Fleetwood Mac “Landslide” Lyrics Meaning

“Landslide” is a song by Fleetwood Mac, sung by Stevie Nicks. It first appeared on their album “Fleetwood Mac” in 1975. You can also find it on some compilation albums like “25 Years – The Chain” (1992), “The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac” (2002), and “50 Years – Don’t Stop” (2018). A live version came out as a single 23 years later, from the live reunion album “The Dance” (1997).

Nicks wrote “Landslide” while in Aspen, Colorado. She was inspired by the mountains, thinking about how everything she’d built in her life could suddenly fall apart. The song tells a story about love and life using the metaphor of a snowy mountain avalanche.

In this article, we’ll explore the meaning behind the lyrics.

“Landslide” Lyrics Meaning

[Verse 1]

I took my love, took it down

I climbed a mountain and I turned around

And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills

‘Til the landslide brought me down

In Verse 1, Stevie Nicks begins by stating, “I took my love, took it down.” This could suggest a decision to confront or examine her feelings of love, symbolized by the word “down.”

Then, Nicks sings, “I climbed a mountain and I turned around.” Here, climbing a mountain symbolizes facing a challenge or overcoming obstacles. The act of turning around could imply reflection or introspection, as if she’s looking back on her past experiences.

The next line, “And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills,” suggests that during this introspective moment, she sees herself mirrored in the landscape around her. 

Finally, the verse concludes with, “‘Til the landslide brought me down.” This line introduces the theme of a “landslide,” which could metaphorically represent a sudden and unexpected change or upheaval in her life. The phrase “brought me down” suggests a sense of defeat or vulnerability, as if she’s been humbled by the experience.

[Verse 2]

Oh, mirror in the sky

What is love?

Can the child within my heart rise above?

Can I sail through the changin’ ocean tides?

Can I handle the seasons of my life?

Hmm-hmm, hmm-hmm

In Verse 2, Stevie Nicks begins by addressing the “mirror in the sky,” a metaphorical reference to nature or a higher power. This line suggests a desire for guidance or insight as she grapples with the concept of love.

Nicks then asks, “What is love?” This question reflects a quest for understanding and clarity about the nature of love itself, indicating that she may be questioning her own experiences and emotions.

The following lines, “Can the child within my heart rise above? Can I sail through the changin’ ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life?” express a series of existential inquiries. The metaphor of the “child within my heart” implies a sense of innocence or vulnerability, while references to “changin’ ocean tides” and “seasons of my life” evoke the idea of life’s unpredictable and ever-changing nature.

[Chorus]

Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’

‘Cause I’ve built my life around you

But time makes you bolder

Even children get older

And I’m getting older too

In the chorus, the opening line, “Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’,” reveals a vulnerability and fear of the unknown. Stevie Nicks expresses apprehension about embracing change, suggesting a reluctance to let go of the familiar or the past.

The following line, “‘Cause I’ve built my life around you,” provides context for Nicks’ fear of change. It suggests that her life has been deeply intertwined with someone or something, to the point where change could potentially dismantle the foundation she has built.

In the subsequent lines, “But time makes you bolder, Even children get older, And I’m getting older too,” Nicks acknowledges that despite her fears, time marches forward, bringing with it growth and maturity. The phrase “time makes you bolder” suggests that with time comes a certain strength to face life’s challenges.

[Verse 3]

Oh-oh, take my love, take it down

Oh-oh, climb a mountain and turn around

And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills

Well, the landslide bring it down

In Verse 3, Stevie Nicks continues to explore themes of introspection, self-discovery, and resilience.

She begins by repeating the phrase, “Oh-oh, take my love, take it down,” echoing the sentiment from Verse 1. This repetition suggests a continuation of her journey of self-reflection and introspection.

The following line, “Oh-oh, climb a mountain and turn around,” mirrors the imagery used in Verse 1, symbolizing the ongoing process of confronting challenges and looking back on past experiences.

Nicks then sings, “And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills,” referencing the imagery introduced in Verse 1. This line reaffirms the theme of self-reflection, suggesting that her journey has led her back to a place of introspection and contemplation.

The final line of Verse 3, “Well, the landslide bring it down,” echoes the conclusion of Verse 1. Here, the mention of the “landslide” again symbolizes a sudden and unexpected change or upheaval. However, by repeating this line, Nicks suggests a sense of acceptance or resignation to the inevitability of change,

[Outro]

And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills

Well, the landslide will bring it down

Oh-ohh, the landslide bring it down

In the Outro, Stevie Nicks repeats the line, “And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills,” once again invoking the imagery of self-reflection introduced earlier in the song. 

The final line of the Outro, “Well, the landslide will bring it down,” echoes the earlier references to the “landslide” metaphor. Here, the mention of the “landslide” suggests a recognition of the inevitability of change and the unpredictability of life’s challenges. However, by stating “will bring it down,” Nicks implies a sense of acceptance or resignation to these forces. 

Deeper Meaning Behind “Landslide”

Stevie Nicks wrote “Landslide” during a time when she was financially supporting both herself and Buckingham by working various jobs, including waitressing and cleaning.

She had faced setbacks, like being dropped by Polydor Records and the failure of her debut album with Lindsey Buckingham called “Buckingham Nicks.” It was a critical moment for her.

Stevie’s dad suggested that she give her music career another six months before considering going back to school, which he would pay for. So, her dad was also one of the reasons why she wrote this song. She said:

“My dad did have something to do with it, but he absolutely thinks that he was the whole complete reason it was ever written. I guess it was about September 1974, I was home at my dad and Mom’s house in Phoenix, and my father said, ‘You know, you really put a lot of time into this [her singing career], maybe you should give this six more months, and if you want to go back to school, we’ll pay for it. Basically you can do whatever you want and we’ll pay for it – I have wonderful parents, and I went, ‘cool, I can do that.’ Lindsey and I went up to Aspen, and we went to somebody’s incredible house, and they had a piano, and I had my guitar with me, and I went into their living room, looking out over the incredible Aspen skyway, and I wrote ‘Landslide.’ Three months later, Mick Fleetwood called. On New Year’s Eve, 1974, called and asked us to join Fleetwood Mac. So it was three months, I still had three more months to go to beat my six month goal that my dad gave me.”

However, I think the song’s creation has more to do with Nicks and Buckingham’s long-standing romantic relationship. They’d been together since high school and aimed to be successful musicians as Buckingham Nicks.

But the years of financial struggle took a toll, making lines like “I’ve been afraid of changing, ’cause I’ve built my life around you” reflect uncertainty about their future together.

In the beginning of the song, the line “I took my love, I took it down,” signals a downturn in Nicks’ career. The song’s central metaphor is the landslide, symbolizing the upheaval in her life, with everything she’d built at risk of destruction.

In the line “I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills,” Nicks sees herself mirrored in fragile mountains, hinting that her musician identity could shatter irreparably.

She desperately needed the strength to reconnect with her inner child and conquer her fears, as expressed in the line “Can the child within my heart rise above?”

The line “When I’ve been afraid of changing, ’cause I’ve built my life around you” hints that Nicks had anchored her music career to someone else, perhaps Lindsey Buckingham or the industry. Fear of change is a theme that resonates with many, making the song relatable.

Though Nicks was just 27 when she wrote the line “Even children get older, and I’m getting older too,” she explained it referred to years of working low-paying jobs before her music success, which left her feeling much older than her age.

Ultimately, ‘Landslide’ serves as a powerful reminder of the human experience—of facing uncertainty with courage, embracing change with resilience, and finding strength in moments of vulnerability.

Leave a Comment

Join My Lyrics Writing Course