The Complete Journey of 'Landslide': from 1973 Aspen Cabin to Timeless Anthem
By James H. Sterling
Q1: Was "Landslide" written about Stevie Nicks' father?
A1: While Stevie Nicks later credited her father, Jess Nicks, with providing crucial emotional advice during this period, telling her she had six months to pursue music before returning to school, the song itself was primarily inspired by her romantic and professional relationship with Lindsey Buckingham, as well as the looming Rockies in Aspen.
Q2: Why did Fleetwood Mac not release "Landslide" as a major single in 1975?
A2: Reprise Records focused its promotional muscle on driving up-tempo pop-rock tracks to radio, prioritizing singles like "Over My Head," "Rhiannon," and "Say You Love Me." "Landslide" remained an album cut until the live version from The Dance was officially issued to radio in 1997.
Q3: What guitar tuning is used on the studio version of "Landslide"?
A3: Lindsey Buckingham played the track in standard guitar tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) using a capo on the third fret, allowing him to pick open chord shapes that sit tonally in the key of E-flat major.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
