3 Songs Stevie Nicks Wrote but Didn’t Originally Perform

For those who grew up or came of age in the 1970s and 1980s, the name Stevie Nicks was ubiquitous. She was one of the stars of the decades thanks to her solo work and work with the band Fleetwood Mac. A singer and songwriter, Nicks remains a popular figure in the culture, able to draw a crowd and delight today thanks to her indelible songs.

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Here below, though, we wanted to dive into three songs Nicks wrote but didn’t originally perform. A trio of tracks that she helped compose but gave away to others to take to the studio and stage. Indeed, these are three songs Stevie Nicks wrote but didn’t originally perform.

[RELATED: The Artist Stevie Nicks Wishes She Would’ve Collaborated With]

“If You Ever Did Believe” by Louise Goffin from Louise Goffin (1981)

This song written by Stevie Nicks was handed over to singer Louise Goffin, who recorded it for her 1981 self-titled LP. Nicks even sang backup on the recording. Later, Nicks recorded her own version of the song thanks to the prodding of another musical star, Sheryl Crow. So, the former Fleetwood Mac singer tracked her version for the soundtrack for the 1998 movie Practical Magic. But no matter who sings the tune, the lyrics remain the same. Sings Goffin,

You’ve left me now
And it’s seasoned my soul
And with every step you take
I watch another part of you go
I continue to build a wall
You were so strong, I fell to my knees
And I don’t think I can handle this at all

Well, one more night
I’d like to lie and hold you
Yes, and feel
To make you smile
I’d like to be there for you
Have you forgotten me?

“Sorcerer” by Marilyn Martin from Streets of Fire (1984)

A former backup singer for Nicks, Marilyn Martin busted out to center stage in the 1980s thanks to the eye and ear of record executive Doug Morris. With that, Martin recorded the Nicks-written song “Sorcerer” for the soundtrack for the 1984 movie Streets of Fire. And just like the tune above, Nicks even sang background vocals on this one, switching places with her former backup singer. Nicks, who originally wrote the song in 1972, later recorded her own version of the offering in 2001 for her album Trouble in Shangri-La.. And on “Sorcerer,” Martin sings,

I’m tired, I’m thirsty, hey, hey
I’m wild-eyed in my misery, hey, hey
Timeless, ooh, in your finery, hey, hey
A high price for your luxury, hey, hey, hey

Sorcerer, who is the master?
Man and woman on a star stream
In the middle of a snow dream
Sorcerer, show me the high life
Come over, let me put you on ice

“Think About It” Rusty Wier from Stacked Deck (1977)

Written by Nicks and Roy Bittan, this acoustic-driven love song appeared on singer Rusty Wier’s 1977 album Stacked Deck. It’s a song about breaking up where the singer is telling the other in the now-finished relationship that life will go on. It will get better. But now is time to split. Indeed, on the song, which Nicks later recorded herself for her 1981 LP Bella Donna, its original performer Wier sings,

Step into the velvet of the morning
Let yourself lay back within your dreams
Take on the situation but not the torment
Now you know its not as bad as it seems

Well I know you’d like to come away
But baby you can’t come
Your fortune is your life’s love
Oh and anytime you think about leaving
Think about what you know
Well think about it
Think about it before you go

Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns