Some timeless tracks released decades ago weren’t called timeless for nothing. They possess an enduring power, continuing to resonate with listeners across ages and generations. However, with hundreds of new songs released each year, even the most beautiful tracks can easily fade into obscurity. Sometimes, they just need a little push from another medium to find their way back into the spotlight. That’s certainly the case for Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.” The song itself took years to fully cement its status as one of the band’s most beloved classics, slowly growing into a quiet anthem about change, reflection, and the inevitability of growing older. And thanks to a Netflix series, it seems a new generation has finally caught up to it as well. That show is Stranger Things, which featured the song during the epilogue of its series finale, reintroducing its poignant lyrics and haunting melody to millions of new listeners.
Since its first season, Stranger Things has captivated viewers not only with its compelling premise but also with its nostalgic, retro setting. The series has become known for reintroducing beloved songs from the past to a whole new audience. From Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” and Limahl’s “Never Ending Story” to Peter Gabriel’s “Heroes” and The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go?,” the show has consistently turned classic tracks into modern favorites. And if we’re talking about true resurgence, no song quite compares to Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” which soared back up the charts decades after its release. Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” joins that list. Featured during the emotional epilogue of the series finale, the tender ballad once again found itself in the spotlight — and deservedly so.
Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” Is the Perfect Song To Bid Goodbye to ‘Stranger Things’
“Landslide,” written by Stevie Nicks in just five minutes, already received its well-deserved attention years ago, but Stranger Things helped it reach a new milestone. For the first time ever, 50 years after its release, the song charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in January, peaking at No. 41. Nicks responded to the resurgence of the ballad in Stranger Things through her Instagram Story, writing, “Thanks for including us in such an incredible series.” Although it had never appeared on the chart before Season 5, the original recording has sold over 2 million units, proving that it has always been a beloved classic — Stranger Things simply helped it reach a new generation of listeners. First released in 1975 on Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled album, it later appeared on the compilation albums 25 Years – The Chain, The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac, and 50 Years – Don’t Stop.
With its heartfelt lyrics about inevitable change, “Landslide” serves as the perfect soundtrack for a series bidding farewell in its final season. Though now considered an iconic Fleetwood Mac song, it was surprisingly overlooked at first, likely because it wasn’t released as a single until the live version appeared on The Dance in 1997. Upon its initial release, the song received lukewarm reviews and wasn’t immediately recognized by listeners or even some fans. But time only cemented its status as a timeless classic.
Fleetwood Mac Rejected This Hit Song Written by Stevie Nicks Twice Causing Her to Quit the Band
A classic almost went unheard.
The song reflects Nicks’ thoughts during a pivotal moment in her career and her complicated relationship with the band’s guitarist and co-lead vocalist, Lindsey Buckingham. Nicks wrote “Landslide” while visiting Aspen, Colorado, looking at her reflection in a snowy window and drawing a metaphorical connection between the avalanche outside and her current situation. Composed during a period of personal and professional frustration, Nicks said in an interview: “I wrote ‘Landslide’ in 1973, when I was 27, and I did already feel old in a lot of ways. I’d been working as a waitress and a cleaning lady for years. I was tired.”
Fleetwood Mac’s greatest hit, and arguably their signature song, remains “Dreams.” To this day, it’s their only song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their most commercially successful single. But that doesn’t mean their other songs were any less memorable or impactful. In fact, beyond “Dreams,” there exists a rich catalog and a string of beautiful songs, including “Landslide,” which proved to be a gem even decades after its release. And it takes more than just topping the charts to become a timeless classic.