When Christie McVie passed away a few weeks ago, I couldn’t help but imagine the public reaction when her Fleetwood Mac bandmate Stevie Nicks eventually shuffles off this mortal coil. No doubt it will be far more intense.
In part that’s because Nicks is the more flamboyant artist, the scarf-draped mystic who commanded the stage visually while McVie held back. Nicks is also responsible for ‘Landslide’ and ‘Dreams,’ arguably the band’s most popular and beloved songs.
But Nicks also enjoys a greater profile due to her successful solo career, something that eluded McVie.
Case in point: Nicks’ solo debut, 1981’s Bella Donna, went quadruple platinum in the U.S. and spawned four hit singles. Today’s title track wasn’t even one of them. Would Nicks be the icon she is today without ‘Edge of Seventeen’ and ‘Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,’ or future hit ‘Stand Back?’
I know you won’t fall
‘Cause the whole thing’s phoney
You can fly, swingin’ from your trapeze
Scaring all the people
But you never scare me
Bella donna
And we fight for the northern star
No speed limit
This is the fast lane
It’s just the way that it is here
And you say
“I never thought it could”
Bella donna
We fight for the northern star
And the lady’s feeling
Like the moon that she loved
Don’t you know that the stars are
A part of us
And the lady’s feeling
Just like the moon that she loved
And you say
“I never thought it could”
Bella donna
Come in out of the darkness
You are in love with
And I’m ready to sail
It’s just a feeling
Sort of captures your soul
Bella donna
And the woman may be awestruck
And the woman may truly care
But the woman is so tired
So the woman disappears
Come in out of the darkness
Bella donna, my soul
Don’t change, baby, please don’t change
And you say
And your face becomes thin
You never thought it could
Come in out of the darkness
Bella donna
You are a love wind
And I’m ready to sail
It’s just a feeling
Meet Me In Montauk 
I think Nicks also stands out because of her distinct vocal style, her sensuality and her greater celebrity, which was fueled in part by her well-publicized relationship and ending thereof with Lindsey Buckingham and her collaborations with other great artists like Don Henley and Tom Petty.
Love the way Nicks uses background harmonies on this song (and many others).
I’ve listened to Silver Springs an astounding number of times now. She’s such an emotionally captivating performer. Yet, I haven’t properly explored her solo work. Looks like it’ll be a Stevie Nicks listening day!