Credit: Far Out / Warner Records

The quintessential guide to Stevie Nicks albums

Sat 22 November 2025 12:00, UK

For most people just getting into the magic world of Stevie Nicks, it says a lot that exposure likely came from a host of other places, from Miley Cyrus to American Horror Story.

For those who are already well-versed in everything Nicks, you’ll know that she’s not only one of the most important longstanding legends in music history, but she’s also one of the most artistically advanced, as well as someone who deserves far more credit than she actually gets. After all, despite Nicks’ extensive achievements and milestones, she only got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. And is one of the very few women to do so.

Nicks was actually first inducted as part of Fleetwood Mac in 1998, but as most of us already know, her importance runs far deeper than a sidelined member of one of the greatest rock groups in history. Often, her story becomes overshadowed by her love interests and journey with on-again, off-again partner Lindsey Buckingham, but more than that, Nicks is someone who has survived the ups and downs of being a woman in rock while stepping into the shoes of one of the industry’s most respected mentors.

From day one, Nicks was someone who could say what most struggle to put into words, operating somewhere between confessional and mythical. The place she operates in is entirely hers, making her music some of the most instantly recognisable and distinctive, with an added flavour of that quintessential Nicks allure that is hard to put your finger on.

As Harry Styles put it during Nicks’ 2019 induction, “She’s the magical godmother who occupies the in-between. It’s a space that can only be hers. She’s a lot like a rock’n’roll Nina Simone, finding the notes only she can. And by being so unapologetically herself, she gives others permission to do the same, and that is true, Stevie.”

As such, it’s also hard to know where to start sometimes, especially when there are so many hidden gems overshadowed by the louder, more obvious hits in her repertoire. The following records are a starter pack, if you will, to navigating Nicks’ discography and appreciating everything she’s ever gifted to the world.

The quintessential guide to Stevie Nicks albums:

‘Buckingham Nicks’

Where it all began, Buckingham Nicks is the perfect place for any burgeoning Nicks fan to start, as it gives a glimpse into both her mindset as someone trying to make ends meet and her early abilities as one of the greatest storytellers in history.

Pay special attention to the songs ‘Crystal’, ‘Crying in the Night’, ‘Stephanie’, and ‘Don’t Let Me Down Again’, especially as they showcase the beautiful blend of both musicians’ talents with a hint of what’s to come within Fleetwood Mac. ‘Crystal’ actually went on to be included in the band’s 1975 album, with Nicks re-recording the song with herself on lead vocals for the Practical Magic soundtrack.

‘Rumours’

The pinnacle of Nicks’ story with both Fleetwood Mac and Buckingham, Rumours is a must for any self-professed Nicks loyalist, as it’s not only one of the best and most advanced rock efforts in music history but a major part of Nicks’ personal journey with relationships, art, and, perhaps most importantly, herself.

It’s no secret that the best songs on Rumours belong to Nicks, just as it’s no secret that they wouldn’t have become the band that they did without her. ‘Dreams’, ‘I Don’t Want to Know’ and ‘Gold Dust Woman’ make for the more repeated listens on the album, showing Nicks’ ability to pour whimsical lyricism into heartache, heartbreak, longing, and desire.

‘Bella Donna’

Nicks’ first solo album was a challenge for the singer, and while it’s not perfect, the standout songs are. ‘Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around’, of course, steals the show, continuing Nicks’ affinity for hardcore ballad artistry that beckons her lover or ex-lover to show her some respect. Its legacy is probably why it became her track of choice during her 2019 induction, performing along with Styles to honour her own achievements.

Others, like ‘After the Glitter Fades’, ‘Leather and Lace’, and, of course, ‘Edge of Seventeen’ became Nicks’ staple solo songs, setting her on a successful solo journey that proved that, even if she still needed help and support from external figures, she always had what it took to make it on her own.

‘The Wild Heart’

Nicks enlisted more help for her second venture, The Wild Heart. Equipped with names like Tom Petty, Mick Fleetwood, Steve Lukather, and an uncredited contribution from Prince, The Wild Heart saw Nicks pushing the boundaries of her own capabilities, weaving personal afflictions with creative storytelling to create her own carefully crafted worlds.

The standout, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, features an extensive orchestral section throughout, beneath Nicks’ gorgeous vocals, which reached far further than the emotional appeal she’d used within the instrument of her own voice on previous records, Fleetwood Mac included. ‘Stand Back’ marked her official 1980s arrival with a little help from Prince, perfectly topped off with her signature witchy flavourings.

‘Rock A Little’

An album largely overshadowed by Nicks’ cocaine addiction at the time, Rock A Little proved the perils of pursuing a passion project while in the throes of something darker and more sinister. Listening now, you’d never know Nicks was struggling as much as she was, but that also enhances the mysticism of it – that Nicks was still at the top of her game, even then.

Lead single ‘Talk to Me’ feels like the emotional anchor, while ‘I Can’t Wait’ is perhaps the one song that saw Nicks re-focussing on the one theme that serves her best. As she explained, “To understand this song, you sort of have to let yourself go a little crazy. Love is blind, it never works out, but you just have to have it. I think this was about the most exciting song that I had ever heard.”

She went on, “Some vocals are magic and simply not able to beat. So I let go of it, as new to me as it was; but you know, now when I hear it on the radio, this incredible feeling comes over me, like something really incredible is about to happen.”