1970s Los Angeles.
What drew Nicks and Buckingham in was the Eagles’ ability to bridge genres. “We loved their singing, and we loved their ability to blend country and rock and roll so beautifully,” she said. To her, “Witchy Woman” was the “perfect mix of country and rock and roll.”
The Origins of a Classic
The song’s magic began before the Eagles were even fully formed. Guitarist Bernie Leadon started working on “Witchy Woman” while still with the Flying Burrito Brothers. After joining forces with Don Henley, the two finished the track—resulting in the only writing credit Henley received on the band’s debut album.
Henley, then living in a house near the Hollywood Bowl with his roommate Henry “Blitz” Vine, recalled its creation: “Bernie came over one day and started playing this strange, minor-key riff… it had a haunting quality.” Inspired, Henley layered in an R&B rhythm, giving the song its signature pulse and otherworldly vibe.
The result was more than just a hit—it was a musical archetype, influencing artists like Nicks, who would go on to explore her own mystical aesthetic and haunting storytelling style.
An Enduring Influence
Stevie Nicks’ love for “Witchy Woman” isn’t just nostalgic—it’s foundational. The Eagles helped mold her sound, inspired her identity, and fueled the creative spirit that would lead her from L.A. dreamer to rock icon.
Their music was part of the spell she would later cast herself.