Magical Woman Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac is a legendary rock band that emerged in the late 1960s. One of the defining elements of this band is the powerful and enchanting presence of their female members. Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, and later on, Lindsey Buckingham's partner, Stevie Nicks, all contributed to the band's unique sound and persona. Stevie Nicks, in particular, is often referred to as a "magical woman." Her distinct voice, captivating stage presence, and poetic songwriting brought a new dimension to Fleetwood Mac's music. Nicks' mystical and ethereal aura resonated with fans around the world.
Nicks' mystical and ethereal aura resonated with fans around the world. Songs like "Rhiannon" and "Sisters of the Moon" showcase Nicks' fascination with mythology, witches, and otherworldly themes. It is in these songs that her magical essence becomes undeniable.
The Story Behind The Song: Fleetwood Mac - 'Black Magic Woman
In 1969, some six years before the recruitment of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac found themselves at the peak of their early incarnation. In its first form, the band comprised frontman Peter Green, drummer Mick Fleetwood, bassist John McVie and guitarist Danny Kirwan following the disbandment of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
During part two of Peter Jackson’s 2021 documentary The Beatles: Get Back, John Lennon asked his bandmates if they had seen Fleetwood Mac on Late Night Live the night before. “They’re so sweet, man,” he said. “And their lead singer’s [Peter Green] great. You know, looks great, and he sort of sings quiet as well. He’s not a shouter.”
Paul McCartney agreed, saying they sounded like Canned Heat. “Yeah, but better than Canned Heat,” Lennon asserted.
Besides the unbound endorsement heard in this exchange, Lennon notes the unique style that Green brought to Fleetwood Mac’s music. The late 1960s was littered with bands looking to burst some eardrums. John Bonham and Keith Moon had begun a heavy blues rock earthquake, forcing vocalists to scream and shout to outshine the fog. Meanwhile, Fleetwood Mac took a more laid-back approach, most apparent in their instrumental 1968 single, ‘Albatross’.
Earlier that same year, accompanying ‘Albatross’ on the 1969 compilation LP English Rose, Green gave one of his finest vocal and instrumental performances in ‘Black Magic Woman’. The single was eminently representative of Fleetwood Mac’s early soft blues-rock sound and a favourite of many fans, including Carlos Santana, who recorded his popular cover in 1970.
‘Black Magic Woman’ can be traced back to two earlier tracks involving Green and gained evident refinement from careful nurturing over time. Initially, Green was inspired by Otis Rush’s 1958 blues standard ‘All Your Love (I Miss Loving You)’. The track had been treated to an updated cover in 1966 by Green’s former band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, with Eric Clapton, Green’s predecessor, on lead guitar.
“One of the things [John Mayall] said was that if you really like something, you should take the first lines and make up another song from them,” Green said in Peter Green: The Biography. “So that’s what I did with ‘Black Magic Woman’.”
Before the song became ‘Black Magic Woman’, however, Green first arrived at ‘I Loved Another Woman’, an earlier incarnation of the composition that appeared on Fleetwood Mac’s eponymous debut of ’68. Although the lyrics are somewhat different, the mellow minor blues composition with an accompanying Latin rhythm is much the same.
“My baby gone and left me/ Crying by myself/ My baby gone and left me/ Crying by myself/ I loved another woman/ I lost my best gal,” Green sings in the first iteration. These lyrics were changed for the dark, mystical tale of the ‘Black Magic Woman’: “Yes, I’ve got a black magic woman/ Got me so blind I can’t see/ But she’s a black magic woman/ And she’s tryin’ to make a devil out of me”. These more absorbing lyrics were said to be inspired by Green’s former girlfriend, Sandra Elsdon, whom he nicknamed “Magic Mamma”.
Fleetwood Mac’s single version of ‘Black Magic Woman’ became a major hit for the band at this early juncture, but Santana’s rework, as sung by Gregg Rolie and appearing on his album Abraxas became the most popular version. Abraxas was Santana’s second album, and although he had achieved notable fame since his debut with a memorable performance at Woodstock, ‘Black Magic Woman’ was a pivotal release reaching number four on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Listen to Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Black Magic Woman’ below.
During part two of Peter Jackson’s 2021 documentary The Beatles: Get Back, John Lennon asked his bandmates if they had seen Fleetwood Mac on Late Night Live the night before. “They’re so sweet, man,” he said. “And their lead singer’s [Peter Green] great. You know, looks great, and he sort of sings quiet as well. He’s not a shouter.”
The way she effortlessly weaves her lyrics with melodies, telling stories of love, heartbreak, and mysticism, is truly captivating. Christine McVie, on the other hand, brought her own magic to the band. Her melodic piano playing and soothing vocals provided a balance to Nicks' more mystical aesthetic. McVie's songwriting often explored themes of love and relationships, adding depth and variation to the overall sound of Fleetwood Mac. Together, Nicks and McVie created a symbiotic dynamic within the band, creating a harmonious blend of their unique talents. Their performances on stage, combined with their ability to connect with their audience, solidified their status as iconic figures in the music industry. The magical women of Fleetwood Mac brought a sense of vulnerability, strength, and empowerment to their music. Their songs have become anthems for generations of fans, resonating with both women and men alike. Their contributions to the band's success cannot be overstated. In conclusion, Fleetwood Mac's female members, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie, brought a magical essence to the band. Through their captivating stage presence, unique songwriting, and enchanting vocals, they created a timeless and unforgettable sound. They continue to inspire and influence generations of musicians, solidifying their place in music history as iconic and magical women..
Reviews for "Finding Inspiration in the Rhythms of Fleetwood Mac's Leading Lady, Stevie Nicks"
1. David - 2/5 stars - I was highly disappointed with "Magical Woman Fleetwood Mac". I was expecting the classic Fleetwood Mac sound that I love, but instead, the album felt forced and overly experimental. The songs lacked the infectious melodies and powerful vocals that made the band so iconic. It felt like a departure from their signature style rather than an evolution. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and longing for the Fleetwood Mac of old.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "Magical Woman Fleetwood Mac" was a complete disaster in my opinion. The songs were unmemorable and lacked any kind of emotional depth. It seemed like the band was trying too hard to be current and relevant, but ended up losing their unique charm in the process. The production was messy, and the lyrics were forgettable at best. I couldn't connect with any of the tracks and found myself skipping through the album after just a few songs. Definitely not their finest work.
3. Chris - 2/5 stars - As a long-time fan of Fleetwood Mac, "Magical Woman Fleetwood Mac" was a major letdown. The album felt disjointed and lacked the cohesiveness that made their past albums so great. The addition of electronic elements and heavy autotune took away from the band's natural talent and stripped the songs of their authenticity. It felt like they were trying to follow current trends rather than staying true to their own unique sound. Unfortunately, this experiment didn't pay off, and the album fell flat for me.
4. Emily - 1/5 stars - I couldn't bring myself to finish "Magical Woman Fleetwood Mac". The album felt like a mess of mismatched styles and failed attempts to stay relevant. The songs lacked substance and failed to leave any lasting impression. It seemed like the band was trying to reinvent themselves but failed to capture the magic of their earlier work. I found the whole album to be forgettable and found myself questioning why I had even bothered to listen in the first place. A major disappointment.